Eureka shows off do-it-all clothes and floor cleaning marvel

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There’s something magical about a device with multiple purposes that you don’t see every day, and that’s what’s happening with the Eureka Dual Washing Bot. This do-it-all machine is actually 4 appliances in 1. At first glance, you might think it’s a washing machine, and you’d be right. It is a washing machine. But it can also dry your clothes in the same drum. Making it a washer and dryer combo. Open up the front-loading door and toss your dirty clothes in, and the Eureka Dual Washing bot will get them nice and clean. Once they’re clean, it dries them for you.

This alone would already be pretty neat but Eureka isn’t stopping there. This machine also acts as the base station for a robot vacuum. And that robot vacuum can also mop your floors in addition to cleaning them of dirt and debris. Eureka’s multi-function appliance isn’t the kind of thing that comes around a whole lot. So when it pops up at CES it’s hard not to stand up and take notice.

Eureka Dual Washing Bot is loaded with features

If it wasn’t enough that the Dual Washing Bot was a 4-in-1 device, it’s also loaded with all kinds of features. Eureka doesn’t talk about them all but it does mention some of the key highlights. For instance, the robot vacuum has a suction power of 5,000 Pa. That’s about half of the suction power of the new Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra we checked out at CES. This puts the robot vacuum in the Dual Washing Bot kind of in the mid-range tier for robot vacuums. At least where the suction power is concerned.

That being said, the utility of the vacuum being able to mop on top of its base station cleaning your clothes is likely to be appealing to a lot of consumers. Having all of these things in one single unit also saves on space. And that’s not usually a bad thing, especially if you live in a smaller home where every bit of extra space counts.

The vacuum’s base station can also self-empty the bin when it’s done cleaning, and there’s enough room to hold all that stuff picked up off your floors for up to two months. What’s more, the washing machine unit uses a single power cord hookup, and it’s connected to your water line to feed the washing machine. This also allows it to refill the water tank in the vacuum for the mopping function. Plus, a second pipe connection can empty the dirty water before the refill. The whole thing is a cohesive unit.

That being said, Eureka doesn’t mention pricing or availability. It is noted though that the Dual Washing Bot is based on the ‘Washbot’ from Eureka’s parent company Midea. The Washbot even looks the same and appears to have all the same features.


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Flappie’s AI cat door prevents your pet from getting in with prey

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Besides some great wearables such as the AirVision M1 from ASUS or the world’s first “whispering ring“, CES 2024 is also offering an AI-powered smart door for your pet cat. Swiss start-up Flappie has introduced this smart cat door which automatically locks itself if your feline friend tries to bring in prey it caught from the outside.

The innovative cat door is equipped with a motion sensor and night-vision camera on the exterior side, reports Engadget. The smart door uses AI technologies that boast over 90 percent accuracy in identifying prey brought by the cat. Flappie aims to reduce the frequency of such incidents while providing a secure entry point for your pets.

The Flappie app enables you to remotely manage the cat door through your phone

The AI-powered cat door features manual switches on the interior side, allowing users to lock and unlock it at will and deactivate the prey-detection system. Flappie envisions that, over time, pets will accept the fact that they shouldn’t enter carrying something. Once they drop the prey, the door promptly unlocks, allowing them to enter. While acknowledging that clever cats might attempt to outsmart the system by dropping the prey, opening the door, picking it up again, and dashing inside, Flappie emphasizes the practicality and effectiveness of its solution.

To enhance security and personalize access, Flappie‘s cat door incorporates chip detection. It means that the door will be able to allow only your pet with a microchip and not any other animal. The system offers pet owners control through a dedicated app, enabling remote management via smartphones. For those who prefer not to connect the cat door to the internet, manual controls on the door itself provide a convenient alternative.

Flappie plans to launch its AI-powered cat door initially in Switzerland and Germany in the coming spring, with further expansion on the horizon as production scales up. While a US launch is part of Flappie’s roadmap, the company has not disclosed any specific details regarding timing and pricing for the said market.

Yet, a CES newsletter concentrating on Swiss tech companies indicates that Flappie plans to set the price of the AI-powered door at around $399 or offer it for $199 with a two-year $8.90 monthly subscription to the accompanying app, providing access to recorded videos of your pet’s activities.


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Android 14 shows post-update push notifications describing new features

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Google is informing users about the latest features and improvements on Android 14 through push notifications after the system update as part of its ‘Android Upgrade Party’ initiative. As Android 14 makes its way to various devices, a series of post-update notifications are rolling out to users, providing them with a comprehensive summary of the changes.

This initiative is part of Google’s “Android Upgrade Party” program, introduced in 2022, which allows device manufacturers to customize and push post-update summaries to users, enhancing their understanding of the newly refreshed operating system. Users receiving the notifications are greeted with a message stating, “Your Android device just got better,” accompanied by the option to embark on a guided tour of the new features or skip it for later exploration. The content of these notifications varies based on the device and the specific features it has received with the Android 14 upgrade.

For instance, a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra emphasizes Google app features introduced in the December bundle, such as Google Maps sharing improvements, highlight videos in Google Photos, animated emojis in Google Messages, enhancements to accessibility feature Sound Notifications, and the ability to secure passkeys with custom PINs.

Google’s ‘Android Upgrade Party’ initiative enhances user engagement by offering tours of new features

On the other hand, the notification experience for the Asus Zenfone 10 revolves more around Android itself. The tour for Asus Zenfone 10 users highlights the new monochrome theme, synchronization of health and fitness apps, improved location permission dialogs, flash notifications, the new magnification option in quick settings, and additional hearing device options. The customizability of these notifications allows manufacturers to tailor the information to their devices and user base, making the upgrade experience more engaging and user-friendly.

While these post-update notifications are not entirely new, their increased prevalence with Android 14 suggests a growing adoption of Google’s Upgrade Party initiative. The initiative aims to address the common issue of users not fully appreciating the significance of major Android updates. By providing interactive and informative tours, Google and device manufacturers seek to increase user engagement and ensure a smoother transition to the updated operating system.

Additionally, Google employs other methods, such as notifications from the Pixel Tips app and detailed changelogs, to keep users informed and excited about the latest features. As Android continues to evolve, these efforts underscore the importance of user education and satisfaction in the constantly advancing mobile landscape.

Image credit: Android Police


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Hands-On with the Roborock S8 series, Q Revo series, and Flexi series

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Roborock showed up at CES with a new range of vacuums for this year, and being big fans of their past robot vacuums we wanted to check things out and get hands-on time with the new S8 series, Q Revo series, and Flexi series vacuums.

While not the most advanced, the Flexi series vacuums caught our eye. For one these are push vacuums. So there’s no robotic function, and that sort of product is uncommon from a company that specializes in robot vacuums. These won’t maneuver around your home and clean the floors for you. No, these are regular vacuums that you will manually clean the floors with yourself. It’s not a route many robot vacuum companies go. But Roborock has been offering them and for the first time, Roborock will begin selling its Flexi series vacuums in the US.

This will include the Flex Pro and the Flexi Lite. Both of these feature a really neat lay-flat function that allows you to get into any hard-to-reach areas. Such as under couches, chairs, and tables with ease. These also have a much higher suction power than any of the robot vacuums, naturally, since they have more room for the inside components. Roborock says they have a suction power of 17,000Pa. Which is about 7,000Pa suction power over the maximum of the S8 MaxV Ultra’s 10,000Pa.

You might need to manually push these around, but they certainly won’t compromise on the clean. And the fact that they still have mops for wet cleaning makes them that much better.

Roborock’s new robot vacuums promise to clean every corner

Robot vacuums are great and there are loads out there to choose from. But Roborock is aiming to edge out the competition with some truly impressive features. That’s why we were excited to get some hands-on time with the Roborock S8 series and Q Revo series vacuums. The S8 series vacuums for instance will come with both a FlexiArm side brush and an Extra Edge mop arm. These will work in tandem to ensure every single inch of your floor is clean. Not just the spaces away from pesky corners.

The neat thing about the FlexiArm side brush is that it extends out when the vacuum comes up to a corner and pushes any dirt or debris away from the corner so the vacuum can suck it up. The Extra Edge mop is neat too. This sits towards the backside of the vacuum and mops the floor and the edge of the floor that sits next to the baseboards.

The Q Revo series vacuums are impressive too. These don’t feature the FlexiArm design side brush but they do employ the FlexiArm Design robotic arm for the Extra Edge mopping system. These vacuums also feature two big round mop pads that are attached to these arms, as opposed to a larger single pad on the S8 series. All of these new robot vacuums promise to bring an intense clean to your home. But they also offer something unique from each other.

For example, the S8 series vacuums are more powerful, but the Q Revo series has the larger mop pads on the FlexiArm. The Q Revo series vacuums will also cost hundreds less. Still, all four of them look to be well-equipped to handle your floors. You will be able to purchase all of these in April.


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Sony unveils new XR headset and controllers for spatial content creation

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In a surprise announcement during its CES 2024 presentation, Sony revealed a new XR head-mounted display and controllers designed for “spatial content creation.” While lacking an official name, the headset features a matte gray finish, reminiscent of the PSVR2, with two outward-facing cameras at the front. The hardware, targeted at creators and artists, is set to launch later in 2024, with pricing details yet to be disclosed.

The XR headset runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, eliminating the need for a connected computer. The device boasts dual 4K OLED microdisplays, promising a “crisp viewing experience” and “intuitive interaction for 3D design.” Sony envisions the headset as a tool for professionals, akin to its line of professional-level cameras and devices. The headset incorporates a “video see-through” feature. It equips six cameras and sensors to enable user and space tracking for mixed reality experiences.

This new XR headset from Sony enables spatial content creation with some cool controlling features

Accompanying the XR headset are two controllers: a “ring controller” for manipulating objects and a “pointing controller” for more traditional pointing interactions. Sony envisions creators using both controllers in tandem with traditional input devices like keyboards to craft 3D models in real-time. The company has fine-tuned the headset’s balance with a center of gravity adjustment. You can also flip the display portion up and out of your field of vision. It enables seamless transitions between the virtual and physical worlds.

Sony positions the XR headset more as a creative tool than a direct competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro, targeting spatial content creation similar to Microsoft’s HoloLens. Sony showcased a user manipulating a bipedal robot, controlling its arm through the headset and controllers. The company emphasizes the ability to review and collaborate on work remotely through third-party creative apps.

While the announcement (via The Verge) provided an initial glimpse, further details and hands-on experiences will be available at Sony’s booth during the event.


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Patch now! First patch Tuesday of 2024 is here

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Microsoft has issued patches for 48 security vulnerabilities in the first Patch Tuesday of 2024. With a relatively low number of patches—and only two of them critical—this makes it a relatively quiet month, which is certainly not the norm in January.

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database lists publicly disclosed computer security flaws. The CVE IDs for the two critical vulnerabilities are:

CVE-2024-20674 is a Windows Kerberos security feature bypass vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.0 out of 10. An authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by establishing a machine-in-the-middle (MITM) attack or other local network spoofing technique, then sending a malicious Kerberos message to the client victim machine to spoof itself as the Kerberos authentication server.

Kerberos is an authentication protocol that is used to verify the identity of a user or host. To make use of this vulnerability the attacker will need to gain access to the restricted network before being able to run an attack. Nevertheless Microsoft thinks exploitation is “more likely,” which means the vulnerability could be exploited as part of an attack chain.

CVE-2024-20700 is a Windows Hyper-V Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 out of 10. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability might be hard because it requires an attacker to win a race condition and they will need to first gain access to the restricted network before running an attack.

Hyper-V is the Windows hardware virtualization service. It enables users to create and run a software version of a computer, called a virtual machine. Sometimes these virtual machines are attractive targets for cybercriminals. But the advisory is not very clear on the exact circumstances or context that would allow the RCE.

One other vulnerability, classified as important, that might turn out to be of interest, at least for some users, is:

CVE-2024-20677 is a Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10. The security vulnerability exists in FBX that could lead to remote code execution. To mitigate this vulnerability, the ability to insert FBX files has been disabled in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook for Windows and Mac. Versions of Office that had this feature enabled will no longer have access to it. This includes Office 2019, Office 2021, Office LTSC for Mac 2021, and Microsoft 365.

FBX files are a type of 3D model file created using the Autodesk FBX software. When you try to insert an FBX file into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, you will see the following error: “An error occurred while importing this file.” If you’d like to re-enable this ability, you can find the reasons why you shouldn’t and the method how to do it on this Microsoft Support page.

Other vendors

Other vendors have synchronized their periodic updates with Microsoft. Here are few major ones that you may find in your environment.


We don’t just report on vulnerabilities—we identify them, and prioritize action.

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep vulnerabilities in tow by using ThreatDown Vulnerability and Patch Management.


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Roborock debuts new, powerful cleaning solutions at CES 2024

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Roborock has announced a fleet of new robot vacuums and cleaning solutions at CES 2024, including some new options that actually aren’t robots at all. If you thought Roborock was all about robot vacuums and robot vacuums only, you’d be wrong. While the company’s main bread and butter is robot vacuums, it does make vacuums that you control yourself and manually push around. Like we all used to do 15-20 years ago.

This isn’t Roborock’s first time launching a regular vacuum. It is, however, the company’s first time launching these kinds of vacuums in the US market. During its CES unveiling, Roborock debuted 6 new cleaning solutions. This includes the S8 MaxV Ultra, S8 Max Ultra, Q Revo MaxV, and Q Revo Pro robot vacuums. The remaining two cleaning products are the Flexi Pro and Flexi Lite, which are handheld push vacuums. But just because they aren’t robots that doesn’t mean they don’t provide a high-quality clean.

These two push vacuums include a handful of useful features to ensure your floors don’t stay dirty for long. Not the least of which is an included mop system. There’s also the DirTect feature that uses sensors to detect dirt levels as you clean. this will adjust the cleaning power based on what the sensors detect. And that should allow you to get the clean right the first time so you won’t have to go back over certain areas. They also now feature warm water cleaning during the mop process, and warm air drying so things don’t get musty.

Roborock doesn’t have availability dates or pricing on these just yet. The company does say that information is “coming soon” though.

Roborock has powerful new robot vacuums for 2024

If you don’t care for push vacuums anymore and you’d rather a robot vacuum do all the work, Roborock still has you covered. Its latest cleaning solutions, such as the S8 MaxV Ultra, feature a neat robotic arm called the ‘FlexiArm’ that is designed to get into those pesky hard-to-reach corners. The FlexiArm has the Extra Edge Spinning Mop attached to it that sticks out a little from the edge of the vacuum. This is what allows it to hit those corners and get any dirt and debris that other vacuums might miss.

It comes with the RoboDock Ultra too. A base station for the vacuum that has useful self-dispensing detergent capabilities for the vacuum’s mops. It can also refill the detergent once the vacuum runs out of it. Additionally, it uses water that’s heated to 60 degrees Celcius for better floor cleaning, and then it dries the mop pads with hot air at the same temperature.

You’ll see mops and hot air drying on more robot vacuums these days but not many of them will use hot water for the cleaning process. Roborock says these features are available on the S8 series. So it isn’t just the S8 MaxV Ultra that will offer them. The S8 series will go on sale starting in April via Amazon and Roborock’s online store. The S8 MaxV Ultra will retail for $1,799.99 and the S8 Max Ultra will retail for $1,599.99.

Q Revo vacuums will offer many of the same features for less

A minimum $1,600 price tag is a lot for a robot vacuum, even if it is a high-quality unit. That’s why Roborock also offers the new Q Revo series. These will have a lot of the same features as the S8 series but they’ll be more affordable and cost hundreds less.

You will have to compromise on some features. But the best ones are still there. Like the FlexiArm Edge Mopping system. They also come with a feature-rich Dock 2.0 that will do everything from self-empty the bin to hot-air dry the mops after a cleaning session. Worth noting is that the hot-air drying is 45 degrees Celcius instead of 60 degrees. The hot water dispensing for the mop is still the same at 60 degrees Celcius though.

The Dock 2.0 can also refill the water tank when it runs low. Roborock says the Q Revo MaxV will retail for $1,199.99 and the Q Revo Pro will retail for $999.99. Both will also be available through Amazon starting in April.


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You may soon be able to send Selfie GIFs in Google Messages

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Google appears to be working on an exciting addition to its messaging app, Google Messages. A hidden feature that allows users to send short 4-second videos in the form of GIFs, which would add a fun and dynamic element to their conversations, has been discovered.
TheSpAndroid recently stumbled upon an interesting feature called Selfie GIFs that can be activated within the Google Messages app by simply long-pressing the camera icon. The feature is reportedly currently in development, and Google has not made an official announcement about it yet.
Once enabled and after long-pressing the camera icon, a new UI pops up with a rounded camera frame in the center. At the bottom, there is a camera switch button that allows users to easily switch between the front and rear cameras. Once the 3-second timer is up, the recording will kick off automatically.

After it’s finished, users will be able to view the recorded video in a GIF format through a preview UI. At that point, users are faced with two choices: Reset or Send. Resetting the recording process can be done by pressing the designated button, while sharing the video as a rounded GIF is as simple as hitting the Send option. This is similar to the functionality currently found in Chromebooks’ camera app.

Image via TheSpAndroid.blogspot.com | @GappsLeaks (Telegram) | @AssembleDebug (X/Twitter)

Google has been actively developing and introducing new features to enhance its widely-used messaging app, Google Messages. In December, the company introduced a range of exciting new features to enhance the texting experience. These additions include screen effects, custom backgrounds, and more.
In addition, the company unveiled a fresh contacts page featuring the Material You carousel plus a range of exciting new features and enhancements for compatible Pixel devices included in the latest Pixel Feature Drop — such as Video Boost, which enhances video playback, and an improved Photo Unblur feature, among others.

Now, it looks like Google is focused on enhancing the messaging experience with the introduction of Selfie GIFs. Although it’s not enabled by default yet, this feature is a fun little addition that will be sure to add a touch of fun to your conversations.


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Volkswagen Goes AI, Integrates ChatGPT into its Vehicles

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Volkswagen claims that ChatGPT will enhance conversations, respond to queries, supply vehicle-specific details, and provide additional features for drivers.

Get ready for car chats that go beyond “turn up the AC.” Volkswagen is making waves by integrating ChatGPT, the powerful language AI, into its vehicles’ voice assistant system, IDA. This groundbreaking move, announced at CES 2024, promises to transform the way we interact with our automobiles, turning them from mere modes of transport into engaging conversational partners.

The OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot was already doing wonders in the field of healthcare by diagnosing critical medical conditions when doctors fall short. But now, imagine asking your car to tell you a story while cruising down the highway, or engaging in a philosophical debate about the nature of reality (Just saying).

ChatGPT steps in when IDA reaches its limits, offering richer, more nuanced responses to your queries. Craving a laugh? Ask for a witty joke. Feeling curious? Explore the cosmos through a guided space tour. The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination.

But this isn’t just about entertainment. ChatGPT can also be a helpful companion, answering your burning questions about nearby restaurants, the latest news headlines, or even the meaning of life itself. Say goodbye to frustrating “I don’t know” responses and hello to informed, engaging conversations that keep you company on the road.

Image credit: Volkswagen

Privacy Concerns?

Of course, with any powerful technology, concerns arise. Volkswagen assures drivers that privacy is paramount. All questions will be anonymized and deleted, with ChatGPT kept at arm’s length from your car’s critical systems. Additionally, the potential for bias inherent in any AI system will be closely monitored and mitigated.

Coming to Europe and North America

While the North American launch date remains under wraps, European drivers can buckle up for this conversational revolution starting in Q2 2024, the company said in a press release. This integration marks a significant leap forward in the evolution of in-car technology, blurring the lines between vehicle and companion.

What do Experts Think?

For detailed insights into the new development, we reached out to Dennis Kengo Oka, senior principal automotive security strategist at Synopsys Software Integrity Group. Oka emphasizes the automotive industry’s strides toward enhancing user experience through the integration of powerful AI technologies like ChatGPT into vehicles.

He suggests that automakers can leverage these technologies to develop digital assistants, trained with specific automotive information, thereby simplifying user interactions and improving overall experience.

“The automotive industry is working towards improving the user experience in cars and allowing a more seamless transition from smart homes to smart cars. That is, the same digital assistants you are using in your smart home have also been available in your car for the past few years. However, these systems have been more general and often been limited to only supporting certain commands, e.g., unlock the door or start the engine.

However, Oka also issues a cautionary note, pointing out potential risks associated with deploying such AI-driven systems in cars. “This would allow a user to easily ask questions about a warning light blinking on the dashboard, plan an efficient route to the airport, open the garage door or connect a user device, find and reserve a charging spot etc., without having to dig through a large user manual or use and manage multiple devices or systems, but what about the risks? It is extremely important to consider what type of training data is used as well as apply policies that define what responses with what type of information are allowed, Oka warned.

Nevertheless, whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a seasoned road warrior, or simply someone who enjoys a good chat, Volkswagen’s ChatGPT-powered IDA is sure to have you talking – and not just about the weather.

So, fasten your seatbelts, folks. The future of the open road is looking decidedly more chatty, and Volkswagen is leading the charge. Get ready to engage in some truly intellectual conversations – all from the comfort of your driver’s seat.

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