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Showing posts from June, 2024

Huawei succeeds where Microsoft failed miserably — HarmonyOS now on almost one billion devices, and China's largest mobile phone manufacturer has completely eliminated Android

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support While Microsoft's venture into the smartphone operating system market ultimately ended in failure , Huawei’s HarmonyOS has proven to be a huge success and a genuine rival to Android and iOS, at least in its home nation. The operating system is found on over 900 million devices in China, and growing rapidly. It currently relies on Android, but Huawei has taken steps to change that. At its HDC 2023, Huawei unveiled HarmonyOS Next, or Hongmeng as it’s known in China, the latest iteration of its operating system. This new version marks a significant departure from its Android-based EMUI, used globally, and is a completely independent platform. Now at HDC 2024, Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei's consumer business group (which encompasses smartphones, PCs, and IoT devices), revealed that the “pure-blooded” OS is now undergoing beta testing. Harmony Intelligence Up to 3,000 volunteers in China will test HarmonyOS Next across a range of Huawei

Cheapest smartphone with thermal and IR night vision sensors goes on sale for less than $300 — Ulefone Armor 25T Pro promises to be a superb rugged handset and we've called in one for a review

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Chinese tech firm Ulefone, best known for rugged devices like the Armor 8 Pro , has launched its latest offering, the Armor 25T Pro, a 5G smartphone featuring both thermal imaging and night vision capabilities. The ThermoVue thermal imaging sensor offers a resolution of up to 160 x 120 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 25Hz. Ulefone says the sensor can be used for tasks such as detecting leaks, inspecting buildings, and ensuring safety during outdoor activities, but it can be put to any tasks you can think of. The phone also comes with a ThermoVue app for capturing thermal images and videos. Kevlar-textured back cover The Armor 25T Pro also includes an infrared night vision camera, equipped with a 64MP OMNIVISION OV64B sensor and Ulefone's NightElf Ultra 3.0 algorithm. This allows users to capture clear images in low-light conditions, enhancing security and wildlife monitoring capabilities. The Armor 25T Pro is powered by a MediaTek Dimen

Slowest new laptop in the world is now on sale, with Windows 95 and a CPU that's almost 40 years old — but at least it is (almost) pocketable and can run Doom or Commander Keen

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support There’s no shortage of ways that retro gaming enthusiasts can get their nostalgia fix these days, including PC emulators, mobile gaming apps, and plug-and-play consoles for TVs, but the Pocket 386, a handheld mini laptop, stands out by using original hardware for an authentic retro feel. The device, which originates from China (naturally) comes from the creators of the similar retro notebook, the Book 8086 (which runs Dos and Windows 3.0), and mirrors its specs but in a new form factor. It features a 40MHz 386 SX chip, 8MB of DRAM, a replaceable VGA card, and a design reminiscent of early '90s computers. The 7-inch IPS LCD screen of the Pocket 386 switches between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios to cater to different preferences, balancing modern and vintage display styles. Its design doesn't have a trackpad; instead, arrow keys and specific function keys serve as mouse controls, adding to its retro charm. Play the classics Connectivity opti

Gemini is rolling out to Google Messages, but it’s not the same across Android

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Gemini continues its march across the Google ecosystem. The AI is currently making its way to Google Messages after restrictions were scaled back on June 18 .  According to the news site MySmartPrice , you’ll soon be able to instruct the feature to “draft messages, have fun conversations, plan events," among other things. However, the form that Gemini will take on the app may differ from person to person. The information here mirrors what was in the June 18 report. Gemini can be accessed by tapping the New Chat button at the bottom and then selecting the AI in the following window. The option appears at the top above your contacts list. But Android Police states it will come as a floating action button, or FAB for short. The FAB will sport the Gemini logo and sit on top of New Chat in the bottom right corner. Don't worry about any differences in service as it performs in the exact same way. You can ask whatever question you want or in

The latest Google Lens update might bring Circle to Search to many more phones

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Google seemingly has plans to expand its Circle to Search feature to other Android phones via Google Lens. In a recent deep dive, news site Android Authority found clues to the update within the recent Google app betas files and compiled them all together.  What’s particularly interesting is they managed to get the tool working on a smartphone, possibly hinting at an imminent release. According to the report, they even managed to get a popup notification informing users that the update would appear. It tells people to hold down the home button to access Circle to Search, much like the experience on the Galaxy S24 . Upon activation, a three-button navigation bar appears at the bottom, and an accompanying video shows the tool in action as it looks up highlighted portions of the Play Store on Google Search. The UI looks, unsurprisingly, similar to how it does on Galaxy phones, with search inquiries rising from the bottom. Clashing with Gemini Y

"We're probably the only company that has all the pieces" — AMD on why it is ahead of rivals Nvidia and Intel when it comes to AI PCs

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support AMD has laid out its aim to provide the best AI PC experience for users everywhere, taking a swipe at some of its biggest competitors. As AI becomes a commonplace presence in our work and personal lives, the need for proper hardware to benefit from its advances has never been more important. AI PCs are likely to be the main way many consumers will experience the technology first-hand, with platforms such as Microsoft's Copilot+ bringing productivity and efficiency benefits to all. Window of opportunity In a hyper-competitive market, AMD is keen to stake its claim for leadership, with a key company spokesperson telling a media briefing attended by TechRadar Pro that only it was able to provide the full hardware experience. "We're probably the only company that has all three pieces," declared Jack Huynh, SVP and GM, Computing and Graphics, at AMD, noting that of its rivals, Nvidia is yet to reveal serious challengers in the

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 and Watch Ultra might have Apple-inspired looks, according to leaked photos

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Another day, another Samsung Galaxy leak. This time, notable industry leaker Evan Blass posted new high resolution photographs of two pairs of Galaxy Buds and two Galaxy Watch models on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter).  The images don’t reveal any new information; instead, they do two important jobs: one, reaffirm details mentioned in past rumors, and two, show just how much of an inspiration Apple was to Samsung when developing these products. As 9To5Google points out, Samsung seems to have taken several cues from their tech rival. The Galaxy Buds 3, for example, look incredibly similar to AirPods , sporting an open design, monochrome body, and long stem jutting from the main body. This matches a report from June 21 that first mentioned the stem. There are a few defining characteristics that allow the Buds 3 to stand out from the AirPods, though.  Watches, buds. pic.twitter.com/BP8yN0g9nz June 27, 2024 Reportedly, the Galax

The latest ChromeOS update delivers several accessibility improvements

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support It’s been a big day for the Chrome platform. Not only has the mobile app received an update to its search function , but Chromebooks are receiving a patch in the form ChromeOS M126. It's not a major refresh, but it does introduce several quality-of-life improvements that collectively aim to make the system more accessible. There isn’t a specific focus on anything in particular, as multiple features are being updated. Starting from the top, the Chromebook Camera app is obtaining Super Resolution. This gives the laptop’s camera the ability to zoom in on objects if they don’t have a built-in optical motor. However, on certain “high-performance Chromebooks,” Super Resolution can visually enhance the photos it captures. Exactly which models will get this is unknown. Next on the visual updates is the Magnifier tool integrating into Select to Speak. Now, whenever Select to Speak reads words aloud, Magnifier will automatically follow and enlarge t

Considerations for your next AI implementation

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support At present we’re seeing two divergent approaches to the enterprise adoption of AI. Some organizations are racing to implement solutions in an attempt to generate rapid ROI, while others are taking a longer-term view, hoping to reap future rewards based on long term research investments made now.  Regardless of where an organization may be on its AI journey, there are common challenges to be faced, including skills shortages, power usage, supply chain issues and budgetary constraints, with any significant AI implementation starting at £10 million. It’s vital that any organization considering an AI implementation invests in the right resources and technologies from the outset to avoid painful, and expensive, headaches further down the line. Clear trend of investment in AI According to figures published by Statistica, an estimated $934.2 billion was invested by companies in AI technologies between 2013 to 2022, rising steadily year on year. The adv

I tried Ultimate Ears' new Everboom Bluetooth speaker, and it nearly blew me away

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support The likes of Sabrina Carpenter, CentralCee, and Girl on Couch aren’t just competing against the world’s top artists to be the sound of the summer, they have to face off against Ultimate Ears’ monster of a new speaker: the Everboom.  Ahead of its launch today (June 26, but Australian readers will have to wait until July 22), I’ve been putting it through its paces and I’ve been blown away by its performance – almost literally, because this thing is loud . Best of all, you can take it pretty much anywhere thanks to its surprisingly light weight and IP67 waterproof rating. Though I should have expected something special considering the Ultimate Ears Everboom comes in at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$349. If this is a little too pricey for you, then you’ll be glad to hear Ultimate Ears is also launching Wonderboom 4, Boom 4 and Megaboom 4 models – there’s more details on them further down. For now, let’s focus on the Everboom, a contender for our best Blueto

Tackling the role human error plays in data breaches

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Cyberattacks today are an inevitable occurrence, rather than mere possibility. Near-daily comes news of another organization seeing their systems taken offline or their data being stolen as a result of a cyber intrusion. The nature of modern businesses means that cybersecurity lapses pose a very real threat to its ongoing survival – and something that every single employee in an organization has a role to play in preventing. Thales’ 2024 Data Threat Report revealed human factors are still a major cause of cloud data breaches. Of the IT professionals that were surveyed, 22% stated that human error was the single most concerning threat. Furthermore, 74% placed threats from human error as a key priority. In the last three years, human error has ranked either first or second as the leading source of cyberattacks for enterprises. With so many cyberattacks coming down to simple human error – and cybercriminals often capitalizing on the human propensit

Want a remote control for your smart home? SwitchBot has made a Matter-compatible one

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support SwitchBot has launched a unique piece of tech capable of controlling smart home devices and infrared appliances. And the best part is you don’t need to connect it to a smartphone or to the internet as it functions perfectly offline.  Aptly named the SwitchBot Universal Remote , it has large spacious buttons, a navigation wheel in the middle, and a 2.4-inch LCD at the top. The company states in their announcement it sought to create a “user-friendly design” that everybody can understand. Now, you can’t just point the Universal Remote at a device and then push a button to issue commands immediately. According to Android Central , you must first choose what you want to control, which can be done by pressing the center red button. Pressing the main button will let you change which group of smart home devices to control.  Universal Remote has launched! 🚀 Consolidate all your remotes, and control everything at home, even #automation! NOW, here'

JLab’s new sports earbuds have ANC and Find My Device support so you can’t lose them

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Audio brand JLab has launched a new pair of budget-friendly, wireless athletic earbuds called the Sport ANC 4 . Most importantly, these next-gen earbuds introduce features not seen on other JLab models.  Chief among them is Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, which allows the earbuds to listen to the surrounding environment and automatically adjust the strength of noise cancellation. It can block up to 25 dB of outside sound or, if you prefer, can let the world leak through via the ambient 'Be Aware mode.' The Sport ANC 4 boast swipe and touch controls that allow you to easily perform multiple actions like raising the volume, pausing songs, or changing settings. Tapping on the earbuds lets users cycle through three audio profiles – JLab Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost for that extra punch. Of course, everything listed here can be done via the official JLab app on a connected device.  Let's move! Step up your game and elevate you

Report: Samsung's next Galaxy Buds might be the most useful model yet

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Information continues to leak about Samsung’s upcoming wearables, namely the Galaxy Buds 3 and the next-gen Galaxy Watch. Beginning with the former, a marketing image for the earbuds was posted on the official Samsung forums of all places by user AffinityNexa.  The post is still on the website now and shows the earbuds inside a case with a transparent lid. However, the most interesting aspect of the image is the tagline, which reads “Where audio, meets AI." This leads us to believe that perhaps the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro will have some sort of AI functionality. Exactly what kind is unknown, although it could be similar to how Nothing earbuds integrate with ChatGPT . Those earbuds let you pinch-to-speak to talk with ChatGPT. It’s possible Samsung plans to do the same thing, but these will likely connect t to Google Gemini instead. 2024 has seen the two tech giants become frequent collaborators. The Galaxy S24 series currently feature

Escalating global cyber threats require robust layered security measures

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Routinely, research exposes the rapidly changing landscape of email-based threats, and the innovative tactics as malicious actors relentlessly shift tactics, probing for vulnerabilities of humans and software with cunning, innovative attacks. The latest analysis of over 1.8 billion emails in Q1 of this year reveals that the US is the top source of spam emails, followed by the U.K., Ireland, and Japan. This is a change from the corresponding period in 2023 when aside from the US, Germany and Turkey were the dominant sources of spam emails. Furthermore, it appears that the countries sourcing the spam are also the same as their targets. The US, UK, and Canada are the top three countries most subjected to email-based attacks. The reasons could be socioeconomic factors or merely that cybercriminals are changing tack as vigilant enterprises keep pace with their territory-centric tricks. Quishing, scams, and email phishing Whilst as yet, we are not see

Everything leaving Netflix in July 2024

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support It's always exciting to see what new movies and TV shows Netflix has in store for us each month, but that also means we will soon have to bid farewell to another bunch in July 2024.  Luckily, just like last month's everything leaving Netflix list, July's is short and sweet with only one series set to see the boot. None of the movies leaving are in our list of best Netflix movies either, so movie buffs can go into July 2024 with ease. That's not to say that there aren't some blockbusters leaving that you won't want to miss. From Shrek to The Matrix, we've spotted a few major critically acclaimed titles so make sure to check the full list below – you never know, that one movie you've had sitting in your watchlist for a while could run its course with Netflix soon. Everything leaving Netflix in July 2024  Leaving on July 7 War Dogs (movie) Leaving on July 14 Abducted in Plain Sight (documentary, Netflix

I hope Samsung leans on AI to make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 special – because right now it’s looking boring

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support The next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is likely just a few weeks away and we expect to see the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 , Galaxy Z Flip 6 , Galaxy Ring , and more. But I’d place a decent bet that we’ll also hear more about Samsung’s work on artificial intelligence, specifically with Galaxy AI .  While I’m sure AI will help with Samsung’s fitness and wellness devices and software, I’ve been chewing over how smart software could impact the South Korean tech giant’s next-generation foldable phones.  Going off the rumors, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be but a minor upgrade over its predecessor, while the Galaxy Z Flip 6 should have a slightly more significant update . However, for the foldables to grab one’s attention over the rest of the best foldable phones , I feel Samsung will need to do more on the software side. And I think AI will be needed.  Logic would dictate that many of the Galaxy AI features found in the Samsung Galaxy S24 series will make it o

Ahead of GPT-5 launch, another test shows that people cannot distinguish ChatGPT from a human in a conversation test — is it a watershed moment for AI?

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Popular AI tools such as GPT-4 generate fluent, human-like text and perform so well on various language tasks it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell if the person you’re conversing with is human or a machine.  This scenario mirrors Alan Turing's famous thought experiment, where he proposed a test to evaluate if a machine could exhibit human-like behavior to the extent that a human judge could no longer reliably distinguish between man and machine based solely on their responses. The Department of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego decided to see how modern AI systems fared and evaluated ELIZA (a simple rules-based chatbot from the 1960’s included as a baseline in the experiment), GPT-3.5, and GPT-4 in a controlled Turing Test. Participants had a five-minute conversation with either a human or an AI and then had to decide whether their conversation partner was human. No better than chance GPT-4 and  GPT-3.5 were told how to respond to