OnePlus has developed a new battery that, among its many perks, includes a 4-year good health promise. According to the company, the battery can maintain more than 80% of its total capacity after four years of use. It also has high energy density, ultra-fast charging support, and more.
The new 6,100 mAh Glacier battery is physically smaller than 5,000 mAh batteries
The company’s new smartphone cell is called “OnePlus Glacier battery” and offers an impressive capacity of 6,100 mAh. Lately, OnePlus has been betting on big batteries for its mobile devices. The OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R offer 5,400 mAh and 5,500 mAh batteries, respectively. However, the company has taken it a step further.
Although the capacity of the Glacier battery is much larger than what you usually see on phones, this does not mean that it takes up more space. In fact, OnePlus claims that it is physically smaller than most 5,000 mAh cells implemented in phones. The company achieved this thanks to the “high-capacity bionic silicon carbon material” used. The battery boasts an energy density of 763 Wh/L, which is up to 23,1% higher than that of other common graphite cells. Plus, it weighs only 14 grams.
The Glacier battery is the result of a joint development between OnePlus and Ningde New Energy. It was developed around the so-called “silicon carbon anode” technology. It is designed to support 100W ultra-fast charging. This will allow you to fill 100% of its capacity (from 1%) in just 36 minutes.
4-year battery health commitment for the OnePlus Glacier battery
Another notable aspect of the new battery is its durability or useful life. OnePlus promises 4-year battery health, retaining more than 80% capacity after four years of regular use. That means you would still have a battery of almost 4,900 mAh after that period. This is great, considering that most current smartphones come with around 5,000 mAh by default. In addition, current batteries usually maintain around 80% of their original capacity after only 800 charging cycles.
The first smartphone to use the Glacier battery will be the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro. This device will be launched next week in China as a more powerful version of the OnePlus Ace 3 (OnePlus 12R globally). It is not yet known if the Ace 3 Pro will get an international model, but in case it doesn’t, the OnePlus 13 will probably debut the new battery on the global market.
The news cycle spins faster than a hamster on a wheel, but let’s be honest, most of it’s just reruns of the same drama. That’s why we’re here with another episode of “News You Probably Missed and Shouldn’t Have!” – to dig a little deeper, uncover the weird, and unearth the stories that make you go, “Wait, what?” So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and prepare to be amazed (or horrified, we won’t judge).
The EU puts Meta’s AI training plans on hold
Mark Zuckerberg’s dream of turning Europe into a training ground for his AI robots just hit a snag. EU regulators said “Hold on there, cowboy,” because they’re worried Meta might be snooping on Europeans’ social media posts to feed its AI machines. Meta says it would only use public stuff, like grandma’s vacation photos (no worries, grandma! Or maybe worry a little), but the EU isn’t buying it. So, for now, Meta’s AI is stuck learning without all the juicy European gossip. Buckle up for a future where AI asks “What are those weird European trends?” and nobody knows the answer!
Steven Spielberg’s Apple Watch had a meltdown
Famed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg was giving a talk at a film festival when his fancy Apple Watch decided to throw a mini-tantrum. The watch thought Steven had taken a nasty tumble and started freaking out, prompting him to yell at it and toss it on the ground. But the watch wasn’t having it! It started blaring a distress signal, like a tiny alarm clock of doom. Spielberg eventually caved in and picked it up to silence the annoying device. Maybe the Apple Watch was auditioning for a role in Steven’s next drama epic.
Apple Watch Series X to get a redesign with a thinner build
Apple Watch apparently wants to be bigger but not chubbier! Leaks suggest the upcoming Series X will sport a thinner build with bigger screens. We might see sizes jump from 41mm and 45mm to 45mm and a whopping 49mm. Some folks say the bezels will shrink too, giving even more screen space. This is all according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who basically whispers secrets about Apple products in the dead of night. So, get ready for a potentially sleeker Apple Watch that might look a bit comical on your wrist, like a supersized version of the ones you already know.
Apple to slim down its iPhones
Apple’s on a mission to slim down its devices, and next on the chopping block is the iPhone 17! Forget chunky phones, the iPhone 17 is rumored to be super skinny, like a phone that skipped leg day at the gym. This follows their trend with the new iPad Pro, which is practically paper-thin. Imagine an iPhone that finally fits comfortably in your pocket without feeling like a brick! Analysts say this is just the beginning of a new sleek era for Apple. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a trend of sacrificing battery life for thinness!
Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT to break free from Linux and Android codes
Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT is apparently ditching the training wheels! The company is planning to toss out the parts borrowed from Linux and Android, aiming to be completely independent. Imagine a kid bike that suddenly throws away its stabilizers and yells “I got this!”. That’s what Huawei is doing to avoid potential scrutiny from American authorities. Some folks are worried it might become a wobbly mess, but Huawei says it’ll be a smoother ride than ever. We’ll have to wait and see if HarmonyOS NEXT can stand on its own two wheels.
Samsung joins hands with tech students to develop Galaxy AI
Samsung is feeling the heat in the AI race, so it’s teaming up with some brainiacs from Seoul National University to develop super-smart AI for Galaxy phones. Think of it as hiring Hermione Granger to tutor your phone. These students will work on AI technologies that can run on the phone itself, without needing to call for backup from the cloud. Imagine a phone that’s so smart it can understand you even when you mumble! Well, that might be Samsung’s ultimate dream. The firm is hoping these students will cook up some ideas that will help it ace the AI exam.
Qualcomm admits its Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 isn’t an entirely new chip
Qualcomm is in hot water for trying to pull a fast one on phone lovers. It released this “new” chip called the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, but it turns out it’s just a recycled version of a 2021 model, the Snapdragon 695. It’s like buying a new phone with a “super upgraded” processor, only to find out it’s the same engine as your old one with a fancy paint job! Qualcomm says it’s “enhanced” the chip, but some folks are saying it’s more like a phone salesman with a thesaurus. This whole thing is a confusing mess. Maybe next time they’ll just call it the “Snapdragon 695 2.0: Now with More Shine!”
Sonos assures it doesn’t sell user data
Sonos recently made a scandalous move, like your friend who borrows money and suddenly stops mentioning how trustworthy they are. It removed a line—”Sonos does not and will not sell personal information about our customers”—from its privacy policy. The company later assured everyone it’s not what they thought, but you can’t help but raise an eyebrow when the policy involves selling your data. It says it’s just a “spring cleaning” thing, but you remember that leather jacket you loved…
DOJ sues Adobe for almost-uncancelable subscriptions
Adobe’s subscriptions are like a subscription to a one-horse town. Seems easy to get in, but getting out? You’ll need a lawyer, a map, and maybe a night’s worth of sleep to avoid that early termination fee. The US government is saying Adobe makes it super hard to cancel its subscription, basically trapping folks in paying for software they might not even want anymore. The DOJ is making the software firm make rounds of the court and explain this fraudulent behavior.
Microsoft desperately wants you to use its Edge browser
Microsoft’s trying to win back your heart (or at least your eyeballs) with its browser, Edge. A cheesy new 3D pop-up banner begs you to ditch your current browser and switch to Edge. Imagine your computer screen turning into a bad 90s movie special effect, all to convince you that Edge is the ultimate browsing champion. Yeah, it’s not the smoothest move. It’s more like a desperate plea from a lonely kid at the school dance. Wonder if Microsoft will ever give up on this digital matchmaking. At least it’s not trying to hide the banner in the lunchroom with a tray full of cookies… yet.
Amazon fined $6 million in California for the lack of transparency
Amazon’s warehouse workers in California are feeling like hamsters on a punishment wheel—working ever faster but never getting anywhere. The state fined the company nearly $6 million because it failed to tell workers exactly what that “getting nowhere” quota even is. Apparently, keeping warehouse employees in the dark about expectations is a big no-no in California. Amazon says it’s innocent, but those excuses are about as believable as a free two-day shipping guarantee during the holidays.
AMD is investigating a potential data breach
AMD’s got a case of the Mondays, and it’s not even Monday! A hacker named “IntelBroker” is trying to sell the firm’s secret sauce online, like spilling the recipe for the world’s best CPU stew. Well, not exactly, but the hacker claims to have a lot of information about AMD’s employees. The firm is investigating if the claims are true. And if they are, this could be a disaster for AMD and its employees. Or maybe just a chance for its rivals to finally release a chip that can keep up!
Nvidia becomes the world’s most valuable company
In the tech world, there’s a new sheriff in town, and their name ain’t Bill Gates. Nvidia, the graphics card giant, has dethroned Microsoft as the world’s most valuable company! Microsoft is probably feeling like that kid who loses their lunch money—confused and maybe a little hangry. This is a huge win for Nvidia, who’ve been on a tear lately thanks to their dominance in the world of artificial intelligence. The firm’s stock has nearly tripled in value this year, which reveals what AI means to the tech industry today, and why lawmakers want to regulate the AI companies.
Starlink Mini lets you carry the internet wherever you go
Space internet just got a whole lot more portable thanks to Starlink’s revolutionary new gadget called the Starlink Mini. This little guy is basically a satellite dish the size of a laptop that can bring you internet wherever you roam, as long as you have a USB power bank. Imagine chilling in the mountains and posting envy-inducing vacation pics to your friends and followers as you click them– all thanks to Elon Musk. Just beware of data roaming charges in space! We don’t have the details on the price yet, but hopefully, it’s cheaper than a rocket trip.
Pixel’s overheating warnings are getting more descriptive
Google Pixel phones are getting more chatty! Instead of the boring “phone getting warm” message, they’ll soon be giving you a friendly heads-up like, “Hey buddy, you’re running a bit hot! Maybe put down that game and step outside for some fresh air.” No more semi-cryptic warnings that leave you scrambling to Google what they mean. These new warnings will be like having a backseat driver for your phone’s temperature. They’ll tell you to chill out, close some power-hungry apps, and avoid leaving your phone baking in the sun.
YouTube caught people faking their location to get Premium cheaply
Imagine you’re trying to sneak into a fancy movie theater by pretending to be a toddler. But then the usher busts you and says “Uh uh uh, only real toddlers get in free!” That’s kind of what’s happening with YouTube Premium and VPNs. People were trying to trick YouTube into thinking they were in a country with cheaper subscriptions, but YouTube caught on and said “Nope, gotta pay the real price.” Some folks are crying foul, saying YouTube is being a bully. But others say hey, you can’t expect to waltz into the VIP section with a coupon for the kiddie meal.
EU isn’t happy about Apple’s inefficient compliance with the DMA
Apple’s in hot water with the EU again! The company is trying to follow the latest tech trends, but instead tripping over the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The EU says Apple’s changes to the App Store to comply with the DMA are just a fancy costume. Apparently, app developers can’t freely point users to cheaper deals outside the App Store, which is a big no-no in the DMA rulebook and could attract hefty fines. Apple says it’s a good rule follower, but the EU isn’t buying it. The iPhone maker might have to make bigger changes or risk emptying its piggy bank.
Galaxy Watch 6 buyers get a free MyFitnessPal Premium subscription
Looks like Samsung is trying to sweeten the deal on the Galaxy Watch 6 before the new Galaxy Watch 7 rolls in. It’s saying, “Hey, our watch might not be the most advanced toy anymore, but it comes with a free personal trainer in your pocket (kind of)!” This free MyFitnessPal Premium subscription is like getting a gym membership included with the watch. But instead of grunting bodybuilders, you get a creepy app judging your every calorie. Still, for three months, it’s not a bad deal! Especially if you’re looking to get in shape before the Galaxy Watch 7 arrives to make you feel more outdated than your current watch.
Apple says it didn’t make AI to force an early iPhone upgrade
Apple’s got this fancy new AI feature called “Apple Intelligence” that’s supposed to make your iPhone super smart. But guess what? You can only use it if you have the latest iPhone, which basically makes your older iPhone look nothing smarter than a box of rocks. Of course, Apple says it’s not trying to bully you into buying a new phone. It claims the new AI is like a super powerful athlete, and your old iPhone is just a couch potato. It wouldn’t be able to handle all the fancy AI stuff anyway, so it’s basically for its own good. Sure, Apple. Totally believable.
You must pay X to live stream a video
X is shaking things up again, and this time, it’s like the company is charging you to sing karaoke in your shower! It’s putting live streaming behind a paywall (a Premium subscription will do), making it the only social media platform where you gotta pay to unleash your inner broadcaster. Imagine having to tip yourself to watch your own epic gameplay. This move is about as popular as lukewarm pizza. Get ready for a lot of folks live streaming from other platforms to protest… for free!
If you own a Galaxy handset, things are beginning to add up. What we are saying here is that Samsung’s Calculator app has been updated to version 12.3.05.8. The update weighs in at 4.05MB and it not only exterminates some bugs but it also gives users a smoother experience when using the app to perform calculations. The changelog doesn’t show any new features or changes coming to the app via the update.
The updated Calculator app can be installed via the Galaxy Store. Open the app and go to Menu option >> Updates. The app is free and can also be installed on eligible Samsung phones running Android 14 from the Google Play Store. The update can also be installed via APKMirror although we’d suggest that you update through the Galaxy App Store or the Google Play Store.
Samsung also has some other apps it developed for its Galaxy handsets including Samsung Clock, Samsung Notes, Samsung Members, and Samsung Internet Browser. While most of these apps require that you use a Samsung device powered by Android, the Samsung Internet Browser, available from the Galaxy Store and the Google Play Store, can be used on all Android phones. Whenever I set up a new Android handset, this is the browser I install first. Yes, it is that good and is that loaded.
The Samsung Calculator app has received an update. Image credit-Samsung
Besides performing basic calculations like addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication, the Samsung Calculator app also handles engineering calculations and will convert units related to the area of an item, the length of an item, and the temperature. It also has a calculation history function that you can open by tapping on the calculation history icon. To close the calculation history panel, tap the keypad icon.
Since Samsung’s Galaxy devices run on Android, the apps developed by the Korean manufacturer compete with native Android apps with the same functions such as Google Calculator, Google Clock, Google Notes, and Google Chrome. Some of the reviews in the Galaxy Store and Google Play Store for the Samsung Calculator were extremely positive. This one five-star review sounds like it came from someone who never used a calculator app before:
“The way it calculates, breathtaking. It seemlessly solves the equation with minimum effort. I have never, NEVER seen something like it before. Then I put my phone into landscape mode. Oh, my, GOD. It let me access so many new ways to solve my equations, more things than I could have ever calculated. Don’t even get me started on the art style. Flawless. The colors, perfectly balanced for both light and dark mode. This is probably one of the best apps I have ever used. 10/5 stars from me.”
Social media platform Snapchat was once known for its Mission Impossible-like disappearing messages until it created the 24 hour Stories feature that was stolen by Instagram. Now, Snapchat is probably more famous for its silly photo filters and lenses. Recently, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. settled a lawsuit filed by the California Civil Rights Department that accused the firm of discrimination.
The $15 million settlement will be split up and shared among female Snap Inc. employees. According to the U.S. Sun, Snapchat treated its female employees unfairly by subjecting them to sexual harassment while at work. Those victims of the harassment who complained had to deal with retaliation. Snapchat disagreed with the claims made in the lawsuit and in agreeing to settle the matter, Snapchat and Snap Inc. did not have to admit to the wrongdoings listed in the lawsuit.
In a statement, Snap said, “We care deeply about our commitment to maintain a fair and inclusive environment at Snap, and do not believe we have any ongoing systemic pay equity, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation issues against women.” The California Civil Rights Department has something to celebrate since it was able to get Snap Inc. to agree to the settlement on behalf of its eligible female employees.
Today, Snapchat is known for its Lenses and Filters
Kevin Kish, the director of the state’s civil rights agency said, “This settlement with Snapchat demonstrates a shared commitment to a California where all workers have a fair chance at the American Dream. Women are entitled to equality in every job, in every workplace, and in every industry. In California, we’re proud of the work of our state’s innovators who are a driving force of our nation’s economy.”
The majority of the $15 million settlement fund will go to women who worked at Snapchat between 2014 and 2024 and found themselves victims of discrimination. But more than money is involved here. The terms of the settlement force Snap Inc. to consult an independent reviewer who will report on the company’s compensation and promotion policies. In addition, an independent, third-party auditor will be hired to make sure that Snap Inc. is complying with rules against sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination. Staff will be trained on these issues and taught how they can be avoided in the workplace.
From 2015 through 2022, Snap grew from 250 employees to over 5,000 although females did not share proportionately in the growth of the company. According to the Civil Rights Department, female Snap Inc. employees “were told to wait their turn, were actively discouraged from applying for promotions, or lost promotion opportunities to less qualified male colleagues.”
The settlement still needs court approval and at that time the court will determine how much each eligible worker will receive.
Hackers are increasingly executing financially motivated attacks and all due to the lucrative potential of monetizing the stolen data, ransoms, and fraudulent activities.
The digital revolution of businesses has invented more openings to exploit financial transactions and access sensitive financial information.
AttackIQ recently unveiled that the Chinese Winnti group intensifies financially motivated attacks.
Winnti is an established cyber-espionage and financial-gain group linked to the Chinese government since 2010.
Their healthcare targeting activities were ramped up during COVID-19, with medical research as their main objective.
They are known for supply chain attacks and use ShadowPad which is their signature backdoor, as well as PlugX RAT.
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Winnti’s Operation CuckooBees (2022-05) proceeds in multiple stages.
Operation CuckooBees stages (Source – AttackIQ)
Here below we have mentioned those stages:-
Malware execution and local discovery post-Webshell deployment, using VBScript for system reconnaissance.
Local credential dumping via registry hive extraction and Mimikatz.
Extensive local and network reconnaissance, gathering detailed system and network information.
Deployment of Winnti malware arsenal, including SpiderLoader and Stashlog.
Additional tooling rollout, involving GUID retrieval, Privatelog deployment via DLL side-loading, lateral movement through RDP, and data exfiltration via HTTP.
Winnti’s Operation Harvest (2021-09)
Operation Harvest stages (Source – AttackIQ)
Here below we have mentioned them:-
PlugX Delivery via RAR file, using DLL side-loading and code injection for execution and persistence.
Local Credential Dumping using Mimikatz.
Winnti Backdoor Deployment, employing RunDLL32 and creating a new service for persistence.
Data Staging, involving extensive system and network discovery.
Data Exfiltration, staging collected data, and exfiltrating via encrypted C2 channel.
Winnti’s 2022-08 Campaign
Campaign Targeting Government Entities stages (Source – AttackIQ)
This campaign contains multiple stages, and here below we have mentioned them:-
Malware delivery is via DBoxAgent’s ISO file, and files are dropped and executed through DLL side-loading.
Local System Discovery, gathering network and system information for HTTPS exfiltration.
SerialVlogger and KeyPlug Deployment, utilizing DLL side-loading for SerialVlogger execution, conducting system discovery, and deploying KeyPlug malware through code injection.
Each stage employs specific MITRE ATT&CK techniques for system infiltration, reconnaissance, and malware deployment.
Mitigations
There are four critical techniques used by Winnti that need to be focused on:-
Scheduled Task abuse, detectable via EDR/SIEM monitoring of specific command lines. Mitigate through auditing and account management.
DLL Side-Loading, identifiable by monitoring uncommon process actions and DLL/PE file events. Mitigate via software updates and developer guidance.
Windows Service manipulation, detectable through specific command line monitoring. Mitigate with endpoint behavior prevention and user account management.
System Binary Proxy Execution (Rundll32/Regsvr32), identifiable by unusual execution patterns. Mitigate using exploit protection.
Continuous testing with these attack graphs helps improve the security control posture against this Chinese government-linked threat actor.
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Multiple Pixel 8 users have recently reported unexpected problems with their internet connections. It seems that some websites and apps are not loading properly for them, and a potential culprit for this issue appears to be the VPN by Google app.
These issues began to surface yesterday after the shutdown of the Google One VPN, with Pixel users being directed to switch to the VPN by Google app. We reported yesterday on how some users were being left in the dust with no working VPN as a potential bug was holding back the rollout of the VPN by Google app for some carriers. However, now it appears that even some who did receive the updated VPN app are encountering difficulties.The situation doesn’t seem to be affecting all websites and apps, but rather specific ones. For instance, Amazon and Prime Video were mentioned as some of the ones experiencing loading difficulties, impacting both the sites and the apps. However, Wikipedia and Google were unaffected.
The extent of this issue also varies among users. Some report being unable to access any website or app, while others haven’t experienced any problems at all. The issue also seems to cause issues for users across different platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
For many, simply turning off the VPN by Google app seems to solve the internet connectivity problems. Additionally, the app received an update shortly after the reports surfaced, and some users have indicated that the update resolved their issues. However, the update may not be available to everyone yet, as it could be rolling out gradually.
For those still experiencing difficulties and haven’t received the latest app update, Google’s support page offers potential solutions for VPN-related connectivity issues. These include disabling the VPN directly from the system settings rather than the app, which has been effective so far.
In the last few hours, multiple Pixel 8 series users have been reporting random internet connectivity issues. Apparently, some websites simply refuse to load for them. It seems that the VPN by Google app is to blame for the situation.
Yesterday was the date for the announced Google One VPN shutdown. Users of supported Pixel devices should now move to the VPN by Google app. The latter arrived in October last year with the Pixel 8 series. That said, several people have been facing connectivity issues on their Pixel 8 devices while using the VPN. There are even a few cases of people using Pixel 7 phones.
VPN by Google preventing sites and apps from loading on some Pixel 8 devices
According to reports, there are sites and apps failing to load with no apparent explanation. The problem does not affect all services, but rather some in particular. For instance, 9to5Google describes Amazon as one of those apps/sites failing to load. On the affected platforms, both the dedicated app and the website version are unusable.
The issue does not seem to affect everyone equally, since some even report not being able to access any app or website. There are also cases of devices that are totally free of problems. For those affected, VPN by Google causes problems on any platform, be it Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac.
Just disabling the VPN by Google would fix internet connectivity in most cases. Also, the app got a new version hours after the reports emerged, and some claim that its problems were fixed after updating. However, it is possible that you still do not have the new update available due to a possible gradual rollout.
More potential workarounds while a fix arrives
If you are still facing issues and have not received the latest app update, Google’s support page offers some potential workarounds for connectivity issues related to its VPN. You can try to disable the VPN directly from the system settings instead of from the app. You can also delete your Google One VPN account from your device.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has fallen victim to a significant data breach. A hacker identified as “Satanic” from the group “The Satanic Cloud” has leaked the personal, contact, and location details of millions of students, teachers, and other staff on Breach Forums.
The hacker’s post on the infamous Breach Forums (Screenshot: Hackread.com)
Even worse, the data, which was dumped yesterday earlier this month, is now being circulated on various hacking and cybercrime platforms, including Russian-speaking sites and database leak-related Telegram channels.
For context, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is a public school district in Los Angeles, California. It is the largest public school system in California by student enrollment and the second largest in the United States.
Hackread.com conducted an in-depth analysis of the entire dataset, comprising 10GB worth of records, and concluded that the breach was legitimate.
The dataset includes the personal information of over 24.16 million students (24,156,469), and almost 55,000 teachers and staff have been impacted by this data breach. The exact number of leaked email addresses, after removing duplicate data, is 1,954,991 (approximately 1.95 million). Here is the detailed breakdown of the entire dataset:
Students Data
The most critical part of this data breach involves student data, which includes personal, contact, and address information such as the following:
Gender
Ethnicity
Zip Codes
Current City
Date of Birth
ID Numbers
School Names
School Phone Numbers
Phone numbers
Email Addresses
Home Addresses
Home Location Coordinates
Immigration Status
Parent/Guardian ID Number
District Student ID Numbers
Full Names (First, middle, last)
The city and country where the student was born
Parents Details (Full name, phone numbers, home and email addresses)
and a lot more…
Teachers and Other Staff Data
Like students, the data breach has significantly impacted teachers and other staff at the school. Hackread.com identified the following records on teachers while analyzing the data:
Gender
Ethnicity
Full Names
Date of Birth
Seniority Data
Staff ID Number
Email Addresses
Home Addresses
School they work for
Location Coordinates
Education/Qualification
School Names
Campus Codes
Employment Status
Years of Experience
Type of Employment (Regular, permanent or temporary)
The position they hold in the school (Teacher, technical, or grounds worker, etc)
and a lot more…
Screenshot from the data analysed by Hackread.com
Snowflake Related Breach
Hackread.com contacted the hacker who claimed responsibility for the attack and confirmed that this was a Snowflake-related breach. The hacker shared login credentials for the alleged Snowflake account used in the LAUSD data breach. They also warned that “a lot more is coming,” indicating further exploitation of the Snowflake vulnerability.
The login link and credentials provided by the hacker which they claim were used in extracting LAUSD data (Note: Hackread.com did not log in or attempted to log in to this portal)
It is worth noting that the Snowflake software vulnerability was also the cause of the infamous Ticketmaster data breach. This vulnerability continues to be exploited by cybercriminals worldwide. Additionally, according to Bloomberg, LAUSD has acknowledged that the data breach occurred because a third-party vendor stored the stolen data on Snowflake.
Implications
Although the leaked records do not contain passwords or Social Security Numbers (SSNs), this is not a random data breach. It involves contact details and the physical locations of children, who are among the most vulnerable members of our society.
Parents, teachers, staff, and students are advised to be vigilant for any malicious activities that may occur under their names. This could include phishing scams, identity theft incidents, fake social media profiles, or attempts to sign up on malicious sites.
In this article, we’ll be comparing the very best smartphones from Google and Vivo. It’s a comparison between the Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Vivo X100 Ultra. Google’s handset arrived last year, while the Vivo X100 Ultra followed in May this year. They may both be flagship offerings from their companies, but they’re very different. That is not surprising at all, actually.
Before we start, do note that the Vivo X100 Ultra was launched in China only. A global variant is not available, but you can import it and install the Google Play Store on it. In any case, we’ll first list their specifications, and will then move to compare them across a number of other categories. We’ll compare their designs, displays, performance, battery life, camera performance, and audio output. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Specs
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Vivo X100 Ultra, respectively
The two phones may not look that different from the front, even though they are. They both have a centered display camera hole and very thin bezels around their displays. The two phones also have a similar curvature on the corners. The thing is, the Pixel 8 Pro has a flat display, while the Vivo X100 Ultra has a curved one. Both phones include physical buttons on the right-hand side.
If we flip them over, you’ll see completely different camera islands on the back. The Pixel 8 Pro has a camera visor that is covered by metal. It stretches from the frame on the left side of the phone to the frame on the right side of the device. The Vivo X100 Ultra has a large camera oreo on the back. It is centered in the top portion of the phone. Both sets of camera islands protrude on the back quite a bit. The backplates on both phones are curved towards the sides.
Both of these devices are actually made out of metal and glass. They have an aluminum frame. The Vivo X100 Ultra is slightly taller, and slightly narrower while being a little bit thicker too. Vivo’s handset is heavier of the two, as it weighs 229 grams compared to 213 grams of the Pixel 8 Pro. Do note that both of these phones are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. They are both also quite slippery. You’ll likely want to use a case regardless of which phone you end up getting.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Vivo X100 Ultra: Display
The Google Pixel 8 Pro includes a 6.7-inch 2992 x 1344 LTPO OLED display. That panel is flat, and it has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. HDR10+ content is also supported, and the peak brightness of this panel is at 2,400 nits. The display aspect ratio is 20:9, while the screen-to-body ratio is around 87%. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is placed on the display to protect it.
On the flip side, the Vivo X100 Ultra comes with a 6.78-inch QHD+ (3200 x 1440) LTPO AMOLED display. This panel is curved, and it also has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Dolby Vision is supported here, and so is HDR content. The peak brightness of this display is set at 3,000 nits. The display aspect ratio is 20:9, while the screen-to-body ratio is around 89%. The display protection is unknown, though.
Regardless of which panel you end up using, you’ll get a great one. They’re both vivid and have great viewing angles. They also offer deep blacks and are very sharp. The blacks are deep on both of these displays. The touch response is also great, while both offer a high refresh rate. On top of all that, both displays do get more than bright enough when necessary, though the Vivo X100 Ultra is a bit better in that regard.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Vivo X100 Ultra: Performance
Google’s flagship comes with the Tensor G3 processor. That is Google’s very own chip, it’s a 4nm processor. The phone also includes 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Vivo X100 Ultra, on the other hand, is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Qualcomm’s most powerful chip, a 4nm processor. The device comes with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage.
The Vivo X100 Ultra does have a more powerful chip. They are both 4nm processors, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is more powerful. You will not notice that unless you’re gaming. The Vivo X100 Ultra does pull ahead in truly graphically-intensive games, even though the Pixel 8 Pro can play them. When it comes to regular games that are not that demanding, both phones do a great job. The heat is not an issue on either phone, even though the Pixel 8 Pro will pick it up sooner when it comes to gaming.
In regards to regular, everyday performance, they both do a great job. They are capable of providing smooth performance. Both phones open apps really fast, and they’re also great in terms of multitasking. The same goes for consuming multimedia, browsing the web, image processing, taking pictures, and so on. Basically everything works equally well from day-to-day, you probably won’t have any issues. Just note that the Vivo X100 Ultra does pull ahead in the gaming department.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Vivo X100 Ultra: Battery
The Google Pixel 8 Pro includes a 5,050mAh battery on the inside. The Vivo X100 Ultra comes with a 5,500mAh battery pack. Both phones are capable of providing good battery life, but the Vivo X100 Ultra does trump the Pixel 8 Pro. Getting over 7 hours of screen-on-time with the Vivo X100 Ultra is not a problem, even over 8 hours of screen-on-time if you’re careful. The Pixel 8 Pro can’t really go that high, at least it wasn’t able to do it for us.
The Pixel 8 Pro usually flies between 6 and 7 hours of screen-on-time, presuming that gaming is not included in the mix. You may have a different experience with both of these phones, of course. Battery life is very subjective, and there are a number of possibilities. It all depends on your usage, the apps you use, your signal strengths, and so on. There are so many variables to consider.
In terms of charging, the Vivo X100 Ultra is the clear winner. It supports 80W wired, 30W wireless, and 5W reverse wired charging. The Pixel 8 Pro supports 30W wired, 23W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The thing is, the Vivo X100 Ultra does come with a charger, while the Pixel 8 Pro does not. You’ll need to get one separately if you buy the phone, presuming you don’t already own one.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Vivo X100 Ultra: Cameras
Both of these phones have three cameras on the back. The Google Pixel 8 Pro includes a 50-megapixel main unit, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (126-degree FoV), and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (5x optical zoom). The Vivo X100 Ultra, on the flip side, has a 50-megapixel main camera (gimbal OIS), a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit (116-degree FoV), and a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (3.7x optical zoom, macro). ZEISS is a part of the Vivo X100 Ultra camera setup and experience, by the way.
Now, both of these phones do a great job when it comes to taking photos. They do a different job, though. The Pixel 8 Pro shots are more contrasty and do often seem more processed. The Vivo X100 Ultra leans a bit more toward warmer colors. Both phones provide very detailed and sharp photos and are very consistent too. Their secondary cameras do a good job of following the color profile of the main shooters. The portrait, telephoto, and macro performance of the Vivo X100 Ultra are better than what the Pixel 8 Pro offers, though.
In low light, both phones do a great job. The Pixel 8 Pro has a tendency to brighten up scenes a bit more than the Vivo X100 Ultra does. Both do a great job of optimizing images, though the Vivo X100 Ultra handles light flares noticeably better than the Pixel 8 Pro. Chances are you’ll be happy with either phone’s camera setup, but there are some differences for you to consider.
Audio
You will find a set of stereo speakers on both phones. Those speakers are actually very similar in terms of loudness, and both sets are well-balanced. They’re not the loudest speakers around, but they’ll do the trick.
What is not located on either phone is an audio jack. You will need to use their Type-C ports if you’d like to connect your wired headphones. For wireless connectivity, the Pixel 8 Pro offers Bluetooth 5.3, while the Vivo X100 Ultra supports Bluetooth 5.4.
Treating your years shouldn’t always require you to pay an arm and a leg. There are far too many IEMs (in-ear monitors) that cost hundreds of dollars. Some go over $1,000! What if you want to have a high-quality pair of IEMs without needing to take out a second mortgage on your house? This is where the MEZE AUDIO ALBA come in. This is a set of IEMs with quality that far outweighs the price.
There are several IEMs on the market that will cost you a pretty penny. A good example would be the newly-launched Campfire Audio Fathom. This is a set of IEMs that have quality pouring out of every microphone hole. They’re for people who are on the more premium end of the IEM audiophile spectrum. These retail for $1,049, and they’re worth the money.
However, if you’re a newcomer to the audiophile scene, and you want to get a taste, you probably shouldn’t drop a grand on a pair of monitors. This is where products like the ALBA come in. They bring quality to a price point that’s not quite so scary.
The MEZE AUDIO ALBA are a set of premium (and not pricey) IEMs
Coming in at $159, the ALBA undercut much of the audiophile equipment market. While they’re more expensive than your typical store-shelf headphones, they’re worth so much more than their price. So, what makes these IEMs suitable to be your audiophile onramp? Let’s dive in!
Let’s talk design
Before you get an earful, you’re getting an eyeful. The ALBA are a very pretty set of IEMs. From a distance, it looks like they’re white, but when you look closer, you’ll see this beautiful glittery texture. This texture pervades the entire body of the monitors. They almost look pearlescent.
The design of the actual IEMs is pretty sleek with a unique rounded design. The silver microphone hole gives each IEM character. The same goes for the ring around the plug. It’s a design you can appreciate.
Even at their affordable price, the MEZE AUDIO ALBA IEMs have anodized aluminum components rather than plastic parts. This gives them a premium feeling in the hand and makes them sturdy.
Now, the sound
When it comes to the actual sound, you’re going to be getting some high-quality audio. These IEMs come with a set of drivers custom-tuned to deliver highly detailed sound. What’s neat about the drivers is that they’re designed to give you an all-around neutral sound profile with just a bit of added warmth. This way, you’ll be able to listen to a wide range of content without any issues. The audio will sound natural.
The MEZE AUDIO ALBA are designed to deliver top-notch noise isolation to give you the best possible listening experience. They’ll give you power when you need it along with incredible details.
The sound will be even better if you use the included 3.5mm to USB-C adaptor. The adaptor has a DAC included that pushes a high-quality audio signal to the monitors. Whether you’re using the headphone jack or the USB-C port, you’re going to be getting immersive audio.
Specs
Moving onto the specs, these IEMs come with 10.8mm dynamic drivers. They have an SPL of 109 dB SPL/V at 1 kHz, a Frequency Range of 15 Hz – 25 kHz, Distortion of <0.1% at 1 kHz, and an impedance of 32 Ω at 1kHz.
When you order your IEMs, you’ll get a braided 1.2m cable with a 3.5mm headphone tip, a USB-C adaptor, four ear tip sizes (Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large), and a carrying case.
If you’re looking to start your journey to be an audiophile, you’re going to want to start with these IEMs. Your ears (and especially your wallet) will thank you!
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