Google One ‘Dark web reports’ are headed to all users soon

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Google One ‘Dark web reports’ are headed to all users soon
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Data breaches are increasingly becoming common these days across online services and products. To tackle the misuse of user information via such breaches, the search engine giant Google has taken an important step. The company will start offering the Google One “Dark web reports” to all Google Account users by the end of this month.

Google One “Dark web reports” are moving to the “Results about you” section

The “Dark web reports” will no longer be available within the Google One app “starting in late July”. Instead, Google users can access this feature from the “Results about you” section. It can be accessed by going to the “Manage your Google Account” tab under your account’s avatar.

Currently, these reports are only available to users with a Google One membership. However, by the end of July, anyone with a consumer Google Account will be able to access them. These reports help users to stay aware of any personal data breaches across the web. It appears to be a combined solution to help users protect their online presence. This change is coming after the company shut down the Google One VPN service last month.

The “Dark web reports” can inform you if your personal information is found in data breaches

As of now, “Results about you” allows users to find and request the removal of search results that contain their personal information. The Google One “Dark web reports”, on the other hand, monitor parts of the internet that are ordinarily not easy to access. It searches breaches for the leaks of your personal information, so you can easily safeguard your online presence. Together, these two tools will certainly be much more helpful for this purpose.

The “Dark web reports” can inform you if your personal information is found in any data breach. It checks for data associated with your name, email, address, user name, and password. The breaches may also contain information including your phone number and Social Security Number (SSN). With these results, users can make informed decisions about how they can protect their data on the web.

The “Dark web reports” are currently available in 46 countries across the globe including the US and the UK. Unfortunately, this feature is not available to users having a Google Workspace or a supervised account.

Google One Dark Web Reports


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Google to bring brighter display to the Pixel Watch 3

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Google to bring brighter display to the Pixel Watch 3
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The Pixel Watch series has been a fan-favorite with Pixel lovers and that’s likely to continue with the Pixel Watch 3, especially if a new rumor about the device’s display brightness proves to be true. As with smartphones, the display brightness of a smartwatch can be a huge issue for some users. Particularly if it isn’t bright enough to see in direct sunlight. At full brightness, this isn’t a problem for everyone, and certainly not with every smartwatch. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t improvements to be made in this area.

Thankfully, it looks like Google is going to make some of these improvements to the Pixel Watch 3 that the Pixel Watch 2 was still lacking. Even after all of its notable upgrades. And according to a new report, the display brightness is one of these areas where Google is going to improve the watch.

The Pixel Watch 3 will have better display brightness among other upgrades

Whether the display brightness on the Pixel Watch 2 bothered you or not, the fact remains that it could stand to be just a tad brighter. It seems Google also noticed this and is going to be making this adjustment with the upcoming watch. A new report from Android Authority suggests that this is one of a few upgrades that users can expect when the smartwatch launches.

This isn’t a small upgrade either. The report states that Google is bumping the display brightness up to 2,000 nits. That’s exceptionally bright when you consider this is double the display brightness of the Pixel Watch 2. And well over the display brightness of some current smartphones. What’s more, is that the display on the Pixel Watch 3 should have smaller bezels, too. Last year’s watch came with bezels that measured 5.5mm, but Google is trimming this down to 4.5mm with the Pixel Watch 3.

Additionally, this will be the case for both models of the watch. So regardless of which size you choose (41mm or 45mm), you’ll get more usable display real estate.

Expect new colors and a larger battery for the larger watch

Display brightness upgrades are one thing, but if there’s anything the Pixel Watch really needs, it’s a longer-lasting battery. The standard 41mm Pixel Watch 3 isn’t getting a bigger battery. It’ll stay the same with a 310mAh battery capacity that the Pixel Watch 2 has. However, the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is rumored to come with a 420mnAh battery. We can’t say for certain how long this will extend the battery life.

But chances are it’ll last longer than the 24-hour battery life the Pixel Watch 2 offers. And it’s sorely needed. It’s also rumored that the Pixel Watch 3 will come with ultra-wideband support, a detail that was initially leaked yesterday. As for color options, it’s always nice to have more choices. The Pixel Watch 3 will introduce new colors for consumers including a new Rose Quartz band option, and a new Hazel case option that will come with a Hazel band. There’s also a new animation that users should end up seeing upon powering on the watch, which you can see below.


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Spotify enhances podcasts with new commenting feature

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Spotify enhances podcasts with new commenting feature
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Image credit — Spotify

Spotify is launching Comments for podcasts and a new mobile app for podcasters to build stronger relationships with their listeners. These new tools allow podcasters to manage their shows and engage with fans in a deeper and more convenient way.

The company has been adding features to their podcasts for some time now. A few years ago, the platform introduced Q&A and polls to allow listeners to interact with podcasts. Since their introduction, over 9 million unique Spotify users have engaged with a Q&A or poll and interactions have grown by 80% year-over-year. This suggests that interactive features like Comments are in high demand.

Ben Wilson, the creator of “How to Take Over the World,” shared that he uses Comments to get feedback from his audience and understand which takeaways from the podcast resonate most with them. This feedback helps him create a stronger connection with listeners and makes podcasting more rewarding for him.

The new Comments feature builds on the existing Q&A and polls functionality. With Comments, Spotify hopes to further enhance the interactive experience for both podcasters and listeners. This feature is available to all podcast creators, regardless of where their episodes are hosted. Creators can manage listener feedback, track their podcast’s growth, and interact with listeners, all through the new Spotify for Podcasters mobile app.

Comments on Spotify Podcasts | Images credit — Spotify

The new Spotify for Podcasters mobile app has been rebuilt to be more inclusive and now works for all podcasters, regardless of where their show is hosted. It also includes new notification features that help podcasters stay informed about their show’s performance and listener feedback. The ability to manage comments has also been added to the app.Spotify’s VP of Podcast Product, Maya Prohovnik, stated in an interview that Comments were a highly requested feature by podcasters and listeners alike. Furthermore, she stated that since Spotify is committed to making its platform the best place for creators to connect with their fans, the addition of Comments aims to achieve that goal. Historically, podcasts have been a one-sided experience, and while features like Polls and Q&A have been available for some time, there has been a desire for more direct interaction. The new features and app are designed to offer a better podcasting experience for everyone involved. For podcast creators, these tools provide a meaningful way to grow their audience and strengthen relationships with listeners. For fans, the biggest benefit is the ability to connect with their favorite podcasters on a deeper level, directly on the platform where they are already listening.

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Spotify podcast shows now allow listeners to leave comments

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Spotify podcast shows now allow listeners to leave comments
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Spotify now allows listeners to leave comments on their favorite podcasts. This way, podcasters will have more options to interact with their audience. Until now, creators could only do so by posting surveys and Q&As. This will bring the user experience a little closer to that of YouTube.

YouTube has shown that allowing comments on multimedia content can be a useful audience retention tool. While YouTube is a video-based platform, there are also podcast creators uploading their shows. The comment box on videos often becomes a meeting point for both fans and creators, starting conversations related to the content where everyone can participate.

Now you can leave comments on your favorite Spotify podcast shows

It seems that Spotify wants to cause a similar effect by enabling comments on podcast shows or episodes. The feature will be disabled by default, so podcasters will have to approve the comments one by one. This is similar to one of the comment settings that YouTube offers to creators. Also, creators can choose which episodes of their shows will allow listener comments. Of course, they can also choose to disable comments completely, as before.

Starting today (July 9), the Spotify for Podcasters web app will allow creators to manage comments and settings for their shows. Soon, they will also be able to do so through an improved Spotify for Podcasters app, whose rollout will be gradual.

The rollout of comments for Spotify podcasts will also be gradual, so it won’t be available to everyone right away. The first creators will begin to receive it starting today, without regional limitations. Lately, the company has been giving special importance to its podcasts, also boasting the huge growth of video podcasts available on Spotify. Although the blog post does not specify it, the comments will probably also be available for video podcasts as well.

The revamped Spotify for Podcasters app will help creators grow

A video posted by the company shows some of the new features that the updated Spotify for Podcasters app will bring to creators. These include liking and responding to comments from anywhere, growth tracking metrics, and checking key data about their audience (like geographic location) to improve their content.


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Find My Device default settings prioritize privacy over performance

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Find My Device default settings prioritize privacy over performance
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There are users of Android’s Find My Device network who have complained about performance issues with tracker detection. Apparently, this is because the Find My Device network’s “aggregation by default” approach prioritizes privacy over performance. The company is defending this decision but also suggests people set the “With network in all areas” option to improve performance and accuracy for everyone.

Find My Device “aggregation by default” may affect performance, but you can change it

The improved Find My Device network offers four options to manage your participation. Devices are added to the network three days after the user receives a notification email. There are also trackers that force network aggregation on devices that are still offline. That said, the devices within the network do not use by default the setting that offers the best performance. This is because Google’s “aggregation by default” approach seeks to give you more control over your privacy. That is, the user can voluntarily improve the functionality in the Find My Device settings.

Google describes the “aggregation by default” approach by saying that “the Find My Device network requires multiple nearby Android devices to detect a tag before reporting its location to the tag’s owner.” This behavior corresponds to the “With network in high-traffic areas only” option in the Find My Device settings. Google is also aware that this approach may negatively impact performance. The support page says that “this may sometimes affect detection of Bluetooth trackers, especially in low-traffic areas.”

Here’s how to fix issues with tracker detection

So, to solve this type of problem, the company recommends changing the settings to “With network in all areas.” But why didn’t Google set that option by default? Basically, it wants to give you control over your privacy. With this approach, you are the one who decides if you want your device to participate in the network in any area.

 

Lastly, the company also claims that the performance of the Find My Device network will improve as more and more users enable the “With network in all areas” option, even for those who keep the default option. This is because low-traffic areas will gradually be reduced.


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Galaxy AI could spread to WhatsApp and Google Meet

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Galaxy AI could spread to WhatsApp and Google Meet
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Galaxy AI was a selling point of the latest slew of Galaxy S phones, and Samsung has major plans for it going forward. We’re likely to hear more about it during the company’s next Unpacked event (happening tomorrow). However, we just got a leak of two new features potentially coming to the platform. Galaxy AI might offer real-time translation in WhatsApp and Google Meet.

Since we’re dealing with a leak, you’ll want to take it with a grain of salt. There’s a chance that Samsung will pull these features back before launch. WhatsApp is always testing out new features, so beta testers might be testing out these features now. Hopefully, we’ll see more on this feature.

Galaxy AI might be coming to WhatsApp

Right now, one of the most practical applications of AI is translation. This makes it so much easier to communicate with people from other parts of the world. Just about all AI platforms have some sort of translation feature, so it’s a must-have. Several of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features involve translation like the Interpreter feature.

According to a new report, Samsung could be partnering with Meta to bring real-time translation to WhatsApp. This news comes from Ice Universe, but there was no additional information given. So, it’s anyone’s guess as to how this is going to work. Galaxy AI’s main features require the Samsung Keyboard, so WhatsApp might exclusively integrate with it and bring real-time translation. That’s a possibility, but it seems nonsensical.

We’re just going to have to wait to see what Samsung has up its sleeve. This isn’t the only bit of news that came from Ice. The leaker also stated that Galaxy AI is also coming to Google Meet and WeChat. So, we’re pretty sure that Galaxy AI will integrate with these platforms the same way it will integrate with WhatsApp. That all remains to be seen.

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event is going down tomorrow, and we expect to hear about some neat AI tools coming to the new foldable. For all we know, we might hear about this news more tomorrow.


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OnePlus is developing a 7000mAh battery for its future phones

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OnePlus is developing a 7000mAh battery for its future phones
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OnePlus’ new flagship, the Ace 3 Pro, is surprisingly thin for a smartphone with a 6100mAh battery. At 8.7mm, it is 0.3mm thinner than last year’s Ace 2 Pro, which has a 5000mAh battery. The company made this possible with its new Glacier battery technology. It plans to use this technology to make slim 7000mAh batteries for its future smartphones.

OnePlus is working on a 7000mAh battery for smartphones

The Glacier battery technology that OnePlus has developed uses “a high-capacity silicon-carbon material” that can deliver a 763WH/L energy density. That’s a 23.1% higher energy density than standard graphite batteries, allowing for higher capacity without making the cell bulky. This battery technology is durable too, with OnePlus claiming an 80% battery health after four years of regular use.

The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is the first smartphone to feature this next-gen cell. It certainly won’t be the last, though. According to a reliable Chinese tipster identified as Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus’s researchers are exploring a 7000mAh smartphone battery. The OPPO sub-brand aims to use the gigantic battery in a mid-range smartphone first. However, it might eventually come to a flagship too.

OnePlus won’t be the first company to launch a smartphone with a 7000mAh battery. Samsung did that back in February 2021 with its Galaxy F62. However, the Galaxy device is a chunky piece of tech with a thickness of 9.5mm. OnePlus could give us a 7000mAh battery in a much thinner package. Alternatively, it could employ the Glacier battery technology to make sleek flagships with a sizable battery (around 5000mAh).

This technology may be a timely solution for power-hungry AI loads

There is no telling when OnePlus will launch its 7000mAh smartphone battery. However, considering what it did with the Ace 3 Pro, the wait may not be much longer. Apple is also said to be exploring advanced battery technologies to increase the battery capacity of its future iPhones. These advancements could be a timely solution for power-hungry AI and machine learning loads.

The industry is integrating AI everywhere. From smartphones and watches to earbuds and smart rings, AI is fast becoming an integral part of our tech space. As such, we can’t rely solely on chipmakers to improve the efficiency of their flagship solutions. Advancements in battery technologies that allow higher capacity in smaller sizes could be helpful. It remains to be seen if any other company comes up with something similar to OnePlus’ Glacier battery technology.


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Get the Sennheiser Momentum 4 at their lowest price ever!

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Get the Sennheiser Momentum 4 at their lowest price ever!
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Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner, and people are locked and loaded to capitalize on some great deals. Well, why not get into the spirit early with this amazing grab? The Amazing Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless Bluetooth headphones at just $232.78. That’s down from their usual price of $379.95

Screenshot 2024 07 09 095704

When you hear the name Sennheiser, “affordable” isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind. However, the company has a line of headphones that won’t require you to give up all of your worldly possessions. The Momentum series of headphones bring the Sennheiser sound to a more reasonable price point, and the Momentum 4 are the latest and greatest.

These are a pair of Bluetooth headphones, and they’re going up against some of the best wireless headphones on the market. They come with a pair of fine-tuned 42mm transducers. While more affordable, they still deliver Sennheiser’s signature sound.

The companion app comes with a built-in EQ that lets you further customize your sound experience. You can either customize the EQ to your liking or choose from the presets within the app. So, you can either hear Sennheisers signature sound or your signature sound.

Along with the great audio, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 come with some top-of-the-line noise canceling. The microphones on the headphones allow them to listen and filter out a wide range of noise. So, they will let you isolate yourself with your music.

All of this is wrapped in a premium and good-looking package. The Momentum 4 have an elegant and unique design. These headphones are also incredibly comfortable. You’ll want to wear them for extended periods of time, and you’ll be able to with the 60-hour battery life.

Undoubtedly, these are some of the best headphones that you can get on the market, and the deal makes them that much better.

Buy at Amazon


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Ticketmaster says stolen Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets are useless

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Ticketmaster says stolen Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets are useless
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While cybercriminals are offering free tickets to Taylor Swift Eras Tour and other events, Ticketmaster is telling would-be purchasers that these tickets will prove to be worthless.

Those who have claimed responsibility for the Ticketmaster data breach say they’ve stolen 440,000 tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and as proof have leaked 170k ticket barcodes. However, those barcodes are long gone, as a Ticketmaster spokesperson said:

“Ticketmaster’s SafeTix technology protects tickets by automatically refreshing a new and unique barcode every few seconds so it cannot be stolen or copied.”

The rotating barcodes that change every few seconds is a core feature that protects against “scalpers” who buy tickets from licensed sellers and then resell them at—often—huge profits. You could compare this to the “rolling code” method that most car manufacturers use to prevent car thieves from using a Flipper-Zero to steal your car. You can record and retransmit the code sent by a key fob but that exact same code will no longer work.

From past experience we can say that scalpers are usually one step ahead of the ticket platforms.

Only yesterday, the tech journalists at 404 Media reported about a lawsuit filed in California by concert giant AXS which gives readers some insight into an ongoing legal and technological battle between ticket scalpers and platforms like Ticketmaster and AXS.

404 explains that by reverse engineering the process that ticket platforms use, scalpers can generate valid tickets which they can then sell through their own platforms.

In the lawsuit, AXS says that scalpers are selling counterfeit tickets to unsuspecting customers. However, from the buyer’s standpoint—exaggerated price aside—if you paid for them and they get you in the venue, what’s the difference?

But the point is, the struggle between ticket platforms and scalpers is an arms race in which each side keeps coming up with new methods, and there is now way for the average customer to tell who is currently ahead. So buying these tickets poses a risk of losing your money.

The Ticketmaster spokesperson said:

“This is just one of many fraud protections we implement to keep tickets safe and secure.”

Unfortunately, the customer and card details of one million Ticketmaster users were not that safe and secure: The cybercriminals released that data when Ticketmaster refused to pay the ransom for the allegedly 560 million Live Nation/Ticketmaster users they managed to steal.

Either way. Be careful when buying tickets and when receiving emails about free concert tickets. They could turn out to be costly.

Malwarebytes has a free tool for you to check how much of your personal data has been exposed online. Submit your email address (it’s best to give the one you most frequently use) to our free Digital Footprint scan and we’ll give you a report and recommendations.

We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your—and your family’s—personal information by using identity protection.


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It’s official! Paramount and Skydance will merge

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It’s official! Paramount and Skydance will merge
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The modern streaming service landscape is no stranger to mergers and acquisitions. We’ve seen so many over the past couple of years, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping. According to a new report, Paramount and Skydance are officially merging, and this will lead Paramount to be a tech-media company.

Paramount+ is the company’s streaming service, and it has a ton of shows and movies from companies like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, etc. You also can’t forget about popular Paramount movie franchises like Top Gun, Transformers, Sonic The Hedgehog, Star Trek, and so on. Plans for this service start at $5.99/month. That plan comes with ads, so you’ll need to keep that in mind.

Paramount is merging with Skydance Media

We’ve been following stories about companies looking to merge with the media giant Paramount. While Paramount+ has been gaining in popularity since its launch, the streaming service has been struggling to break even. This is typical, as running a streaming service is not cheap, especially a streaming service with original content. So, it’s been a financial loss for the company since the first sign-up. Unfortunately, Paramount had to lay off more than 800 workers earlier this year.

As such, this merger is necessary to help Paramount+ turn a profit. According to the report, Skydance is paying $2.4 billion to acquire National Amusements. This is the company that has a controlling stake in Paramount. So, Skydance is buying the farm and animals along with it.

Along with this move, Paramount is getting a new head, David Ellison. He is charting the path to success for Paramount, and this includes improving the technology behind Paramount+. For starters, he wants to revamp the recommendations algorithm that curates content to people. That should, ostensibly, keep people invested in the service.

Cutting back

That’s not all, as Ellison will work on cutting costs and increasing efficiency. When a company says something like that, it usually means laying off another boatload of workers. This is just speculation, however. It’s just hard to think otherwise with the way that things have been going over the past couple of years.

Along with that, Jeff Shell, the head of the new combined company, told The Times that the company is open to reaching out to other companies for bundled deals. That could be a great move, as there are just too many services out there, and far too many of them are hiking up their prices. Tying them together with bundle deals means that companies will get them at a lower price.

If you’re a Paramount+ subscriber, you shouldn’t expect any sweeping changes in the near future. The deal won’t even be finalized until next year. There’s no telling if there will be some changes after the deal’s been finalized.


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