Activision has announced that it will be implementing new real-time voice moderation systems to Call of Duty's online experience in the run-up to Modern Warfare 3.
According to a blog post on the Call of Duty website, Activision aims to deliver "global real-time voice chat moderation, at scale," all with the aim to "enforce against toxic speech - including hate speech."
An "initial beta rollout" of this new chat moderation technology has already begun in North America, where the new features were added on August 30 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone. This is slated to be followed by a near-global implementation of the new voice moderation systems timed to coincide with the release of Modern Warfare 3 on November 10. The system will be introduced in every global region except Asia.
The new system uses AI-powered chat moderation software, ToxMod, developed by Modulate. According to Activision's blog post, the system is designed to identify toxic behavior, including "hate speech, discriminatory language, harassment, and more." These new features come alongside existing text-based moderation systems, which work across 14 different languages.
Activision's blog post expresses confidence in the moderation system, touting that "Call of Duty's existing anti-toxicity moderation has restricted voice and/or text chat to over 1 million accounts." Activision also announced that, of accounts to which they issued cautions, "20% of players did not re-offend after receiving a first warning."
The implementation of ToxMod follows in the wake of a similar move by Microsoft, which recently began rolling out its own voice chat recording tool, allowing players to send voice chat snippets to Microsoft's moderation team. The Microsoft tool takes advantage of a buffer, allowing players to record 60 seconds back from the button press. Like Call of Duty's system, Microsoft's new voice reporting system makes generous use of "AI advances" to "optimize the flow of content to moderators."
If implemented correctly, these new AI-driven systems implemented by Activision and Microsoft could go a great deal toward making online gaming a safer space.
Much like its main rival, Microsoft, Google has been testing out new generative AI features for several months in its online office software, before it announced the general availability of Duet AI for Google Workspace in August.
For the cost of $30 per user per month, business customers can choose to provide workers with the capabilities of GenAI, including writing and editing work in real time.
Most notably, Duet AI built into Gmail can handle email creation for busy workers having to send out repetitive and frequent emails.
Duet AI for Gmail is here
The company announced that it would be making the feature available in Gmail at its annual Google Cloud Next conference after months of beta testing. The content-writing AI, which is available in both Gmail and Docs, turns simple prompts into a draft copy ready to be reviewed by the worker.
They can also choose to tweak existing content, such as making changes to how formal it is and how detailed it is.
In the announcement, Google envisions the Gmail-based AI tool to be equally as useful for writing to new clients and customers as it is for messaging colleagues.
To benefit from the new features, customers will need to purchase the Duet AI for Google Workspace Enterprise add-on, which has already been rolled out and is available on compatible accounts. Many features, including the text generator, are set for release on both desktop and mobile platforms.
Also hitting general availability at the same time is Duet AI in Docs, which also promises to generate and tweak content, and a new Docs-only AI-powered proofreader which looks to address spelling, grammar, conciseness, the active voice, wording, and sentence splits, all in an effort to take on giants like Grammarly.
Precisely how much AI assistance workers can ultimately expect, and whether there could be tiers to the current $30 subscription, remains unclear. However, Google has hinted at plenty more features coming soon.
When it arrived in May 2023 the DJI Mini 3 Pro impressed us so much, we ranked it as the best compact drone for most people. It earned this accolade thanks to its compact size, intelligent obstacle avoidance and the low-light performance of its 4K camera.
Its tiny dimensions saw it slot neatly into the sub-250g drone category, meaning it could be flown almost anywhere without restriction.
Now it looks like DJI is preparing to announce a successor, likely called the Mini 4 Pro. The timing couldn’t be better from DJI, since new US legislation coming into effect on September 16 requires drones weighing more than 250g to constantly broadcast the location of both the pilot and the aircraft itself.
If the successor to the Mini 3 Pro remains below that crucial 250g limit, then owners will be free to fly their drone without the need for registration or identification. Launching the Mini 4 Pro at the end of September, as was recently suggested, would be perfect timing from DJI.
Updates are expected to be fairly minor compared to the Mini 3 Pro, but could include an upgrade for the drone’s obstacle-avoidance system, improved transmission technology, longer flight time and the inclusion of DJI’s new RC 2 controller. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from the upcoming DJI Mini 4 Pro.
DJI Mini 4 Pro: Cut to the chase
The DJI Mini 3 Pro drone with its propellors folded away(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)
What is it? A new, sub-250g drone from DJI with the same folding design as the Mini 3 Pro
When is it out? Expected to be late-September
How much will it cost? Unknown for now, but likely similar to the DJI Mini 3 Pro, which is currently priced from $759 / £709 / AU$1,119
DJI Mini 4 Pro: What's in a name?
DJI’s drone hierarchy isn’t always easy to decipher. Looking at the current range of consumer drones, DJI describes the Mini 3 as its entry-level offering. Above this you’ll find the Mini 3 Pro and the new Air 3, which are both referred to as “advanced” drones, and the Mavic 3 Pro is the current flagship of the range.
The Mini 4 Pro would replace the Mini 3 Pro (and likely cause a price cut for its predecessor until retailer stock runs dry) as a drone that blends pro-level features with the all-important, sub-250g design.
DJI Mini 4 Pro: New features and upgrades
Little is known for certain, but the Mini 4 Pro appears to be in the testing stage of development. Videos published to X (formerly Twitter) by Igor Bogdanov, who has a strong track record for drone and action camera leaks, appear to show a more advanced obstacle avoidance system than that fitted to the Mini 3 Pro. This could mean omnidirectional avoidance technology like that seen on the new DJI Air 3.
Not much else is known about the Mini 4 Pro for now, but if the videos published online are genuine then it looks like development is somewhat advanced and a release date shouldn’t be too far away.
As for what we expect to see, it wouldn't be surprising for DJI to equip the Mini 4 Pro with a new, fourth generation of its Ocusync connection technology, plus support for the new and more powerful RC 2 controller.
Improvements to the camera would always be welcome, but we can’t see DJI making a great deal of change here, as any major upgrades would see the Mini 4 Pro encroach on the new Air 3. Similarly, a few extra minutes of flight time would be appreciated, but the Mini 3 Pro’s 47 minutes is already a minute ahead of the pricier Air 3.
(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)
DJI Mini 4 Pro: price and release date
Jasper Ellens also claims the DJI Mini 4 Pro could be released at the end of September.
Elsewhere, drone YouTuber The Drone Geek also says a late-September launch seems likely, especially with the new remote-identification rule coming into force in the US in the middle of the month. DJI would surely see strong initial sales if its new, sub-250g drone arrived just a couple of weeks later.
Although the current Mini 3 Pro only came out 15 months ago, in May 2022, launching new drones in September isn’t out of the ordinary for DJI. The company has previously released new models that month, including the Osmo Action 3 camera in 2022 and the Mavic Pro drone in 2016. Fifteen months is a fast turnaround for the Mini 4 Pro, but we don’t think it’s an impossible ask for DJI.
As for the price, the Mini 4 Pro will likely cost roughly the same as the Mini 3 Pro, at $759 / £709 / AU$1,119. That way it fits nicely between the entry-level Mini 3 ($469) and the more advanced Air 3 ($1,099).
Once again a wild #mini4pro appears. Now on video, spotted from a nearby drone. I guess end of September release. pic.twitter.com/uHcbAuyuUiAugust 10, 2023
See more
DJI Mini 4 Pro: Omnidirectional avoidance
Igor Bogdanov also used his Quadro_News account on X to publish an image claiming to show the Mini 4 Pro. The quality isn’t great, but we can see how the shape of the front-facing obstacle avoidance system is different to that of the Mini 3 Pro.
It looks like there is a second set of sensors behind those pointing forwards. These could be facing upwards, and therefore enable omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, where the drone can see in every direction and stop itself from flying into objects above it, as well as in front and behind.
This would be a nice additional feature, and bring the Mini 4 Pro’s obstacle avoidance tech in line with the more expensive Air 3 and Mavic 3 Pro. It might not be enough to convince Mini 3 Pro owners to upgrade, however, so hopefully DJI has more up its sleeve, potentially in the form of camera improvements, a greater flight time and enhanced transmission technology.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/RnkL7lW
0
coment�rios:
With Starfield releasing in a week, and early access beginning in a handful of days, players are getting set up to face what could be an i...
Starfield preloads are now live on Steam so you can get ahead of its massive file size
With Starfield releasing in a week, and early access beginning in a handful of days, players are getting set up to face what could be an incredibly lengthy download and a slight delay in take-off. But, for those who are keen to get stuck in from the moment the game unlocks, there are a few ways around these launch day download times.
Pre-loads for Starfield have been made available for those who are jumping in via Steam, so as of today you will be able to get ahead of the curve and start tackling the staggering 134.9GB file size, which is a good bit larger than those playing via Xbox Series X|S.
If you’re a proud owner of the premium edition on Xbox, you’ll have to download 116GB, or 100GB if you’re settling for the Standard Edition. Regardless of which platform you’re using, it'll be a lengthy download, so it’s definitely worth pre-loading now you have the chance.
For players on PC via PC Game Pass, or those on Xbox Series X|S, preloads for the title have been available for almost two weeks, so there’s already been an ample amount of time to get the game downloading. If you’re stuck for storage, you might want to check out our list of the best Xbox Series X hard drives and SSDs to ensure you’ve got more than enough space in advance of launch day too.
There are only a few more days until you can join Constellation and finally dive into the world of Starfield, and after the delays the title has faced before launch, making things as streamlined as possible by preloading the game in advance is worth considering because the last thing you want to encounter when trying to jump into one of the most anticipated upcoming games of the year is any further delay.
If you’re looking for a game or two to sink into while you wait for Starfield to unlock, it’s worth checking out our list of thebest RPGs, alongside our list of thebest single-player games. We’re also anticipating Starfield to become one of thebest games on Game Pass, so it’s worth checking out the competition in advance of launch.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/24bKnAg
0
coment�rios:
Microsoft’s decision to discourage users from running its software on other non-company clouds, by means of increased cost, is still causin...
Microsoft is still blocking some of its biggest customers from running Windows apps
Microsoft’s decision to discourage users from running its software on other non-company clouds, by means of increased cost, is still causing a headache for Google Cloud Platform and Alibaba customers.
Earlier this month, Redmond changed its terms to allow AWS customers to use its office software on the rival platform, however many are still being left out.
A couple of weeks have passed since the change, and still, the company has not indicated whether similar changes may be reflected for Google and Alibaba.
Microsoft discouraging rival cloud companies
From August 1, Microsoft confirmed that “users with specific licenses may run Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise/business, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Visio on Amazon WorkSpaces” virtual desktop infrastructure.
Microsoft declined to comment when we asked whether it would make similar concessions for Google and Alibaba.
According to anonymous sources close to Microsoft and rival companies (via The Register), “there's absolutely no technical reason” why Google and Alibaba should be locked out - “it is purely commercial.”
When the changes were made for AWS customers, we asked Microsoft to comment on why this was. The company has not commented, and it remains unclear why AWS received preferential treatment.
Gartner Research VP Michael Silver believes that the overall issue persists for all Listed Providers, including Amazon, and that “customers should still be lobbying Microsoft to eliminate the Listed Provider limitations” altogether.
Microsoft has proven very popular in European discussion circles, and all for the wrong reasons. Recently, it faced a months-long battle relating to its unfair licensing terms that make changing providers or employing a multicloud environment both challenging and costly. Besides promising to be working with the relevant bodies, Redmond has not shared any details on that.
NordVPN wants to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) in its next generation of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and to achieve that, it just launched a brand new platform.
NordLabs - a platform for “experimental projects and cutting-edge innovations”, with the company saying the platform will “explore emerging technologies, such as AI, to create new tools and services.”
Users can sign up on this link and then get exclusive access to new products and services. The first solutions should reach the testing stages in September, NordVPN confirmed.
NordLabs launch
Vykintas Maknickas, the head of product strategy at Nord Security, said that the heading new technologies take depends entirely on the choices that their users make: "New emerging technologies raise challenges for cybersecurity, privacy, and internet freedom, but at the same time, they bring new opportunities. NordLabs will allow us to have additional flexibility when it comes to the development of experimental tools and services.”
“We do not expect all projects appearing in NordLabs will later become fully maintained standalone products, but we are thrilled about the opportunity to curb cutting-edge technologies for better internet.”
Besides being a platform where early adopters and tech enthusiasts can get exclusive access to early-stage projects, NordLabs will also be used by the NordVPN team of engineers and developers, as a testing ground for new ideas and emerging tech.
The first solutions, to be tested in September, will include a new tool, built on machine learning, to help users better defend themselves from phishing emails. There will also be a tool to help users determine if an image was generated with AI or not.
Threat actors have been using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve their criminal campaigns for quite some time now.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has slated remote workers at the company for their reluctance to return to the office.
According to a recording of an internal meeting obtained by Business Insider, Jassy reportedly indicated that those unwilling to comply with the company’s office mandate should consider searching for work elsewhere.
Amazon was one of the first companies to implement a widespread return-to-office mandate after pandemic restrictions eased, but workers have been all but happy with the ruler’s decisions.
Amazon CEO hates remote working?
According to Business Insider, Jassy said: “It’s past the time to disagree and commit… and if you can’t disagree and commit, I also understand that, but it’s probably not going to work out for you at Amazon because we are going back to the office at least three days a week.”
Jassy continued to stress that “it’s not right for all of our team-mates to be in three days a week and for people to refuse to do so.”
In the meeting, Jassy is also said to have disclosed that he spoke with 60 to 80 other CEOs, the majority of whom agreed that office-based structures should be brought back.
The company has been tracking US-based employees who fail to show themselves frequently enough in the office since at least mid-August, together with other technology firms like Apple.
Earlier this summer, almost 2,000 workers pledged to walk out in protest over the company’s office working rules along with other concerns including progress towards its climate policies. Amazon later told us that only around 300 workers followed through.
TechRadar Pro has asked Amazon to comment on its ongoing WFH struggles, but we did not immediately receive a response.
Dark and Darker has received a server wipe that has seen players lose their progress but is an attempt to take on a recent influx of cheaters.
When describing the wipe and the incoming changes in a recent news post on the official website, developer Ironmace Games said "This first wipe occurred much sooner than we expected due to challenges we faced from exploiters. We have learned from this experience and have updated the game and our services to be more robust against these adversaries."
No more cheater-targeted specifics were shared, but the full wipe has reset all players' gold, skills, items, and character levels. Resetting everything in such a move can be an effective approach - albeit a nuclear one - to tackling cheaters as everyone is reduced to 'zero' and the developers often have a chance to rectify things in the process.
It's not the first time that Ironmace Games has had to deal with nefarious users in the dungeon-crawling PvP game though. It was only last week that Ironmace Games declared that tackling cheaters was "a serious priority" for them. Then, a week before that, the developer released an update intended to crack down on hackers. It's been a hive of anti-cheating and anti-hacking activity at Ironmace in recent weeks, it seems.
But, it's not all doom and gloom as the maintenance also includes details about what other changes are coming. Among many details laid out in the patch notes and news post, the return of voice chat will be welcomed by many, while there are also changes to the efficacy of healing potions, bandage application time, as well as a host of balance changes to the Bard class. You can read them all in the official post.
While the servers are now back online, it's worth players and fans knowing that Ironmace has said it wants to implement further changes based on community feedback, as well as deploy "frequent balance updates during the upcoming weeks". So expect some further disruption and updates.
If you're looking for more games like Dark and Darker to play, then check out our guide to thebest PC games, and thebest co-op gamesgoing right now.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/nyTP4lK
0
coment�rios:
Systems powered by Microsoft’s Exchange Server 2019 will soon get an additional layer of protection, the company has announced. In a short...
Microsoft is giving your servers a welcome security boost
Systems powered by Microsoft’s Exchange Server 2019 will soon get an additional layer of protection, the company has announced.
In a short update, Microsoft confirmed the imminent arrival of Windows Extended Protection (EP) on these servers. The feature will be turned on by default after the H2 2023 Cumulative Update (CU14) installs.
H2 2023 Cumulative Update
EP is a tool that looks to strengthens Windows Server auth functionality and thus better prevent man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks.
"Today, we wanted to let you know that starting with the 2023 H2 Cumulative Update (CU) for Exchange Server 2019 (aka CU14), EP will be enabled by default when CU14 (or later) is installed," Microsoft added. "Exchange Server 2019 is currently in Mainstream Support and is the only version that still gets CUs."
IT teams that don’t feel this feature will be beneficial to them can opt out through the command-line CU installer, it was added.
Depending on the security updates already installed on the endpoints, Microsoft’s recommended course of action is as follows:
- For those with Aug 2022 SU or later and EP enabled: Simple CU14 installation
- For those with Aug 2022 SU or later, but EP not yet enabled: CU14 installation with 'Enable EP' default feature left on.
Those with Exchange Server versions earlier than the Aug 2022 SU are advised to update their servers to the latest SU as soon as possible.
Extended Protection was added to the Exchange Server in August 2022. Back then, Microsoft told IT teams that for some vulnerabilities, the feature would need to be turned on. It later deployed a script that automatically turns EP on or off, and which worked even on subsequently updated endpoints.
"We recommend that all customers enable EP in their environment. If your servers are running the August 2022 SU or later SU, then they already support EP," Microsoft said. "If you have any servers older than the August 2022 SU, then your servers are considered persistently vulnerable and should be updated immediately.
"Further, if you have any Exchange servers older than the August 2022 SU, you will break server-to-server communication with servers that have EP enabled."
After six long years, the Nintendo Switch has finally taken the mantle of the top Nintendo console in the US as it finally beats out the Wii's lifetime sales.
The Nintendo Switch already outsold one notable console back in February 2022. This is when the Switch beat out the Wii in global sales. Over a year later, the Switch has finally won the battle in the US to become the third-best-selling console.
A report from US market analyst group Circana (formally NPD) via GamesIndustry.biz, described that this milestone was met in July 2023. It even seems like there's a solid possibility that the Switch could become the best-selling overall console in the US. "Switch lifetime sales now trail Xbox 360 by less than one million units, and PlayStation 2 by fewer than five million", Circana reports.
It's more than fair to say that this milestone was largely helped by the wide success of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Recently this blockbuster game took consumers by storm and continues to be widely successful. In the US alone, Tears of the Kingdom reached four million copies sold in the first three days.
Globally speaking, the much-loved Zelda sequel sold more than 18.51 million copies since its release in May. In fact, 2023 saw the Nintendo Switch beat its own record for copies sold that it set on its release in 2017.
When it comes to specific regions, the Switch is incredibly popular in Japan. In 2022, 4.8 million units were sold compared to merely 1.15 million for PS5. That said, it remains to be seen how long this winning streak will last. Recently, a Nintendo executive hinted at the possibility of a Nintendo Switch 2, meaning that we could be seeing the final days of the Switch that we all know and love.
Hardware manufacturer Analogue has announced a special edition for its Analogue Pocket handheld gaming device - and it's available very soon.
The Analogue Pocket Glow in the Dark edition looks to do exactly what it says on the tin. If you're familiar with the Game Boy-compatible handheld, it looks to be practically identical, albeit with a green glow that illuminates in darker environments.
The new version of the handheld will be available in "highly limited quantities" from September 1 for $249.99 (around £199.99 / AU$369). Shipping will promptly commence on September 5, so you won't have to wait too long for this version of the Analogue Pocket to be delivered should you choose to order one.
Comparatively, that's $30 pricier than the standard Analogue Pocket model, which typically costs $219 (around £179 / AU$340). However, as the handheld is constantly in high demand and quite frequently out of stock, this Glow in the Dark edition might be your best chance to snag one from the manufacturer's website directly.
The Analogue Pocket is similar to the Evercade EXP, one of the best handheld games consoles you can buy, in that it requires cartridges in order to play games. However, unlike Evercade's bespoke cartridges, Analogue takes a different approach in that it's compatible with Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges. The manufacturer also sells cartridge adapters which add support for TurboGrafx-16, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Atari Lynx and Game Gear games among others.
What's particularly impressive about the Analogue Pocket is there's absolutely no emulation happening here. All supported titles run natively on the hardware and really pop thanks to its sharp, 3.5-inch LCD screen that boasts a 1600x1440 resolution for crystal clear image clarity and accuracy.
If you own an Analogue Pocket or are simply looking to relive some handheld classics, have a read of ourbest GBA gameslist for top recommendations for Nintendo's third-generation handheld.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/zSpHGZi
0
coment�rios:
Last year, the builder for the LockBit 3.0 ransomware encryptor was leaked, and researchers are now observing hundreds of new variants tha...
A whole new generation of LockBit ransomware could be here
Last year, the builder for the LockBit 3.0 ransomware encryptor was leaked, and researchers are now observing hundreds of new variants that spawned directly from that event.
Cybersecurity researchers from Kaspersky have discovered a significantly altered version of LockBit targeting an unnamed entity. This version was allegedly deployed by a group calling itself NATIONAL HAZARD AGENCY, with the key differences from LockBit 3.0 being in the ransom note.
Usually, LockBit doesn’t specify the amount that is to be paid in exchange for the decryption key and uses a proprietary platform for communication and negotiation with its victims. This group, however, told its victims exactly how much money it expects, and called them to use a Tox service and email to communicate.
Hundreds of variants
While this group made headlines, it’s definitely not the only one using LockBit as a foundation for its own ransomware operations. Kaspersky’s telemetry spotted almost 400 unique LockBit samples, 312 of which were created using the leaked builder. At least 77 samples don’t even mention LockBit in the ransom note, distancing themselves from their relatives, entirely.
"Many of the detected parameters correspond to the default configuration of the builder, only some contain minor changes," the researchers said. "This indicates the samples were likely developed for urgent needs or possibly by lazy actors."
LockBit is one of the most successful, if not the most successful, ransomware threats out there. This claim was recently made by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), together with its partners the FBI, Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), and the cybersecurity authorities of Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and New Zealand.
In a security advisory published by these organizations, LockBit stole approximately $91 million just from victims in the United States since 2020. In the last three years, the group successfully compromised roughly 1,700 American organizations. Last year alone, some 16% of all attacks targeted State, Local, and Tribunal (SLTT) governments, MS-ISAC’s data shows. So municipal governments, counties, educational institutions, and public service organizations, were some of the most popular targets.
Windows 11 has a change in testing which will please anyone who is fed up with Edge popping up when opening certain links in the OS, despite it not being the default browser – but there’s a catch, sadly.
You’re surely familiar with the scenario where you open a link via a Windows system component – meaning in a Windows 11 menu somewhere, maybe a help link for example – and it fires up Edge, rather than your chosen favorite web browser.
There’s no way to modify that preference either, but in preview build 23531 which was released at the end of last week in the Dev testing channel, Microsoft has changed it so these system components use your default browser, as they should.
As the blog post for build 23531 makes clear: “In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows system components use the default browser to open links.”
And in that sentence, you can spot the catch: for now this is just in European countries (specifically the EEA), so it’s not happening in the US or elsewhere.
Analysis: Come on Microsoft, push this out globally
Hopefully this feature will witness a wider regional rollout in time – it’s a small tweak to make, and one that’ll definitely lower the annoyance factor when using Windows 11.
Okay, so it isn’t that often that you click one of these system links, but when Edge pops up unannounced, it can be quite annoying. Especially as it inevitably also throws some kind of banner into the mix upon being opened for the first time in a while (“hey, don’t forget about me, make me your default browser, go on, you know you want to,” and so forth).
Is there a reason Microsoft may have been forced to do this in Europe, pertaining to regulations or compliance issues? We’re not sure, but the chatter on the rumor mill seems convinced enough this is something Microsoft is only doing to head off the danger of being penalized by the EU in some way. It does seem strange that the change is Europe-only, after all.
That said, if the feedback is positive enough, maybe the software giant will listen, and roll out this change more widely anyway, even if this somehow a forced move in Europe.
Elsewhere in build 23531, Microsoft has reinstated the search flyout when you mouse over the search box in the taskbar – not something everyone will appreciate. The good news is that you can turn off this function if you find it irritating.
As ever with test builds of Windows 11, there’s no guarantee that the features being tried out in earlier previews will make the cut for the final version of the OS.
Google has previously confirmed that texting via satellite link will be an option in Android 14, and a new leak based on hidden snippets of code suggests that Garmin is going to be helping to make this a reality.
Developer Neil Rahmouni (via SamMobile) spotted the as-yet-unused code snippets in question, which mention a "Garmin Response" option for users wanting to get some support with their satellite texting inside Google Messages.
Rahmouni previously reported that satellite connectivity was coming to Google Messages, which is the default SMS application for Android. However, the developer himself warns that "everything is subject to change" at this point.
Garmin already has several products with satellite communication capabilities on the market. The company uses the Iridium satellite network, so it would appear that Android is going to tap into the same system for its own features.
Looks like Google Messages may use Garmin Response for the Satellite Emergency SOSIf true it could mean that Emergency Satellite messages would be available in 150+ countries👀https://ift.tt/XmFwl3M screen is a mockup, 2nd are the translations found in Google Messages) pic.twitter.com/Rza9BUxJwJAugust 28, 2023
See more
Stay connected
As we've already seen from the iPhone 14, satellite connectivity on a smartphone isn't designed for streaming 4K video – at least not yet. It's there for sending emergency messages if you can't connect to a standard cellular network.
Almost a year ago, senior vice president of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer said that the feature would be available in Android this year. It's not turned up in any of the early beta releases, but it looks almost ready to go.
Garmin's existing network covers more than 150 countries, so presumably Android 14 would do the same. You are going to need a phone with a satellite modem inside it though – something not many have right now, as the feature hasn't gone live yet.
Handsets such as the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 should arrive on the market with both the necessary hardware and the necessary software for satellite communications – which may well be delivered courtesy of Garmin.
Hackers may be able to launch two novel types of attack by exploiting weaknesses in programmable metasurfaces – a technology that will become key in the rollout of 6G networks.
Programmable metasurfaces are electromagnetic surfaces designed to integrate into everyday objects like wallpaper or window glass and aim to optimize communication channels.
This technology could become key to maximizing the potential of 6G in the future. Speeds are expected to be orders of magnitude faster than even some of the best 5G home broadband and wireless networks.
Metasurface attacks
But metasurfaces can also be exploited to launch attacks on wireless networks, according to researchers with Peking University, University of Sannio and Southeast University. Their paper, published in Nature Electronics, demonstrates two kinds of attacks – active and passive – with metasurfaces at the heart of both.
"The open nature of wireless communication means that data and signals are essentially out in the open, making the risk of physical level attacks a major concern,” researchers Lianlin Li, Vincenzo Galdi, and Tie Jun Cui told Tech Xplore.
“Our project focuses on identifying some potential risks associated with programmable metasurfaces—a key enabling technology in the envisioned 6G landscape."
In one scenario, a user can passively use a metasurface to spy on wireless interactions between two devices and interfere with the signal. By rapidly shifting the properties of a metasurface, they could disrupt the communication between a router and its user too, grinding down data transfer speeds.
An active attack, meanwhile, could see an attacker generate and send fake data to a user while eavesdropping on a connection. Exploiting metasurfaces, in this scenario, can ramp up the rate at which fake data is transmitted, while winding down the efficacy of the legitimate connection. This can all happen while the attacker remains hard to detect.
The researchers hope their work can inform the industry to incorporate protective cybersecurity measures into metasurfaces as they’re developed over the coming years, ahead of a likely 2030 launch date for 6G.
"Continuing our research, we are dedicated to shaping secure 6G networks, taking into account both the benefits and challenges associated with programmable metasurfaces," Li, Galdi, and Cui said. "Currently, we are focused on developing targeted defenses against physical-layer attacks, by exploiting strategies such as beamforming, cooperative jamming with artificial noise, index modulation, and adaptive modulation."
It would seem the iPad Pro models are going to get quite the revamp in 2024, with new screens and new chipsets – a revamp which is probably overdue for these premium tablets, which have had rather minor updates since 2018.
As per the usually reliable Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter at Bloomberg, Apple is hoping that the upgrades it introduces will "shake up" a stagnant tablet market and spark some fresh interest in the most expensive iPads.
There will be two new models in the first half of next year, Gurman says, both with OLED displays – a switch that's long been rumored. Right now the 11-inch iPad Pro uses standard LED and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro uses mini-LED.
The 11-inch screen size will be retained, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will become a 13-inch model. The iPad Pro screens are already very good, but the introduction of OLED should mean that they get crisper and brighter, and even better at color reproduction.
New chips and accessories
On the inside, these tablets are predicted to run the as-yet-unannounced M3 chips from Apple. That makes sense, considering that the current models run the M2 chip, so expect even faster performance and an even broader range of features.
Gurman also says that a new Magic Keyboard is in the works, an accessory that hasn't been updated since its 2020 debut. The 2024 edition will apparently have a larger trackpad, and make the iPad Pro "look even more like a laptop".
Like most manufacturers, Apple is seeing declines in tablet sales, according to Gurman – declines that haven't been helped by minor iPad updates, a confusing overall lineup (see the iPad Air 5 vs the iPad Pro 2022), and underwhelming iPadOS updates.
We'll have to wait and see if these new OLED iPad Pros can make a difference when they appear next year. In the meantime, all eyes are on Apple's expected September event, when we should see the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch 9.
It's time for your daily dose of Quordle hints, plus the answers for both the main game and the Daily Sequence spin off.
Quordle is the only one of the many Wordle clones that I'm still playing now, around 18 months after the daily-word-game craze hit the internet, and with good reason: it's good fun, but also difficult.
What's more, its makers (now the online dictionary Merriam-Webster) are also keeping it fresh in the form of a new variant called the Daily Sequence, which sees you complete four puzzles consecutively, rather than concurrently.
But Quordle is tough, so if you already find yourself searching for Wordle hints, you'll probably need some for this game too.
I'm a Quordle and Wordle fanatic who's been playing since December 2021, so I can definitely help you solve Quordle today and improve your game for tomorrow. Read on for my Quordle hints to game #581 and the answers to the main game and Daily Sequence.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #1 - Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #2 - total vowels
What is the total number of vowels in Quordle today?
• The total number of vowels across today's Quordle answers is 7.
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #3 - repeated letters
Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #4 - total letters
How many different letters are used in Quordle today?
• The total number of different letters used in Quordle today is 12.
Quordle today (game #581) - hint #5 - uncommon letters
Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?
• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
Where Wordle challenges you to guess a new five-letter word each day, Quordle presents you with four puzzles to solve. And rather than complete them in turn, you do so simultaneously. You get nine guesses, rather than the six for Wordle, but the rules are otherwise very similar.
As with Wordle, the answers are the same for every player each day, meaning that you're competing against the rest of the world. And also as with Wordle, the puzzle resets at midnight so you have a fresh challenge each day.
The website also includes a practice mode - which I definitely recommend using before attempting the game proper! - and there are daily stats including a streak count. You also get Quordle Achievements - specific badges for winning a game in a certain number of turns, playing lots of times, or guessing particularly hard words.
Oh, and it's difficult. Really difficult.
What are the Quordle rules?
The rules of Quordle are almost identical to those of Wordle.
1. Letters that are in the answer and in the right place turn green.
2. Letters that are in the answer but in the wrong place turn yellow.
3. Letters that are not in the answer turn gray…
4. …BUT the word you guess appears in all quadrants of the puzzle at the same time, so an A could turn green in one square, yellow in another and gray in the final two.
5. Answers are never plural.
6. Letters can appear more than once. So if your guess includes two of one letter, they may both turn yellow, both turn green, or one could be yellow and the other green.
7. Each guess must be a valid word in Quordle's dictionary. You can't guess ABCDE, for instance.
8. You do not have to include correct letters in subsequent guesses and there is no equivalent of Wordle's Hard mode.
9. You have nine guesses to find the Quordle answers.
10. You must complete the daily Quordle before midnight in your timezone.
What is a good Quordle strategy?
Quordle needs to be approached in a different way to Wordle. With four puzzles to solve in nine guesses, you can't blindly throw letters at it and expect to win - you'll stand a far better chance if you think strategically.
That's the case in Wordle too, of course, but it's even more important in Quordle.
There are two key things to remember.
1. Use several starting words
Firstly, you won't want just a single starting word, but almost certainly two or three starting words.
The first of these should probably be one of the best Wordle starting words, because the same things that make them work well will apply here too. But after that, you should select another word or possibly two that use up lots more of the most common consonants and that include any remaining vowels.
For instance, I currently use STARE > DOILY > PUNCH. Between them, these three words use 15 of the 26 letters in the alphabet including all five vowels, Y, and nine of the most common consonants (S, T, R, D, L, P, N, C and H). There are plenty of other options - you might want to get an M, B, F or G in there instead of the H, maybe - but something like that should do the trick.
If all goes well, that will give you a good lead on what one or sometimes two of the answers might be. If not, well good luck!
2. Narrow things down
Secondly, if you're faced with a word where the answer might easily be one of several options - for instance -ATCH, where it could be MATCH, BATCH, LATCH, CATCH, WATCH, HATCH or PATCH - you'll definitely want to guess a word that would narrow down those options.
In Wordle, you can instead try several of those in succession and hope one is right, assuming you have enough guesses left. It's risky, but will sometimes work. Plus, it's the only option in Hard mode. But in Quordle, this will almost certainly result in a failure - you simply don't have enough guesses.
In the scenario above, CLAMP would be a great guess, as it could point the way to four of the seven words in one go.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/j38IGJs
0
coment�rios:
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the best foldable phones money can buy, and the best clamshell foldable phone Samsung has yet made,...
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the best foldable phones money can buy, and the best clamshell foldable phone Samsung has yet made, so we have high hopes for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
That said, Samsung might have to make some major changes to fully meet our hopes for the phone, and to find out what those are, head to the second half of this article where you’ll find a wish list for the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Before that though, we’ve taken a look at when the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 might launch, what it might cost, and what the early leaks and rumors say about it. We’ll be adding leaks to this article whenever they emerge, so make sure to check back here soon if you want to stay up to date.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The next clamshell foldable from Samsung
When is it out? Probably July or August 2024
How much will it cost? Likely at least $999.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,649,
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: release date and price
The Z Flip 6 will likely cost at least as much as the Z Flip 5(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 will probably launch around a year after the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which itself was announced in late July and shipped in mid-august.
So the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 will probably be announced in July or August of 2024, and given that the last few models have all actually gone on sale in August, we’d expect the same again from the Z Flip 6.
We also expect it will cost at least as much as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which would mean a starting price of at least $999.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,649, but that’s all just speculation for now.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: news and leaks
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Beyond that, leaker @Tech_Reve (who has accurately leaked things in the past), claims that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will have a 50MP camera. They don’t specify which camera will get this upgrade, but since then GalaxyClub has echoed the claim of a 50MP camera on the Z Flip 6, saying that it will be the main camera, and that a 50MP sensor is currently being tested for it.
For reference, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP selfie snapper, while launch parter the Z Fold 5 leads with a 50MP sensor of its own, so switching out any of those on the Flip for a 50MP sensor could make for a sizable upgrade.
Current Upcoming RoadmapMaintain form factor through Fold 5Form factor changes starting with Fold6Flip6 adopt 50MPFoldable Lite model in developmentExpected to launch next yearApril 16, 2023
See more
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: what we want to see
Our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review awarded the phone 4.5 stars, so it’s a superb handset, but that doesn’t mean the next model can’t be significantly better. We want to see the following five things from the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, to make it the best clamshell foldable possible.
1. Dust resistance
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 lacks dust resistance(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Given how expensive foldable phones are you’d hope they’d be able to withstand a little dust, but most actually have no official dust resistance, and that includes all of Samsung’s foldables. So we’d really like to see this added to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Thankfully, there’s hope, as Samsung itself has said it’s working on bringing dust resistance to future foldable phones, but it hasn’t named the Z Flip 6, specifically.
2. Better battery life
We noted in our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review that while its battery life was usable, and better than before, it still wasn’t as good as we’d like; no doubt because the phone relies on a fairly small 3,700mAh battery. So for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 we’d like better battery life, whether that’s through a larger battery or optimizations.
We’d also like it to charge faster, as the 25W of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is fairly slow by 2023 standards.
3. A telephoto camera
There's no telephoto camera on the Z Flip 5(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 isn’t the phone to buy if photography is your priority, and especially not if you’re into telephoto photography, because it doesn’t have a zoom lens.
So we’d love to see one added to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, to go alongside the main and ultra-wide lenses. We’re not even going to insist on a 10x zoom like the one we raved about in our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review – a standard 3x would be absolutely fine.
4. A lower price
The price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in the US is actually quite attractive, coming in at just under $1,000, and being the same price as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was at launch – despite coming with double the storage. But the picture isn’t quite so bright elsewhere.
In the UK, the starting price is £50 higher (albeit still marginally cheaper for an equivalent amount of storage, as you’re getting 256GB, rather than 128GB), and in Australia the starting price is substantially higher (with a 256GB version of both the Z Flip 4 and the Z Flip 5 having the same price, but there not being a cheaper 128GB option available in the latter’s case).
This is a trend that we definitely don’t want to see continue, so at the very least we hope prices remain the same for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, but ideally we’d like them to drop in regions outside the US.
5. A bigger cover screen
The Z Flip 5's cover screen could stand to be bigger(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
With the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung massively increased the size of the cover screen, to 3.4 inches, up from 1.9 inches on the previous model. That makes it far more usable, but it’s still quite cramped, and there’s space to make it at least a little bigger.
Samsung could even follow Motorola’s lead and put big camera cut-outs in the cover screen like on the Motorola Razr Plus / Razr 40 Ultra; thereby allowing it to take up the whole top half of the phone. But one way or another, we’d like it to be a little bit bigger on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Bad news, Xbox fans – you won't be able to play Starfield for $1, because Xbox has withdrawn the $1 14-day Xbox Game Pass trial. Again.
The $1/£1 trial month had long been a staple of the subscription service since it launched way back in 2017, but in March 2023, Microsoft confirmed it was ditching the introductory offer and was "evaluating different marketing promotions" for new members in the future.
Microsoft has apparently eliminated the $1 Xbox Game Pass trial once again, just before the release of Starfield https://ift.tt/VEBzpaA today vs earlier this month pic.twitter.com/GpDDl3jz4lAugust 27, 2023
ICYMI, Xbox Game Pass recently had a price hike. Xbox Game Pass subscription prices rose from $9.99/ £7.99 / AU$10.95 to $10.99 / £8.99 / AU$11.95. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers were similarly affected, with their costs rising from $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$15.95 per month to $16.99 / £12.99 / AU$18.95.
Only players in Norway, Chile, Denmark, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia were spared the price increase.
That means you'll now either have to take out a full month's subscription to play Starfield – and Xbox's other AAA titles, of course – or buy the game outright.
It took police just four days to find and arrest Harris after he leaked a 45-minute segment of the game online, although, to be fair, Harris had plastered his social media with numerous videos about his ill-gotten gains, so he shouldn't have been too surprised when the police cars pulled up.
You may have to free up some space beforehand, though – Starfield is going to take up a sizeable 100.19GB on Xbox Series X|S for Standard Edition players, and 117.07GB for those rocking the Premium Edition. PC and Steam users have it worse still, with Bethesda's spacefaring RPG taking up an eye-watering 139.84GB.
Both Samsung and Apple are expected to refresh their flagship phone lines in the next six months, and we've now got a better idea of how the largest and most expensive phones in each series are going to look next to each other.
Serial tipster @UniverseIce (via Notebookcheck) has taken to social media to post unofficial renders of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Ultra (which might actually be called the iPhone 15 Pro Max).
The picture helps to highlight previous rumors about these phones: that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will have a flatter display this time around, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra are predicted to go for screen edges that are slightly more curved.
This switch to a flat display is also going to increase the width of the S24 Ultra compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra that came before it, according to the same source – it's tipped to be increasing from 78.1 mm to 79 mm.
iPhone 15 Ultra vs Galaxy S24 Ultra pic.twitter.com/DxtmrxVe1CAugust 25, 2023
See more
Flat vs curved
Design tweaks like these usually involve compromises, and that's the case here. Curved edges, which have been the norm for premium phones in recent years, are more aesthetically appealing but can make handsets trickier to grip.
In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, it appears @UniverseIce isn't a fan – suggesting that the move to a wider phone with flatter edges is a throwback to the days of the older Samsung Galaxy Note models.
A lot of this is down to personal preference though, and how you like your phones to feel. We've written before about how the introduction of a flatter display on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is going to mean more visible bezels, which might be a problem for some.
With the Galaxy S24 phones not expected until January and February, it'll be a while before we can compare the Galaxy S24 Ultra against the iPhone 15 Ultra for real – though Apple's new handsets are expected to make their debuts sometime next month.
Editor's note:this interview took place before the ongoing actors' strike, which began on July 14.
The actor hired to portray Mat Cauthon in The Wheel of Time season 2 has revealed why it was "difficult" to replace previous star Barney Harris in the role.
Speaking exclusively to TechRadar before the second season's release on Prime Video, Dónal Finn opened up on the challenges associated with assuming the fan-favorite role following Harris' departure.
In September 2021, Deadline reported that Harris wouldn't return as the troubled Mat Cauthon for the high fantasy series' next outing. At the time, Amazon Studios and The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins declined to comment on why Harris had left the show. Instead, Judkins chose to thank Harris for his work and also praise what Finn brings to the role in a separate Deadline article in November of that year.
With The Wheel of Time – one of the best Prime Video shows – returning to our screens on September 1, I asked Finn what it felt like to not only take ownership of Mat Cauthon but also pay tribute to Harris' portrayal and deliver his own take on the character. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Irish actor revealed the process was not easy.
Former Mat Cauthon actor Barney Harris left The Wheel of Time after its first season.(Image credit: Jan Thijs/Prime Video)
"The highest preoccupation I had coming into this job was navigating that balance [between both versions of Mat]," Finn explained. "When I found out what the project was and what role I'd be playing, I felt the best thing for myself and the fans was to interpret the role as my own.
"To work in a different way, it might give a certain impression or, to put it another way, be a shadow of what's gone before. That's difficult as an actor, and, in my eyes, maybe not as rewarding for fans [who liked Harris' iteration]. It wouldn't have been fair to wear that skin, so to speak, because Mat is such an exciting and lovable man with multiple layers to him."
Heading into season 2, Mat is in a very different headspace from where he began in the show's first episode. That's mostly down to his experiences with – and addiction to – the evil-laced ruby-hilted dagger, which Moiraine saved him from in season 1 episode 6. Unfortunately, due to the effects of the Shadar Logoth-tainted weapon, Mat decided not to join his friends in their ongoing quest to defeat The Dark One. Instead, he headed for Tar Valon, the Aes Sedai's stronghold to seemingly seek help. So, what can viewers expect from Finn's interpretation of the character?
Mat's still feeling the effects of the ruby-hilted dagger at the start of season 2.(Image credit: Jan Thijs/Prime Video)
"I feel very lucky to bring myself to this character," he added. "Once I got the role, I knew there had to be consistencies within his voice and other elements that made it seem like a clear continuation of Mat's persona [from what came before]. But I also wanted to leave my own mark on him. So, going back to the source material, reading the books and the season 1 scripts, and using other resources helped me see how this man thinks and works, how he feels about his responsibilities and his life, and what his ambition or destiny is.
"So audiences will see something fresh and exciting, but what I think is most interesting is fans will still see things that are intrinsically Mat. That offers consistency to the performance that delivers on the spirit or ethos of the character that [The Wheel of Time author] Robert Jordan first wrote about."
There's more to come from TechRadar's exclusive coverage of The Wheel of Time season 2, so check back in with us between now and launch day for more from its cast, as well as our thoughts on the first few episodes.
0 coment�rios: