EV maker Polestar shows its Meizu-made phone in a short video

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EV maker Polestar shows its Meizu-made phone in a short video
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The Volvo-owned Polestar has been jointly working on a phone with Meizu. In September, Polestar confirmed its Meizu-made smartphone heads to the market in December. Now, the firm has teased the device in its inaugural Polestar Day event.

CEO Thomas Ingenlath already announced the Polestar-branded Android smartphone will be a premium device. However, it doesn’t aim to compete with flagships from other companies. The alleged phone comes as an accessory for Polestar EVs. BMW already had a similar project with Samsung to include a Samsung-made tablet in its Series 7 vehicles.

According to the images showcased at the Polestar Day event, the Polestar-branded smartphone will be made based on the Meizu 20 series. The phone has a flat metal frame with three camera modules at the rear panel. To be more specific, the triple camera setup includes a 23mm equivalent primary camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a 70mm telephoto (f/2.0), and a 15mm ultra-wide lens with an f/2.4 aperture.

Polestar launches its Meizu-made smartphone in December

The Polestar logo is engraved on the side edges. The company’s logo also stands out on the back of the device. The flat screen has a punch hole at the top for hosting the selfie camera. Yet, we don’t have any information about the device’s hardware.

Given that Polestar’s CEO said the phone is a premium device, we can expect to see Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and plenty of RAM. Support for wireless fast charging is certainly included. The phone is said to be exclusive to the Chinese market. But things might change until the official launch in December.

Polestar CEO noted they plan to use this phone to differentiate their vehicles from rivals. Additionally, they want to bring a seamless experience to customers with the smartphone. “Where you have an opportunity to link these two worlds, without any border … then you can really have a seamless transition”, Ingenlath said. “I still have problems to get, you know, an SMS displayed.”

If you ever ask why Polestar is turning to Meizu to build its smartphone, the answer is the Chinese car maker Geely, which acquired Meizu in 2022, is also a shareholder of Polestar and Volvo.

As many car manufacturers are partnering with smartphone makers to bring tech to their vehicles, some OEMs are also entering the EV segment. The Chinese OEM Huawei has recently launched its second EV with a starting price of just $35,400. On paper, Huawei’s EV is a tough rival to the Tesla Model S.


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New trial lets users book drivers for chores

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Uber is expanding its business into a new market. Reports show that Uber is testing an online marketplace for freelance workers in Fort Myers, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta. This move is part of Uber’s plan to broaden its services with a feature they’re calling “Uber Tasks.” Uber is stepping into the arena of online freelance labor platforms like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack. With Uber Tasks, customers can list various jobs, and these tasks will be open for Uber drivers to pick up.

In September, Bloomberg discovered evidence in Uber’s code that suggested they were developing a “TaskRabbit-Like Service”. This feature has now been confirmed by Uber. Uber spokesperson Conor Ferguson says, “This small pilot is the newest way for drivers and couriers to put their skills to work and earn on their own schedule… We’re always thinking about how to bring people more ways to earn with Uber.”

Uber Tasks covers a range of chores such as furniture assembly, snow removal, at-home laundry, packing/unpacking, holiday decorating, yard cleanup, garden maintenance, and lawn mowing. Users can post these tasks, and Uber drivers can browse and reserve them, with estimated earnings displayed upfront.

Uber Tasks lets people in Fort Myers, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, hire local Uber drivers for everyday chores

Uber has been exploring new avenues to boost its revenue over the past year, including entering the flight booking service industry and incorporating video ads into the Uber app while users wait for rides. Fort Myers, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, are the test markets for Uber Tasks. Broadcasting jobs to drivers shows Uber’s ambition to offer a more immediate service compared to apps like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack. By targeting Uber drivers already in the area or scheduled to work, the platform aims to provide a quick and convenient solution for users.

In geographically distant markets like Canada and Florida, Uber can assess the types of chores people need assistance with and what tasks drivers are willing to take on. Also, Uber can leverage its established infrastructure to integrate this feature with a competitive fee structure.

While Uber has faced ongoing discussions about its pay structure and driver treatment since its inception, the introduction of Uber Tasks opens up new avenues for drivers to earn money. The success of this trial service will ultimately determine its profitability for Uber in the long run. Only time will tell if Uber Tasks becomes a lucrative addition to Uber’s expanding portfolio of services.


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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is one step closer to launch

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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is one step closer to launch
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Samsung is one more step closer to unveiling the Galaxy A25 5G. The company has just picked up another important certification for the new mid-range phone. The device has been certified by renowned independent product testing firm TUV Rheinland, hinting at a nearing launch.

Galaxy A25 5G receives the TUV Rheinland certification

The Galaxy A25 5G will succeed Samsung’s Galaxy A24, which debuted in April this year with 4G connectivity. Last week, we gave you exclusive official renders of the new phone. It picked up the FCC certification shortly after that, while a major leak followed a few days later to reveal most of its specs and alleged European pricing.

Now, the device has popped up on the TUV Rheinland’s website. Spotted by MySmartPrice, the listing shows that the phone will be available in a dual-SIM variant with support for 25W fast wired charging (9V, 2.77A). While no other information was revealed, earlier leaks, benchmarks, and certifications have already given us a lot. The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery.

The US version of the Galaxy A25 5G will support 11 5G bands, the FCC revealed. It boasts NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 5, and GPS and features a microSD card slot. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB, paired with 6GB and 8GB RAM, respectively. Samsung’s in-house Exynos 1280 processor powers the device. The 5nm chipset has a peak CPU speed of 2.4GHz.

The upcoming mid-range Samsung phone features a 6.5-inch display with an FHD+ resolution. We should be looking at a Super AMOLED panel with a 90Hz/120Hz refresh rate. For imaging, the Korean firm is giving you a 50MP primary rear camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro camera, and a 13MP selfie camera. We are expecting OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and 1080p video recording.

Samsung may launch the phone earlier than the 2023 model

The Galaxy A25 5G popped up on a Geekbench listing in September, revealing Android 14 onboard. However, a recent leak said the device will ship with Android 13. If the later report is accurate, Samsung may be looking to unveil it early next year. Even if it isn’t, recent developments suggest the new mid-range phone will arrive on the market earlier than its predecessor.

As our exclusive renders show, the handset will come in four colors: Black, Blue, Silver, and Yellow. The Korean firm usually gives these colors fancy names, so expect something similar this time too. The Galaxy A25 5G may cost around €300/$300 for the base variant when it launches next year. Stay tuned for more information.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G TUV Rheinland


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ICBC Ransomware Attack Pushed Chinese Bank To Use USBs

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ICBC Ransomware Attack Pushed Chinese Bank To Use USBs
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As ransomware attacks continue wreaking havoc, the latest victim turned out to be the largest Chinese bank. The ICBC Bank admitted suffering a ransomware attack, following which, the bank switched to using USB sticks to continue operations manually.

ICBC Suffered Ransomware Attack

Reportedly, the largest Chinese Bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), has become the latest victim of a ransomware attack. The attack struck the US unit of ICBC Financial Services, disrupting the US Treasury market trades.

The news about this incident first surfaced online on Thursday when the Financial Times reported the matter.

Initially, the bank confirmed facing no impact on the other units, as it started recovery measures from the attack. That included isolating its systems from the rest of the Wall Street.

Eventually, the Bank managed to continue its operations manually as it resorted to using USB sticks for information exchange with BNY Mellon. Nonetheless, the resultant disruptions following the cyberattack compelled ICBC’s parent firm to inject $9 billion to cover unsettled trades.

According to FT, BNY disconnected ICBC from its systems, refusing a reconnection until a third-party firm cleared the Bank for safety threats. Nonetheless, Reuters report that ICBC representatives already assured to have involved a cybersecurity firm for security assessment.

The Notorious Lockbit Found Responsible For ICBC Cyber Attack

Initially, it remained unclear how ICBC fell prey to the ransomware attack and who the attackers were. However, as the news gained traction, the notorious Lockbit ransomware gang appeared as the adversary responsible for this attack. According to Reuters, a Lockbit representative confirmed the attack via the Tox messaging service.

Lockbit first made it to the news a few years ago, undergoing several improvisations over time as it kept targeting different organizations. Consequently, the ransomware surfaced online as newer iterations, starting from Lockbit, followed by Lockbit 2.0, and then Lockbit 3.0. With every iteration, the ransomware kept enhancing its malicious capabilities, achieving the ability to target more operating systems, including Macs.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.


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Even Nothing is tired of the Blue bubble vs. Green bubble war

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Even Nothing is tired of the Blue bubble vs. Green bubble war
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Carl Pei’s Nothing has established an identity for itself over the years. It’s been working on carving out its niche in the Android ecosystem. So, this is why it’s surprising that the company is working on a 3rd-party client for an Apple product. Nothing is working on an iMessage client called Nothing Chat.

It’s a battle as old as time itself… well, in tech years; we’re talking about the Green bubble Blue bubble war. If you don’t have an iPhone, your chats will appear in green bubbles on your recipient’s phone. The sacred Blue bubble is something that many people say that Android users covet (spoiler: it’s not), and it’s been something that’s become a part of Apple culture.

Nothing is coming out with Nothing Chats, and it’s an iMessage client

Nothing is coming out with a chat app that will launch for the Nothing Phone (2). The reports only point to this app coming to the Nothing Phone (2) and not the Nothing Phone (1). However, we’ll have to wait for future developments. What does this have to do with iMessage?

Well, Nothing Chat will be powered by Sunbird, a third-party iMessage client that launched last year. It’s been gaining traction over the past couple of months, and it was able to cross 10,000 downloads on the Play Store. It’s not huge, but that’s 10,000 more blue bubbles in the world.

Right now, the company is beta testing this new app, so there’s no telling when we should expect to see it hit the public. Also, this is going to be a Nothing-branded app, so don’t expect to use it if you don’t have one of the Nothing Phones.

Speaking of which, you can pick up the Nothing Phone (2) for an affordable $699. It’s notably more expensive than the Nothing Phone (1), but that’s because of the upgraded processor. However, you’re getting a powerful and well-optimized smartphone experience with that phone. You’ll have Nothing OS 2 along with software additions that characterize the Nothing aesthetic.


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Impact of Digital Yuan on cryptocurrency’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) innovations

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Impact of Digital Yuan on cryptocurrency’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) innovations
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The world of cryptocurrencies has witnessed a seismic shift with the introduction of the Digital Yuan, China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). This article explores the profound implications of Digital Yuan on the innovation of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) within the cryptocurrency landscape. Additionally, you can also start inversing the national cryptocurrency of China, the digital Yuan by clicking on Yuan Profit.

Understanding Digital Yuan

Overview of Digital Currencies in China

China has been at the forefront of digital currency innovation, with the Digital Yuan, also known as the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) project, leading the charge. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, Digital Yuan is issued and controlled by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), making it a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

Key Features and Characteristics of Digital Yuan

Digital Yuan is designed to operate seamlessly alongside physical cash and existing digital payment methods. It offers features like anonymity for users, offline transactions, and compatibility with existing financial infrastructure. Its unique two-tiered system involves the PBoC issuing Digital Yuan to commercial banks, which then distribute it to the public.

Regulatory Framework and Adoption

The Chinese government has been proactive in laying down regulations for Digital Yuan’s use and circulation. Several pilot programs have been conducted in major Chinese cities, testing the currency’s feasibility and user-friendliness. The rollout of Digital Yuan has the potential to impact not only China but also international financial markets.

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in Cryptocurrency

What is DLT and How Does It Work?

DLT is the underlying technology that powers cryptocurrencies. It is a decentralized, immutable ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. The most common form of DLT used in cryptocurrencies is blockchain, which operates on principles of transparency, security, and decentralization.

Importance of DLT in Cryptocurrency Transactions

DLT is central to the trustless nature of cryptocurrencies, eliminating the need for intermediaries like banks. Transactions are recorded in blocks and added to a chain in a chronological order, ensuring transparency and security. This technology has underpinned the success of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Notable Cryptocurrencies Using DLT

Bitcoin, the pioneer of cryptocurrencies, relies on DLT to validate and record all transactions on its blockchain. Ethereum takes DLT a step further by enabling smart contracts, self-executing agreements with predefined rules. Both these cryptocurrencies have pushed the boundaries of DLT innovation.

The Interplay Between Digital Yuan and DLT

Implications of China’s Adoption of Digital Yuan

The introduction of Digital Yuan has significant implications for the global cryptocurrency market. China’s large population and thriving digital economy make Digital Yuan a force to be reckoned with. Its integration with DLT adds an extra layer of complexity to the global financial ecosystem.

How Digital Yuan Utilizes Distributed Ledger Technology

Digital Yuan employs a permissioned blockchain-based system for transactions. Unlike the public and permissionless nature of most cryptocurrencies, Digital Yuan’s blockchain is controlled by a central authority—the PBoC. This control allows for regulatory oversight and can impact privacy and decentralization.

Potential Benefits and Challenges

Digital Yuan’s use of DLT offers benefits such as enhanced security, reduced fraud, and improved transaction efficiency. However, it also poses challenges, including concerns about centralization, government surveillance, and potential censorship.

Impact on Cryptocurrency Ecosystem

Competition with Other Digital Currencies

Digital Yuan’s entry into the market brings competition to established cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin and others are decentralized and censorship-resistant, Digital Yuan’s centralized nature may attract users seeking stability and government backing.

Effects on Cryptocurrency Mining and Transactions

The mining ecosystem, a fundamental part of cryptocurrencies, may be impacted by Digital Yuan’s introduction. China has been a dominant player in Bitcoin mining due to its cheap electricity. Digital Yuan’s focus on energy-efficient consensus mechanisms could reshape the mining landscape.

Digital Yuan’s Role in Shaping the Future of DLT

The adoption of Digital Yuan highlights the adaptability of DLT. It demonstrates that DLT can serve as a foundation for both decentralized cryptocurrencies and centralized CBDCs. This could pave the way for further innovation and adoption of DLT across the financial sector.

Regulatory Considerations and International Response

Global Reaction to Digital Yuan and Its Use of DLT

Countries and international organizations are closely monitoring Digital Yuan’s development. Some nations are considering their own CBDCs, while others are cautious about the potential impact on their economies. Regulatory frameworks for DLT and CBDCs are evolving.

Regulatory Challenges and Concerns

Regulators face the challenge of striking a balance between innovation and oversight. Ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations while preserving user privacy is a complex task.

Collaborative Efforts and Cross-Border Implications

Cross-border transactions involving Digital Yuan could lead to collaboration between nations to establish common standards for CBDCs and DLT. These efforts could shape the future of international finance.

Future Prospects and Conclusion

The Evolution of DLT in the Crypto Space

The interplay between Digital Yuan and DLT raises questions about the future of blockchain technology. Will DLT evolve to accommodate the needs of both centralized and decentralized systems, or will it continue to diverge into separate paths?

Predictions for the Future of Digital Yuan and DLT Innovations

As Digital Yuan continues to gain traction, its impact on DLT will become more evident. Predicting how these developments will shape the cryptocurrency landscape is challenging, but it is certain that the relationship between Digital Yuan and DLT will be a defining factor in the years to come.

In conclusion, the emergence of Digital Yuan has ushered in a transformative era for cryptocurrencies and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). As China’s central bank digital currency gains increasing recognition, its incorporation of DLT will persistently shape the trajectory of technological advancements and the wider financial landscape. The ramifications of this integration are far-reaching, and while the future holds an air of uncertainty, one unmistakable fact emerges within the cryptocurrency realm, positioning itself at the forefront of the pivotal interplay between Digital Yuan and DLT, which promises to be of immense significance in the years ahead.


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Samsung says it’s not working on a mid-range foldable, bummer!

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Samsung says it’s not working on a mid-range foldable, bummer!
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Foldable phones have gained significant traction in recent years. Take the OnePlus Open or Pixel Fold, for example. The right credit must go to Samsung for popularizing the concept of foldable smartphones.

While Samsung wasn’t the first to introduce a foldable phone, it played a pivotal role in popularizing the concept. In 2018, at its annual developer conference, Samsung showcased its plans for foldable devices, followed by the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold a few months later. However, foldables have consistently faced a significant barrier: their price. Unlike Candybar smartphones, foldables carry a hefty price tag.

Samsung officially denies rumors of an affordable foldable

Recent rumors suggested that Samsung might be working on a mid-range foldable phone slated for release in 2024. However, the company has officially denied these rumors, stating that it has no plans to manufacture foldable smartphones in the mid-range price category.

“We don’t plan to manufacture foldable smartphones that are priced in the [mid-range], and the latest rumors are groundless,” Korea JoongAng Daily cited Samsung’s spokesperson.

This might seem odd. But last week a report emerged claiming that Samsung may be gearing up to launch affordable foldables. TrendForce reported that the “supply chain sources” have revealed that Samsung is planning to launch mid-range foldable phones in 2024.

There might still be hope, given the competition in the market

Samsung spokesperson’s statement clears the air that something below $500 is not in the works. However, it doesn’t necessarily eliminate the future chances of a Samsung affordable foldable. The initial 2022 report only stated that the device would be priced below $800, which, by current smartphone standards, is not considered “midrange.”

There’s undoubtedly rising competition in the foldable market. Several brands, including Chinese brands, have jumped onto the foldable market to grab a share. Samsung’s key competitors remain Honor, OnePlus, Vivo, Oppo, Motorola, and Google. Moreover, the demand for foldable is expected to grow in 2024, noted Counterpoint Research.


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YouTube will bring the hammer down on AI “musicians”

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YouTube will bring the hammer down on AI “musicians”
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You’ve probably heard this about 1,000 times before, but YouTube has a major problem on its hands. People are taking AI-generated clones of music artists’ voices and making music with them. This makes listeners think that they’re listening to the actual artists. Well, YouTube is cracking down on AI musicians with a new set of strict rules, according to a new report.

We’re all still reeling from the AI-generated song “Heart On My Sleeve”, the song that used AI-generated vocals from Drake and The Weeknd. This was a bit of a wake-up call for the music world because most of the people who heard the song thought it was legitimate. Now, anyone could realistically emulate their favorite music artist and generate songs.

YouTube is cracking down on AI musicians

The company is going to be unveiling two sets of rules targeted at people posting AI-generated content. For starters, if your video uses AI content, you’ll be required to label it as such. Labels will appear within the video’s description. For content covering serious matters, the labels will appear on the actual videos themselves.

If you don’t label your content, YouTube says that the punishments will vary, but they should be similar to consequences for general violations of YouTube’s ToS. This includes video takedowns and demonetization. We’re not sure if YouTube will take down entire channels.

How will YouTube know that someone didn’t label their content? Well, even YouTube doesn’t know the answer to that question. It’s still working on tools to help it identify AI-generated content. We’re at a point where AI-generated content is so realistic that it’s almost impossible to tell the difference at times.

AI music will get a different set of rules

The company is also going to unveil a stricter set of rules that apply to AI “musicians”. These are people dumping AI-generated music onto the platform. This is something that’s really been upsetting record labels. Though this isn’t information that’s been officially stated, we can guess that record labels have put some heat on YouTube for this.

For other content, there’s the chance that it could get a pass if it’s considered to be parody or satire. In the case of music, there will be no exception. If your music is AI-generated, and it uses AI-generated versions of artists’ voices, you’re going to suffer the consequences.

Right now, this is still pretty new, so we’ll need to see how this pans out. The rules will roll out next year.


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Photo Stack feature is rolling out to Google Photos

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Photo Stack feature is rolling out to Google Photos
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Last week, we reported that Google was preparing to release the Photo Stack feature for the Photos app. Photo Stack is a new feature that helps users organize their photos. The future is now rolling out to users around the world.

A Reddit user shared a screenshot showing the Photo Stack landed in his Pixel 8 series phone. You can now check if Google has released any new updates for the Photos app. If it’s not yet available on your device, wait a few weeks before checking for updates again.

Photo Stack rolls out to Google Photos users

Of course, the feature is not enabled by default, and you need to go through Google Photos settings to enable it. To do so, follow the Settings > Preferences > Stack Similar Photos toggle.

As you can probably guess from the name, Photo Stack can group similar images that are taken together. This helps you organize your files and prevent multiple similar shots from scattering in your Photos app. Google already lets users manage their images for easier access. However, the Photo Stack feature makes it much more convenient to access similar snaps.

If you’re a former Apple customer, you’ve probably worked with a similar feature dubbed “Apple Photos Moments.” The feature on Apple devices stacks photos and images taken on the same day or event. Apple Photos Moments uses factors such as time, location, people, and content to identify similar snaps.

The screenshot shared by the Reddit users shows five images grouped into a photo stack. Each stack has a dedicated header image to help users quickly identify photo stacks. It remains to be seen how many similar images can be stacked together. We can find this out when the feature is widely rolled out.

Another speculation about the Photo Stack is that the feature automatically deletes similar images once the user chooses the best image. Yet, we can’t independently confirm if this functionality is available in the app.


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Your phone with on-device AI might need 20GB of RAM just to operate!

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Your phone with on-device AI might need 20GB of RAM just to operate!
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Google’s recent Pixel devices have been making waves for their powerful on-device AI. They’re leading the march toward devices with on-device AI with other companies like Qualcomm, Samsung, and MediaTek following suit. Well, if you want one of those AI-powered “Genius-phones” (AI-powered smartphones), it looks like you’ll need some serious memory. According to a report, devices with on-device AI will need a ton of RAM to operate.

Nowadays, a phone with 8GB of RAM is pretty standard for a premium mid-ranger or base-level flagship. 12GB is decidedly flagship-grade and 16GB is reserved for the Pro version of phones mostly. But, what if someone told you that a standard phone with on-device will need 20GB just to operate?

The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro has 24GB of RAM, and companies are testing 32GB of RAM. So, this is looking like specs like those will be considered mid-range if this trend continues.

Phones with on-device AI will need a ton of RAM just to operate

This should come as no surprise; any device performing more advanced functions will need more RAM to function. With on-device AI, phones aren’t only performing their main functions, they’re also thinking.

So, it’s pretty axiomatic, but what’s not is to what extent phones will need more RAM. According to a new post on X via @Tech-reve, the amount of RAM will only go up as companies incorporate more AI into their chips. Looking at the graph, phones that are capable of AI image creation will need around 12GB of RAM to operate. So, we imagine this being reserved for the Pro or Ultra version of phones while their base versions will just miss out.

At the top, phones with full AI assistants built-in might need a whopping 20GB of RAM just to operate. Phones have access to AI assistants already; we’re talking about Google Assistant, Bixby, Siri, and Alexa. However, those require a connection to the internet to fully reach their potential.

Having a full AI assistant accessible on the device (even if it’s heavily watered down) might require a phone with 20GB of RAM. That’s just for basic functionality. So, if your phone had 24GB of RAM, which still seems like overkill today, your phone would barely have enough left over to run the operating system and apps.

32GB might be enough for a powerful experience with the added AI. That’s more RAM than most computers.

In any case, this isn’t a message from a fortune teller; who knows what optimizations these companies will make in order to cut down on RAM usage? Only time will tell.


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