TechAmok News Archive
PC Game Deals - [gaming]
11:08 AM EST - Dec,14 2019 - post a comment A discount has gone up on the Origin Access
subscription service of EA for a short time. If you're a new
subscriber, the first month of Basic can be had for $0.99 instead of
$4.99, giving you access to the 243 games currently available.
With that out of the way, this weekend's big deals list is down
below for you to peruse, filled with award winners and nominees plus
some others. While The Game Awards sale of Steam will be ending later
today, don't forget that the Steam Winter Sale is starting next week,
so prepare to witness some returning deals:
DRM-free Goodness
It hasn't taken long for the DRM-free store GOG to begin another
major sale, the new one being an over 2,500 discounts strong winter promotion. You should also head
over to the newly refreshed GOG
Connect section and see if you can claim any DRM-free copies of
Steam games you own.
Keep in mind that availability and pricing for some deals may vary
depending on the region you're in
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iOS 13.3 Bug Allows Kids To Bypass Parental Controls - [security]
06:46 PM EST - Dec,13 2019 - post a comment Apple launched a new version of iOS this week for users that brought the operating system to version 13.3. One of the big features for the new version of iOS are new controls meant to give parents more oversight into who kids talk to on the iPhone. The problem for Apple, and parents, is that the safety controls don't work properly.
According to CNBC, there are several bugs with the feature, but the biggest of them is that the update doesn't protect kids from talking to strangers on the phone, via Facetime, or text messages. The Communication Limits option that allows parents to control who their kids can talk to is supposed to prevent kids from adding new contacts unless the parent enters a PIN they have setup.
The catch is that Communication Limits doesn't work as it's supposed to if contacts aren't stored to iCloud by default. CNBC found that if an unknown number texts the child's phone, the child is given the option to add the number to their address book. If the number is added, they can call, FaceTime, or text that number. If the Communication Limits feature worked as it was supposed to, the child would need the parental PIN to add the contact.
The keyboard does reportedly disappear on the first attempt to respond to a text message after the contact has been added. However, going back to a screen and tapping back into the message brings the keyboard back. If the child has an Apple Watch, it can be used to bypass the protection by asking Siri on the wearable to text or call any number.
The exception to this bug is if Downtime is enabled on the child's phone. If it is, they aren't given the option to add a number to their address book after being contacted. Apple is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. A workaround, for now, involves the following steps:
- Open Settings.
- Open Contacts.
- Select Default Account.
- Change it to iCloud from any other setting (like Gmail or another account.)
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Why you don't need blue light lenses: Hidden camera investigation - [briefly]
04:17 AM EST - Dec,13 2019 - post a comment Many of us are feeling the strain on our eyes from staring at our smartphones and computer screens all day. But some of Canada's largest optical chains are selling you a solution experts say you don't need: lenses that protect our eyes from the blue light emitted from our devices. Leading experts tell Marketplace some of Canada's top chains seem to be using "misleading" claims to sell the lenses. And an opthalmologist reveals some easy and free tips that will ease digital eye strain.
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AMD Announces the Radeon RX 5500 XT Graphics Card - [hardware]
05:45 PM EST - Dec,12 2019 - post a comment AMD today announced the Radeon RX 5500 XT graphics card for the DIY (retail) channel, launched exclusively through its add-in board partners. Based on the 7 nm "Navi 14" silicon, the RX 5500 XT has the same exact core-configuration as the RX 5500 launched in October to OEMs. This means only 22 out of the 24 RDNA compute units are enabled, and the XT doesn't max the silicon out. These work out to 1,408 stream processors. Other vital specs include 88 TMUs, 32 ROPs, and a 128-bit wide GDDR6 memory interface. The RX 5500 XT will still end up faster than the RX 5500 OEM card from last month, since it has a higher engine "game clocks" of 1717 MHz, while the RX 5500 OEM ships with roughly 1670 MHz game clocks. Engine boost clocks for the RX 5500 XT are rated at up to 1845 MHz.
The Radeon RX 5500 XT comes in two variants based on memory size, 4 GB and 8 GB. Both variants use 14 Gbps GDDR6 memory chips across the chip's 128-bit wide memory bus. The 4 GB variant uses four commonly available 8 Gbit chips, while the 8 GB variant typically uses high-density 16 Gbit memory chips. AMD is pricing the Radeon RX 5500 XT at USD $169.99 for the 4 GB variant, and $199.99 for the 8 GB variant. It competes with a spectrum of NVIDIA cards including the GeForce GTX 1650 and GTX 1650 Super.
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AMD Releases Radeon Software Adrenalin 19.12.2 with RX 5500 XT Support - [briefly]
05:37 PM EST - Dec,12 2019 - post a comment AMD today re-released Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition with the same version number, 19.12.2 WHQL. The drivers add support for the Radeon RX 5500 XT retail desktop graphics card launched today. The rest of its feature-set is identical to that of the 19.12.2 drivers, which debut with a new installer, 20 new or improved features, and the all-encompassing new Radeon Software app. The new Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 19.12.2 WHQL drivers are available online at the AMD driver download page.
Support For
- Radeon RX 5500 XT
- Detroit: Become Human™
- Performance Improvements
- An Average of 12% performance uplift in select titles with Radeon™ Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 19.12.2 than with last year's Radeon™ Software Adrenalin 2019 edition launch driver. RS-327
- Radeon Software1
- Introducing the new Radeon Software. A brand new, modern, accessible and powerful gaming application.
- Now available via Overlay using Alt+R for fullscreen or Alt+Z for sidebar while you game!
- Gaming tab lets you access games stats, view or edit media, adjust game settings and launch your favourite games directly from Radeon Software.
- Streaming tab gives you a new, powerful and easy to use streaming experience with controls for streaming, viewing and editing your stream all in one area.
- Performance tab lets you get detailed statistics on your current system performance or overclock and fine tune your graphics product.
- User profile system that allows easy configuration for Radeon Software features, so you don't have to.
- New Built-in web browser let's you lookup important game information, walkthroughs or tutorials without having to leave your game.
- Radeon Boost2
- Provides increased performance when fast motion is detected via dynamic resolution scaling with little to no perceptible change in image quality.
- Integer Display Scaling3
- Scale images on screen from one pixel to four or more, allowing classic games to get a retro, pixel-art-style look.
- Radeon Anti-Lag4
- Added support for DirectX®9 on pre-Radeon RX 5000 series GPU's.
- Global activation toggle to easily enable across all supported games.
- Radeon Image Sharpening5
- Added support for DirectX®11 games.
- Added controls for degree of sharpness.
- Toggle on/off supported while in game.
- AMD Link6
- Play your PC games anywhere on any mobile device without the restriction of being connected to the same home wireless network.
- Cleaner interface with a unified Radeon Software look, now available across all AMD Link enabled devices.
- All streaming functionality has been moved to one area for easier access.
- Improved bit-rate support at up to 50Mbps.
- x265 game streaming is now supported for better image quality and less bandwidth.
- Instant GIF support added directly from your device.
- Radeon Software Installer7
- ‘One-click' easy setup with a new and improved factory reset option.
- New option to keep your settings between installations, including during factory reset.
- Improved install times and error detection.
- DirectML Media Filters8
- Visual noise reduction to apply on photos and upscaling filters available to apply on photo and media content directly from your Radeon Software media gallery.
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iOS 13.3 Brings New Parental Controls, Supports Physical Security Keys - [software]
04:36 PM EST - Dec,12 2019 - post a comment Apple has released the new software (plus iPadOS 13.3), whose centerpiece is an improvement to Screen Time parental controls. You can set limits on who your kids can call, text or FaceTime, including managing contacts and setting time-specific limits. If you don't want your kids starting video chats with friends after 9PM, for instance, you can. This won't help if your kids use third-party apps, but it's a start.
There are also some bread-and-butter functional improvements. You can create new videos when trimming clips in Photos, and Apple News has fresh layouts for News+ stories from papers like the Wall Street Journal. It's easier to like or dislike stories as well. And if you're security-conscious, you'll be happy to know that you can plug in a FIDO2 security key instead of typing in a password. Add to this the usual round of bug fixes (including one that prevents Mail messages from downloading) and this is a worthwhile update, even if parental controls don't matter.
There's also a tvOS 13.3 update, although it's not nearly as substantial. The biggest improvement is an ability to revert the Apple TV's top shelf to show your Up Next queue. And did we mention a minor watchOS 6.1.1 update? It's clear that you'll have a lot of updating to do if you expect to stay current in Apple's universe -- let's just hope Apple can afford to slow down its rapid-fire update releases in 2020.
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Google Assistant Gains Real-Time Translation for 44 Languages - [internet]
04:24 PM EST - Dec,12 2019 - post a comment Google today updated its Google Assistant to add "Interpreter Mode", which is designed to enable real-time language translation in 44 languages. Users can activate the feature by saying something like "Hey Google, be my German translator" or "Hey Google, help me speak Spanish". (On iOS, users need to launch the Google Assistant app first.) The app accepts both spoken and typed input, then displays translations, and can also speak them aloud. It also offers smart reply prompts to speed conversations. |
Netflix's The Witcher final trailer - [briefly]
01:29 PM EST - Dec,12 2019 - post a comment We now have the final trailer for Netflix's The Witcher, which will premiere on December 20th. In the new trailer you can see some more characters like the famous troubadour and best friend of Geralt of Rivia, Jaskier or better known as Dandelion.
We can also see Fringilla Vigo, a powerful Nilfgaardian sorceress and a member of the Lodge of Sorceresses.
And finally we can take a good look at the Battle of Cintra, which also called the Slaughter of Cintra by the Northern Kingdoms.
FYI, Sapkowski worked as a consultant for the series but only in the initial phase of writing the story. He is not involved in any way in the production, casting or shooting of the TV show.
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Free Wastelands 2 (GOG.com) - [gaming]
11:11 AM EST - Dec,11 2019 - post a comment
GOG.com announces the commencement of their 2019 winter sale, offering up to
95% off on over 2500 deals. They are actually offering up to 100% off if you
count the fact that they are giving away free copies of Wasteland 2
Director's Cut Digital Classic Edition as part of the festivities.
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AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Driver Update, Boost & Performance - [briefly]
05:46 PM EST - Dec,10 2019 - post a comment AMD on Tuesday announced a brand new version of its software suite for Radeon graphics cards that delivers 20 new or updated features and promises enhanced performance - on average, an increase of around 12 percent - across more than a dozen games, all in a fully revamped application sporting a fresh look.
Diving right in, AMD reportedly references a baker's dozen of games in its press deck that'll benefit from the new Adrenaline 2020 Edition software including Borderlands 3, Forza Horizon 4 and Wolfenstein: Young Blood, just to name a few. Raw performance improvements aside, AMD's latest affords a number of compelling new features including Radeon Boost. This feature detects mouse movements in games - like when you are moving around during an action sequence - and by dynamically reducing image resolution, is able to boost frame rates and fluidity with little to no change in discernible image quality.
According to AMD, Radeon Boost can enhance performance by as much as 23 percent in applicable scenarios. In testing, our own Tim Schiesser noted that it works strictly based on mouse movements and isn't influenced by other factors like on-screen action or even inputs from other devices such as controllers or your keyboard. Simply, the more your mouse is moving, the more aggressively the feature works.
Other noteworthy features and updates include integer display scaling which is designed to make older, resolution-limited games look better on modern, high-res displays via pixel perfect upscaling as well as expanded support for Radeon Anti-Lag and Radeon Image Sharpening. |
Apple sues former chip designer for breach of contract - [crime-law]
05:38 PM EST - Dec,10 2019 - post a comment Last month, three former Apple chip execs launched a new company called Nuvia to take on established silicon giants like AMD and Intel on the data center market. It turns out that Apple isn't happy about the new development, and is suing Nuvia founder Gerard Williams III. In the filing, which was submitted to the Santa Clara Superior Court in August, the company alleges that Williams violated contractual terms before he left to pursue his new venture. Williams led the design of Apple's A-series chips found in iPhone and iPad for nine years before he decided to leave the company last February.
Nuvia recently convinced investors to commit $53 million in funding to accelerate its growth. But Apple says Williams started his planning work on Nuvia back when he was still working at Cupertino. In doing that, he violated an intellectual property agreement that said he wasn't supposed to work on anything that would be competitive with what Apple offers. Apple is also upset about the fact that Williams managed to poach several of its engineers to help him on his new venture to create power-efficient server chips. Nuvia says that several of the provisions Apple uses in its contract violate California state laws, which favor employee mobility.
Nuvia notes that "Apple, an early beneficiary of the creative forces that formed and continue to drive Silicon Valley, has filed this lawsuit in a desperate effort to shut down lawful employment by a former employee." Apple believes "this case involves a worst-case scenario for an innovative company like Apple: a trusted senior director with years of experience, and years of access to Apple's most valuable information, secretly starts a competing company leveraging the very technology the director was working on."
The two companies have a hearing scheduled for January 21, 2020. In the meantime, Apple can at least relish the fact that it managed to purchase Intel's modem business for $1 billion, which the latter thinks is a rotten deal. |
How to Extend Your Windows 7 Security Updates Past January 2020 - [security]
05:23 PM EST - Dec,10 2019 - post a comment Do people still use Windows 7? Absolutely. And if they cling to it past January 14 of this coming year, they'll have to pay a fee to Microsoft to continue to receive security updates. Most people won't (and can't) do this, as Microsoft's paid security updates are geared only toward businesses, but a clever little hack allows normal people to take advantage of this service - for free. What you should do? You have to first install three prerequisite updates to your Windows 7 system: KB4490628, KB4474419, and KB4523206. Restart your system as needed.
Then download the BypassESU tool (password: heslo). Install it, and you should then be able to install this test Extended Security Update ( KB4528069). The BypassESU tool should allow you to circumvent the check Microsoft puts in place for Extended Security Updates. Once this update installs successfully, you should even be able to uninstall the BypassESU tool, as you'll now be authenticated for future security updates. Of course, Microsoft might invalidate this little workaround and/or alter how it authenticates for Windows 7 Extended Security Updates. As the readme.txt file for the BypassESU tool notes:
However, you may consider this as prototype, based on tests with update KB4528069, things may change on February 2020.
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Google Upgrades Call Screening and More on Pixels - [mobile]
04:48 PM EST - Dec,10 2019 - post a comment Google is rolling out a "feature drop" software update for its Pixel phones, which adds new and improved features to Pixel models going back to the Pixel 2. The Pixel 4 gains improved Call Screen; on-device intelligence will now detect robocalls and keep the phone from ringing at all. Other unknown callers will be screened as before. The Pixel 4 also gains improved Duo video calling. The phone will digitally track and frame your face automatically. It also uses machine learning to automatically fill in small audio gaps when the connection is spotty. A new Google Photos feature lets all Pixel users add portrait effects after a photo is taken, and Duo video calling gains a portrait effect as well. Google is also rolling out certain Pixel 4 features to certain older Pixels, including: Recorder app, Live Caption, Focus Mode, and Flip to Shhh. The update also improves memory management in all Pixel models, allowing more apps to stay open at the same time. |
NVIDIA Releases GeForce 441.66 WHQL Game Ready Drivers - [gaming]
04:31 PM EST - Dec,10 2019 - (1 comments) NVIDIA today released the latest version of its GeForce Software. Version 441.66 WHQL is game-ready for "MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries" and "Detroit: Become Human." The drivers also fix an application crash with DaVinci Resolve when playing back timeline using Blackmagic RAW CODEC media; a stutter noticed after a few laps with "Forza Motorsport 7," a frame-rate drop noticed in "Fallout 76" with G-Sync enabled, an incorrect video memory size reported in NVIDIA Control Panel with GTX 1060 6 GB, and lack of a 5.1-ch or 7.1-ch surround sound option with GTX 1080 Ti.
Game Ready- MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
- Detroit: Become Human.
New G-SYNC Compatible Monitors- MSI MAG251RX
- ViewSonic XG270
Fixed Issues in this Release- [Resolve]: The application may crash during timeline playback when using Blackmagic RAW CODEC media. [2753421]
- [Forza Motorsport 7]: Game starts to stutter after racing a few laps [2750611]
- [Fallout 76][G-SYNC]: The game frame rate drops with G-SYNC enabled. [200466962]
- [GeForce GTX 1080 Ti]: There is no 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound option in the Windows Sound Properties.[2752540]
- [GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB][NVIDIA Control Panel]:The NVIDIA Control Panel reports an incorrect GPU framebuffer size.
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Intel Claims i5-9600KF Better than 3800X, i3-9350KF Better than 3600X - [hardware]
12:15 PM EST - Dec,09 2019 - post a comment Intel marketing is at it again, making sweeping performance claims about its embattled 9th generation Core processors against AMD's 3rd generation Ryzen. In a recent press conference in China, the company was shown claiming that its mid-tier 6-core/6-thread Core i5-9600KF is a "better" processor than AMD's 8-core/16-thread Ryzen 7 3800X. This claim is hard to defend with gaming, when even the "slower" 3700X is seen performing within 1% of the i5-9600K (identical CPU specs to the i5-9600KF) at gaming, and 22 percent faster at CPU tests, beating the i9-9900K in quite a few multi-threaded tests.
The marketing slide makes four key claims: 1. that Intel processors are faster in 'real-world' use-cases (gaming, home/office, light content-creation), ; 2. that with boost-frequencies reaching 4.60 GHz, the higher IPC of these chips benefit gaming; 3. that the K-series chips easily overclock to 5.00 GHz yielding even more performance; and 4. that Intel processors have "smooth and stable drivers" compared to AMD. As if that wasn't bad enough, the slide claims that the 4-core/4-thread Core i3-9350KF is "better" than the 6-core/12-thread Ryzen 5 3600X, and the entry-level i3-9100F being better than the 6-core/6-thread Ryzen 5 3500. This incident closely follows its September gaffe that sought to sourgrape AMD's HEDT creator performance leadership by discrediting its lead in certain applications by claiming they don't reflect "real world usage." Making Intel's test relevance claims comically wrong was the fact that it used app usage data gathered exclusively from notebooks.
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Free Guy - Official Trailer - [briefly]
06:36 PM EST - Dec,07 2019 - post a comment In Twentieth Century Fox's epic adventure-comedy "Free Guy," a bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, decides to become the hero of his own story...one he rewrites himself. Now in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way...before it is too late.
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Taika Waititi,
Directed by Shawn Levy from a story by Matt Lieberman and a screenplay by Lieberman and Zak Penn.
Produced by Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Adam Kolbrenner with Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, George Dewey, Dan Levine and Michael Riley McGrath serving as executive producers.
Free Guy opens in U.S. theaters July 3, 2020.
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Users on Winidows 10 version 1809 are starting to be moved to 1909 - [briefly]
06:04 PM EST - Dec,06 2019 - post a comment The Windows 10 November Update, or version 1909, has been available for a few weeks now, but so far, it's been optional for everyone. This is because of changes made to Windows updates earlier this year, which mean that Windows 10 feature updates no longer get automatically installed when users search for updates. However, for users running last year's version 1809, the latest update is now going to start being installed automatically, as noted in the release information page for the latest version of Windows 10.
Current status as of December 5, 2019: Windows 10, version 1909 is available for any user on a recent version of Windows 10 who manually selects “Check for updates” via Windows Update. The recommended servicing status is Semi-Annual Channel. Beginning today, we will slowly start the phased process to automatically initiate a feature update for devices running the October 2018 Update (Windows 10, version 1809) Home and Pro editions, keeping those devices supported and receiving the monthly updates that are critical to device security and ecosystem health. We are starting this rollout process several months in advance of the end of service date to provide adequate time for a smooth update process.
For information on how users running Windows 10, version 1903 can update to Windows 10, version 1909 in a new, streamlined way, see this post. |
Super Trofeo [4K] - [briefly]
05:42 PM EST - Dec,06 2019 - post a comment Finally a good looking Turbo Lamborghini that has a rear Bumper mad respect for the build!
Insanely well captured!
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Netflix's The Witcher fight scene clip - [briefly]
08:57 AM EST - Dec,06 2019 - post a comment Netflix's The Witcher is only two weeks away. A short video has been posted on Twitter, featuring a fight scene from Queen's Calanthe dinner party, if I am not mistaken. Calanthe is the queen of Cintra and Ciri's grandmother. According to a Twitter user, the gore and more explicit effects were cut, in order to keep it PG for marketing purposes. Which explains why there are so many cuts. I really don't like cuts in fight scenes, especially after the glorious John Wick movies.
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YouTube Rewind 2019: For the Record - [internet]
12:54 AM EST - Dec,06 2019 - (1 comments) YouTube Rewind 2019 is here, and that means two things: the YouTube community has something fresh to complain about, and we know have stats for the biggest games on the video platform. This year's king is Minecraft, which got over 100 billion views on YouTube this year, cementing its success in the view war versus Fortnite.
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The iPhone 11's U1 chip necessitates constant geolocation checks - [security]
12:45 AM EST - Dec,06 2019 - post a comment Earlier this week, security reporter Brian Krebs published a story explaining that Apple's latest iPhones (iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro) periodically check the user's location even if the user disables location services individually for each and every app and service in the iPhone's Settings app. While this behavior ended when the user disabled location services system-wide, it was a bit of a head-scratcher. What was the iPhone doing and why? Was it sending this information to Apple? Why couldn't users find information on what was happening? Krebs had notified Apple of the issue as a potential security problem back in mid November, but the company responded this week stating:
We do not see any actual security implications... It is expected behavior that the Location Services icon appears in the status bar when Location Services is enabled. The icon appears for system services that do not have a switch in Settings.
While Apple deemed this not to be a security issue, Krebs rightly pointed out that it remained a potential privacy issue, given Apple's promises that users have control over how and when iPhones track or report their locations. Will Strafach, founder and CEO of the company behind the Guardian firewall app for iOS, looked into the issue and tweeted that it seemed likely that the location data associated with these events weren't leaving the device. But he still couldn't explain exactly what was happening. This was his tweet:
FWIW, tried to dig into this and replicate.
it is very likely that it is something locally which does not have an exposed switch, no evidence of data sent to remote servers.
begs the question: why does Apple not answer for this directly?
Well, as of today Apple has answered for it directly. In a statement to TechCrunch's Zack Whittaker, Apple explained:
Ultra-wideband technology is an industry-standard technology and is subject to international regulatory requirements that require it to be turned off in certain locations... iOS uses Location Services to help determine if iPhone is in these prohibited locations in order to disable ultra-wideband and comply with regulations... The management of ultra-wideband compliance and its use of location data is done entirely on the device, and Apple is not collecting user location data.
Curiously, Apple has not only introduced this new chip but a new regular location check-in to facilitate it, without using said chip for any major features yet. We'll have to wait and see what the company's future plans for UWB technology are. In the meantime, be aware that your iPhone will check your location periodically even if you haven't given any individual apps or services permission to do so, though it appears the location data does not leave your device.
Also note that this is not the only circumstance in which the iPhone locates you without prompting. For example, when you have location services enabled, your iPhone may scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks and cell phone towers and send anonymized information about them to Apple to improve other users' wireless performance when they're in the same location.
Apple told TechCrunch that it plans to add a new user-accessible toggle for the UWB-related behavior in an upcoming software update. |
Qualcomm's First Snapdragon with Integrated 5G is the 765 - [briefly]
03:26 PM EST - Dec,05 2019 - post a comment Qualcomm today revealed the full details of its first Snapdragon chip with an integrated 5G modem, the Snapdragon 765. As its model number suggests, it offers better performance than the company's 6-series chips that have previously been common to higher-end (but not "flagship") phones in the US. In the Snapdragon lineup, the 765 sits just below the new flagship Snapdragon 865 chipset, also announced today. Unlike the 865, the 765 combines all of the processing cores together with the 5G modem on a single chip. This offers a smaller, more power-efficient, and more affordable solution compared to the 865, while still offering high-end performance. Qualcomm expects the 765 to help accelerate the adoption of 5G beyond expensive flagship devices. The Snapdragon 765 uses the latest 7nm manufacturing process - the same as the 865 - for better power efficiency. The 765's integrated X52 5G modem supports download speeds up to 3.7 Gbps, (compared to 7.5 Gbps for the X55 in the Snapdragon 865,) but otherwise supports everything the company's top-end 5G modems do, including both mmWave and sub-6 GHz frequency bands, SA and NSA modes, TDD and FDD, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), global 5G roaming, and support for multi-SIM. The chip includes a new fast charging technology designed to extend the number of charges before a phone's battery loses significant capacity. The 765 will also be available in a 765G variant with 20% better graphics performance, for gaming phones. The first phones powered by the Snapdragon 765 are expected to ship in the first quarter of 2020. Read on for additional details.
At the heart of the Snapdragon 765 is a Kryo 475 CPU with 8 cores (2 big + 6 little) running at up to 2.3 GHz.
The Adreno 620 GPU supports QHD+ displays at refresh rates up to 60 Hz, and FHD+ displays at rates up to 120 Hz. It also supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and can power 4K external displays at up to 60 Hz.
The Spectra 355 ISP (image signal processor) contains dual 14-bit cores with hardware-accelerated computer vision. This allows cameras up to 192 megapixels, as well as 4K HDR video capture with bokeh effect, slow-motion video capture at 480 fps (720p), and multi-frame noise reduction.
The on-chip Hexagon 696 is Qualcomm's 5th-generation AI processor, offering hardware acceleration for Tensor AI applications as well as voice assistants, and a special low-power mode for AI processing of multi-sensor data.
The 765 includes Quick Charge 4+ fast battery charging, as well as the new "Qualcomm Quick Charge AI", which preserves battery capacity over time, extending battery life cycles "up to 200 days". |
Apple issues fix for shutdown issue with the 2019 13-inch MacBook Pro - [guides]
04:37 PM EST - Dec,04 2019 - post a comment Apple has rolled out a fix for an ongoing issue with the 2019 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. In a support document, the tech giant has detailed how to work your way around the shutdown problem with the laptop. Unveiled in July of this year along with the refreshed MacBook Air, the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro tends to suddenly shut down when it reaches almost 25 to 50 percent of battery life, according to a forum post on MacRumors.
Apple's support document offers a step-by-step guide to solve that problem. The Cupertino-based company advises users to connect their MacBook to its power adapter when its battery life falls down below 90 percent. Otherwise, users should continue using their computer until the battery life is less than 90 percent.
After connecting the laptop to its charger, users are also advised to close all running applications and bring it to sleep mode by closing the device's lid. Then, the laptop must be charged for eight hours. After that, users should update their MacBook to the latest version of macOS.
It's not clear for now how many MacBooks are affected or how wide the problem is. If Apple's solution doesn't solve the problem, users are advised to contact Apple for servicing. |
Instagram will now ask for your birthday when creating an account - [internet]
04:35 PM EST - Dec,04 2019 - post a comment Facebook is taking new steps to increase the safety of the younger Instagram audience, including barring children under 13 from joining the social network. Starting today, users who create a new account on Instagram will have to provide their birthday, though it won't be shared with the public. If a Facebook account is used to create an Instagram account, the information will be pulled from the Facebook profile.
For now, it's mostly aimed at preventing younger users form joining the platform, which is against Instagram's terms of use in many countries. However, in the future, Instagram will use this information to provide more tailored experiences to its users, specifically by providing more education around account controls and recommending certain privacy settings for younger users.
Instagram is also making some improvements to the privacy settings for Direct messages on Instagram. Users can now make it so that they can only receive messages from accounts they follow, which should reduce the number of unwanted messages. A separate setting allows users to restrict strangers from adding them to group chats. |
New Iranian wiper (malware) discovered - [security]
04:27 PM EST - Dec,04 2019 - post a comment IBM X-Force, the company's security unit, has published a report of a new form of "wiper" malware connected to threat groups in Iran and used in a destructive attack against companies in the Middle East. The sample was discovered in a response to an attack on what an IBM spokesperson described as "a new environment in the [Middle East]-not in Saudi Arabia, but another regional rival of Iran." Dubbed ZeroCleare, the malware is "a likely collaboration between Iranian state-sponsored groups," according to a report by IBM X-Force researchers. The attacks were targeted against specific organizations and used brute-force password attacks to gain access to network resources. The initial phase of the attacks was launched from Amsterdam IP addresses owned by a group tied to what IBM refers to as the "ITG13 Group"-also known as "Oilrig" and APT34. Another Iranian threat group may have used the same addresses to access accounts prior to the wiper campaign. In addition to brute force attacks on network accounts, the attackers exploited a SharePoint vulnerability to drop web shells on a SharePoint server. These included China Chopper, Tunna, and another Active Server Pages-based webshell named "extensions.aspx," which "shared similarities with the ITG13 tool known as TWOFACE/SEASHARPEE," the IBM researchers reported. They also attempted to install TeamViewer remote access software and used a modified version of the Mimikatz credential-stealing tool-obfuscated to hide its intent-to steal more network credentials off the compromised servers. From there, they moved out across the network to spread the ZeroCleare malware.
ZeroCleare, like the Shamoon wiper, uses the legitimate RawDisk software driver from EldoS to gain direct access to disk drives and write data. Since the EldoS driver is not signed, however, ZeroCleare uses a vulnerable but signed driver from a version of Oracle's VirtualBox virtual machine software to bypass signature checking of the driver-allowing it to attack 64-bit versions of Windows. The VBoxDrv driver, which passes Microsoft's Driver Signature enforcement, is loaded by an intermediary executable-in the IBM X-Force detected cases, the file was named soy.exe. After loading the vulnerable VirtualBox driver, the malware exploits a bug in the driver to load the unsigned EldoS driver. On 32-bit Windows systems, which lack Driver Signature Enforcement, the malware can dispense with the workaround and run the EldoS driver directly. The payload of the malware is called ClientUpdate.exe. Using the EldoS driver, it overwrites the Master Boot Record and disk partitions of the infected machine. |
Qualcomm Teases Its Next Two 5G Chipsets - [hardware]
05:24 PM EST - Dec,03 2019 - post a comment Qualcomm today revealed that its next two chipsets for high-end 5G phones will be called the Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 765. The 765 - and a 765G variant for gaming phones - offers "integrated 5G connectivity, advanced AI processing, and select Snapdragon Elite Gaming experiences." The 865 will require a separate X55 modem chip, but Qualcomm describes it as "the world's most advanced 5G platform ... for the next generation of flagship devices". The 865 will support cameras up to 200 megapixels, and its ISP (image signal processor) can process up to 2 gigapixels per second. Its AI engine is now twice as powerful, benchmarking at 15 TOPS. The 765 will support 4K HDR video capture and all major 5G technologies, such as DSS, SA networks, and all frequency bands. The 765 will support 5G data speeds up to 3.7 Gbps, while the 865 will support 5G data in excess of 5 Gbps. The company is saving further details for a presentation tomorrow at its Snapdragon Mobile Summit event. |
US Phones Will Report Vertical Location to 911 Dispatchers by 2021 - [briefly]
05:21 PM EST - Dec,03 2019 - post a comment The FCC has officially adopted new rules for the accuracy of location data reported to dispatchers when someone dials 911 on a cell phone in the US. For the first time, vertical position data will be required, so first responders can quickly locate people needing help in multi-story buildings. The rules will be phased in starting April 2021. Vertical position will need to be accurate to within 3 meters for at least 80% of indoor 911 calls. The rules also impose new requirements on standard location data sent to dispatchers by wireless carriers, such as a dispatch-able street address and apartment number |
Metro by T-Mobile Launching Nationwide 5G Dec. 6th - [internet]
05:20 PM EST - Dec,03 2019 - post a comment T-Mobile will launch the first 5G service for US prepaid customers on its Metro brand this Friday, Dec. 6th, the same day the company's nationwide 5G service becomes available to T-Mobile customers. T-Mobile "launched" its nationwide 5G network today, but compatible 5G phones won't be available with either T-Mobile or Metro until Dec. 6th. Metro will offer the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G. T-Mobile will offer that phone as well as the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren. T-Mobile's new "nationwide" 5G network covers 5,000 cities and towns across the country, 200 million people, and more than 1 million square miles. It uses low frequency bands that have the same coverage as 4G service, unlike mmWave 5G that can only cover small areas. |
AMD Releases Radeon Software Adrenalin 19.12.1 Drivers - [briefly]
05:20 PM EST - Dec,03 2019 - post a comment AMD Monday released the latest version of Radeon Software Adrenalin. Version 19.12.1 beta adds support for the new Radeon RX 5300M graphics. It also fixes a major issue with Radeon RX 5700-series graphics cards stuttering at 1080p with low game settings. A crash-to-desktop noticed on machines with RX 5700-series graphics playing "The Outer Worlds" has also been fixed.
The change-log follows.
Support ForFixed Issues- Radeon RX 5700 series graphics products may experience stutter in some games at 1080p and low game settings.
- Some Radeon RX 5700 series graphics products may experience an intermittent crash to desktop when playing The Outer Worlds.
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AMD Radeon RX 5500 To Launch Come Dec 12th - [hardware]
12:46 PM EST - Dec,02 2019 - post a comment According to a source cited by China's Ithome, AMD has contacted AIB with regards to launch plans for the company's RX 5500, the mainstream graphics cards based on Navi 14. For now, there are still no news on any RX 5500 XT graphics cards from the company - whether or not there is such as SKU being prepared for later launch is still unclear. The launch date of December 12th is in line with previous release expectations, and should be a full launch with multiple AIB partners releasing their solutions. The RX 5500 has been tested to be a competitor to NVIDIA's GTX 1660 graphics card, replacing AMD's RX 570, RX 580 and RX 590 graphics cards from the product stack. The Navi 14 chip that the RX 5500 is based on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing technology, is configured with 22 RDNA compute units (1,408 stream processors), and features a 128-bit wide GDDR6 memory bus. VRAM-wise it will be available in either 4 GB or 8 GB of memory running at 14 Gbps data-rate, yielding 224 GB/s of memory bandwidth. GPU clocks are listed as 1670 MHz "Boost," and 1845 MHz "Gaming". Typical board power is rated at 110 W, with a single 8-pin PCIe power input being enough to deliver required power save for some more exotic AIB designs.
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Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary - Official Trailer - [briefly]
09:35 AM EST - Dec,02 2019 - post a comment Galaxy Quest, the glorious 1999 science fiction action comedy starring Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver (among others), will turn 20 on December 25 of this year. And what better way to celebrate this important milestone than with a documentary feature? Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary is an entertaining, heartfelt tribute that comes to us (believe it or not) from the same folks behind the wildly popular online Honest Trailers series.
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Netflix cancels its Mystery Science Theater 3000 revival - [briefly]
11:03 AM EST - Nov,28 2019 - post a comment Netflix will not produce a third season of its Mystery Science Theater 3000 revival, according to a series of tweets from the show's star, Jonah Ray Rodrigues.
So, Netflix decided to not do another season of MST3K. We are off to Get Down in Lilyhammer while the OA helps us take it One Day At A Time. We will be in group therapy with Tuca & Bertie, Jessica Jones, & Lady Dynamite. The sessions will be run by Gypsy (w/ Naomi Watts.) thread
We don't know what the future holds for the show, it always seemed to figure out how to survive. From Comedy Central to SyFy. Then kept alive by RIFFTRAX & Cinematic Titanic. whatever happens, I want everybody to know that getting a chance to be on this show was a dream come true
Getting to work with old friends while making new ones was a gift I didn't take lightly. Collaborating with heroes from my childhood is something I'll never stop beaming about.
So, Thank you Joel & especially all the MSTies who embraced me as a mug in a (yellow) jumpsuit. I know it wasn't easy accepting a new guy, so I appreciate the warmth.
This is the fourth time in the series' history that it has been canceled in one way or another. Fans have repeatedly rallied to bring it back on new networks or, in some cases, in totally new formats and spinoffs like RiffTrax. Also on Twitter, MST3K creator Joel Hodgson said, "It's not the end of MST3K, It's just the end of the first chapter of bringing back MST3K." |
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