Tech Spite

Enigma Labs launches a project to crowdsource and quantify data about “unidentified aerial phenomena.” from Wired https://ift.tt/t9M6EUo

A new exploit has been discovered that affects QNAP customers running the latest versions of its operating systems: QTS 5.0.1 and QuTS hero h.5.0.1, but don’t worry, apply this patch and you should be good. The vulnerability is said to allow threat actors to inject malicious code, and has been awarded a common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) score of 9.8 (out of 10), rendering it of critical importance. We’re unsure what the implications would be should a cyberattack take place, however QNAP is urging its customers to stay up to date and patch immediately. QNAP security patch The exploit, codenamed CVE-2022-27596, is marked as ‘resolved’ on the company’s website , which details how users can check for firmware upgrades. QNAP NAS users should navigate to Control Panel > System > Firmware Update, and select Check for Update under Live Update. Users can also perform a manual update by downloading the firmware from Support > Download Center. The vulnerability has been f...

Open-source password manager KeePass has refuted claims that it has a major security flaw allowing for undue access to user password vaults. KeePass is designed primarily for individual use, rather than being a business password manager . It differs from many popular password managers in that it doesn't store its database in cloud servers; instead, it stores them locally on the user's device.  The newly discovered vulnerability, known as CVE-2023-24055 , allows hackers who have already gained access to a user's system to export their entire vault in plain text by altering an XML configuration file, completely exposing all their usernames and passwords. Not our problem When the victim opens KeePass and enters their master password to access their vault, this will trigger the export of the database to a file that the hackers can steal. The process quietly goes about its business in the background, without notifying KeePass or your operating system, so there is no...

Following the launch of last year’s Nothing Phone (1) in the UK, it appears that the brand has plans to launch a follow-up in 2023 based on comments from CEO and co-founder Carl Pei. The Nothing Phone (1) isn’t the best phone on the market right now, but its bold aesthetics and budget-friendly price – with a performance that’s definitely value for money – have made it a pretty popular handset in the regions where it’s available. So it’s no surprise that the brand would want to launch a follow-up. In an interview with Inverse , Nothing CEO Carl Pei admitted that his company has big plans for its next “more premium” smartphone: the Phone (2). While Pei is reportedly hesitant to give too many details away he did reveal the two key areas that Nothings want to focus on with its next smartphone. The first is software. We don't know exactly what form the upgrades will take, but we hope the user interface will see some refinements. In our review, we found the Android-based Nothing OS...

A tiny Scottish village is betting its future on rocket launches. But the plan may threaten the fragile landscape—and a tenacious billionaire’s ambitions. from Wired https://ift.tt/vALYTIx

Your Gmail account will soon look a little bit different as the company finally rolls out its long-expected makeover to all users. In a bid to offer users a more complete Google Workspace experience, the updated Gmail will now provide not just email services, but video conferencing and chat options, all in a single location. Users won't have to do anything to activate the new-look Gmail, which will be updated by default over the next few days to users across the world in a bid to help modernize the platform. New-look Gmail In a Google Workspace update post , the company has confirmed that the new look "will become the standard experience for Gmail, with no option to revert to the original UI". News of the facelift was first announced in February 2022, as part of a move to bring other Google Workspace services such as Chat and Meet closer to Gmail. Most Gmail users were able to try out the new look service in November 2022, but retained the option to revert bac...

A foldable iPad with a carbon fiber kickstand is reportedly in the works and may launch early 2024. This information comes from notable Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo via a Twitter thread . While there isn’t much to be gleaned from the short thread, what he reveals paints a rather interesting picture for the tech giant in 2023. According to Kuo, Chinese manufacturer Anjie Technology will be supplying the carbon fiber kickstand for the new device and is expected to benefit greatly from this “growing trend of foldable devices equipped with kickstands.” He goes on to say the upcoming iPad will launch alongside a revamped iPad Mini which is “likely to begin mass production” during the same time period. As for the near future, things are going to be a little unfriendly towards consumers. Kuo says it’s possible “there may be no new iPad releases in the next [nine to 12] months” as Apple works on its upcoming devices. He also predicts iPad shipments will dip 10 to 15 percent year-over-year in 2...

Intel appears to have quietly killed off its open source RISC-V developer environment, Pathfinder.  The news may come as a shock to many SoC architects, software developers, and product research teams, primarily because Pathfinder was only announced in August 2022, however to others, it may have been an expected move. The company reported a catastrophic end to 2022 , with its Q4 alone accounting for $661 million in losses, and has pulled the plug on a number of its other operations. Besides this, 544 of its California-based workers are at risk of redundancy, with the potential for more layoffs globally as the company gears up to what it calls a “meaningful number” of job cuts. Intel Pathfinder The 2022 press release unveiling Pathfinder details the number of RISC-V-focused initiatives that have rolled out over the years, indicating Intel’s commitment, however just months later, users began to report that it had been cut. Intel has since updated its website with a statement ...

Students and professors can’t decide whether the AI chatbot is a research tool—or a cheating engine. from Wired https://ift.tt/s51PcVU

Nvidia’s RTX 4060 and 4050 desktop graphics cards – the Lovelace GPUs which are of keenest interest to most people given their (hopefully) affordable nature – could arrive sooner than expected. Tom’s Hardware spotted that RTX 4060 and 4050 models from Shangke Group – a Chinese firm that makes graphics cards, and other components too – have been filed with the EEC (Eurasian Economic Commission). Typically, products are filed with the EEC when their release is nearing, so this is a hint that the RTX 4060 and 4050 are perhaps closer to launch than the rumor mill has otherwise indicated. Then again, we have to be very cautious around presuming too much from EEC filings, as they can be carried out early in some cases, or they can even be performed speculatively for placeholder products. In short, don’t set too much store in these listings, but they are nonetheless a tantalizing hint that we could see the RTX 4060 and 4050 desktop graphics cards pop up in the near future (or indeed w...

Got your eyes on a Meta Quest Pro VR headset, but put off by its eye-watering price? Then you’re in luck: it’s currently $400 / £200 cheaper than normal, but for a limited time only. Right now (January 30, 2023) the Meta Quest Pro is down to $1,100 at Meta’s official store in the US, while Brits can pick it up for £1,300 at Meta’s UK store . Unfortunately, this deal won't last forever, so if you want to pick up one of the best VR headsets out there at its lowest-ever price you’ll only have until the end of the week in the US – or two weeks in the UK. If you're one of those people who consider Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 headset to be underpowered, and don't want to wait for the Oculus Quest 3 that’s expected to launch at the end of the year, then this is a great deal to take advantage of while you can. Meta Quest Pro: was $1,500 / £1,500 now $1,100 / £1,300 at Meta If you want to enjoy the best VR experience that Meta has to offer then you'll want to pick...

More than two years ago, criminals crippled the systems of London’s Hackney Council. It's still fighting to recover. from Wired https://ift.tt/UMkizwq

Scientists kept the rodents’ immune T cells active four times longer than mice can live—with huge implications for cancer, vaccination, and aging research. from Wired https://ift.tt/phWVjSD

The cash-strapped company recently auctioned off USB dongles but has left some corporate computers in the custody of laid-off staff. from Wired https://ift.tt/kExUJKM

Complex signals and subliminal signs underpin all human verbal communication—and a real-time translation is on the horizon. from Wired https://ift.tt/46etVT1

One of the last safe places for avoiding video calls could soon fall, no thanks to a new update for Microsoft Teams . The video conferencing service is working on an update that will allow users to join a Teams call directly from their vehicle while driving using Apple's CarPlay platform. Apple has recently updated CarPlay to include a new calendar view, which will now allow users to join a Microsoft Teams call using their iPhone while driving. Microsoft Teams CarPlay The official entry in the Microsoft 365 roadmap for the update doesn't provide any extra detail on exactly how the feature will work, simply noting that users can choose to join a Teams meeting using the new CarPlay calendar view. Obviously, due care and attention should be paid to the road whilst driving, so hopefully the calls taking place can be audio-only as well, meaning users can keep their eyes on the road. The feature is still marked as in development for the time being, with a scheduled general ...

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us HBO’s The Last of Us has earned rave reviews for its impressive loyalty to developer Naughty Dog’s era-defining PlayStation title, but the series’ third episode marked the first major deviation from Joel and Ellie’s in-game story.  ‘Long Long Time’ puts the spotlight on Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), two lonely survivors who come together in the aftermath of the global Cordyceps outbreak. Both characters feature briefly in the original The Last of Us game , but HBO’s small screen adaptation dedicates an entire hour to delving deeper into their decades-long relationship. In an interview with TechRadar ahead of the series' release, co-showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin explained the thinking behind their decision to go off-piste with The Last of Us episode 3 – which the pair have previously admitted will inevitably leave some fans “upset”.  “It came out of an interest I had in portraying...

Tread lightly on our planet with toys and accessories made from repurposed plastic, and many other Earth-friendly picks. from Wired https://ift.tt/U9Q1bqm

When the iPhone 15 handsets make an appearance, we're once again expecting there to be several differences between the standard two phones and the two more expensive Pro models – and one of those differences could be in Wi-Fi support. A leaked document posted by tipster Unknownz21 on Twitter (via MacRumors ) makes reference to the antenna architecture for the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. According to the document, the standard iPhone 15 and the Plus model will stick with the same Wi-Fi 6 spec as the current iPhone 14 series. The Pro and the Pro Max, however, will be upgraded to the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard. A numbers game We had heard rumblings earlier in the week that Wi-Fi 6E would be coming to the iPhone 15 series in 2023, but at that stage we were thinking the upgrade was intended for all the models. Now that doesn't appear to be the case. The difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E isn't huge though: it supports...

Mathematicians predicted that if they imposed enough restrictions on how a shape might tile space, they could force a periodic pattern to emerge. They were wrong. from Wired https://ift.tt/obqZusy

Garmin's latest wearable for runners and triathletes adds a new Morning Report to track your daily fitness. from Wired https://ift.tt/Wdbhpfs

We've already seen several price leaks for the Samsung Galaxy S23 , but they're not stopping ahead of the expected launch of the phones on February 1. We now have information on pricing in Turkey, Germany and India. Even if you don't live in those countries, these are important markers of how the handsets are going to be priced globally. In Turkey for example (from Roland Quandt via Notebookcheck ), the Galaxy S23 phones are set to cost substantially more than their Galaxy S22 predecessors. The starting price for the least expensive Galaxy S23 model is apparently going to be 50,000 Turkish lira – that works out as about $2,660 / £2,145 / AU$3,740, which is a small fortune. The main reason is high taxes on imported electronic goods. Germany and India Elsewhere in the world, rumored German pricing for the Galaxy S23 phones has appeared on WinFuture (via GSMArena ). At starting prices of €949 (S23), €1,199 (S23 Plus) and €1,399 (S23 Ultra), a jump of around €100 in each...

This time next week, the Samsung Galaxy S23 phones will have been officially unveiled, which means we won't have any more leaks around the handsets to report on – such as the full specs sheet that just appeared on the web, for example. Posted by reliable tipster Roland Quandt , the specs sheet covers all three phones – the standard S23, the S23 Plus, and the S23 Ultra – and gives us a rundown of everything from the battery capacities to the camera modules. In other words, don't read any further if you're avoiding spoilers for next week's Samsung Unpacked launch event on February 1. We'll be covering the event live of course, and anyone who wants to will also be able to watch everything live online . #GalaxyS23 #comparison pic.twitter.com/NBONtiP53L January 27, 2023 See more Specs appeal We're looking at the 120Hz screens for the phones this year, with the Galaxy S23 offering a 6.1-inch display, the Galaxy S23 Plus upping that to a 6.6-inch display, ...

Privacy and Apple go hand in hand - it has for years now, and its recent video starring Nick Mohammad from Ted Lasso to promote Data Privacy week was inspired. However, with today (January 28) being Data Privacy Day, it's important to look at other features that you can use with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to help protect your data. All of these are features that I switched on as soon as they've been introduced - with Advanced Data Protection being the latest one for me, as it was recently introduced in iOS 16.3 . With this in mind, there are a few other features, alongside Advanced Data Protection that you should consider switching on, and why you should do it as soon as. Advanced Data Protection (Image credit: TechRadar) Introduced in iOS 16.3, not only does this allow you to protect your iCloud backups with an encrypted password, but your Safari bookmarks, your iCloud Drive contents, Notes and much more. This way, you and you alone can only access this data - ...

Now is the time to grab a big screen for the Super Bowl. from Wired https://ift.tt/olHiCFR

With digital technologies at the center of our everyday life, the amount of data that's exchanged online keeps going up.  It isn't that surprising then, in fact, that the interest in the best VPN services among consumers is high everywhere. Governments across the world are also setting up new regulations on how such sensitive information should be stored, used, and shared.  New data laws like the EU GDPR are a significant step, but they are not enough. That's partly because cyberattacks are on the rise, too. Even worse, evidence actually suggests how home devices are now the top target .  On the occasion of the annual Data Privacy Day, we're then sharing nine tips on how to stay safe online and secure your anonymity when your data gets compromised.  As Vaibhav Antil CEO of Privado , one of the best free VPN providers around, said: "Data Privacy Day gives us all an opportunity to take a second and think about what we share about ourselves, when and where we ...

Less than a week before the Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event, new images have emerged for Samsung’s upcoming laptop line: the Galaxy Book 3; more specifically the Pro, 360, Pro 360, and Ultra models. Keep in mind that these are leaked renders from MySmartPrice so it’s possible the final products will look a bit different. If these images are to be believed, the new devices won't look all that different to the previous Galaxy Book 2 line – Samsung isn’t reinventing the wheel design-wise. Plus, all three will come with the same basic ports like a microSD card slot and headphone jack. The more important changes, it seems, will happen under the hood.  The Galaxy Book 3 Pro will reportedly launch in two screen sizes, a 14-inch and 16-inch option, both of which might boast a 3K resolution AMOLED display. According to the leaks, customers can also choose between two processors – either a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1340P or Core i7-1360P CPU.  Batteries will also differ depending on the ...

High-res audio . That has a nice ring to it, right? Yet most people are content to listen to regular-res audio on streaming services or via some physical format like CD or vinyl LPs. These folks are blissfully unaware that an opportunity exists to step things up to high-res . Several of the best music streaming services offer high-resolution audio alongside their standard (uncompressed CD-quality) and compressed (reduced quality) streams. On some services, Tidal for instance, you’ll need to pay a higher price to access a high-res tier, while others like Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited bundle it into their standard-price plan. Yet others – we’re pointing our finger at you, Spotify – don’t offer high-res audio at all ! Accessing high-res audio isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it’s now become a bit easier. The new CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer from Canada-based NAD Electronics is a compact device that you can add to your stereo or home theater system to take advantage of t...

Russian internet giant Yandex has denied it suffered a cyberattack after some of its internal source code was posted online. The leaker posted 44.7GB worth of files, which they say are "Yandex git sources", as Torrent on a well-known hacker forum, with much of the company's source code believed to be included. The files are thought to date back to February 2022, and although the leak does contain some API keys, these are only thought to have been used for testing deployment. Fake help desk emails BleepingComputer reports that an initial analysis of the files by software engineer Arseniy Shestakov noted that technical data and code for many of Yandex's top products appeared to be included.  Mail, Disk and Yandex Pay - the company's email, cloud storage and payment processing services respectively - were among the platforms affected. Oddly enough, though, its anti-spam rules were not. Read more > Scammers are spoofing official UK Government Energy Sup...

Wordle today offers a nice challenge that fits neatly between too easy and too hard - although you might find it leaning towards the latter if you don't choose the best Wordle start word .  In fact, there are a couple of complicating factors to today's game, so if you don't play carefully you could risk losing your streak. But I can help make sure that doesn't happen. I'm a Wordle addict who's been playing since December 2021, so I can definitely help you solve Wordle today and improve your game for tomorrow. Read on for my hints and clues to Wordle #587.  SPOILER WARNING: Information about Wordle today and Wordle yesterday are below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.  Wordle today (game #587) - hint #1 - Vowels Wordle today has one vowel * This is relatively unusual for Wordle - the game has an average of 1.75 vowels among its 2,309 answers. The last game to have just one vowel in it was #581 on Saturday: BLURB. * Note t...