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Showing posts from April, 2024

Razer ordered to pay $1.1 million in refunds over its Zephyr RGB mask N95 claims

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support The FTC has ordered Razer to pay over $1.1 million in refunds to those who purchased the Razer Zephyr RGB mask which was supposedly "N95-grade". It wasn't.  First reported by IGN , The Federal Trade Commission has said that the $1.1 million total must be returned to users due to its misrepresentation of the Razer Zephyr mask. The company claimed its face masks were N95-grade (which are commonly found in surgical applications) but no such official certification was ever passed, and the company changed the fine print on its website to reflect that back in 2022.  FTC Director of Bureau of Consumer Protection Sam Levine said: "These businesses falsely claimed, in the midst of a global pandemic, that their face mask was the equivalent of an N95 certified respirator" and that Razer only "stopped the false advertising following negative press coverage and consumer outrage at the deceptive claims". Scathing words indee

Paleblue Earth batteries eliminate the one big pain point of rechargeables

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Batteries are ubiquitous – in one form or another, they're powering a lot of our wireless tech. That also means we're throwing out a lot of batteries once they've been drained, which isn't doing our environment any favors. Many of us have opted for rechargeable batteries to power some of our devices, from TV remotes and flashlights, even some toys. Not enough of us, though. According to data published in 2018 , only about 30% of Americans had adopted rechargeable batteries by then. It's a similar situation in Australia, with only 30% of the batteries purchased being the rechargeable kind. And less than 2% of these are the popular AA and AAA sizes. One company trying to ensure the number of batteries we throw out diminishes as much as possible is Paleblue Earth. Based out of Park City, Utah, the company's aim is to offer a battery with superior long-term performance so you not only help protect the planet but also save mone

Spy.pet data harvester taken down by Discord

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Spy.pet, a website that offered billions of Discord chat logs for sale, has been taken offline by the chat app provider. Discord accounts associated with the service are also believed to have been banned from the service.  In confirming the news, Discord itself said that the site and the database it was selling broke its terms of service. "Scraping our services and self-botting are violations of our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines,” the company spokesperson said in a statement for The Register . “In addition to banning the affiliated accounts, we are considering appropriate legal action." Last week, news broke that a website was selling more than four billion public messages , made by roughly 620 million users, logged into more than 14,000 servers.  On the surface, it seemed as if there was no foul play, because the data was already public-facing. Discord is essentially an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) service, meaning that with

Tiny heat pump that relies on changing ambient temperature could be key to powering IoT devices and sensors without batteries forever — Nanoparticles are critical to the process, posit scientists

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support As IoT technology progresses, the question of how to power these devices, particularly in locations where reliable electrical sources are scarce, presents a significant challenge.  Researchers at the University of Utah’s College of Engineering have pioneered a new form of battery that could help solve this dilemma. The solution, which is at the proof of concept stage, comes in the form of a pyroelectrochemical cell (PEC). Developed by associate professors of mechanical engineering Roseanne Warren and Shad Roundy, the integrated device harvests ambient thermal energy and converts it into stored electrochemical energy. This effectively creates a supercapacitor or battery, which could be ideal for IoT and sensor applications. Low levels of energy The device works by charging with changes in its surrounding temperatures, whether located inside a vehicle, an aircraft, or even underneath soil in an agricultural environment. “We’re talking very low l

How to watch Apple's May 2024 iPad launch event

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support The next Apple event is taking place on May 7 , where we're expecting to see a new suite of iPads get revealed, with pre-orders sure to follow.  Titled 'Let Loose', Apple will be livestreaming the launch, which suggests it'll be a significant one, with the Cupertino crew having plenty to show off; we're not expecting much beyond new tablets, so be ready for new software demonstrations, though surprises definitely aren't out of the question.  The main image for the event features a hand twirling an Apple Pencil amid a colorful Apple logo, so we expect there to be a focus on using iPads for creativity, likely with a new and enhanced Pencil. And rumors suggest that the Apple Vision Pro will get Pencil support; if so, expect Apple to tout the creation of digital art with in a virtual and mixed reality environment.  So read on for details on how to watch May's Apple event , along with a quick overview on what to expect. 

'Inspired by the human brain': Intel debuts neuromorphic system that aims to mimic grey matter with a clear aim — making the machine exponentially faster and much more power efficient, just like us

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Neuromorphic computing is about mimicking the human brain's structure to deliver more efficient data processing, including faster speeds and higher accuracy, and it’s a hot topic right now. A lot of universities and tech firms are working on it, including scientists at Intel who have built the world’s largest “brain-based” computing system for Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. Intel’s creation, called Hala Point, is only the size of a microwave, but boasts 1.15 billion artificial neurons. That’s a massive step up from the 50 million neuron capacity of its predecessor, Pohoiki Springs, which debuted four years ago. There’s a theme with Intel’s naming in case you were wondering – they’re locations in Hawaii. Hala Point is ten times faster than its predecessor, 15 times denser, and with one million circuits on a single chip. Pohoiki Springs only had 128,000. Making full use of it Equipped with 1,152 Loihi 2 research processors (Loihi

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories, from Meta Horizon OS to 2024 iPad launch date

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support If you’ve lost track of this week’s most important tech news then don’t fret, as we’re here to catch you up to speed – and this is one week you won't want to have missed. We say that because some major things have happened in the last seven days. Meta announced that it’s sharing its Horizon OS with other VR headset makers – which is the biggest announcement it will likely make this decade – Apple teased its 2024 iPad lines and gave us a launch date for them, and DJI gave us a release date for its cheapest-ever 4K drone. And here at TechRadar we hosted our first Sustainability Week, producing a whole host of articles showcasing some fantastic examples of how the tech industry is focusing on sustainability – and a few instances where it still needs to do better. Let’s get you all caught up on the week’s biggest stories that you might have missed… 7. We hosted Sustainability Week  (Image credit: Shutterstock / Troyan) We ran our firs

Chip firm founded by ex-Intel president plans massive 256-core CPU to surf AI inference wave and give Nvidia B100 a run for its money — Ampere Computing AmpereOne-3 likely to support PCIe 6.0 and DDR5 tech

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Ampere Computing unveiled its AmpereOne Family of processors last year, boasting up to 192 single-threaded Ampere cores, which was the highest in the industry.  These chips, designed for cloud efficiency and performance, were Ampere's first product based on its new custom core leveraging internal IP,  signalling a shift in the sector, according to CEO Renée James. At the time of the launch, James said, "Every few decades of compute there has emerged a driving application or use of performance that sets a new bar of what is required of performance. The current driving uses are AI and connected everything combined with our continued use and desire for streaming media. We cannot continue to use power as a proxy for performance in the data center. At Ampere, we design our products to maximize performance at a sustainable power, so we can continue to drive the future of the industry." AmpereOne-3 on its way Jeff Wittich, chief product

Paleblue Earth batteries eliminate the one big pain point of rechargeables

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Batteries are ubiquitous – in one form or another, they're powering a lot of our wireless tech. That also means we're throwing out a lot of batteries once they've been drained, which isn't doing our environment any favors. Many of us have opted for rechargeable batteries to power some of our devices, from TV remotes and flashlights, even some toys. Not enough of us, though. According to data published in 2018 , only about 30% of Americans had adopted rechargeable batteries by then. It's a similar situation in Australia, with only 30% of the batteries purchased being the rechargeable kind. And less than 2% of these are the popular AA and AAA sizes. One company trying to ensure the number of batteries we throw out diminishes as much as possible is Paleblue Earth. Based out of Park City, Utah, the company's aim is to offer a battery with superior long-term performance so you not only help protect the planet but also save mone

Researchers produce thinnest sheet of metal ever using a 100-year old Japanese technique — Goldene could pave way for super catalysts, ultra high density optical storage and much more

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Described by Nature as the “gilded cousin of Graphene”, Goldene is a one-atom-thick sheet of gold created by scientists from Linköping University (LiU) in Sweden.  It has unique properties that the researchers believe could pave the way for applications such as carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen production, water purification, and communication. Shun Kashiwaya, a researcher at the Materials Design Division at LiU, explains, "If you make a material extremely thin, something extraordinary happens. As with Graphene, the same thing happens with gold. As you know, gold is usually a metal, but if single-atom-layer thick, the gold can become a semiconductor instead." An accidental discovery Historically, attempts to create single-atom sheets of gold have been hindered due to the metal’s propensity to lump together. However, the successful creation of Goldene was achieved via a century-old Japanese smithing technique called Murakami’s reage

A mystery Wear OS watch has just surfaced as the Pixel Watch 3 gets closer

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support An FCC (Federal Communications Commission) listing was recently spotted indicating that a new WearOS smartwatch by Google is currently in the works with the model number G4SKY. The post itself doesn’t specifically say it’s a smartwatch. However, discovered instructions on viewing the “FCC E-label” strongly suggest that it is indeed a wearable. Don't get too excited because it’s most likely not the Pixel Watch 3 . 9To5Google in their coverage points out a couple of clues hinting at what it could possibly be. The timing of the post is strange, notes 9To5Google. The Pixel Watch 3 is scheduled to come out in October. The FCC listing for the next-gen wearable should, at the very earliest, come out in the summer. Second, it lacks support for ultra-wideband (UWB), a connectivity protocol that’ll allow “for a faster and more precise unlocking experience”.  The feature was revealed back in early March after 9To5Google dove into the Android code. No

HMD steps out of Nokia's shadow and launches its own mid-range smartphone line

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support HMD is breaking into new territory by launching its first smartphone line under an original name. It’ll no longer be known as just a manufacturer of Nokia phones . In total, there are three mid-range devices in the series: the HMD Pulse, Pulse Plus, and Pulse Pro. The third model is meant to be the leader of the pack, although if you look at their respective specifications, you’ll notice they are all very similar to one another with a few differences.  The HMD Pulse Pro houses a Unisoc T606 processor running on a 5,000mAh battery capable of lasting up to 59 hours on a single charge. Buyers can equip the phone with up to 8GB of RAM. Storage capacity peaks at 128Gb although you can expand it up to 256GB with an SD card. On the front, you have a 6.65-inch HD Plus touchscreen with an image resolution of 1,612 x 720 pixels. Up top is a 50 MP selfie camera supported by multiple features. Gesture Navigation, for example, lets you use hand gestures like

Gemini's next evolution could let you use the AI while you browse the internet

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Gemini may receive a big update on mobile in the near future where it’ll gain several new features including a text box overlay. Details of the upgrade come from industry insider AssembleDebug who shared his findings with a couple of publications. PiunikaWeb gained insight into the overlay and it’s quite fascinating seeing it in action. It converts the AI’s input box into a small floating window located at the bottom of a smartphone display, staying there even if you close the app. You could, for example, talk to Gemini while browsing the internet or checking your email.  AssembleDebug was able to activate the window and get it working on his phone while on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter). His demo video shows it behaving exactly like the Gemini app. You ask the AI a question, and after a few seconds, a response comes out complete with source links, images, as well as YouTube videos if the inquiry calls for it. Answers have the poten

Meta Quest's software is coming to new Asus ROG and Lenovo headsets

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support It’s a big day for Quest users. Meta has announced it’s giving third-party companies open access to its headsets' operating system to expand the technology. The tech giant wants developers to take the OS, expand into other frontiers, and accomplish two main goals: give consumers more choice in the virtual reality gaming market and give developers a chance to reach a wider audience. Among this first batch of partners, some are already working on a Quest device. First off, ASUS’ ROG (Republic of Gamers) is said to be developing “an all-new performance gaming headset.” Lenovo’s on the list too and they’re seemingly working on three individual models: one for productivity, one for education, and one for entertainment.  This past December, Xbox Cloud Gaming landed on Quest headsets as a beta bringing a wave of new games to the hardware. Microsoft is teaming up with Meta again “to create a limited-edition Meta Quest [headset], inspired by Xbox.

This gadget promises to increase productivity inside your vehicle by converting ICE screens into displays — and even includes Samsung DeX compatibility for free

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Mayton Motion has developed a wireless adapter that transforms a car's navigation screen into a functional laptop-like display. Users can access a range of new features by connecting the device via the car's USB port. AutoPro X is powered by Android Auto/Samsung DeX (it only works with Samsung Galaxy models that support DeX) and offers Bluetooth pairing, so users can connect game controllers, keyboards and other devices to the screen. This isn’t necessarily the greatest of ideas, since it could end up being a distraction for the driver, but we’d hope for some common sense to be used here. Mayton says the AutoPro X allows all manner of functionality such as GPS, YouTube or OTT streaming, internet browsing, email, social media, Chat GPT, document processing, gaming, and voice recognition. Back on Kickstarter AutoPro X has a 'Screen Select Mode', which allows drivers to adjust the display size to either fill the screen or show it i

'A whole new generation of displays': researchers develop RGB LED out of miracle material perovskite, paving the way for self sensing, solar powered displays — but its hour-long service life needs to be improved first

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support The majority of personal gadgets feature LCD and OLED screens, but most just show information. To make these screens do more - like detecting touch or changing light levels - they need additional sensors. Researchers at Linköping University (LiU) in Sweden have invented a new kind of screen where all these sensor functions are built right into the screen's LEDs. The breakthrough in display technology was achieved by crafting RGB LED displays from a "miracle" material known as perovskite. This development marks a potential revolution for future screens of smartphones, computers, and tablets. Perovskite is renowned for its remarkable light absorption and emission capabilities. This crystalline substance forms the core of the LED and fuels the array of features in the screen.  Still a decade away Apart from touch and light response, the perovskite screens can recognize fingerprints and sense the user's pulse. Most impressively, t

What to look for in your first turntable in 2024

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Vinyl records are doing incredible numbers. Sales of LPs are at their highest level since the 1990s after 16 consecutive years of climbing sales, and it's no wonder why – vinyl records don't just sound good, they're wonderfully visual and tactile things too.  As much as we love the best music streaming services , there's something about selecting a record, putting it on one of the best turntables and putting the needle on the record that's much more satisfying than clicking an icon on your phone. And you can't show off a Spotify subscription by placing it prominently on a shelf. If you've been thinking about joining the fun but don't have a turntable, we're here to help. Whether you're a budget buyer or want to spend big bucks, here's how to find the perfect turntable for you this Record Store Day. 1. What do you want to spend? You can spend a lot of money on a turntable. Think of a really big number