Google Pixel 9 won’t get the processor we all want

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Google Pixel 9 won’t get the processor we all want
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The Google Pixel 9 won’t get the processor we would want to see. This information comes from a Google insider, and has been relayed by Android Authority.

The Google Pixel 9 won’t have the breakthrough processor we all want and need

So, what’s the deal here? Well, we’re talking about the Google Tensor G4 SoC here. Google introduced its own Tensor chips with the Pixel 6 series two years ago. They were inferior to the competition from the get-go, and it seems like that trend will continue this and next year.

Major parts of the design of the Tensor chips are derived from Samsung’s Exynos chips, although they do feature parts made by Google. Samsung’s Exynos architecture is not the best around, and that is kind of a problem. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon flagship processors are ahead in terms of performance and power consumption.

The Tensor G3 will bring some notable improvements, but it won’t be as powerful as the competition

The Tensor G3 that will be included in the Pixel 8 series this year is said to bring some notable improvements compared to the Tensor G2. Still, it won’t be on par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, not even close.

Now, it was reported by The Information (a couple of months ago), that Google initially planned to release its 2024 Pixel series (aka Pixel 9 series), with a “fully custom” Tensor processor codenamed ‘Redondo’. It’s also known as ‘RDO’, by the way.

That chip was supposed to be built on a TSMC process node. For those of you who don’t know, TSMC manufactures all Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors, and is considered to be the top dog these days.

Missed deadline is to blame

Well, it seems like we won’t get that chip next year. It’s reported that it won’t happen due to a missed deadline. That chip seems to have been too late to be included in the Pixel 9 series. As many of you know, it’s a lengthy process.

Things should change in 2025, though, with the Pixel 10 series. That’s when we expect to get a proper Google-made Tensor chip.

The Pixel 9 will use the ‘Zuma Pro’ chip. That’s just a codename, of course, the Tensor G3 is referred to as ‘Zuma’. That chip will also be co-designed with Samsung’s System LSI division. It will likely be a small upgrade over the Tensor G3.

So, if you really want to get a new Pixel flagship, and only upgrade every two years, getting the Pixel 8 may not be a bad idea. Next year’s batch likely won’t be a huge jump, but the Pixel 10 series could be quite interesting, at least from the SoC standpoint.

Do note that the next-gen fully-custom Tensor chip for the Pixel 10 series is referred to as ‘Laguna Beach’ or ‘Laguna’. Those are just codenames, of course.


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Microsoft Windows 11 updates Snipping Tool & Photos app

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Microsoft Windows 11 updates Snipping Tool & Photos app
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Microsoft plans to enhance Windows 11, improving the Snipping Tool and Photos app. These updates allow text copying from screenshots and photo background blurring. This information comes from Windows Insider users, who test OS developments for Microsoft.

The snipping tool is a handy tool that’s built into Windows . It allows you to take screenshots of your computer screen, and it’s perfect for capturing images of specific areas or windows. It’s really easy to use – just click on the “Snipping Tool” icon in the start menu, and you’ll be able to select the area of the screen that you want to capture. Once you’ve taken your screenshot, you can save it as an image file or share it with others. And here is another way of taking a screenshot in Windows – use the Windows Key-PrtSc Keyboard Shortcut. Here’s yet another way to use the PrtSc key: Use Windows Key-PrtSc.

If you want to take screenshots and automatically save them somewhere other than OneDrive, you can hit the Windows Key together with the PrtSc key. This method causes the screen to dim briefly and places a PNG file in the Pictures > Screenshots folder by default. (Note the different placement of the PrtSc key on the keyboard in the image above.) You can also paste the shot anywhere right after using this method.

More information regarding new updates for Microsoft Windows 11

These new updates can already be accessed by Windows Insiders through the Canary and Dev Channels. Microsoft shared detailed information on these updates via the Windows Insider Blog. The Snipping Tool, version 11.2308.33.0, introduces ‘Text Actions,’ making text copying from screenshots easier. Users can also manipulate text on the screenshot and integrate it with Windows 11’s Phone Link feature.

The Photos app Is getting updates, including ‘Background Blur’ to blur photo backgrounds and ‘Content Search’ to find photos based on content. These changes address user feedback. Microsoft explains these features in a blog post.

However, there is some controversy around changes to Windows 10’s Photos app, like the removal of the Video Editor. The blog post hints that “Edit and Create Video options” will be available in the gallery view, suggesting video editing functions in Windows 11’s Photos app.

In summary, Microsoft  Windows 11 update aims to improve with better screenshot and photo editing features. These align with Microsoft’s commitment to refining its software based on user feedback and technology advancements, benefiting users in text handling and photo editing.


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YouTube Music now suggests you “Cry”, one of five new mood filters

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YouTube Music now suggests you “Cry”, one of five new mood filters
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YouTube Music is changing things once again – after the addition of live lyrics and a redesigned Now Playing interface – now things to be summarized with the following: turn on the waterworks!

YouTube’s dedicated music app is adding five more mood filters, one of which is dubbed “Cry” (via 9to5Google). This mood filter is not reserved for the tears of joy, as it once tapped, it offers users a refined selection of sad songs.

The new five mood filters for all you melomaniacs out there are part of the good old activity bar, introduced in late 2020, which brought users access to selected music for four featured activities: Workout, Focus, Relax and Commute. Later a fifth, Energize, category was added.

Here are the new five mood filters:

  • Cry
  • Party
  • Romance
  • Feel good
  • Sleep

First discussed over at the YouTube Music subreddit, users are curious to see in what way the music streaming app will differentiate between the new category Sleep and the older Relax. Selecting one of the ten filters will show carousels like Mixed for you, Listen again, From your library, and more.The five new mood filters are not yet widely rolled out but are starting to appear on some mobile devices, so it can’t be said with 100% certainty that you’ll get them on your phone in the near future.

The other uncertainty lies with YouTube Music’s algorithms – what makes one cry, makes others cringe or bored out of their minds. So, it won’t be an easy job to get people to cry every single time. If the subscription costs get another price hike it will be a piece of cake, though.


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California’s new right-to-repair act will guarantee parts for 7 years

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California’s new right-to-repair act will guarantee parts for 7 years
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The Right to Repair movement has gained widespread support in recent years, thanks in part to the efforts of governments around the globe to reduce e-waste. Now, California has passed its right-to-repair act called Senate Bill 244, which would finally restore users’ ability to take their electronic devices to third-party technicians for repairs.

Currently awaiting a concurrence vote in the Senate before ultimately reaching California Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, the bill has garnered support from several tech companies, which have traditionally been cautious about allowing users to repair their devices. At its core, Senate Bill 244 aims to ensure that repair materials, including components, tools, documentation, and software, remain readily accessible to consumers for extended periods. Additionally, the legislation mandates a three-year availability period for repair products priced between $50 and $99.99, while products exceeding $100 must be available for seven years.

“The era of manufacturers’ repair monopolies is ending, as well it should be. Accessible, affordable, widely available repair benefits everyone,” said Kyle Wiens, iFixit CEO.

A step in the right direction

Although California isn’t the only state to pass such regulation, its status as the most populous state in the US and the tech hub of the world makes this legislation even more important. Additionally, the fact that Apple endorsed the bill in a letter addressed to Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, the bill’s author, represents a significant step forward in reducing e-waste and tackling climate change.

“While manufacturers have spent many years frustrating repair technicians and opposing Right to Repair legislation, thankfully, many, notably Apple, have come around,” said Nathan Proctor, senior director of the Public Interest Research Group’s right-to-repair campaign.

However, it is important to note that the earliest possible commencement of this right-to-repair law would be in 2024, providing a window for potential amendments along the way, and these provisions apply to electronics and appliances manufactured and sold after July 1st, 2021. Although all three right-to-repair bills from California, New York, and Minnesota are set to be implemented in 2024, New York will lead the way with its rollout scheduled for January, followed by Minnesota and California in July.


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X launches new government ID verification system to battle impersonation

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X launches new government ID verification system to battle impersonation
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Ever since the blue checkmark became available to any user who is willing to pay, X, formerly known as Twitter, has battled an impersonation problem where bad actors spread misinformation. Now, in an effort to address this issue, X has announced a new ID verification system, which allows Blue subscribers to authenticate their accounts using government-issued identification.

Launched in partnership with the Israeli verification firm Au10tix, the new verification system aims to ensure safety and security on the platform and to prevent impersonation. Additionally, users who verify their government IDs will enjoy several benefits, including prioritized support and a visible label on their profiles, which will be accessible when someone clicks on the blue checkmark next to the user’s name.

However, it is important to note that the new feature is currently available in multiple countries but excludes the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the company has outlined specific scenarios where users may need to reverify their IDs, including changes to the account’s name or intended purpose, the transfer of ownership to another user, account dormancy, or undisclosed “safety and security purposes.”

“Our verification process focuses on ensuring that a real person with valid identification is the owner of the account. Accounts that are not in compliance with the X’s Terms, Rules, or policies are subject to losing their ID verified label,” says X.

Privacy concerns with government IDs

While X’s attempt to verify users is a step in the right direction, there are several concerns regarding the submission of government IDs. This is because users who choose to undergo ID verification will need to provide consent for X and Au10tix to use images of their ID and a selfie, including any extracted biometric data. However, X has assured users that this data will only be used for identity confirmation, though Au10tix may retain it for a maximum of 30 days.

Moreover, when talking about Au10tix, the company has gained a strong reputation in the tech industry for providing “8-second verification without human involvement” and for its ability to detect synthetic fraud patterns globally.


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Google makes a small change to the Android version of the YouTube app

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Google makes a small change to the Android version of the YouTube app
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Google likes to fool around with YouTube like a person who can’t stop scratching an itch. Unlike changes made to Google Maps that are actually helpful, some of the changes made to YouTube appear to be done for no real reason at all. Recently, the web version of the video stream moved from square corners to rounded corners on the thumbnails and the video player, and the feedback from YouTube users was not exactly favorable.
Now it appears that YouTube is making the same change to videos on the YouTube Android app. According to Android Police, it obtained a screenshot showing the rounded corners on YouTube thumbnails. The result is more blinding white light in the background which might lead some users to turn on Dark theme. On Android, open the YouTube app and tap the profile picture in the upper right corner. Next, tap on Settings > General > Appearance. A popup box will ask you to choose from using the device theme, Light theme, or Dark theme. Make your choice.
The current look of the Android YouTube app is on the left; the new look thumbnails can be seen on the right - Google makes a small change to the Android version of the YouTube app

The current look of the Android YouTube app is on the left; the new look thumbnails can be seen on the right

Since the rounded corners extend to the video player on the web and not just the thumbnails, we can assume that this will be the case for the Android app as well. Right now, the new look hasn’t been pushed out to many Android devices and it has yet to appear on my Pixel 6 Pro using Android 14 Beta 5.3.

On the YouTube website, the rounded corners do not appear when you are watching a video in full screen or in Theater mode. But once you return to Default view, they do return. Now we don’t know exactly when Google plans on rolling this out more widely to Android users and whether it will follow through by rounding the corners on the iOS YouTube app as well.

If you don’t have the YouTube app on your Android phone, you can download it right now from the Google Play Store by tapping on this link. If you want to install YouTube on your iOS device, press on this link.

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MetaStealer Emerges As The New Malware Threat For Macs

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MetaStealer Emerges As The New Malware Threat For Macs
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Researchers have found the new macOS malware “MetaStealer” running active campaigns against Mac devices. The Go-based infostealer lures victims via social engineering, specifically infecting Intel-based Mac systems.

MetaStealer Actively Targeting Macs In Recent Malware Campaigns

In a recent report, the cybersecurity giant SentinelOne elaborated on a newly found macOS malware actively targeting Macs.

Identified as the “MetaStealer,” the malware exhibits a different Go source code, with some overlaps and similarities with the other existing Mac malware, such as Atomic Stealer. Besides, the researchers also noticed it using similar social engineering techniques to trick victims.

However, MetaStealer isn’t a spinoff of any existing Mac malware; it’s a new malware constituting a separate malware family aimed at Mac devices. Moreover, it also demonstrates a different network architecture and delivery methods. Nonetheless, the researchers didn’t rule out the possibility of both malware belonging to the same threat actors.

Regarding the recent campaigns, the researchers observed the threat actors distributing MetaStealer via bundled applications. They typically aim at macOS business users by mimicking fake clients and naming the malicious malware droppers with seemingly legit titles, such as “Official Brief Description” or “Contract for Payment & Confidentiality Agreement.” The attackers then deliver the payload to the victims via password-protected ZIP files containing the malware in the disk image format (DMG). In some cases, the malware also impersonated Adobe Photoshop installer and other Adobe files.

The existing MetaStealer variant seems highly targeted for Intel-based Mac systems, as the researchers observed the single architecture Intel x86_64 binaries in all samples. This malware cannot infect Apple M1 and M2 machines without using Rosetta. Nonetheless, the risk for future variants to target other Mac machines also persists.

The researchers observed that Apple’s XProtect update v2170 contains a detection signature for some MetaStealer versions. However, this detection isn’t as inclusive right now. Therefore, Mac users, particularly business users, must remain vigilant when interacting with attachments from anyone outside their trusted contacts.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.


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Billionaire Mark Cuban Falls Victim to Crypto Hack Again, Loses $900K

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Billionaire Mark Cuban Falls Victim to Crypto Hack Again, Loses $900K
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key findings

  • Mark Cuban’s crypto wallet was hacked on September 15, 2023.
  • The hacker drained around $900,000 worth of crypto from Cuban’s hot wallet.
  • Cuban claims he has no idea how the hacker accessed his wallet.
  • Crypto experts believe that Cuban must have made a mistake in getting his account hacked, such as signing a malicious transaction or somehow getting his private key compromised.
  • This isn’t the first time Cuban has become a victim of crypto hack.

Mark Cuban is a renowned TV personality, investor, billionaire, and owner of the Dallas Mavericks. And, he is the latest victim of a planned hack attack. The news was first reported on September 15 at 8 p.m. UTC by independent blockchain investigator Wazz. He noticed unusual activity on Cuban’s wallet, named “mcuban” on OpenSea, which was inactive for five months, and soon all the funds were drained.

“Did Mark Cuban’s wallet just get drained? Wallet inactive for 160 days, and all assets just moved,” Wazz posted.

The transaction history on Etherscan showed multiple batches of assets, including Tether, Lido Staked Ether, and USD Coin withdrawn from the wallet. It all happened within merely ten minutes. Afterwards, another $2m worth of USDC was transferred from a wallet named Mark Cuban 2 to a different wallet.

Wazz thought Cuban was shuffling his assets to different wallets. But, after a few hours, the 65-year-old billionaire confirmed the news. The hacker also dumped ETH and MATIC after depositing funds on Coinbase. Here’s a breakdown of the transferred funds:

  • 5.29 ETH ($8,730)
  • 338,206 STETH ($557,680)
  • 12,355 MATIC ($6,590)
  • 7,020 RARI ($6,340)
  • 4,860 USDT ($4,860)
  • 4,338 ENS ($33,270)
  • 175,040 USDC ($175,040)

Reportedly, the hacker drained around $900,000 worth of crypto from Cuban’s hot wallet. Cuban claimed he had no idea how the hacker accessed his wallet. He told DL News that he went to MetaMask for the first time after several months, and the hacker was probably waiting for this moment. Cuban suspected that he might have downloaded a fake version of MetaMask and fell victim to a phishing attack.

After realizing that funds were drained from his hot wallet, Cuban shifted his remaining assets to Coinbase Custody, which means he transferred the $2m worth of USDC. However, crypto experts believe that Cuban must have made a mistake in getting his account hacked, such as he might have signed a malicious transaction or somehow his private key got compromised. These suspicions are based on the fact that assets were directly withdrawn from his wallet.

This isn’t the first time Cuban has become a victim of crypto hack. In June 2021, he suffered a rug pull and lost an unspecified amount of funds after an algorithmic stablecoin project, Iron Finance, imploded due to a bank run. At that time, Cuban blamed himself for being lazy and not doing appropriate research.

“Even though I got rugged on this, it’s really on me for being lazy. The thing about DeFi plays like this is that it’s all about revenue and math and I was too lazy to do the math to determine what the key metrics were,” Cuban stated responding to the incident.

  1. Hacker returns $17 million worth of stolen Ethereum
  2. ETH Founder Vitalik Buterin’s X (Twitter) Hacked, $700k Stolen
  3. World’s Largest Cryptocurrency Casino Stake Hacked for $41 Million
  4. Researcher Exposes Cryptocurrency Scam Network of 300 Domains
  5. Kroll SIM-Swapping Attack Causes Data Breach at 3 Top Crypto Firms

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ETH Founder Vitalik Buterin’s X (Twitter) Hacked, $700k Stolen

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ETH Founder Vitalik Buterin’s X (Twitter) Hacked, $700k Stolen
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key findings

  • A hacker compromised Vitalik Buterin’s Twitter account and shared a post promoting a malicious NFT giveaway.
  • The post contained a URL that stole funds from users who connected their wallets.
  • Over $690,000 was stolen in the hack, including valuable NFTs.
  • Buterin blames Twitter’s lacklustre OTP authentication for the hack.
  • The hack serves as a reminder of the importance of security, especially for high-profile figures.

A hacker managed to compromise the official X account of Vitalik Buterin, resulting in a loss of over $690,000, reported blockchain investigator ZachXBT.

Regarding how the hacking was successful, it is reported that the hacker compromised Buterin’s account and shared a post on his behalf, celebrating the arrival of Proto-Danksharding to the Ethereum platform.

In the now-infamous post, Buterin announces a series of commemorative NFTs (nonfungible tokens) from Consensys. This post also contained a malicious URL and was sent to Buterin’s 4.9 million followers, some of whom fell prey to this lure. 

The link promised free commemorative NFTs once the users connected their wallets. Later, the hacker stole all their funds. It was a classic giveaway scam where users were enticed to double their funds but lost all of their assets.

ETH Founder Vitalik Buterin's X (Twitter) Hacked, $700k in NFTs and Funds Stolen

Vitalik’s father Dmitriy “Dima” Buterin confirmed the news, urging his followers to disregard it in a post on September 9. “Disregard this post, apparently Vitalik has been hacked. He is working on restoring access,” he said.

The news has shocked the blockchain and cryptocurrency fraternity because Buterin is known for his mastery over blockchain security, and his account getting hacked and claiming huge financial losses is devastating. The co-founder blames X’s (Twitter) lackluster OTP (one-time password) authentication procedure for this incident.

“I didn’t know Twitter had OTP. Always thought 2FA was good enough. Lesson learned,” Buterin stated in response to this incident.

Many users are also commenting on this hack. A user, Satosi 767, posted that Buterin probably didn’t properly secure his X account. But ZachXBT refuted such comments, stating that Buterin is a high-profile figure therefore, he is more susceptible to hacking attempts and probably became a victim of SIM swapping.

“You do not know yet whether it was a SIM swap. Vitalik is a big enough target to where an insider could have been paid off or panel was used,” ZachXBT noted.

The post was deleted soon but it caused sufficient losses. Ethereum developer Bok Khoo (Bokky Poobah on X) suffered heavy losses in his CryptoPunk NFT collection. Currently, a CryptoPunk NFT’s floor price is 46.99 Ether ($76,837). Reportedly, in one hour, the hacker made over $147,000, and collective losses amounted to $691,000. However, it is unclear how many users were affected by this hacking.

  1. Hacker returns $17 million worth of stolen Ethereum
  2. Meet MEWKit, a tricky phishing attack draining Ethereum wallets
  3. World’s Largest Cryptocurrency Casino Stake Hacked for $41 Million
  4. Researcher Exposes Cryptocurrency Scam Network of 300 Domains
  5. Kroll SIM-Swapping Attack Causes Data Breach at 3 Top Crypto Firms

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New OnePlus Nord 3 update improves battery life & security

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New OnePlus Nord 3 update improves battery life & security
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The OnePlus Nord 3 is now getting a new update which improves battery life and security. This update is marked as OxygenOS 13.1.0.581, and it’s rolling out as we speak. Do note that the rolloiut is starting in India, though, so you may have to wait for a bit longer to get it.

New OnePlus Nord 3 update improves the phone’s battery life

First and foremost, this update integrates the September 22023 Android security patch into OxygenOS. Therefore, it improves the overall security of the phone.

That being said, in the changelog, OnePlus also notes that this update reduces power consumption when the device is idle, and also when certain apps are in use. That should improve the battery life overall.

It is also noted that the stability of network connections is also improved with this update. The last entry in the changelog states that the update also boosts system stability on the phone. So, some bug fixes have probably been issued too.

We still don’t know how large is this update, but chances are you’ll get it soon if you haven’t already. It’s rolling out over the air (OTA), though this is a staged rollout, of course, and aimed at one country at the moment.

This device launched back in July

The OnePlus Nord 3, as many of you know, was announced a couple of months ago. It launched at the beginning of July, and it’s OnePlus’ mid-range offering, a rather powerful mid-range phone, though.

The device not only looks quite modern, but it comes with respectable specs. It includes a large 120Hz AMOLED display, and the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor.

The phone also had three cameras on the back, led by a 50-megapixel main unit. Stereo speakers are included, as is a 5,000mAh battery. The phone supports 80W fast wired charging, and a charger is included in the package.

It’s also worth noting that the OnePlus Nord 3 is IP54 certified, which means it’s both dust and splash-resistant.


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