Early adopters of OnePlus’ new flagship are not having a fun time, at least some of them. The OnePlus 12 buyers have reported various problems with the phone’s build, including a bug, hair, and excessive glue. Yes, you read it right.
Before we get further down this rabbit hole, do note that the phone launched in China only, for now. The global launch will happen next month, on January 23, according to the company’s executive.
The OnePlus 12 quality control problems are piling up
This device seemed to be almost perfect when launched, on paper, but it seems like various issues popped up. Chinese users have been reporting problems via Weibo, and they’re mostly related to quality control issues.
A user who reported this was worried about water resistance, but OnePlus told him there was nothing to worry about. The problems don’t end there, though.
Someone actually found hair and a real bug inside the back glass
Another user actually found both hair and a real bug inside the back glass on its unit. We don’t really need to get into explaining why that’s worrisome, of course, and gross at the same time. He shared the images below.
Some users also noticed that OnePlus has used excessive glue around the camera housing on their units. You can see the reported images in the gallery below.
Redmi’s General Manager, Lu Weibing, took this opportunity to throw shade at OnePlus. That’s not surprising, though the problems may not be as widespread as it seems. The issue with hair and a bug is mind-boggling, though.
We do hope that OnePlus will sort out its quality control problems before global units come knocking. This phone does look outstanding on paper, and with the right price, it could be a real winner for OnePlus. Let’s see if OnePlus will comment on these issues or not.
Cloud security is becoming a central part of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. However, in most organizations, the teams managing cloud operations work separately from those that manage security. CloudSecOps is setting out to change that.
CloudSecOps is about integrating security into every aspect of cloud operations. It’s about infusing a security-first mindset into the entire lifecycle of cloud operations, from the planning and building stages to the deployment and monitoring phases. The goal is to ensure that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of the cloud operations strategy.
CloudOps is a significant shift in the way organizations approach cloud security. It emphasizes the need for a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to security. With CloudSecOps, organizations can achieve a high level of security in the cloud without compromising on speed, flexibility, or scalability.
Evolution of CloudSecOps
The concept of CloudSecOps has evolved from a need to tackle the unique security challenges posed by the digital transformation. As organizations began to migrate their operations to the cloud, they quickly realized that traditional security measures were not sufficient. Cloud environments are dynamic and complex, requiring a different approach to security.
CloudSecOps emerged as a response to this need. It brought together the principles of DevOps, which emphasizes speed and agility, with those of cybersecurity, which prioritizes risk management and data protection. The result is a new, holistic approach to cloud security that is both agile and robust.
The emergence of CloudSecOps also reflects the growing awareness of the importance of security in the cloud. It’s no longer enough to just have a secure infrastructure. Organizations need to adopt a security-first mindset and ensure that their cloud operations are built around robust security principles.
The Principles of CloudSecOps
Integrated Security in Cloud Operations Continuous Monitoring and Compliance Proactive Risk Management
Integrated Security in Cloud Operations
One of the key principles of CloudSecOps is integrating security into every aspect of cloud operations. This means that security should be a core component of the cloud strategy, not just an add-on feature.
In practice, integrated security involves embedding security controls into the cloud infrastructure and applications. It also involves incorporating security considerations into the decision-making process and ensuring that all members of the organization understand the importance of security.
Integrated security provides numerous benefits. It can help prevent security breaches, reduce the risk of data loss, and enhance the organization’s overall security posture. Moreover, it can also lead to cost savings, preventing costly security incidents and reducing the need for remediation efforts.
Continuous Monitoring and Compliance
Continuous monitoring and compliance are other crucial principles of CloudSecOps. This involves regularly checking the cloud environment for any signs of potential security threats and ensuring that all cloud operations comply with relevant regulations and standards.
Monitoring and compliance can be achieved through various means, including automated tools and manual checks. The goal is to detect and respond to any potential security issues as quickly as possible before they cause any damage.
Compliance is also a key aspect of CloudSecOps. This involves ensuring all cloud operations adhere to the applicable regulations and standards, such as GDPR or HIPAA. Compliance can help to avoid legal issues, protect the organization’s reputation, and ensure that customers’ data is handled responsibly.
Proactive Risk Management
Proactive risk management is the third key principle of CloudSecOps. This involves identifying and mitigating potential security risks before they can cause any harm.
Risk management in CloudSecOps involves several steps. First, the organization must identify potential risks in its cloud operations. This can be done through risk assessments, audits, and threat modeling. Once the risks have been identified, the organization can then take steps to mitigate them. This may involve implementing security controls, developing contingency plans, or training staff to handle potential threats.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) Configuration Management and Compliance Tools
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) are critical tools in CloudSecOps. These systems monitor the network for suspicious activity and take action to prevent potential security breaches.
IDPS tools analyze the network traffic and identify any patterns that may indicate a security threat. If a threat is detected, the system can take action to block the attack, alert the security team, or take other appropriate measures.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is another important tool in CloudSecOps. SIEM tools collect and analyze security-related data from various sources and provide a consolidated view of the organization’s security status.
SIEM tools can help to detect potential security threats, manage incident responses, and ensure compliance with regulations. They can also provide valuable insights into the organization’s security posture and help identify potential areas of improvement.
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) are a security tool that provides visibility and control over cloud services. CASBs can help to enforce security policies, prevent data leakage, and protect against threats in the cloud environment.
CASBs work between the organization and the cloud service provider, monitoring all traffic and enforcing security policies. They can help to ensure that all cloud activities are secure and compliant with regulations.
Configuration Management and Compliance Tools
Configuration management and compliance tools are essential for maintaining secure and compliant cloud operations. These tools can help to automate the management of cloud resources and ensure that they are configured according to security best practices.
Configuration management tools can also help enforce compliance with regulations and standards. They can monitor the cloud environment for any changes and alert the security team if non-compliant configurations are detected.
CloudSecOps Best Practices
Implement a Strong IAM Policy Integrate Security into CI/CD Pipelines (DevSecOps) Incident Response and Disaster Recovery Planning Manage Third-Party Risks Continuous Monitoring and Compliance
Implement a Strong IAM Policy
Implementing a robust IAM policy is the cornerstone of any CloudSecOps strategy. It involves setting up appropriate permissions and roles for each user to prevent unauthorized access to your cloud resources. Through an effective IAM policy, you can ensure that only the right individuals have access to the right resources at the right times.
A robust IAM policy begins with careful planning. It’s essential to identify all the stakeholders who need access to your cloud resources and understand their roles and responsibilities. Once you’ve mapped out these requirements, you can design your IAM policy around them. IAM tools in the market today provide granular controls, allowing you to customize permissions based on specific needs and roles.
Another critical aspect of implementing a strong IAM policy is regular auditing. It helps you identify any anomalies or potential security threats. Regular audits also ensure your IAM policy stays updated as your organization evolves.
Integrate Security into CI/CD Pipelines (DevSecOps)
Integrating security into your CI/CD pipelines, also known as DevSecOps, is another critical practice in CloudSecOps. It involves baking security into every stage of the software development lifecycle – from design and development to deployment and maintenance. The objective is to catch and fix security issues early on before they become significant vulnerabilities.
DevSecOps begins with a shift in mindset. Instead of treating security as an afterthought, it should be an integral part of the development process. It requires developers to think like security personnel, and security teams to understand the development process. This mutual understanding fosters a collaborative environment where security becomes everyone’s responsibility.
Tools and automation play a significant role in DevSecOps. Automated security scans can detect vulnerabilities in the codebase, while continuous integration tools can help integrate these scans into the development process. These tools streamline the process and ensure consistent and efficient security practices.
Incident Response and Disaster Recovery Planning
Despite your best efforts, incidents and disasters can happen. That’s why an effective CloudSecOps strategy must include incident response and disaster recovery planning. These plans outline the steps to be taken when a security incident occurs or a disaster strikes, minimizing the impact on your operations and ensuring a swift return to normalcy.
Incident response planning begins with identifying potential incidents that could impact your cloud operations. This could include a range of scenarios, from data breaches and cyberattacks to natural disasters and system failures. Once you’ve identified these scenarios, you can develop detailed response plans for each one.
On the other hand, disaster recovery planning focuses on restoring your operations in the event of a major disruption. This involves creating a detailed strategy that outlines how to recover data, restore systems, and resume operations. It also requires regular testing to ensure the plan’s effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
Manage Third-Party Risks
In the era of cloud computing, many organizations rely on third-party services for various aspects of their operations. While these services offer numerous benefits, they also present potential security risks. Therefore, managing third-party risks is a critical aspect of CloudSecOps.
Managing third-party risks requires a comprehensive approach. It begins with due diligence during the vendor selection process. This involves assessing potential vendors’ security practices, compliance with industry standards, and their record in handling security incidents.
Once a vendor is selected, ongoing monitoring is essential. This includes regularly reviewing the vendor’s performance, ensuring they comply with the agreed-upon security practices, and addressing any issues promptly. In some cases, it may also involve conducting regular audits to verify their compliance.
Continuous Monitoring and Compliance
Continuous monitoring and compliance are fundamental to maintaining the security and integrity of your cloud operations. It involves tracking your cloud environment’s activities, identifying potential threats, and ensuring continuous compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Continuous monitoring provides real-time visibility into your cloud operations. It enables you to detect anomalies, investigate potential threats, and respond promptly. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of security incidents and helps maintain operational efficiency.
Compliance, on the other hand, ensures that your cloud operations adhere to relevant industry standards and regulations. This involves regular audits to verify your compliance, updating your practices as regulations evolve, and addressing any compliance issues promptly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CloudSecOps is a critical aspect of today’s digital landscape. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, adopting CloudSecOps best practices can significantly enhance your organization’s security posture. Whether it’s implementing a robust IAM policy, integrating security into your CI/CD pipelines, planning for incident response and disaster recovery, managing third-party risks, or maintaining continuous monitoring and compliance, each practice plays a vital role in safeguarding your cloud operations.
WhatsApp frequently introduces new features and fine-tunes existing ones to enhance the user experience. After adding support for HD photos and videos in chats, it was recently spotted working on HD status updates. The app has another quality-of-life improvement in the pipeline for its Status feature, which is equivalent to Stories on Instagram. A new reply bar simplifies how you respond to status updates posted by your friends.
WhatsApp is adding a reply bar to status updates
Currently, status updates on WhatsApp feature a tiny “Reply” button at the bottom, along with an arrow pointing up. You can tap on this button or swipe up on the screen to respond with an emoji or a full-length message. While this is a fairly seamless experience, the Meta-owned messaging app is making it more intuitive with a persistent reply bar, something already found on Instagram stories.
With the upcoming WhatsApp update, a pill-shaped horizontal bar appears at the bottom of status updates with the text “Reply” overlayed. Tapping it will open up the regular message compose box. The persistent bar covers almost the entire width of the screen, making it easier to send a reply quickly. You don’t need to swipe up or precisely tap on the tiny centered button, though the swipe gesture shouldn’t be going away.
The addition of a reply bar doesn’t change how WhatsApp currently shows eight emoji reactions on the screen when responding to status updates. They appear above the compose box and don’t go away even as you start typing your response. Instagram also shows six emoji reaction shortcuts but they disappear as soon as you type something on the reply bar.
WhatsApp has already begun public testing of this update
The latest change on WhatsApp was spotted by the ever-reliable WhatsApp insiders at WABetaInfo. The publication reports that the reply bar for status updates is already available to beta users with WhatsApp beta version 2.23.26.3 for Android and 23.15.10.72 for iOS. If everything goes as planned, an official public rollout of the new feature may follow in the coming weeks.
If you want to try it out early on your Android smartphone, you can sign up for WhatsApp’s beta program. Once you have joined the program, install the beta version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store. Note that some in-development features may not be available to all beta users simultaneously. The beta app may also be unstable and buggy. Stay tuned for the official release of the reply bar for status updates on WhatsApp.
The Nubia Z60 Ultra is coming, while its design and launch date just got revealed. On top of that, the phone got compared to the iPhone 15 Pro in a video. Well, their displays and sizes got compared.
The Nubia Z60 Ultra design & launch date have been confirmed
Let’s start with the launch date. The Nubia Z60 Ultra will become official on December 19, in China. The launch event will kick off at 2 PM local time. That translates to 8 AM CET, 7 AM BST, 2 AM EST, 11 PM PST (December 18).
Having said that, let’s talk about the phone’s design. If you check out the gallery below, you’ll be able to see the device, both its front and back. The Nubia Z60 Ultra will include very thin bezels around the display, and no display camera hole or anything of the sort.
The phone will feature an under-display camera
The device will include an under-display camera, so the camera will be hidden. The phone will offer a boxy design, with flat sides all around. Its power/lock key will be red-colored, while the volume up and down buttons will not, and will sit above the power key.
Something you’ll also easily notice is the odd-looking camera module on the back. The phone will seemingly include three cameras, but there’s a lot going on here. Each of those three cameras has its own unique look, kind of.
All three rear-facing camera will offer OIS support
The Nubia Z60 Ultra is tipped to use a 50-megapixel main camera (f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.56-inch sensor size), a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit, and a 64-megapixel telephoto camera. We still don’t have all the specs, though. What we do know, however, is that all three cameras will utilize OIS.
Now, in the images provided above, you can also notice that the phone will be available in black and gray colors. In addition to that, that fun-looking blue color will be on offer too, with some sort of a pattern on the back. It sure looks unique.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is set to fuel this smartphone
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will fuel the Nubia Z60 Ultra. The phone will include LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage. It will also be IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
If you check out the video below, you’ll see the phone’s design compared to the iPhone 15 Pro… to a degree.
Google released a statement saying that it will appeal the ruling. Wilson White, vice president of government affairs and public policy at Google said, “Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform. The trial made clear that we compete fiercely with Apple and its App Store, as well as app stores on Android devices and gaming consoles. We will continue to defend the Android business model and remain deeply committed to our users, partners, and the broader Android ecosystem.”
The next step in the suit will take place next year when a separate process will look at possible solutions that can be imposed on Google and its Play Store app storefront, and could change how Google collects fees from developers, or force Google to make it easier for Android users to access third-party app stores. It should be noted that, unlike iOS, Android does allow users to sideload apps via a third-party app storefront.
Verdict Form presented to the judge in the Epic v. Google trial
The whole battle took place in 2020 when Epic offered players of its popular Fortnite game the opportunity to purchase in-game currency directly from Epic for a discounted price. This violated Apple and Google’s rules which allow them to take as much as 30% of in-app revenue. Both Apple and Google kicked Fortnite out of their app stores leading the game developer to take both Apple and Google to court.
In the Epic v. Apple lawsuit, which was decided by a judge and not a jury, Apple was not declared a monopolist as Google was today. During her decision in Epic v. Apple, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote, “Given the trial record, the Court cannot ultimately conclude that Apple is a monopolist under either federal or state antitrust laws.”
Like Apple did, Google is complaining that Epic profited from the high-visibility of the Play Store without contributing to the costs of running the platform.
Teased back in October, Apple’s Journal app is now available for everyone with an iOS device. As the name suggests, the app is meant to help users keep track of special events in their lives by not just writing, but also capturing photos and videos.
The new Journal app makes use of on-device machine learning to provide users with personalized suggestions to make it easier to write journal entries, as well as customizable notifications to help users develop specific writing habits.
“We are excited to bring the benefits of journaling to more people. Journal makes it easy to preserve rich and powerful memories, and practice gratitude by intelligently curating information that is personal to the user, right from their iPhone. And we’re making it possible for other journaling apps to offer the same personalized suggestions while maintaining the highest level of privacy,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.Each written entry in the Journal app can be enriched with media content like photos, videos, locations, or audio recording to add more context. You’ll also be able to browse through your past entries, bookmark them, or filter for details like photos, workouts, places, and much more.
The suggestions offered by the app are “intelligently curated” and are designed to help users remember to write about an important moment in their lives. According to Apple, users can control the type of content that appears in Suggestions.
As far as privacy goes, Apple says its new Journal app encrypts all entries when iPhone is locked with a passcode. On top of that, users can enable secondary authentication, and lock the Journal app with their device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
It’s also important to mention that all Journal entries are end-to-end encrypted when stored in iCloud to prevent anyone else from accessing them.
Apple TV users rejoice, as the app has just received a complete visual revamp to make it easier to navigate. The new app looks different on all iOS devices, so no matter where you prefer to watch your favorite series and films, you’ll benefit from all the changes.
The most obvious change is the new, simplified interface that features a sidebar to make it easier for users to quickly navigate the app. The new sidebar provides access to Apple TV+ (home of Apple Original series and films), MLS Season Pass (home of Major League Soccer), Store (where users can buy and rent popular movies), and shortcuts to channels and apps viewers already have, including Disney+, Paramount+, and Max.
In addition to all the shortcuts, the new sidebar introduces the app’s new hub simply called Home, which is basically a unified guide for all the shows, movies, and sports.
The new hub features a Channels & Apps section that allows users to browse each of their subscribed channels or connected apps. Also, sections like New Shows & Movies, Top Charts, Trending, and For You are also available within Home.
For those owning living room devices, the sidebar features profiles to make it easier to switch between users to better personalization in Up Next and content recommendations across the app.
Furthermore, the Store tab in the Apple TV app now brings together movies and TV shows into one place so that users can easily access everything they wish to buy or rent. The same tab is also home to a new Add Channels & Apps shelf where users can explore popular streaming services.
Finally, Apple announced that starting today, the iTunes Store app on iPhone and iPad, as well as the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows app on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, will redirect users to the Apple TV app.
Sony may be getting ready to ditch the ‘Xperia’ brand & revamp smartphone business
In his post, he simply wrote “2008-2023 Xperia the best”. Needless to say, that looks like a memorial date, basically. The ‘Xperia’ lineup has been around since 2008, which is a long time. It had a 15-year run up until now.
It is hard to imagine a major company ditching its general smartphone brand, but based on this info, that’s exactly what Sony will do. With that, the company may revamp the design language of its phones too. In fact, if the rebranding happens, that’ll probably be a part of it.
Sony has been using this tall and narrow, square-ish design language for a long time now. The company avoided using notches and display holes, but added a bit of extra bezel on the top and bottom instead.
Some people loved that design language, which is also quite understated. Others, not so much. Well, if this rumor comes to fruition, we may see something else entirely moving forward.
The Sony Xperia 1 V (or Xperia 1 VI) could be the last flagship smartphone under the ‘Xperia’ name
Based on that rumor, Sony may make a change next year. So, the Xperia 1 V (or Xperia 1 VI) could be the last flagship smartphone from the company under the ‘Xperia’ brand. We still do not know what other name could Sony use moving forward.
Sony smartphones haven’t exactly been flying off the shelves. The company had issues making its devices available soon after launch in the past, though that has somewhat improved in the last couple of years.
If Sony aims to improve its sales numbers, it’ll need more than just a rebrand. It will need to put a lot more effort in the marketing department, and also make its devices readily available in many markets. Luck will also play a factor in all that, not to mention actually making very reliable phones.
You’re used to sharing your photos and videos on WhatsApp, but they’re mostly in chats. The company allows you to set photos and videos as status updates, however. This is a neat way to clue people into what’s going on, and it’s about to get better. According to a new report, WhatsApp is working on bringing high-quality status updates to the app.
Right now, the Meta-owned company is working on increasing the size of the media that you can send in the app. Not too long ago, the company brought the ability to send high-quality media through messages. This is something that people have been wanting for some time. No one likes sending compressed media, especially if they’re sending it for business purposes. With that out of the way, the company is looking for more ways to let you send higher-quality media.
WhatsApp is working on letting you send high-quality media to your status
It seems likely that the company will release this feature to the public. However, we’re still talking about leaked information about the beta version of the Android app (V. 2.23.26.3). It’s still in beta testing, so there’s a chance that it could change, be delayed, or not even come out. Just keep that in mind.
If you’re looking to give your contacts a little insight into your day, you can update your status. This is a short post that people can look at on your profile. It gives WhatsApp a bit of a social media flair. As it stands, if you want to add a bit of media like a photo or video to your status, it will be noticeably compressed. Well, according to a new report, WhatsApp has heard the users’ pleas.
After the update, when a user uploads an image or video for their status, the app will show it in a higher quality. Right now, we don’t know too many details about this feature. For instance, we don’t know if the app will just upload the media in a higher quality or if it will preserve the original quality. If you try to upload a 4K video as your status, will the app preserve that quality or downscale it to 1080p? We don’t know just yet. We’ll need to wait for the company to launch this feature in the near future.
The Beeper Mini vs Apple cat and mouse game continues and the folks at Beeper have responded. Shortly after the Beeper Mini app was blocked by Apple last week, the app is back today with an update that restores functionality – thus with a caveat.
Beeper Mini launched last week to much fanfare, as it allowed Android users to use their actual phone numbers to send texts as iMessages to their iPhone counterparts, instead of an Apple ID email address as other solutions have offered in the past. However, this victory was short-lived as Apple effectively blocked the app three days later and issued a response citing significant risks to iPhone users’ security and privacy.
The Beeper team, however, did not sit on its laurels and worked over the weekend to identify the issue and work on a solution. Within 24 hours, they fixed the problem for the Beeper Cloud version, followed by a fix for Beeper Mini today. During the outage, Beeper also took steps to deregister phone numbers associated with the app.
The fix announced today is not yet on the Google Play Store. The Beeper team claims that they are doing some final testing before officially submitting the update, but those that don’t want to wait can go ahead and download the update directly from the Beeper site. This “fix” does not restore phone number registration, so all users must now sign in with an Apple ID. This means that your iMessages will be sent and received via the email address you have associated with your Apple ID and not your phone number. Beeper states that they are currently working on a fix to bring back phone number registration.
Additionally, Beeper Mini has dropped the subscription model for now. All users were on a 7-day free trial when the app first launched, which would make tomorrow the day the $2 a month subscription would take effect. The Beeper team says that with everything going on, they’ve decided to make the app free until things stabilize, at which point they’ll re-evaluate.
While Apple claimed that Beeper Mini’s techniques “exploited fake credentials” and “posed significant risks to user security and privacy,” Beeper’s team strongly refuted those claims, stating that the app actually “made communication between Android and iPhone users more secure.” What is perfectly clear, though, is that Apple will continue to try to shut down any efforts from the Beeper team to revive the app and restore phone number registration.
