The Xiaomi SU7 and SU7 Max were fully announced yesterday. Those cars look the same, but they’re different under the hood. That being said, two out of the three colors they were announced in are Aqua Blue and Verdant Green.
Xiaomi has some new colors to offer for the Xiaomi 14 & Xiaomi 14 Pro
Well, the Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro, and Xiaomi Watch S3 have been presented in those colors too. You can check out all three products in their new colors in the gallery provided below the article.
The ‘Aqua Blue’ color is basically a turquoise color, while the ‘Verdant Green’ is essentially olive green. Both variants come with a black frame all around, and a black camera island.
The Xiaomi SU7 and SU7 Max were announced in China yesterday, and the same goes for these new colors for the two phones and a watch. In fact, the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro have only been launched in China thus far.
The Xiaomi 14 series is expected to launch globally in Q1 2024
The global launch event is expected to follow in Q1 2024. We’re not sure if both the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro will launch globally, though. We’ll have to wait and see.
Both of those smartphones are quite compelling, though. They’re both fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the most powerful chip Qualcomm has to offer at the moment.
Both devices utilize LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage. The Xiaomi 14 Pro does have a more powerful camera setup, though, and a sharper and larger display. It also supports faster wired charging, though both are immensely fast in that regard. 50W wireless charging is offered on both phones.
CES 2024 is right around the corner, and major tech brands are gearing up to present their latest and greatest devices to the public. LG is one of them, and it just showed off its upcoming MyView smart monitors. This is a set of new 4K WebOS-powered monitors that you use as standalone screens.
CES 2024 is set to go down in Las Vegas between January 9th and January 12th. While that’s the case, LG, the Korean tech giant, is giving us a taste of what it has up its sleeves. The company has been putting a large emphasis on its screen technology in recent years. It’s also working on implementing more AI into its products coming over the next couple of years. These smart monitors are just the beginning of the company’s 2024 conquest.
LG unveils its new MyView smart monitors
The company took the wraps off of three models, and they all come with different features. Regardless, all three of them measure at 31.5 inches and have 4K resolution (3840 x 2160). Also, all three of the models are HDR10-compatible and they cover 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
These are nice-looking monitors with rather thin bezels and gorgeous displays. This is LG we’re talking about, one of the top display makers in the world. So you can expect great quality with these screens. Since these are smart monitors, they come with a smart operating system. They come with LG’s WebOS 23. This gives it access to a ton of apps that you can use like streaming apps. So, you’ll be able to use platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, etc.
Speaking of usability, these monitors are also compatible with Microsoft 365. So, you’ll be able to use these for work without needing a computer.
The two upper-tier monitors (models 32RS85U and 32SR83U) come with adjustable stands so that you can raise and lower them to suit your liking. The top model of the trio also comes with a built-in camera for your video calls.
LG is going to show these monitors off during CES 2024, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for them at the LG booth.
CloudSEK found a major Google exploit allowing persistent access after password changes. Among others, Lumma, an infostealer malware, employs advanced tactics like token manipulation and encryption, highlighting a trend towards stealthier cyber threats.
CloudSEK’s threat research team has reported a critical exploit affecting Google services, allowing threat actors to generate Google cookies continuously while ensuring continuous access to Google services even after a user performs a password reset. In a technical report, CloudSEK shared details of the exploit.
On October 20, 2023, CloudSEK’s AI digital risk platform XVigil discovered that on the Telegram channel, a developer/threat actor PRISMA had released a 0-day solution to address issues with incoming sessions of Google accounts.
AI-Translated Image: Russian to English
The solution offers session persistence, allowing the attacker to bypass security measures and enable cookie generation, gaining unauthorized access even when the account password is changed. The developer expressed openness to cooperation and potential collaboration on this newfound exploit.
Afterwards, Lumma Infostealer announced the feature’s integration with an advanced blackboxing approach on November 14, 2023. Rhadamanthys and WhiteSnake also announced similar blackboxing approaches. Lumma updated the exploit to counteract Google’s fraud detection measures on November 24, 2023. Other hackers, such as Stealc, Meduza, RisePro, and Whitesnake, implemented the feature. Hudson Rock posted a video from Darkweb demonstrating a hacker exploiting generated cookies on December 27, 2023.
CloudSEK threat researchers revealed that an undocumented Google Oauth endpoint named “MultiLogin” is the root of the exploit. The endpoint responsible for regenerating cookies was revealed through Chromium’s source code, which is an internal mechanism designed for synchronizing Google accounts across services.
The MultiLogin endpoint, as revealed through Chromium’s source code, operates by accepting a vector of account IDs and auth-login tokens, essential for managing simultaneous sessions or switching between user profiles seamlessly.
Chromium codebase examination confirmed that while the MultiLogin feature plays a vital role in user authentication, it also presents an exploitable avenue if mishandled. Threat actors employ sophisticated tactics in cyber threats, such as Lumma’s exploitation of the undocumented Google OAuth2 MultiLogin endpoint.
Lumma’s approach entails manipulation of the token:GAIA ID pair, a critical component in Google’s authentication process. By applying encryption to this component, Lumma effectively masks the core mechanism of their exploit, hindering other malicious entities from duplicating their method. This strategic move preserves their exploit’s uniqueness in the competitive cybercrime landscape and provides them an edge in the illicit market.
Lumma’s subsequent adaptation involves using SOCKS proxies to circumvent Google’s IP-based restrictions on cookie regeneration, inadvertently exposing some details of the requests and responses, potentially compromising the exploit’s obscurity. Encrypted communication between the malware C2 and the MultiLogin endpoint is less likely to trigger alarms in network security systems, as standard security protocols generally overlook encrypted traffic.
This exploit can continuously regenerate cookies for Google services, demonstrating sophistication in Google’s internal authentication mechanisms and a shift towards stealth-oriented cyber threats, emphasizing concealment over effectiveness.
OnePlus has just shared the official OnePlus 12R camera samples. Well, in all honesty, those are the OnePlus Ace 3 camera samples, but those two phones are identical, so… it goes both ways.
The OnePlus Ace 3 will launch in the Chinese market, while other markets will get the OnePlus 12R. The device is expected to arrive on January 4, while the OnePlus 12R will launch on January 23.
The OnePlus 12R camera samples are here, and they look very promising
Having said that, the aforementioned camera samples are available in the gallery below. Do note that those have been compressed, if you’d like to check them out in their full resolution, click here.
The OnePlus 12R has been confirmed to use a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS. Chances are that we’re looking at the Sony IMX890 here. It will use two core image algorithms, the “ultra-clear image quality algorithm” and “super light and shadow image algorithm”.
The images in the gallery above show us the f/1.8 aperture, 24mm for normal, and 48mm for 2x shots. Ultrawide samples have an f/2.2 aperture, which means that’s the aperture of the ultrawide camera on the phone.
The device will feature three cameras on the back, led by a 50-megapixel unit
Now, in addition to a 50-megapixel main camera, the phone is tipped to utilize an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.
The camera samples OnePlus shared here look great. That is to be expected for official camera samples, though. They’ve been taken by professional photographers, most likely. We’ll wait to get the phone into our hands and test the cameras ourselves. These do look promising, though.
The OnePlus 12R will launch in India, Europe, and the US. It will be fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, and include the BOE X1 display. It will also offer blazing fast charging, and more. The OnePlus 12R is also expected to have a truly appealing price tag.
After smartphone processors, Samsung may now bring on-device AI capabilities to image sensors. The Korean firm is reportedly preparing to commercialize cameras with on-sensor AI technology. Its compatriot SK Hynix is also working on a similar solution, the Korean media reports.
Samsung and SK Hynix are readying AI cameras
According to Business Korea, SK Hynix revealed its ongoing work on on-sensor AI technology for cameras during the SK Tech Summit 2023 last month. The plan is to embed a dedicated AI chip into the image sensor. The chip can process image data at the sensor level for more effective AI applications. Current solutions rely on the main processor to process and compute data from the sensor.
The new technology can reduce power consumption and processing time, wallowing for advanced camera solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home applications. SK Hynix has already begun proof-of-concept research focused on facial and object recognition features. It showcased the solution at several academic conferences, including the International Conference on Computer Vision and the IEEE EDTM seminar.
While there is no report about Samsung publicly announcing its work on AI cameras, the same report confirms that the Korean behemoth is incorporating AI deeper into its image sensor business. An early glimpse of it is a zoom feature for 200MP cameras called Zoom Anyplace. Unveiled earlier this year, it allows simultaneous viewing and recording of zoomed-in and full-view footage with automatic object tracking.
The solution is part of its goal to create image sensors that can imitate the clarity and details seen by human eyes. AI will play a crucial role in realizing this goal. In October, Samsung’s president of the System LSI Business, Park Yong-in, said that the company is working on proactive AI technologies for cameras for futuristic applications. It may debut an image sensor with on-device AI capabilities in the coming years.
Samsung is taking the help of AI to close the gap with Sony
Samsung is the world’s second-largest maker of image sensors. However, its market share of 29 percent is paltry in front of the industry leader Sony, which captured 54 percent of the market last year. The Korean firm is rushing to bring AI to its solutions ahead of its arch-rival so it could close that gap. SK Hynix likely has similar ambitions. It barely made it into the top five last year, accounting for five percent of the global image sensor market.
Driving rules 101: Don’t text and drive! This is a very easy rule to abide by, and people unfortunately (and tragically) ignore it. Well, Google is working on a feature that will make reading your text messages easier and much safer. According to a new report, Android Auto could eventually release a feature to summarize your text messages using generative AI.
Right now, you’re able to use Google Assistant while you’re using Android Auto. It’s extremely useful when looking for directions for different locations and accessing media that you can listen to while driving. However, when it comes to giving you information about an important text message conversation, there’s not much that it can do. This is where this upcoming feature comes in handy.
Android Auto could summarize your text messages using generative AI
This is a new feature coming to a Google product, so you know that it centers heavily around AI technology. This feature was discovered within the Android Auto app via an APK deep-dive. As such, you’ll want to take this news cautiously. This doesn’t guarantee that the company is going to bring this feature to the public. Google could change or shelf this feature altogether.
The feature, if it comes out, will use generative AI to summarize long text message conversations. So, if you’re in a conversation with a person, and they reply while you’re on the road, you won’t have to worry about taking your eyes away to read it. You’ll simply need to ask Assistant to summarize what the person said.
Sure, Assistant could just read the message verbatim, but this also works with full text message conversations. So, if some friends of yours are having a conversation about an upcoming event or plans, it will give you a straightforward summary of what’s going on. Or, maybe, you’re in a text message group about an important business matter. This feature will come in handy then.
The elephant in the room
One thing to note, and this is something that the app will say when describing the feature, is that there’s always the possibility that the AI will hallucinate. Obviously, you don’t want the AI getting details wrong about personal conversations going on. This is one reason why the company will give you the ability to opt-out of this feature.
At this point, we don’t know when Google will release this feature if at all. You’ll just need to be on the lookout for any new updates.
Samsung will introduce a groundbreaking AI feature with the Galaxy S24 series next month. The new flagships can translate calls in real time. If the other party doesn’t speak a language known to you, you can translate their voice to the desired language. The phone will also translate your response into their language. The feature works irrespective of whether they have a Galaxy phone or some other brand’s device.
Non-Samsung users will also benefit from Galaxy S24’s AI call translate
Samsung’s new generative AI model Samsung Gauss is the brain behind the Galaxy S24’s call translate feature. It builds on the existing Bixby Call Text tool that transcribes calls when you can’t speak. You can type your response and the device will read it out to the other party. The translation tool works similarly. Your Galaxy will translate the incoming audio to a selected language. When you speak, it will translate your voice into the language they speak.
According to Nikkei Asia, Samsung will initially support commonly spoken languages such as English and Spanish. So, a Spanish-speaking person who doesn’t know English can easily have a conversation with someone who only knows English, as long as one of them has a Galaxy S24. It doesn’t matter what phone the other person uses. As Samsung adds support for more languages, the tool will get more powerful.
The report states that the new flagships will come with proprietary AI chips to enable this function. We already know that Samsung will ship the Galaxy S24 Ultra with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor globally. The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ may get its in-house Exynos 2400 chipset in Europe and some other markets. It appears the processors will be paired with another chip for on-device AI processing.
This likely means that the AI-powered call translation tool won’t be available on older Samsung flagships. The likes of Galaxy S23 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 will get One UI 6.1, the updated One UI version that the Galaxy S24 series will ship with out of the box. It will bring several new AI features, among other things. Most of them should trickle down to older models. But those that rely on dedicated chips may not make it into them.
Samsung is just weeks away from unveiling its new flagships
The Galaxy S24 series with all its AI features will go official in less than three weeks. If leaks are accurate, Samsung will unveil the new flagship trio on January 17, 2024. The Korean firm is reportedly hosting the launch event, aka Galaxy Unpacked, in San Jose, USA. It may soon start sending media invites for the event. We will let you know when we get an official confirmation from Samsung.
Earlier this month, Samsung released the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update for the 5G versions of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. One UI 6.0 is now rolling out to the Wi-Fi versions of the two new Fan Edition (FE) tablets. The rollout began recently, so it could take a while before everyone gets the update.
Android 14 widely available for the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series
The Wi-Fi versions of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE duo are currently receiving the One UI 6.0 update at least in Europe and Australia. The new firmware build number for the vanilla model is X510XXU1BWK9, while that for the Plus model is X610XXU1BWK9. The update will reach users worldwide within the next few days.
Since we are talking about a major Android OS upgrade, the update file that Samsung is rolling out to the tablets over the air (OTA) is huge. It weighs roughly 2GB and brings a plethora of changes—new features, functional enhancements, UI updates, animation improvements, and more. If you are on a limited data plan, connect your tablet to an unmetered Wi-Fi network to avoid incurring unwanted data charges.
Like the 5G versions, the Wi-Fi-only Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ are also getting the November security patch with this update. Samsung has already pushed the December patch to dozens of Galaxy devices but the FE-series duo aren’t lucky enough. The Korean firm patched more than 60 vulnerabilities with its last two security releases. These tablets will get a newer security patch with a separate update later.
These tablets will also get Android 15, Android 16, and Android 17
Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ in October this year. The tablets came running Android 13-based One UI 5 out of the box. The company said it will cover the duo under its flagship update policy, i.e. four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates.
Android 14 is the first major update for the two new FE tablets. They will get three more of those, i.e. Android 15, Android 16, and Android 17, in their lifetime. Security updates will come until the end of 2028. So, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ have a lot of life left in them. If you are using either of them and haven’t received One UI 6.0 yet, you can check for it from the Settings app.
Xiaomi fully announced its first electric car yesterday, the Xiaomi SU7, in two variants. The company shared plenty of images yesterday, but we now have some new ones to share. These real-life images give us a closer and better look at Xiaomi’s first EV. Do note that these images have been taken with the Xiaomi 13 Pro.
Real-life images give us a closer look at Xiaomi’s first EV
All the shots that have been shared yesterday have been marketing shots, basically. They’ve been highly edited, and whatnot. The images you can see in the gallery below also come from Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, but they’re giving us a much more realistic look at the car.
These four images have been taken on the show floor, it’s on display over at Xiaomi HQ. They’re showing us two out of three colors of the Xiaomi SU7, the Aqua Blue and Mineral Gray models. The only one missing is the Verdant Green.
The Xiaomi SU7 does look really nice in these shots, in all honesty. It looks just as good as it did in Xiaomi’s marketing shots. These images do show you the car from the front, back, while you get a closer look at its headlight, and one of its wheels.
The Xiaomi SU7 looks very sporty, and seem to have been influenced by various other cars
I’ve said it in yesterday’s announcement, and I’ll say it again, this car’s design seems to have been influenced by Aston Martin, Porsche, and Tesla, at least it looks like it to me. It looks very sporty.
Now, the Xiaomi SU7 and Xiaomi SU7 Max look the same, but they’re different under the hood. The SU7 Max gets you more mileage per charge, faster acceleration, plus several other perks.
Do note that Xiaomi promised this car will reach China next year, but we still don’t know the price tags. We’re not sure if it will ever leave the Chinese market, but Xiaomi didn’t mention anything regarding its global availability just yet.
Updated December 29, 2023:
Two additional images have been shared by Lei Jun, the company’s CEO. You can check them below, and they’ve been taken during the launch of the car yesterday.
Yesterday, a leak revealed the alleged European pricing for the Galaxy S24 series. It hinted at a €50 price cut for the smaller two models in the region, though the Ultra may not see a similar drop. It appears Samsung is considering reducing prices in other markets too. Noted tipster Ice Universe has heard about it from their sources.
Another source hints at a price cut for the Galaxy S24 series
Samsung is rumored to ship the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ with its in-house Exynos 2400 chipset in Europe and several other markets, excluding the US, Canada, and China. The latter three markets get Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (an overclocked variant of it). Since the Exynos chip costs the company less than the Snapdragon, it may be passing the benefit to consumers.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, will ship with the Snapdragon chip globally. Hence, no price cut for it in Europe. In fact, the 256GB storage variant of the device is said to cost €50 more than its predecessor. This is likely because it is jumping from 8GB RAM to 12GB RAM. The 512GB and 1TB storage variants already came with 12GB RAM, their prices remain flat or could go down by about €10.
It appears Samsung will do the same in other markets too, at least in those where it used Exynos processor for the smaller two models. The information comes from Ice Universe, who has an excellent track record of accurate Samsung leaks. He recently took to X to report that the company is mulling a price reduction for the Galaxy S24 series. The source didn’t specify the market, though.
Samsung seems to be valuing the Plus model more
The Galaxy S23+ is the least-selling model among the three flagships Samsung launched this year. Industry estimates suggest it accounts for only about 18 percent of total sales. The base Galaxy S23 accounted for 36 percent and the Ultra for 46 percent. The company wants to improve that with the Galaxy S24+ next year. As said earlier, the device is getting more RAM than the current model.
There are also some unconfirmed rumors about the Galaxy S24+ shipping with the Snapdragon chip in more markets beyond the US, Canada, and China. If true, that would make the price cut even more impressive. Samsung’s idea is to sell more units of the Plus model. The firm is aiming to significantly increase its flagship sales next year. Time will tell whether it hits the target. The Galaxy S24 series is expected to go official on January 17, 2024.
