Google Maps is without a doubt one of the most widely used services by the search engine giant. Just like with its other popular products, Google continues to enhance the user experience by providing new features for Google Maps from time to time. The company is now reportedly working on a new functionality, which will make driving for a family getaway a lot less hassle.
According to a newly found patent, Google Maps will soon let users co-navigate with multiple drivers in real-time. The new feature will make it immensely easier for several people to meet up at a single location while co-navigating together.
Google Maps will soon make it easier for multiple drivers to co-navigate, even coming from different locations
Some patent documents regarding a new Google Maps feature have been uncovered by Igilta and David Kowalski (xleaks7 on X). The document describes a new Google Maps functionality that will make it easier for multiple drivers to co-navigate to a single destination. This feature will certainly be helpful in situations when people are meeting at a place while coming from different locations.
Currently, navigation on Google Maps is quite easy for individuals or one vehicle. After all, this is how the service is intended to be used. But, if you are traveling in a group, with separate vehicles coming from different locations, navigation becomes a little more complex. However, the feature seen in the patent will organize hassle-free multi-car co-navigation for you and your friends.
The patent hints at a lot of new features to revolutionize group travel by road in Google Maps
The patent’s details suggest that Google Maps will soon be getting a lot of new co-navigation features. These are expected to revolutionize group travel by road. The new features will identify situations in which multiple people in your group are going to the same place. The system will co-navigate all the users in the group by sending notifications, sharing the location of other vehicles, and more.
While co-navigating, Google Maps will also suggest meeting spots where routes of multiple drivers can merge. It will also provide notifications about the latest traffic and road conditions. These will be determined by the leading vehicle. If a car makes a detour, all other people in the group will be notified. If that’s not enough, once the destination is reached, the system will also help with parking.
It’s worth mentioning that the aforementioned Google Maps feature is just a patent at the moment. So, there’s no way to tell when exactly Google is planning to launch this functionality. Given the usefulness of the feature, we hope it sees the light of the day very soon.
The Galaxy S24 FE will not be one of the devices that Samsung will launch at the Unpacked event on July 10. In fact, it’s expected sometime in the last quarter of the year. However, leaks around the device have revealed key details, such as its cameras. Now, a new report reveals the colors in which the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE will be available.
Leak reveals 5 colors for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Like previous FE generations, the device will offer some of the key specs of the Galaxy flagships at a more affordable price. Plus, according to Ross Young on X/Twitter, it will be available in a wide variety of colors. This is a hallmark of Galaxy phones, so it was expected. The report claims that Samsung will launch the Galaxy S24 FE in Black, Gray, Light Blue, Light Green, and Yellow.
The source adds that the Black variant of the device will have the highest volume among all colors. Ross Young is a well-known analyst in the display industry and often offers reliable tips on future Samsung devices. So, the leak has high credibility. Previous reports about the Galaxy S24 FE revealed that it will be powered by the Exynos 2400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets, depending on the region. This means that the phone will be a powerhouse with the latest mobile flagship chipsets available, which is good news.
Other leaked specs
According to leaks, the S24 FE will be built around a 6.5″ AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The dimensions of the device would be 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm, so it would be easy to hold and use with one hand. Its rear area would be the home of a triple-camera system commanded by a 50 MP main sensor. This sensor would be the ISOCELL GN3, the same as the Galaxy S24 and S23 series (vanilla and Plus variants).
It doesn’t seem like Samsung wants to shake things up with the Galaxy S24 FE. However, the correct price tag could make it an instant success.
About two weeks ago, Google rolled out Android 15 Beta 3 for Pixel devices. This update brought some new features and key tweaks, being the first Android 15 beta build with the “Platform Stability” tag. Now, the company has released Android 15 Beta 3.1, a minor update focused on some bug fixes. However, users will be happy to know that it solves the annoying lock screen authentication bug.
Android 15 Beta 3.1 update rolling out for supported Pixel devices
The main bug reported in Android 15 Beta 3 prevented people from using their device normally from the lockscreen. When the phone is locked, users can still access actions, such as activating shortcuts or controlling music playback. However, a bug was causing the device to request PIN or fingerprint authentication to execute such actions. Of course, this bug was quite frustrating, since it forced you to unlock the device to perform actions that should not require it.
Fortunately, the fix to that bug is available in the latest Android 15 Beta 3.1 update. The firmware, which is identified with the build number AP31.240517.031, is now available for download from the official Google repositories. Those whose devices are running the previous update should also be receiving the OTA availability notification. You can also manually check for updates from the Settings menu on your phone.
Compatible Pixel devices; more fixed bugs
The update is available for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a. In addition to the lock screen authentication bug, there is a fix for facial unlocking. Before, face unlocking could sometimes fail for no apparent reason, even under ideal conditions. Lastly, the update also includes fixes for issues that “were impacting system stability, connectivity, and audio quality.”
The Android 15 Beta 3.1 OTA size is around 63.87 MB. If you have not yet received the update notification and do not want to wait, you can try a manual installation. You will find the necessary files and tools here.
The CEO of Microsoft AI considers that the public information available on the web is like “freeware.” Much of this data has been used to train AI models. However, not everyone agrees with this statement. Content creators continue to feel affected by the potential use of their work for this purpose, without receiving compensation.
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, answered multiple questions related to the current role of AI and its development. One of the issues that most concern people in this regard has to do with copyright. Currently, there is still no firm “AI legislation” that considers all items, participants, and fair compensation. There are many “gray lines” that can cause questions even about the ethical use of AI.
Microsoft AI CEO says that publicly available content on the internet is “freeware”
With this in mind, CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin asked Suleyman about the topic. Sorkin touched on the issue of the intellectual property of the data used to train AI models. This encompasses all content that is publicly available on the Internet. More specifically, he asked who owns the IP over that content, who should receive compensation for use of the IP, and whether AI companies have “stolen” that content.
To this, the CEO of Microsoft AI responded: “The social contract of that content since the 90’s has been…it is fair use. Anyone can copy it, recreate with it, reproduce with it. That has been freeware if you like.” This response is causing controversy among people, especially among content creators. They consider that comparing all publicly available content on the Internet with “freeware” is dangerous. They fear that, under that view, AI companies will feel free to take the content whenever they want.
“Gray area” cases should be dealt with in court, Suleyman claims
Suleyman makes a point by trying to separate the types of content publicly available on the Internet. He mentions that there is another category where creators explicitly say that their content cannot be taken or used without consent. Suleyman considers these cases a “gray area” that must be dealt with in court. He mentions that there are other people who had also used that kind of content without authorization. Creators might not even know anything about the use of the content, because it is not so easy to determine.
With no firm AI legislation currently in place, cases of this nature are being dealt with separately and with different results. However, the legal boundaries between fair use and “theft” of publicly available content are still unclear when it comes to training AI services.
Samsung is all set to take covers off its next-gen foldable smartphones – the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 – at the Unpacked event on July 10. The company is also rumored to unveil a couple of smartwatches including the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 7 Ultra or Watch Ultra at the same event.
Ahead of the launch, the alleged photos and specs of the Galaxy Watch 7 series have already leaked. Now, a new leak suggests that the Galaxy Watch 7 could track early signs of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and more.
The Watch 7 could offer an AGE index feature to track early signs of age-related diseases
Folks over at Android Authority have found a UI for a new feature called the AGEs (Advanced Glycation Endproducts) index in the Samsung Health app. This feature could enable the Watch 7 series to track early signs of age-related diseases. There are clues in the code regarding how the brand could deliver some sort of tracking for cardiovascular risk. The company will implement the AGEs index feature to provide advanced health tracking.
AGEs are thought to play an essential role in the development of chronic age-related diseases. They are linked to various health conditions like diabetes, stroke, and heart attack. With the AGEs index feature, users of Watch 7 could create an index of data gathered by their wearable. It will be available on their smartphones with the Samsung Health app.
The upcoming Galaxy smartwatches could measure AGEs optically and non-invasively
It looks like the Galaxy Watch 7 series of smartwatches may be able to measure these AGEs optically and non-invasively. The readings from the AGEs index will allow users to monitor the risk of various diseases like diabetes. The leaked UI in the Health app suggests that the company has partnered with DiagnOptics to develop this functionality.
Besides the AGE index-based advanced health tracking, the Watch 7 series could also feature blood glucose monitoring. However, there aren’t many details available about how the brand will implement it. That said, we will know more in just a matter of a few days, so watch this space for regular updates.
Many drivers use online maps like Google Maps for navigation directions but they mostly aim to serve individual drivers. Google Maps provides no way to coordinate a group travel but according to a new patent filing, this may change in the future.
Currently, if you and a group of friends are going to the same destination in different cars, you probably either follow the lead car or every car relies on individual Google Maps directions.
A new document hints at a Google Maps feature to facilitate a group of vehicles traveling to a common destination, whether from the same starting point or different locations. The feature will identify situations in which multiple users are going to the same place, either based on explicit requests from users or based on implicit signals such as calendar entries or text messages.
The new Google Maps feature will help make group outings easier
If you are thinking why anyone would want to use a multi-car navigation system instead of each driver using their own Google Maps app, it’s because there are many advantages to such a system. For instance, it will keep all the participants informed about the current location of other cars, so you won’t have to bother with regular texts to ensure you are not too far ahead or not too far behind. The system may even suggest a stop for a car that’s ahead of others so that the whole group reaches the destination at roughly the same time.
The system will also provide notifications about traffic and road conditions, which will be determined by the lead vehicle, and suggest stops along the way. If a car makes a detour, all others will be notified.
The document also states that the feature will also identify potential locations at which routes can merge and drivers can wait for each other. Once the desired location is reached, the system can also help with parking.
As is the case with all patents, we don’t know if the feature will see the light of the day.
The HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 is the company’s brand-new laptop. It does come in a global variant, and that’s the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 model that we received for review purposes. Do note that this variant comes with integrated graphics. With that in mind, this is a very powerful machine. It has Intel’s Core Ultra 5 chip on the inside, but that’s not its only strong suit, not even close. In this article, we’ll go over its upsides, and downsides, as per usual, and see whether it’s worth the pricing tag… as this thing is not cheap, that’s for sure. HONOR made some really compelling laptops thus far, so it set a high bar for itself. Let’s see what this thing is all about, starting with its design, and we’ll go from there.
Table of contents
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 Review: Hardware / Design
The HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 is made out of metal. That design is “enhanced”, as HONOR put it, by the 3D Coloring Spray Technology. In case you’re wondering what that is, it’s a technology that enhances the visual appeal of this product by “creating a neat, unified, and split skyline surfaced design”. The laptop is smooth to the touch, and you can easily say it’s made out of metal… well, aluminum in this case. It is a 16-inch laptop, in case that wasn’t clear based on its name. It is only 19.9mm thick when closed, and it weighs 1.79kg. Considering this is a 16-inch tablet and a 13-14-inch one, that’s kind of nice. Most 16-inch tablets are notably heavier than that.
It comes in White & Purple color options
This tablet comes in White and Purple colors. We received the latter one to review, as you can see in all of the provided images. That purple color is very dark, though, even though the perception will depend on the light that hits it. It looks really nice, though, both in images and in person. The exact dimensions of the laptop are 354 x 242 x 19.9mm. The bezels around the display are very thin, and there’s a HONOR logo placed right under the display.
When it comes to ports, it may seem as if the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 has only three ports, all of which are placed on the left-hand side. However, that’s not the case, as some additional ports are included on the back. There are two Type-C ports on the left side, which you’ll use for charging, amongst other things. The third port on that side is an audio jack, and it’s placed at the very edge there, towards the display. At the back, there are three additional ports, two USB-A units, and an HDMI port. You will also notice large speaker sections on both the left and right sides. This laptop actually comes with 6 speakers and two built-in microphones. It does support HONOR Spatial Audio as well.
A full-size numeric keyboard is included here, for better or worse
This laptop, considering its size, also comes with a full-size numeric keyboard, which is backlit, by the way. In other words, you do get a numpad here, even though the spacing is not the same as on a regular-sized keyboard, of course. All the keys are mushed together. You do get used to this, but in all honesty, I do prefer when there’s no numpad. I prefer layouts from 14-inch laptops quite a bit more. This layout pushes the QWERTY keyboard a bit more to the left, and all the keys are a bit too mushed together for my liking. As I said, you do get used to it, but it’s not my favorite. The keyboard itself, on the other hand, feels great to use. The key travel is very good considering this is a tablet (1.5mm), just keep in mind this is not a mechanical keyboard or anything of the sort, of course. We’re looking at a good and responsive scissor key setup here. The keys also have a good size to them, they never felt too small.
A large touchpad is also a part of the package
Below the keyboard itself, you’ll notice a large touchpad. It’s more than large enough for comfortable usage, and it has a nice click to it. It’s a mechanical touchpad, not a solid-state one, as the ones you’ll find on the Huawei MateBook Pro, for example. I do prefer that mechanical click, but that’ll depend on your preference. Considering that you do get a numpad here, the letter keys themselves are moved a bit to the left, which meant my palm was resting on that touchpad a bit too frequently. I did get used to that too, and it wasn’t as much of a problem as I thought it would, but still, avoiding some clicks and mouse moves was not possible. The touchpad size is 134.2 x 81.2mm, in case you were wondering. It supports a 5-point multi-touch, even though Windows 11 is limited to a 4-point multi-touch at the moment.
All in all, the design really is great here. All the complaints I had were more of a personal preference than anything else. The device is really well-built, it feels very premium. It has a good keyboard and touchpad. Just keep in mind that a numpad is included here and that the keyboard is moved a bit more to the left because of it.
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 Review: Display
The HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 has a 16-inch display, as its name says. That’s not exactly a standard these days, it’s a bit larger than that. I’ve mostly been using 14-inch laptops in the last couple of years, and yes, you do notice the difference, very much so. Another detail you should note is that this display has a 16:10 aspect ratio. The resolution is 3072 x 1920, which is plenty, in other words. Nobody will complain about the resolution here, as the panel is as crisp as it gets. The bezels around it are 2.36-inch thick (left and right), while the screen-to-body ratio is 93%, says HONOR.
This display is not only vivid, sharp & bright, but it also protects your eyes
What else is there to say here? Well, quite a bit, actually, believe it or not. HONOR refers to this display as a ‘FullView Display’, and it has a 100% DCI-P3 and sRGB color gamut. Its typical brightness is around 500 nits, we’ll talk more about that later on, though. The display also has the TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and TUV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification. Dynamic Dimming is also a part of the offering, while the E-book mode is also included. In other words, this display should go easy on your eyes. It has all the certifications you’d want, pretty much, while it’s also rather color-accurate.
It is not touch-sensitive, though
The question is, however, how does it look in actual usage? Is it really good, or great even? Well, the latter. Truth be said, I do not have a single complaint about this panel. It’s crisp, vivid, and has great viewing angles. I enjoyed using it, without a doubt. It was great for general usage, image editing, and consuming multimedia. The display is, however, not touch-sensitive, so do note that. Some people like to have that functionality on a laptop, which I do understand, but I never use it when it’s there. I simply hate smudges on the display, and when a laptop does not offer a rotatable display so that you can use it as a tablet, there’s no point, really… at least in my eyes.
This panel does get bright enough, that’s for sure
Alright, we missed one thing… the brightness. Does it get bright enough when needed? Well, yes, very much so. Truth be said, not many of you will use a laptop outdoors in direct sunlight, but very bright rooms are not out of the question. I’ve used it in a coffee shop, on a very sunny day, with glass walls all around me, and also outside in the sun, and the screen did great. Not a single display will do a marvelous job when the sun is hitting it directly, and you should avoid that. Your laptop will also heat up unnecessarily and so on.
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 Review: Performance
Now, there are two variants of this laptop out there, just so you don’t get confused. One comes with integrated graphics (this one), and the other has an additional GPU. The integrated graphics here is Intel Arc graphics, while the other model includes the 115W Nvidia 4060 GPU, but we haven’t seen that model available outside of China. Do note that you’ll need to use that 200W charger that comes with the laptop if you’d like to use that graphics card, however. Considering we got the variant with integrated graphics, however, that’s not really an option. Needless to say, that Intel Arc graphics card is good for most things, but if you’re planning on gaming… well, the Nvidia 4060 GPU would serve you much better.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 SoC fuels this laptop
I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, though. Let’s start from the top. The HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 is fueled by the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor (125H). In addition to that chip, and the integrated graphics mentioned earlier, this laptop also offers 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM (6,400MHz). There is also a 1TB SSD included in the mix. It is worth noting that there are air vents on the left, right, and back sides of the laptop, even the bottom. That will help with heat dissipation, that’s for sure. The variant of the laptop with a separate GPU has that setup too, and this model does create less heat. Spoiler alert, yes, this laptop runs really well, even when you push it.
It does not get a separate GPU
Once again, do keep in mind that the separate GPU does not kick in unless the laptop is on a provided charger. So, the two variants (with integrated graphics and without it), are basically the same when you use them without a charger. Well, granted, the other model does have even more RAM, but 24GB should be more than enough for everything you’ll do here (at least for the vast majority of you). The device offers two performance modes you can choose from, Smart mode and High-performance mode. The former prioritizes battery life while providing enough performance power, the latter will basically remove brakes and allow this laptop to spread its wings.
Making it stutter is not an easy feat
Needless to say, bogging down this laptop is not easy. It ran great in day-to-day usage, in the two-week period we’ve used it. Browsing was not an issue, neither was multimedia consumption. I wrote tons of emails and articles on the device too, while I also processed some images and edited a couple of videos. Everything ran perfectly. No, this laptop is not made for gaming, as already mentioned, I did however fire up Fortnite for the sake of it, and it ran really well, though it did trigger internal fans, which were not loud at all. I then tried playing Call of Duty: Warzone, and that game also ran fine, though it did stutter on several occasions. I’m not sure if it’s due to the game itself, or the GPU, but it’s possible it’s the game’s fault, I wouldn’t be surprised. Once again, this laptop is capable of gaming, but don’t expect you’ll play truly demanding games without issues. This model does not have a dedicated GPU.
Benchmarks
We also ran some benchmark tests on the device. Below you’ll see Geekbench’s CPU and GPU results, in addition to GFXBench results. This is certainly not the most powerful laptop around, but as long as you’re not into demanding games or something of the sort, it packs plenty of power.
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 Review: Battery
The HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 comes with a 75Wh battery included. With the included 135W charger, you can get this laptop charged all the way in 70 minutes. A 30-minute charge, on the other hand, will give you around 55% of battery, says the company. We found out that those numbers are quite accurate, actually. It took the laptop 69 minutes to fully charge for us, while charging it for 30 minutes did provide us with a 55% battery charge, on the dot. With that being said, is the battery life any good? Well, yes, actually, it is.
Getting two days of serious work out of this laptop is not a problem
I managed to get two days’ worth of work on this laptop, without dimming the display or anything like that. The brightness was always over 50%, and at times very high as I was in brightly-lit areas. It never failed to provide me with two full days worth of work, and it even had a charge left after all that. Do note that most of my work days are typing (articles and emails), browsing, and image editing. I had a couple of video editing sessions thrown in there, and a bit of multimedia consumption after work too.
It did great in our video stream test too
I actually did a test where I left the MagicBook Pro 16 to stream video for hours with the volume tuned up all the way to 100%, and the same goes for display brightness. It managed to survive for around 5 hours. Lowering both of those to 50% managed to double that time. All-in-all, the battery life is really good. Do note that I used it in ‘Smart mode’ most of the time. I used the ‘Performance mode’ only when gaming.
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 Review: Software
In regards to software, Windows 11 Home comes pre-installed here. Those of you who have used Windows OS will be right at home. HONOR does include some of its own programs here, which are actually quite useful, but you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to, of course. Those programs are PC Manager and WorkStation. Those are basically the main additions here, and the ones you’ll likely use the most. PC Manager is sort of a hub for connectivity with your phone. You can log into HONOR ID and cast your phone’s screen on the laptop, or vice versa. HONOR Share is built into this program, and it allows you to share files to your phone and back, using Wi-Fi. This actually works really well.
HONOR WorkStation is immensely useful if you have more than one HONOR device
HONOR WorkStation is a place where you can use MagicRing, if you want. If you have more than one HONOR device, this program will be quite useful for you. All you need to do is be logged into the same account, and they’ll be inter-connected. You’ll be able to share files, use connected apps, and so on. Working on relation from your laptop and phone becomes a lot easier this way, and it’s certainly one of the reasons to own both a HONOR laptop and a phone. If you don’t, well, this won’t be of much use to you.
Do note that the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 will offer a ton of AI features too, but we didn’t have access to them when we were reviewing this laptop. They were not yet available. Those features include AI Subtitle, Magic Text, Text Comprehension, Smart Picture Search, and a lot more. We’re not sure when will they become available, but rest assured, those features are coming.
Windows 11 Home comes pre-installed, and it’s exactly what you’d expect
In regards to Windows 11 Home as a whole, well, there’s not much to talk about, and also plenty to talk about. I don’t want this to become a Windows 11 Home overview article, but for those who have not used Windows just yet, let’s just touch on the basics. Windows OS is the most widespread operating system for computers, and it’s not even close. It works a bit differently to MacOS and Chrome OS, of course, even though it’ll look similar in a number of ways. You have a desktop workspace as default, on which you can add program icons and whatever else you want, basically. There’s always a way on Windows. The bottom bar contains your main Windows menu, and your favorite apps, while there’s also a tray in the bottom-right corner with your notifications, Wi-Fi info, volume info, and so on.
Windows OS is easy to customize
Windows OS in general is easily customizable. You can change pretty much everything you want, as long as you find a way. Microsoft did make some changes painfully simple, though. The company luckily keeps simplifying menus in Windows, as they were atrocious before. That is luckily no longer the case. Finding what you’re looking for is much simpler now. If you go to ‘Settings’, you’ll see some of the customization options that are at your disposal here. You can change the theme entirely or tinker specifically with colors or the desktop background. There are tons of options available for you to choose from. You can even install new ones and create your own. Windows 11 Home gives you so many options for customization, that you can even change the mouse cursor and sounds.
There are also some gaming-specific features included here, even though this is technically not a gaming machine.
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 Review: Audio
The HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 has 6 speakers. Spatial Audio is supported here, while the same goes for DTS support when you’re using headphones. In regards to speakers, they’re really, really good. These are some of the loudest speakers that we’ve ever had the chance to test on a laptop. It’s not just about the loudness either, they also have a well-defined mid-range specter, while low-end and high-end are not bad either, quite the contrary. Considering the position of these speakers, the sound is also quite impressive, especially considering this is a laptop we’re talking about.
HONOR has a dedicated software suite for audio settings
HONOR also has a software suite that allows you to tinker with the audio settings. You can either choose stereo or spatial audio for the sound profile of these speakers. They will basically mimic spatial audio if you choose that setting. There’s quite a bit of difference between those two settings too, so you’ll want to tinker with them a bit, to get the right option for you. In regards to output through headphones, you can choose between spatial audio and DTS enhancement. The sound is really pleasant, though that will depend on what headphones you use, of course.
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 Review: Webcam
The HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 has a fullHD front-facing camera. The exact details regarding this camera haven’t been shared by HONOR. You will also notice that two microphones are placed on each of the two sides of the camera. I do my best not to dwell on camera performance all that much, as they’re usually not worth talking about. Most people use webcams for video calls, and that’s pretty much it. So, two details that do matter are image quality and audio input. I conducted two video calls during my usage of the MagicBook Pro 16, and the image quality is… passable. It does get worse as the light goes away, but in general, it’s okay. I’ve seen far worse cameras on laptops.
Microphones for video calls are front-facing & good enough
The voice input is also sufficient. People on the other side said they could hear me just fine despite the fact I didn’t use my headphones. Using a dedicated microphone is always preferred, though, of course. Also, note that I was in a rather quiet environment when I conducted video calls (my office). Considering the quality of the speakers on the device, you can easily hear the other end of the line, by the way. It’s also worth noting that you have a button on the ‘F8’ key on the keyboard, which can block the webcam. All you need to do is tap the ‘Fn’ button first, and then the ‘F8’ key.
HONOR MagicBook Pro 16: Should you buy it?
Is the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 the laptop you should buy? Well, that’s something only you can answer. However, if it’s in your price budget, and if you find 14-inch laptops too small (mainly in terms of the display), this may be the right solution for you. Not only does it have a gorgeous 16-inch display, but it also includes a numpad on the keyboard. As I mentioned in the review, that keyboard may take some getting used to, if you haven’t used this setup before. Coming from a bunch of 14-inch laptops without a numpad, this took some getting used to. If you’re already using something like this, and you don’t mind it, well, then you’ll be right at home.
The device also has great speakers, good key travel, solid and large trackpad, and so on. The performance is also really good. Just keep in mind that there is also a version of this device with a dedicated GPU available out there, in case you need more graphical power. Even without it, however, the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 is a very compelling laptop.
You should buy the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 if you:
…want a larger-than-standard laptop. …can make use of a 16:10 display aspect ratio. …need to have a numpad on the keyboard. …like the brushed metal feel. …like using Windows OS.
You shouldn’t buy the HONOR MagicBook Pro 16 if you:
…want the most portable laptop out there. …play demanding games. …want a straightforward keyboard without a numpad.
Heads up, WordPress admins! Researchers ask WordPress users to update their sites with the latest plugin releases, as the hackers compromised at least five different WordPress plugins following a supply-chain attack on WordPress.org.
WordPress Plugins Compromised In A Supply-Chain Attack
In a recent post, the WordPress security service Wordfence highlighted a sophisticated attack against WordPress.org plugins, where the attackers compromised five different plugins.
Specifically, they uncovered a supply-chain attack in which the threat actors injected malicious codes into legitimate plugins to attack WordPress websites.
First, they detected the compromise with the Social Warfare WordPress plugin, analyzing which helped them identify four other infected plugins. These include the following.
Social Warfare 4.4.6.4 – 4.4.7.1
Blaze Widget 2.2.5 – 2.5.2
Wrapper Link Element 1.0.2 – 1.0.3
Contact Form 7 Multi-Step Addon 1.0.4 – 1.0.5
Simply Show Hooks 1.2.1
Regarding the malware, the researchers explained that the code aims to create new rogue admin accounts and share their access with the attackers. They didn’t notice any code obfuscations with the malware; instead, the added comments made the malware “easy to follow,” according to Wordfence.
Following this discovery, the Wordfence team alerted the respective plugin developers about the attack. In response, the developers addressed the issue as much as possible, with some releasing proper security patches. Thus, it becomes important for all users to update their websites with the latest plugin releases (listed below).
While the patches have been released, users might not be able to download the patched plugin versions immediately. That’s because all five plugins appear to have been locked for downloads until a full review. Still, users must keep an eye out for updates to patch their sites accordingly.
Apple Intelligence is locked and loaded and ready to revolutionize the AI landscape. We all know that the technology will tap OpenAI’s GPT-4o when it needs access to more powerful AI. While GPT-4o is a powerful model, Apple doesn’t want to stop there. According to a new report, it looks like Apple Intelligence could also use Google’s Gemini in the near future.
We know iOS as the walled garden with the tallest walls. As such, we expected the company to keep its AI restricted to its models. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. For the time being, it looks like it wants iOS 18 to be a hub to access multiple AI models. It’s been in talks with companies like Meta, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI along with Google and OpenAI. Recent reports stated that the deal with Meta has fallen through due to security concerns.
Apple Intelligence could gain access to Gemini in the near future
We’ve known that Apple was open to using Google’s AI for some time. We even knew about this news before its deal with OpenAI. At first, it seemed like Apple wanted to integrate Gemini Nano into the iPhone, but its own models are good enough. We expect iOS to use Gemini just like it uses GPT-4o. When it needs to access a more powerful model, it will connect to the internet and tap Gemini.
What makes Apple Intelligence different is the fact that it asks permission to connect to other models. This is something that offers superior transparency compared to Pixel and Galaxy phones. When using an iPhone, you know when Apple is reaching out; there’s no guessing.
With Galaxy AI, it’s not clear which features work on-device and which ones have to contact other models. So, you don’t know what’s happening with your data. The same thing goes for Pixel phones.
Time will tell
Right now, we don’t know when iOS will bring this functionality but reports state that it will happen this Fall. Apple Intelligence isn’t out at the moment, so there’s a chance that the company will implement it before the official launch. When this happens, people should have the ability to choose which model to use. We’ll just have to see.
An Australian man faces charges for setting up fake Wi-Fi networks (“evil twins”) to steal data from unsuspecting travelers at airports. These networks mimic real airport or airline Wi-Fi, tricking users into connecting and exposing logins, browsing history, and more.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested a 42-year-old man from Western Australia for allegedly setting up fake Wi-Fi networks to steal personal data from unsuspecting travelers. This cybercrime tactic, known as an “evil twin,” is often highlighted when discussing the dangers of using public Wi-Fi.
What is an Evil Twin Scam?
An “evil twin” scam, involves creating Wi-Fi network names that mimic legitimate airport or airline Wi-Fi hotspots. When users connect to these fake networks, their personal information, such as login credentials and browsing data, can be intercepted by malicious third parties including cybercriminals, scammers and spies.
The Investigation and Arrest
According to The AFP’s press release, the investigation began in April 2024 after a concerned airline employee reported a suspicious Wi-Fi network identified on a domestic flight. Following the tip from the airline, AFP investigators discreetly monitored the suspect and his activities.
On his return to Perth Airport from an interstate flight in April, the man’s luggage was searched, revealing a portable wireless access device, a laptop, and a mobile phone. The man used that portable device to create the fake Wi-Fi networks.
These networks would likely have been given names similar to those offered by airports or airlines, tricking unsuspecting travelers into connecting. Once connected, the suspect could potentially steal a variety of data, including:
Browsing history
Personal information entered on websites
Login credentials for email, social media accounts, and banking services
Further examination of these devices, along with a search warrant executed at the man’s residence. Based on the evidence, the AFP arrested the man at his home in May 2024. He is facing multiple cybercrime charges, including unauthorized access to restricted data and creating fake access points.
Protecting Yourself from Evil Twin Scams
The AFP has used this case to highlight the dangers of unsecured Wi-Fi networks and the importance of practising good cyber hygiene when traveling. They advise travelers to:
Avoid unencrypted networks: Look for Wi-Fi networks that are encrypted (indicated by a padlock symbol next to the network name).
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data.
Be wary of network names: Don’t connect to networks with generic names or names that differ slightly from legitimate airport or airline Wi-Fi.
Disable automatic Wi-Fi connection: On your devices, disable the automatic connection to Wi-Fi networks to avoid connecting to untrusted networks unintentionally.
