Apple to Launch Arm-Powered MacBook in the next 18 Months - [briefly]
12:17 PM EST - Feb,25 2020 - post a comment Apple is currently designing a custom series of CPUs, for its Macbook laptop lineup, based on the Arm Instruction Set Architecture. Having designed some of the most powerful mobile processors that are inside the iPhone series of devices, Apple is preparing to make a jump to an even more powerful device lineup by bringing custom CPUs for MacBook. Tired of the speed by which Intel replaces and upgrades its Core lineup of CPUs, Apple decided to take the matter in its own hands and rumors about the switch to a custom solution have been going on for a while. However, we now have some information about when to expect the first wave of Arm-powered Macs.
According to the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is a well-known insider in the Apple industry, we can expect the first wave of the Arm-powered Macbook in the next 18 months, precisely in the first half of 2021. Supposedly, the first chips for these new Macs are going to be manufactured on a 5 nm manufacturing process, possibly over at TSMC since Apple had a long-lasting history of manufacturing its chips at TSMC foundries. In the meantime, we can expect to see Apple providing developers with tools to transition their x86-64 software to the new Arm ISA. Without a software ecosystem, the hardware platform is essentially worthless. And Apple knows this. We will see how they plan to play it and will report as soon as there is more information. |
The New Sony Xperia 1 Adds 5G, Wireless Charging, Zeiss Lenses - [mobile]
04:58 AM EST - Feb,25 2020 - post a comment Sony has updated its Xperia 1 flagship phone with the new Xperia 1 II (mark two). Compared to last year's Xperia 1, the new model for 2020 adds sub-6 5G, wireless charging, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It's also the first Sony phone with Zeiss optics, which were previously exclusive to Nokia-brand phones. The Xperia 1 II has triple rear cameras - standard (f/1.7, 82deg), wide (124deg), and telephoto (34deg) - all of which are 12 megapixel. It also has a unique auto-focus system that focuses up to 60 times per second. Its 6.5-inch OLED display sports 4K resolution (3840 x 1644 pixels) and HDR. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset with 8 GB of RAM. It also has 256 GB of storage, a 4,000 mAh battery, USB-PD fast charging, NFC, Bluetooth 5.1, and IP68 water resistance. Currently, Sony has only announced a version with support for European 5G networks, although it has 4G LTE support in most of the bands used by US networks.
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Netflix launches top 10 feature to show what people are really watchin - [briefly]
04:56 AM EST - Feb,25 2020 - post a comment Netflix on Monday announced a new feature that'll share the top 10 most popular movies and TV shows with users. In addition to revealing what is currently in the zeitgeist, the lists could help some users cope with Netflix's dizzying array of content.
The new top 10 row will be updated daily and reveal what is popular in your country. The row's position will vary depending on "how relevant the shows and films are to you," we're told.
In addition to an overall top 10 list, subscribers will also have access to individual lists for TV shows and movies when clicking on the respective tabs.
Cameron Johnson, director of product innovation for Netflix, said shows and films that make these lists will receive a special "Top 10" badge, making it even easier to see what is in the zeitgeist, regardless of whether you are browsing by category or through your personal list. The lists should also help users find something to watch without wasting so much time combing through Netflix's seemingly endless sea of content (excess content isn't a bad problem to have, mind you, but the vast array of options can cut down on engagement time for some). |
US Stock Market Takes Dive Amid Coronavirus Concerns - [briefly]
03:20 AM EST - Feb,25 2020 - post a comment The U.S. stock market took a major dive on Monday, February 24 amid growing concerns about the coronavirus which has been rapidly spreading outside of China. With more than 2,400 deaths from the virus and more than 78,000 cases, the markets are showing concern, according to CNBC. On Monday morning, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 900 points (3.1 percent) and the S&P 500 Index dropped 100 points (3 percent).
Outside of China, there are major concerns in South Korea and Italy. In South Korea, there have been more than 830 reported infections while a recent outbreak in Italy has topped 220 cases.
With the virus impacting world travel that Chinese manufacturing relies on and the Chinese share of the global market, it remains to be seen just how far the markets will crash.
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Xbox Series X details - 12 teraflops GPU confirmed - [gaming]
12:53 PM EST - Feb,24 2020 - post a comment Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has shared new information on Xbox Series X in an Xbox Wire post, confirming the next-generation Xbox will feature 12 teraflops of GPU, a custom designed processor leveraging AMD's latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, variable rate shading, hardware-accelerated DirectX raytracing, and more.
The Xbox Series X will include a custom-designed CPU based on AMD's Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA 2 architecture. Microsoft is also using an NVMe SSD on the Xbox Series X, which promises to boost load times and "nearly every aspect of playing games is improved," according to Spencer.
Xbox Series X will also support 8K gaming and frame rates of up to 120fps in games. Microsoft says it has partnered with the HDMI forum and TV manufacturers to enable Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on the Series X as part of its HDMI 2.1 support. This should reduce input lag and smooth out visuals in games on TVs.
Alongside the hardware specs, the next-gen Xbox Series X is also set to feature a "quick resume" feature. Microsoft used a similar feature on the Xbox One to resume games, but it's now promising to let Xbox Series X owners resume multiple games from a suspended state. That will be a big improvement for switching between games or when you resume from standby.
Microsoft is promising to share "share more details about the new Xbox with you in the coming months," as the company approaches key dates like the Game Developers Conference next month and E3 in June. Xbox Series X is due out this holiday.
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Car to Car crash test demonstrates double standard on vehicle safety - [briefly]
10:51 AM EST - Feb,24 2020 - post a comment In the first test of its kind, Global NCAP has crashed the best-selling pick up model in Africa, the 2019 Nissan NP300 Hardbody, into a second-hand Nissan Navara NP300 manufactured in Europe in 2015. The unique car to car crash test graphically demonstrates the double standard currently applied by Nissan and other car makers to vehicle safety in Africa.
The difference in safety performance between the new African model and the second-hand European version is a matter of life and death. The crash test driver dummy in the new African Nissan would have likely sustained fatal injuries, the driver of the equivalent second-hand European model would have likely walked away from the crash. The second-hand European car is fitted with the life saving crash avoidance anti-skid system, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the new African version is not.
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WhatsApp group chats can be easily found via a Google search - [security]
03:36 PM EST - Feb,23 2020 - post a comment People use WhatsApp to chat to their friends and family because it's easy to use and private. But the encrypted app might not be as private as you think.
WhatsApp group chats can be easily found via a Google search, because the search engine is indexing links to conversations intended to be private.
All it takes is a quick Google search and anyone can join a range of WhatsApp chats, including those meant to be private, according to esteemed tech site Vice which first broke the story.
Private WhatsApp conversations are usually only accessible via an invite code handed out to group members by the chat moderator. But this code is simply a string of text and a URL, and it seems that at least some of these are being indexed so they are findable by anyone via Google.
You can see if any of your private chats are visible by typing in chat.whatsapp.com and then adding in some detail relating to the group chat.
WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, but it is now owned by Facebook, which is integrating Instagram, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp at the back end.
After a slew of data scandals, privacy issues and breaches, many people don't trust Facebook, so it might make sense to try something else. ESET's Moore recommends using Signal or Telegram chat apps which, he says, "focus more heavily on user security and privacy." |
Beforeigners: Official Trailer - [off-topic]
05:26 PM EST - Feb,22 2020 - post a comment Beforeigners, a six-part genre-crossing drama from HBO Europe, premieres in the U.S. on Tuesday, February 18th on HBO NOW, HBO GO, and partner streaming platforms. Set in the near future, Beforeigners is a sci-fi crime drama where time traveling refugees from three past eras - The Stone Age, The Viking era, and the late 19th century - have settled in Oslo, Norway
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Seven new members are joining the cast of Netflix's The Witcher - [briefly]
05:50 PM EST - Feb,21 2020 - post a comment Production on fantasy epic The Witcher Season 2 has commenced in the U.K.,
with a planned launch in 2021, Netflix announced.
The show also announced seven new cast members joining The Witcher for
S2, including Kristofer Hivju, the Norwegian actor who played the
red-bearded wilding leader Tormund Giantsbane on Game of Thrones.
Netflix last month claimed The Witcher Season 1 was tracking to be its
biggest original TV series debut to date. However, that's according to
a new metric invented by the company that found 76 million member
households watched at least 2 minutes of the show in the first four
weeks after its Dec. 20 release.
The streamer renewed The Witcher for Season 2 last fall with an
eight-episode order, more than a month before the freshman season hit
the streaming service. The show represents a massive new franchise that
we'll develop season after season, Netflix chairman/CEO Reed Hastings
said on the company's Q4 2019 earnings interview Jan. 21.
Returning for Season 2 are Henry Cavill (Mission Impossible - Fallout,
Man of Steel) who leads the cast of The Witcher saga in the role of
Geralt of Rivia; Anya Chalotra (The ABC Murders, Wanderlust) as the
sorceress Yennefer; Freya Allan (Third Day, Gunpowder Milkshake) as the
princess Ciri; and Joey Batey (Knightfall, Strike) as the bard Jaskier
who sings the signature ballad Toss a Coin to Your Witcher from the
series.
New cast members for S2 include Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones) as
Nivellen, Yasen Atour (Young Wallender) as Coen, Agnes Bjorn as
Vereena, Paul Bullion (Peaky Blinders) as Lambert, Thue Ersted
Rasmussen (Fast and Furious 9) as Eskel, Aisha Fabienne Ross (The
Danish Girl) as Lydia, and newcomer Mecia Simson as Francesca.
Other returning cast include MyAnna Buring (Kill List) as Tissaia, Tom
Canton (Good Karma Hospital) as Filavandrel, Lilly Cooper (Peterloo) as
Murta, Jeremy Crawford (Titans) as Yarpin Zigrin, Eamon Farren (Twin
Peaks) as Cahir, Mahesh Jadu (Marco Polo) as Vilgefortz, Terence
Maynard (Cursed) as Artorius, Lars Mikkelson (House of Cards) as
Stregobor, Mimi Ndiweni (Black Earth Rising) as Fringilla Vigo, Royce
Pierreson (Judy) as Istredd, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte (Hunter Street) as
Dara, Anna Shaffer (Harry Potter films) as Triss Merigold, and Therica
Wilson Read (Young Wallender) as Sabrina. |
Android 11 Preview Brings New Messaging Notifications and more - [briefly]
04:56 AM EST - Feb,21 2020 - post a comment Google has released the first Developer Preview of Android 11. The list of features in this version provides a glimpse of what to expect when Android 11 becomes available to consumers later this year. Messaging receives the biggest update, with a new dedicated section of the notifications shade devoted to ongoing conversations. Messaging apps can also use " bubbles" to float a simple messaging thread window above other apps. System permission dialog boxes (for access to location, etc.) now have an "Only this time" option, similar to iOS. Android 11 also adds native support for secure storage and retrieval of verifiable identification documents, such as ISO 18013-5 compliant Mobile Driving Licenses. Call screening apps will now have standardized access to STIR-SHAKEN data, as well as a new screen that appears after each call, "to let users perform actions such as marking a call as spam or adding to contacts.". Also new are better support for pinhole displays, waterfall displays, animated HIEF image files, and low-latency video modes. Developers will benefit from new APIs for machine learning, as well as 5G network status and performance. Android 11 also advances Google's Project Mainline, moving additional components of the OS into modules that are quickly and easily updated via the Google Play Store, instead of requiring a manufacturer-supplied full OS update. The Developer Preview released today is not a "public beta" and is not intended for consumers; it will only run on certain Pixel devices and requires manual installation. Separately, Google announced that Android 11 will enhance Work Profile so that companies issuing company-owned phones to employees can give employees separate work and personal profiles on the same device. Companies still control the work profile and can set device-wide restrictions, but personal data is kept private from the employer. This feature was previously only available for personally-owned devices, not company-issued devices. Google is expected to reveal additional features of Android 11 at its developer conference in May. |
OZZY OSBOURNE - Scary Little Green Men Teaser - [off-topic]
04:51 AM EST - Feb,21 2020 - post a comment Ozzy Osbourne has released a teaser for his new music video for the song "Scary Little Green Men". The one-minute clip, which can be seen below, features Jason Momoa, the hulking star of the superhero film "Aquaman", playing the role of Ozzy, standing at the mic and singing along to the song's lyrics.
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Intel Core i7-10700F Roughly Matches Ryzen 7 3700X - [hardware]
11:54 AM EST - Feb,19 2020 - post a comment 
The Core i7-10700F is an upcoming 8-core/16-thread processor that's expected to be significantly affordable compared to the i7-10700K. Unlike the i7-10700K targeted at overclockers, the i7-10700F is multiplier locked, has lower nominal clock speeds of 2.90 GHz, and lacks integrated graphics (hence the "F" extension). PC enthusiasts on Korean tech community QuasarZone posted a screenshot of an alleged i7-10700F test run on Cinebench R20. The chip is shown scoring 4781 points in the multi-threaded test, and 492 points single-threaded. These scores roughly compare with AMD's Ryzen 7 3700X processor. No other details such as motherboard or memory configuration were put out. |
TikTok Rolling Out Parental Controls - [internet]
11:52 AM EST - Feb,19 2020 - post a comment TikTok is rolling out a new feature called Family Safety Mode, which lets parents set limits on their children's TikTok accounts. Parents will need to install TikTok and link their account to their child's. The app will then let parents set screen time limits, restrict the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for all audiences, and limit who can direct message their child. The feature is available first in the UK, and will begin to roll out to "additional markets in the coming weeks". |
Google Expands Stadia Support to Gaming Phones, Flagship Samsungs - [mobile]
11:51 AM EST - Feb,19 2020 - post a comment Google is expanding the list of phones supported by its Stadia game-streaming service on February 20th. Initially supported only on its own Pixel phones, Stadia will support Samsung flagship Galaxy S and Note series phones (S8 and newer), as well as gaming phones from Razer and Asus (ROG Phone and ROG Phone II). For a controller, gamers can either connect a Stadia controller via USB, or third-party controllers via Bluetooth. Stadia competes with Microsoft's xCloud and Nvidia's GeForce Now. Like those other game-streaming services, Stadia runs full console-quality games on powerful servers in the cloud, streaming video of the rendered graphics to the user's device. Such services benefit from the higher data rates and lower latency of 5G networks. Forthcoming 5G SA networks will further reduce latency and improve data rates. |
Assassin's Creed Syndicate will be available for free - [gaming]
(toutagamon) - 04:42 AM EST - Feb,19 2020 - post a comment Epic Games has announced that Assassin's Creed Syndicate will be available for free on Epic Games Store. The game will be available for free alongside Faeria next week. From February 20th and until February 27th, PC gamers will be able to acquire a free copy of the game. Assassin's Creed Syndicate originally launched in October 2015 for PS4, Xbox One. It came to PC a month later. It is the ninth installment of the popular Ubisoft action-adventure franchise. Set in Victorian London, England, you play as Jacob and Evie Frye in another tale that, once again, brings the Brotherhood and the Templars into some wild feud. Also, you'll meet some historical figures along the way, like Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and Queen Victoria.
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MWC 2020 Trade Show Cancelled - [mobile]
04:18 PM EST - Feb,17 2020 - post a comment The GSMA mobile industry trade group has cancelled its annual Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain. An avalanche of companies have pulled out of the event in recent days, due to concerns over how the international event could potentially help spread the new coronavirus, even though that risk is extremely low thanks to quarantine measures put in place by China and other affected countries, and extensive preventative measures already announced for MWC. MWC is the largest trade show in the world for the mobile industry. |
Zoe Kravitz Gets Trippy While Eating Spicy Wings - [off-topic]
02:13 PM EST - Feb,15 2020 - post a comment Zoe Kravitz is an actress, model, and musician you know from projects like Mad Max: Fury Road and HBO's Big Little Lies. She also stars in High Fidelity, a new series from HULU which is set to release on Valentine's Day (February 14). But how is she with spicy food? Find out as Kravitz takes on the wings of death and sits down for a deep-dive interview with Sean Evans. Along the way, the multitalented star covers everything from pancake breakfasts with Prince, to throwback fashion photos through the ages.
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Keanu Reeves, Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee in Mortal Kombat 11 - [gaming]
06:25 AM EST - Feb,15 2020 - post a comment BabyZone has shared two videos that all Mortal Kombat fans must see. The YouTuber has used DeepFake in order to bring a number of celebrities to Mortal Kombat 11. And yes, as the title suggests, Keanue Reeves, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are among them.
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Intel Core i9-10900 10-core CPU Pictured - [hardware]
05:49 PM EST - Feb,14 2020 - post a comment 
Intel's desktop Comet Lake-S lineup is close to being released and we are getting more leaks about the CPU models contained inside it. Perhaps one of the most interesting points for Comet Lake-S series is that it brings a boost in frequency and boost in core count, with the highest-end Core i9 processors going up to 10 cores. Thanks to Xfastest, a Hong Kong-based media outlet, we have first pictures of what appears to be an engineering sample of the upcoming Core i9-10900 processor. Being a non-K version, this CPU is not capable of overclocking and has a fixed TDP rating of 65 Watts. Compared to 125 W of the K models like the upcoming Core i9-10900K, this CPU will output almost half the heat, thus requiring a less capable cooling solution. The CPU is installed in LGA1200 socket, which is a new home for Comet Lake-S CPUs and provides backward compatibility for coolers supporting LGA1151. In the sample processor pictured here, we can see a marking on the CPU that implies 2.5 GHz base clock. |
Hands On with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip - [mobile]
10:10 AM EST - Feb,12 2020 - post a comment The Galaxy Z Flip is a fascinating phone. The engineering is unlike other folding phones to date. Actually, it borrows ideas from both the Galaxy Fold and Motorola's razr. It doesn't fold 100% "flat", meaning when it's closed, there is a slight gap between the two halves at the hinge end. But it's a much thinner gap than what was on the Galaxy Fold. It's small enough that, at quick glance, you might not even notice it.
And yet, unlike the razr, there doesn't seem to be any special mechanism that gives way to let the screen bend with a gentler curve radius. The screen really does just bend in half with a shockingly tiny radius, almost like folding a sheet of paper. I worry about the long-term durability of a screen that bends so sharply, but Samsung says I shouldn't, that its unique engineering - particularly the ultra-thin flexible glass layer - will keep it working reliably. And that bending glass layer is part of the real magic of this phone. It should provide dramatically better durability, and it also changes the feel of the screen.
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Video shows Microsoft's Surface Duo being used in public - [briefly]
04:07 AM EST - Feb,10 2020 - post a comment Microsoft's upcoming dual-screen Android phone, the Surface Duo, is getting ready for prime time. A couple of days ago, Israel Rodriguez spotted one in use on Vancouver's SkyTrain, tweeting an image that shows what appears to be a flash next to the front-facing camera. But as promised, there's more.
In fact, there's a lot more. Rodriguez tweeted out a link to a YouTube video that includes several photos and some video footage, although there's no sound. It shows various use cases, such as playing games, checking email, using the device in various form factors, and more.
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The filming of The Witcher season two is expected to start Feb 2020 - [briefly]
10:05 AM EST - Feb,09 2020 - post a comment The filming of The Witcher season two is expected to start this February in the United Kingdom and will eventually relocate to Scotland and parts of Eastern Europe. Season two will probably be released somewhere in the next year.
Actress Carmel Laniado will be joining the TV show according to Deadline. She will be playing Violet, "a young girl whose playful and whimsical demeanour is a front for a smarter and more sadistic character."
The actress is relatively new in the show business. She appeared in the movie Dolittle as Lady Rose and as young Lottie in FX's miniseries A Christmas Carol. Personally I cannot recall any characters from the books or the games with the name Violet.
There is also a rumor that Kristofer Hivju will also join the series for the new season. He is the actor who played Tormund Giantsbane on Game of Thrones. Showrunner Hissrich said she already has plans for more than five seasons. So it looks like Netflix's The Witcher is here to stay for quite some time. |
Android February Security Patch Fixes Critical Bluetooth Vulnerability - [security]
04:45 AM EST - Feb,09 2020 - post a comment A security flaw has been found in Android that allows attackers to access a phone via Bluetooth with no user interaction required. Android's most recent monthly security update, released on February 3rd, fixes the flaw. The vulnerability is rated "critical" - the highest rating - for Android versions 8 and 9. In Android 10, the same bug allows a remote attacker to crash the Bluetooth system, but does not present the same security vulnerability. Attackers must be within Bluetooth range (typically around 30 feet) to exploit the flaw. Users can ensure they're not vulnerable by turning off Bluetooth until their phone receives the February update. There are ways to continue using Bluetooth in public while making it difficult to exploit the flaw. Attackers need to know your Bluetooth MAC address (device ID). This can be obtained in two ways: The first is if your phone is in Bluetooth "discoverable" (pairing) mode. Also, on some devices, the Bluetooth MAC address can be deduced from the Wi-Fi MAC address. Therefore users with a non-updated Android phone who are concerned about the issue should avoid pairing new Bluetooth devices while near any public areas, and keep Wi-Fi turned off on their phone. |
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