Your old Instagram videos are losing their audio due to a bug

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Back in 2014, Instagram was all the craze, and the ability to take videos only made the whole experience better. Some people like to watch their old videos and relive the good old days, but some people are running into an issue. There’s a bug causing old Instagram videos to be muted.

If you’re old enough to have been making videos back in 2014, don’t worry, you’re not losing your hearing just yet. Instagram confirmed that there’s a bug causing older videos to be muted randomly. According to several sources, this problem has been going on for a few weeks.

This issue only seems to be affecting videos taken around 2014. That’s probably why it took so long for it to gain traction. When you’re on the app, you’re not likely to see videos as old as nine days, let alone nine years. If you’re looking at videos that old, you’re definitely part of a small crowd of people.

Instagram muted your old videos, but there’s a fix coming

While you can’t enjoy your memories from the good old days (ya know, before TikTok and other awful things), don’t worry. Instagram confirmed that it knows this issue exists and that it’s working on a solution.

The only thing is that we don’t know when the company is going to have the fix ready. If you want to rewatch old videos of the Ice Bucket Challenge or people singing “What Does The Fox Say”, there’s no telling when you’ll be able to again. The best thing to do is keep checking to make sure that your Instagram app is up to date.

For all we know, the fix could come with the update where Meta, the company that owns the app, disconnects the Instagram and Facebook Messenger. Go to Instagram in your respective app store and see if there’s an Update button. If you see it, then you know what to do!


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WhatsApp to allow message forwarding to channels in an upcoming update

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Recently, WhatsApp started letting iOS users share media in original quality, and just before that, reports showed that the Meta-owned app will integrate with Instagram, allowing users to share status updates. Now, it looks like WhatsApp might be getting yet another update soon.

According to WABetaInfo, a reliable source for WhatsApp updates, the messaging app is set to allow message forwarding to channels in an upcoming update.

This handy feature, spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.26.2 update, will allow channel owners to forward various messages, such as text, images, videos, GIFs, audio messages, stickers, and updates from other channels. This feature might help streamline channel management by saving time for admins.

Currently, direct forwarding to channels isn’t an option. However, with this update, channel admins will have a more efficient way to share messages from different chats, including group and private conversations. This improvement is especially beneficial for those overseeing multiple channels, making their tasks considerably more straightforward.

WhatsApp introduced Channels not too long ago, catching up with competitors like Telegram. Channels operate like groups, where only the admin can send messages. You can follow celebrities or channels about different topics that interest you. Or, you can stay in the loop with the latest news by keeping tabs on various media sources.

WhatsApp’s debut of channels this year hit a bit of a rough patch. Some essential stuff was MIA at the beginning, making many users give it the side-eye. But the platform’s been hustling to catch up ever since. It has been dropping new channel features like message editing and channel usernames, trying to keep things fresh and user-friendly.

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Trickbot Malware Developer Pleads Guilty

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A 40-year-old Russian national, Vladimir Dunaev, pleaded guilty for developing and deploying Trickbot malware. Trickbot, a suite of malware tools, targeted hospitals and businesses, causing millions in losses.

Trickbot is a sophisticated modular banking Trojan that primarily targets financial institutions. 

It’s favored by hackers for its versatility, allowing them to:-

  • Deploy various malicious payloads
  • Engage in financial fraud
  • Stealing sensitive information
  • Facilitating large-scale cybercrime operations

The collaboration between the United States and South Korea that led to Dunaev’s guilty plea highlights global efforts to combat cybercrime.

Besides this, Acting Assistant Attorney General Argentieri emphasizes the global readiness to bring cybercriminals to justice.

According to a recent report by GBHackers on Security, the US and UK have designated seven members of the Trickbot cybercrime gang, which has its base in Russia.

Trickbot Malware Developer Pleads Guilty

Dunaev developed tools for Trickbot, aiding credential harvesting and enhancing remote access. 

His efforts defrauded 10 victims, including Avon schools and a real estate company, of over $3.4 million through Trickbot-deployed ransomware.

U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko highlights Dunaev’s misuse of programming skills in developing Trickbot malware, causing global disruption and financial damage. 

The guilty plea underscores the commitment to global collaboration in combating cybercrime.

FBI’s Assistant Director Vorndran highlights international collaboration in combating cyber threats. The FBI commits to pursuing malware criminals globally, regardless of their location.

FBI Cleveland’s Special Agent in Charge Nelsen emphasizes the rigorous pursuit of evolving cybercrime. The case showcases expertise in dismantling criminal networks through coordinated efforts with global partners.

Dunaev was extradited to Ohio from South Korea in 2021 and pleaded guilty to computer and wire fraud. 

His sentencing was scheduled for March 20, 2024, and it’s been justified that he could face up to 35 years in prison.

Besides this, Alla Witte, a Trickbot developer and one of Dunaev’s co-conspirators, pleaded guilty to computer fraud in June, getting 2 years, and 8 months of imprisonment.

Moreover, this case is prosecuted by:-

  • Candy Heath (Trial Attorney of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section)
  • Duncan Brown (Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio)
  • Daniel Riedl (Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio)

Found Interesting! For daily updates, you can follow our Twitter and LinkedIn Pages.


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ICANN Launches RDRS to Assist Law Enforcement Agencies

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ICANN is a non-profit organization that is responsible for coordinating the global internet’s-

This organization manages the distribution and maintenance of domain names and ensures the stable and secure operation of the Internet.

ICANN introduced RDRS (Registration Data Request Service), which streamlines access requests to nonpublic registration data for gTLDs (Generic top-level domains) with a consistent and standardized format.

ICANN launched this new service to assist law enforcement in discovering the private information and data of domain owners.

ICANN Launches RDRS

ICANN-accredited registrars must censor personal data from public records, creating challenges in accessing needed information. RDRS simplifies and standardizes the process for requesting such data.

RDRS serves ICANN registrars and stakeholders with legitimate interests, including:-

  • Law enforcement
  • Intellectual property professionals
  • Consumer advocates
  • Cybersecurity experts
  • Government officials

RDRS manages nonpublic gTLD registration data requests, connecting requestors with participating ICANN-accredited registrars.

The platform streamlines and standardizes the process for efficient request submission and handling.

RDRS doesn’t guarantee data access but offers a unified platform for nonpublic gTLD registration requests. 

As the communication occurs outside the system. The service streamlines the process, automatically identifying the correct registrar and avoiding multiple forms. 

It centralizes access to pending and past requests, which allows the following things:-

  • Create new requests
  • Develop request templates
  • Cancel requests

Besides this, the registrars benefit from automated alerts and standardized forms for efficient request evaluation.

ICANN Board directs RDRS for usage data to inform Standardized Access/Disclosure policy. However, the increased usage enhances the data accuracy for informed decisions.


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OnePlus 12 is official with 50W wireless charging, 24GB of RAM & more

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The OnePlus 12 is official, it has been announced in China. The company introduced the device after teasing it for a while now. OnePlus actually revealed plenty of info about the phone before the launch, including its design and some features. OnePlus did fill in the blanks now, though.

The OnePlus 12 is now official, as it launched in the company’s homeland

Before we get started, it’s worth noting that this launch event took place in China. The global launch of the OnePlus 12 will take place next month, in January. January 23 is the rumored date, but OnePlus hasn’t confirmed anything just yet.

In any case, let’s talk about the design first. The OnePlus 12 does resemble its predecessor quite a bit. It includes a circular camera island on the back, which is connected to the right side with a piece of metal. There are three cameras included back there, and four cutouts overall.

The phone is made out of metal and glass. The backplate is curved towards all sides, and the phone also includes a curved display. A centered display camera hole sits on the front.

On the right side, you’ll find a power/lock button, and the volume rocker keys above it. The alert slider now sits on the left-hand side, which will make it more inconvenient to use for righties.

The device comes in three color variants, which look very different in comparison

The OnePlus 12 was announced in black, green, and white color options. All of them combine metal and glass when it comes to build materials. Only the white model has a glossy backplate, while the green one has an interesting pattern on the back. It almost looks like marble is used back there.

The phone includes a 6.82-inch QHD+ display from BOE. That panel has an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz), and it’s an AMOLED display. It is also curved and immensely bright, as its brightness goes up to 4,500 nits.

OnePlus offers models with up to 24GB of RAM & 1TB of storage

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 fuels the phone, Qualcomm’s most powerful processor. The company is offering 12GB, 16GB and 24GB (LPDDR5X) RAM variants in China. The models start at 256GB, and go up to 1TB of (UFS 4.0) storage.

OnePlus is also using a rather sophisticated cooling system, to avoid overheating. It has a large vapor chamber, and a dual-cycle heat dissipation structure implemented on the inside. Android 14 comes pre-installed, along with OxygenOS 14.

Wireless charging has made a comeback, as the OnePlus 12 supports 50W wireless charging

A 5,400mAh battery is included inside the phone. The OnePlus 12 supports 100W wired, and 50W wireless charging. It remains to be seen if the same will be the case on global models. Oh, and a charger is included in the package.

The OnePlus 12 is basically using the OnePlus Open’s rear cameras. A 50-megapixel main camera is included, while Sony’s LYTIA LYT-808 sensor is used here. The OnePlus Open is using a foldable version of that sensor, the LYT-T808. There is a 23mm wide lens with an f/1.6 aperture included on top of that sensor. OnePlus also uses its Super Light and Shadow Engine here, along with Hasselblad’s expertise.

A 48-megapixel ultrawide camera is used here, Sony’s IMX581 sensor. An f/2.2 aperture lens is included on top of it, and we’re looking at a 14mm focal length equivalent here.

A periscope telephoto camera is also in use here

The last camera on the back is a 64-megapixel unit from OmniVision. The OV64B sensor is used here. OnePlus is utilizing a periscope lens system here, with 3x optical zoom. 6x “loss-less” in-sensor zoom is also enabled here, the same as on the OnePlus Open.

The pricing starts at CNY4,299 ($607) for the 12GB RAM model with 256GB of storage. It goes all the way up to CNY5,799 ($819) for the 24GB RAM variant with 1TB of internal storage. The price tags will be higher outside of OnePlus’ homeland.


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WhatsApp may soon let you forward messages to channels

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WhatsApp might be getting an update soon that will let you forward messages to channels. WhatsApp’s introduction of channels this year had a rocky start. Many basic features were missing at launch, leading many to not bother with the new addition. The platform has been working to catch up ever since; introducing new channel features like message editing every few months. Now, WABetaInfo claims a new feature is in development to let you forward messages to channels on WhatsApp.

Channels allow one-to-many communication

WhatsApp introduced Channels after rival apps like Telegram had had them for years. These channels are basically like groups where only the admin of the group can send messages. WhatsApp Channels have many uses, including following celebrities or news about topics of interest. People who have a significant following can keep their followers updated conveniently and easily. Furthermore, organizations covering certain news can broadcast headlines to thousands of people within seconds.

This form of communication also serves the purpose of providing a space for important messages only. By limiting who can send messages, channels can act as more refined group chats. An example of what channels can be used for is class groups in college. Instead of every member piping in with their takes on every update, the channel remains clear and full of only what’s important. Students perusing the channel will not have to scroll through unhelpful messages to find what they need to know.

Forwarding messages to channels

WABetaInfo discovered a new feature under development in the WhatsApp beta version 2.23.26.2 for Android. According to their findings, an option to forward a message to a channel can be seen. These messages can be anything from text messages and voice notes to stickers, images, and videos. This means that, going forward, managing channels on WhatsApp could become a whole lot easier for channel admins.

Being able to share messages from other chats, including group chats and private chats, to a channel saves a ton of time. Also, this would mean people who own or manage multiple channels will also find it much easier to do so in the future. Though this feature is still in beta, we can expect it to roll out globally pretty soon given its usefulness and simple nature.

It took WhatsApp a while, but it seems Meta has finally gone all in trying to improve the platform. It’s great to see the messaging giant getting new features every few weeks instead of stagnating. At this pace, even diehard Telegram loyalists will eventually start considering WhatsApp for the convenience it provides.


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Alexa app gets more customization options in latest update

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Amazon is finally rolling out its long-awaited Alexa app update for iOS and Android devices. While some tweaks have been made to the app since the summer, the latest update enhances the app’s functionality to a whole new level. Controlling smart home devices is more straightforward via the app now, and users would find it much easier to work with it.

Amazon’s director of smart home, Charlie French, says their primary focus for revamping Alexa apps was to put smart home controls front and center. “We’ve seen great momentum with smart home. We now have millions of customers with over 20 devices connected. So, this is about making it as easy as possible to access their devices,” French added.

The Alexa app was revamped with a focus on easier smart home control

The most noticeable change to the new Alexa app is a new home tap that’s modernized and gives an overview of your smart homes at a glimpse. You can also customize smart home items to be shown in the app. The Alexa app doesn’t do it independently like the previous one. The old-fashioned “most relevant” and “recently used” items are also gone. The new app gives three customizable sections for smart home Alexa control.

Another great addition to the Alexa app is a sideways scrollable list at the top row of the Home tab that lets you choose between 17 different shortcut options. Some shortcut buttons like Music, Shopping Lists, and Drop In are already there, but you can customize the list according to your needs.

The bottom menu bar on the Home tap is now limited to Home, Devices, and More items. Tapping on More opens the Settings, Activity History, and other Alexa services. Additionally, the Home tab Alexa bubble allows you to interact with the assistant via text commands.

Add your favorite devices to the Alexa app home

The shortcuts list could include device types like lights, locks, and climate. There’s a device startup option that could tell you the temperature of the number of lights you currently have in the home. Charlie French noted the option is now available to users with less than 20 devices, but it will soon become available to all users.

Moreover, the Activity tab shows time-sensitive cards such as smart home alerts, timers, alarms, and reminders. If you dismiss the cards, the whole section moves away.

Amazon has brought the “Favorites” cards to the Home tab so you can quickly access your most-used smart home devices. For example, you can easily adjust the temperature card without wandering into multiple pages. Tapping on the camera card also gives you a quick live view. French says users can now add over 200 devices to their Favorites list. In 2024, the Favorites include snapshots from up to six Ring cameras.

A new design for the Devices section

The revamped Devices section has now become a place to provide more control over your smart home items. “It’s somewhere you go to do more involved things,” French says. The Groups also show a list of connected devices through a sideways scrolling line. Additionally, the Alexa app lets you search and sort devices based on various parameters.

Alexa replaces the list view with a new Map View feature

The Devices screen in the Alexa app previously had a list view. But it’s now replaced with a Map View feature that gives a map of your devices on the home’s plan. A map icon now appears in the top right that provides access to the feature. It’s worth noting that Map View is available only to iOS users. It also requires iPhone 12 Pro or Max iPhone or newer or a fourth-gen iPad Pro variant. Echo Hub is the next device to get the Map View feature.


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Google rolls out Pixel Camera 9.2 with enhanced UI and features

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Google is bringing an improved camera experience to its Pixel lineup with the rollout of Pixel Camera 9.2. While the Pixel 8 series was previously on Pixel Camera 9.1, older devices were operating on version 9.0. Google has designed the Pixel Camera 9.2 to enhance the user interface and introduce new features across all Pixel devices.

A notable change in Pixel Camera 9.2 is the redesigned UI, catering to both the Pixel 8 series and older phones. The update moves essential controls like Brightness, Shadow, and White balance from the edges of the viewfinder to a convenient carousel accessible from the bottom-right corner. The addition of a “Reset all” button on the left side facilitates quick adjustments, a feature introduced for the Google Pixel 8.

Another significant shift is seen in the preferences panel, which includes flash, Top Shot, Timer, Ratio, and more. The panel has transitioned from a top-aligned position to a bottom sheet, accessed by a simple swipe up on the viewfinder. This change is part of Google’s effort to place more camera controls at the bottom of the screen for improved accessibility.

Pixel 8 series and older devices benefit from a revamped camera experience

In-Camera settings > Advanced, users will find new on/off toggles for features like “Ultra HDR” and “Rich color in photos” (via 9to5Google). While these features are new additions for older Pixel devices, Pixel 8 owners gain the ability to disable Ultra HDR if desired.

A noteworthy update in Pixel Camera 9.2 is the behavior of the Palm timer, which now defaults to activation only when the 3 or 10-second timer is in use. Users now have the option to set the Palm timer to “Always on,” providing a more versatile and customizable experience.

The Pixel Camera 9.2 update is currently rolling out via Google Play, offering users the opportunity to enhance their photography experience on all Pixel devices. Alternatively, users can choose to sideload the update for immediate access to the latest features and improvements.


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Discord unveils a fresh new look for its iOS and Android apps

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Discord, the popular voice, video, and text chat app, has unveiled a significant revamp of its mobile app, marking a major departure from its previous iteration. The redesigned app aims to provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for Discord users on the go, with a focus on enhanced navigation, improved performance, and a refreshed interface.At the heart of the redesign lies a reimagined navigation structure that separates servers and messages into distinct tabs. This change simplifies the process of locating specific conversations and eliminates the need to toggle between different views. Additionally, the app now features a super-charged search bar that allows users to quickly scan through their messages, pins, files, attachments, and pinned messages.

Source: Discord Blog

To assist users with keeping up with their mentions, the app maintains its “notifications” tab just like it had before. This is where you will be able to check your @mentions, server events, updates on friend requests, or any replies to your messages. Each notification is actionable, meaning that you can tap on it to just straight into the conversation where it was posted.

The redesign also addresses several user-requested features, such as the ability to quickly swipe to reply to messages and the introduction of a new “Midnight” theme for those who prefer a darker interface. Additionally, the app now organizes multiple image uploads into a gallery-style view, instead of full size. This way you can view more images at once.

Source: Discord Blog

Beyond navigation, the new mobile app boasts a host of performance enhancements, including a 55% reduction in app open time on Android and a 43% decrease on iOS. The app also consumes four times less data when loading up for the first time, and it keeps recent messages cached in the background for faster access.The new Discord mobile app represents a significant step forward in terms of usability and functionality. The revamped interface, enhanced navigation, and improved performance make it easier than ever for users to stay connected with their friends and communities on the go. The app begins its rollout today on Android and iOS.

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Octagon camera island appears again, allegedly showing OPPO Find X7 Pro

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The OPPO Find X7 Pro is expected to arrive in the first quarter of next year, and it will allegedly include a rather unappealing octagon camera island on the back. Another leak not only shows us the back of the device, but the front as well.

The alleged OPPO Find X7 Pro appears again with an odd octagon camera island

This new octagon camera island leak comes from Weibo. If you check out the gallery below the article, you’ll see both the phone’s front and back sides. This is allegedly the OPPO Find X7 Pro, though we’re still finding it hard to believe.

Many people expressed their displeasure with this camera island based on the initial leak, and not much has changed now. It still looks very odd and out of place, though your opinion may be the exact opposite, of course.

A different camera island appeared recently, giving us some hope

It is worth noting that a different leak surfaced, showing a different OPPO Find X7 Pro camera island. It’s up to you which leak to believe in, as we’re waiting for more information to make a judgment call. Not a single reliable tipster confirmed anything up to this point.

Now, if you check out the images below, you’ll notice that four cameras are included inside that octagon camera setup. A fifth cutout is also located there, for some additional rear-facing sensors.

You will notice an alert slider on the left-hand side

The alert slider is visible on the left-hand side, which kind of confirms this is an OPPO phone. The UI used on the phone also points towards ColorOS. The thing is, this could just be a prototype. You’ll notice that it’s being charged by a Baseus charger, not an original one.

That camera bump on the back is quite noticeable, and it does protrude quite a bit. If this is the OPPO Find X7 Pro, OPPO is once again aiming to use rather large camera sensors across the board.

A centered camera hole is included, as is a curved display

On the front, you’ll notice a centered display camera hole. Both the phone’s power/lock and volume rocker buttons are located on the right-hand side. The bezels around the display are quite minimal, while the display is curved.

As mentioned earlier, the phone is expected to arrive in Q1 next year. The OPPO Find X6 Pro launched in March this year, so… unless OPPO is planning a major release cycle shift, the device is coming around that same time.


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