Monday, September 30, 2024

Hybrid cloud environments being targeted by worrying new ransomware attacks

Cybercriminals are targeting hybrid cloud platforms with a worrying new ransomware strain, Microsoft security researchers have revealed.

Threat intelligence experts from the company have published a new blog post warning of Storm-0501, a ransomware affiliate group active since 2021.

The team has warned Storm-0501 is targeting different verticals across the United States, from government, manufacturing, to transportation, and law enforcement.

Rust-built ransomware

Microsoft's researchers believe the group is financially motivated, meaning it is not a state-sponsored player, as it targets firms with the intent of extorting money, which is then likely used to fund additional cybercriminal activity.

When it attacks, Storm-0501 looks for poorly protected, over-privileged accounts. Once compromised, the accounts are used to grant access to on-prem devices, and from there, cloud environments. The next step is to establish persistence and allow unabated lateral movement throughout the infrastructure.

The final step is the introduction of ransomware. In the past, Storm-0501 used popular variants, such as Hive, BlackCat (ALPHV), Hunters International, and LockBit. However, in some of the more recent attacks, the group used a ransomware variant called Embargo.

Embargo is a relatively new strain, developed in Rust. Microsoft’s researchers state that it uses advanced encryption methods and operates under the RaaS model (meaning someone else is developing and maintaining the encryptor, and thus gets a share of the eventual spoils). While using Embargo, Storm-0501 goes for the old and proven double-extortion tactic, where they first steal a victim’s files, then encrypt the rest, and threaten to leak it online unless the victim pays a ransom.

In the cases Microsoft analyzed, Storm-0501 leveraged compromised Domain Admin accounts and deployed Embargo via scheduled tasks. The ransomware binaries names that were used were PostalScanImporter.exe and win.exe. The extensions of the encrypted files were .partial, .564ba1, and .embargo.

It is also worth mentioning that Storm-0501 sometimes refrains from deploying the encryptor and just maintains access to the network.

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I’ve been writing about fitness for almost ten years: Here are three gadgets I can’t live without

When 2025 rolls around, I’ll have been a professional fitness writer for ten years, and a professional technology writer for five. In my long career writing about fitness and fitness tech, I’ve tried almost every category of workout equipment and health-based technology you can imagine.

I really mean it.

I’ve tried all manner of gadgets in the name of a review, from smart glucose monitors that require needles in your arms to smart sleep masks that play soothing sounds. I’ve tried intelligent insoles that slip into your shoes to tell you about your running gait, and AI-powered cameras that help you work out with dumbbells.

Smart workout mirrors? Smart rings? Peloton classes? Electro-stimulation to improve muscle tone? Bone-conduction headphone technology? All boxes checked.

It’s a far cry from reviewing the best fitness trackers and best running shoes on the market. In that time, amongst all the gadgets I’ve tested, there’s only a handful of pieces of hardware that I really use in my personal life on a regular basis.

It almost says a lot about the state of the industry that each piece of wellness tech is marketed as a game-changer, a problem-solver, yet I keep coming back to the same old bits of kit. As someone with unfettered access to all the gear in TechRadar towers, that says a lot. So, without further ado, below I’ve listed the only pieces of tech I go back to time and time again.

Bone conduction headphones: Shokz OpenRun

aftershokz aeropex

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Whether you’re running, cycling or doing any form of exercise outdoors, it pays to be aware of your surroundings.

I’ve used Shokz OpenRun for years as a way to listen to music or podcasts broadcasting from my phone during runs without sacrificing situational awareness. You could technically do the same thing with AirPods or other workout headphones using their HearThrough or Conversation modes, but the best bone conduction headphones are built to leave your ears free.

While the OpenRun Pro are more expensive, offering faster charging and longer life, I still use the original OpenRun and have experienced no problems with the battery even after all this time.

They’re comfortable to wear for long periods and during very long runs, I also call my wife or family to break up the monotony and they can hear me just fine.

This is the set of headphones that got me through two marathons over two consecutive years.

In-ear headphones: Jabra Elite 8 Active

Jabra Elite 8 Active

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)

In my marathon off-seasons, I like to hit the gym in order to regain the muscle mass I lose when running takes over my life.

This is where a lot of gear falls down for me to use: even the best smart rings, for example, are at risk of scratching and being damaged when I’m lifting weights, so I use a watch instead.

Likewise with bone conduction headphones: while outside I like to be able to hear my surroundings, in a commercial gym you need headphones to kill the gym’s music and the noise of other gym-goers to focus on your own workouts.

I used to use a cheap pair of Anker Soundcare P20s for this, but when those finally died, I switched to a pair of Jabra Elite 8 Active, the best workout headphones on the market right now, and haven’t looked back.

They’re comfortable, tough, completely waterproof (they survived a glass of water, at any rate), and have Active Noise Canceling I can switch on and off if I need to ask a staff member a question, or another lifter if I can work in. Easy to set up, simple to use, tough as nails, and long-lasting.

Smartwatch: Garmin Epix Pro

Garmin Epix Pro

(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)

I really want to recommend the Apple Watch Ultra 2 here as it’s functionally fab, but short battery lives on smartwatches continue to be a frustration for me.

The Garmin Epix Pro lasts for ages, and it has the running tool I use most: route creation. For hikers, runners, and cyclists yet to plan routes using Garmin Connect and follow the directions on your watch, it’s a game changer. It’s the single smartwatch feature that’s made the most difference in my training.

I also like big, chunky watches and dislike charging watches often, so the Fenix range (including the Epix Pro) fits the bill nicely. Although I know some people find smartwatches uncomfortable to wear in bed, I don’t mind at all.

Plus, even though I don’t tend to use my smartwatch to formally track sets and reps in the gym, it doesn’t get in the way of my weight-based workouts in the same way that a smart ring does, so it’s passively tracking activity and calorie burn in the background and factoring it into my recovery metrics.

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Sunday, September 29, 2024

Quordle today – hints and answers for Monday, September 30 (game #980)

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now nearly 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #980) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #980) - hint #2 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #980) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #980) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #980) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• C

• T

• T

• S

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #980) - the answers

Quordle answers for game 980 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #980, are…

  • CRUSH
  • TARDY
  • TEACH
  • STUMP

Today's Quordle was a very easy one for me, and probably for you too. My three set start words, STARE, DOILY and PUNCH, gave me all five letters for three of the quadrants and four for the other one, so my task was simply a matter of solving three anagrams and then adding one more letter to the bottom right. The Daily Sequence was just as straightforward; a stark contrast to yesterday's game.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.


Daily Sequence today (game #980) - the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 980 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #980, are…

  • SNAKE
  • BULKY
  • BUDDY
  • CHART

Quordle answers: The past 20

  • Quordle #979, Sunday 29 September: SERIF, BORNE, WRITE, SLEEK
  • Quordle #978, Saturday 28 September: BUSHY, CIVIC, SNOUT, EQUIP
  • Quordle #977, Friday 27 September: GUEST, CHASM, ROOST, BASAL
  • Quordle #976, Thursday 26 September: STAGE, VOGUE, CLUMP, HEATH
  • Quordle #975, Wednesday 25 September: UMBRA, DADDY, GLAZE, PRANK
  • Quordle #974, Tuesday 24 September: SPACE, INNER, SPAWN, BEGAT
  • Quordle #973, Monday 23 September: GUILT, STERN, ANNEX, FIELD
  • Quordle #972, Sunday 22 September: ZESTY, MEATY, ALIVE, DRAWN
  • Quordle #971, Saturday 21 September: VITAL, FRAIL, SPEAR, EERIE
  • Quordle #970, Friday 20 September: ELIDE, DITTO, SHAWL, BONUS
  • Quordle #969, Thursday 19 September: MARRY, OWING, DICEY, LUCKY
  • Quordle #968, Wednesday 18 September: CEDAR, VENOM, MIGHT, MEDIC
  • Quordle #967, Tuesday 17 September: ETHOS, COUNT, PRINT, THREE
  • Quordle #966, Monday 16 September: ROUGE, SWAMP, FUGUE, UNDUE
  • Quordle #965, Sunday 15 September: VILLA, SMOKE, BULKY, THRUM
  • Quordle #964, Saturday 14 September: ESSAY, GENRE, WIMPY, CHUTE
  • Quordle #963, Friday 13 September: LEANT, ORGAN, FILLY, PLAIT
  • Quordle #962, Thursday 12 September: ARBOR, STARK, LEAVE, GOOFY
  • Quordle #961, Wednesday 11 September: ROUGH, CACTI, SAVOY, ODDER
  • Quordle #960, Tuesday 10 September: PLUMB, SEIZE, EARLY, ASSET


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Wait, now Broadcom makes GPUs? Nvidia could face unexpected foe in China as ByteDance could use rival bigger than Intel, AMD, Arm and Qualcomm to design its AI chips

US trade restrictions have created significant obstacles for Chinese companies, limiting their access to advanced AI hardware needed to remain competitive globally.

Nvidia’s H20 GPUs, scaled-down versions of the powerful H100, were developed to meet export control requirements but still come with a hefty price tag of around $10,000 per unit.

Even at that price, the availability of these GPUs is limited, compounding the difficulties Chinese companies face. This shortage has fueled a thriving black market for Nvidia’s high-end chips, such as the H100 and A100, where prices continue to rise due to overwhelming demand. However, global companies, particularly ByteDance - the parent company of TikTok, already under intense scrutiny in the US - cannot afford the legal and reputational risks associated with engaging in such illicit markets.

Two AI chips

ByteDance has made significant investments in AI, reportedly spending over $2 billion on Nvidia's H20 GPUs in 2024, and now according to The Information, the company is looking to develop its own AI GPUs to reduce dependency on Nvidia.

The report adds these chips will include one designed for AI training and another for AI inference, and both will be produced using TSMC’s advanced N4/N5 process, the same technology used for Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs.

Broadcom, recognized for its AI chip designs for Google, will reportedly lead the development of these GPUs, which are expected to enter mass production by 2026. While several Chinese companies have developed their own AI GPUs to reduce reliance on Nvidia, most still depend on Nvidia’s hardware for more demanding tasks. Whether ByteDance can fully transition to its own hardware - and whether it would want to - remains to be seen.

The move will certainly not be without challenges. As Tom's Hardware notes, “The company now relies on Nvidia's CUDA and supporting software stack for AI training and inference. Once it goes with its AI GPUs, it must develop its software platform and ensure its software stack is fully compatible with its hardware."

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Samsung drops another hint that Galaxy AI won't be free beyond 2025

Take a close look at the press releases for the brand new Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, or Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra, and you'll notice a footnote pointing to a future where some Galaxy AI features require a payment.

As spotted by SamMobile, the exact text reads: "Fees may apply to certain AI features at the end of 2025." That's not particularly specific or definitive, but it does suggest that the Galaxy AI experience isn't going to be completely free beyond the end of next year.

This isn't new: the same disclaimer was included in the information we got alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24 series at the start of this year. This isn't a surprise then, but it shows Samsung hasn't changed its plans for charging for AI.

We don't yet know which features might come with a price tag attached, or what that price tag might be – Samsung hasn't said anything about that yet, but has gone on the record to say more Galaxy AI features are on the way.

The cost of AI

ChatGPT on a screen

ChatGPT has a paid-for tier (Image credit: OpenAI)

It's not a huge shock that Samsung wants to start making some money from all the AI tools it's stuffed into its devices: generative artificial intelligence requires a huge amount of computing power, and a huge amount of energy to run.

Both Google and OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, offer users more advanced features and more powerful AI models for $20 (about £15 / AU$29) a month – although there are rumors that the price of ChatGPT Plus could more than double in the next five years.

Then there's Apple: Apple Intelligence is rolling out over the next few months, free of charge, but there has been talk that more advanced features are eventually going to have a price attached, perhaps as part of an Apple One bundle.

For now, you can still use the AI features – covering image editing, live translation, note summaries, and plenty more – free of charge. If you start to reply on them regularly though, bear in mind that there might eventually be a cost attached.

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Saturday, September 28, 2024

NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Sunday, September 29 (game #210)

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #210) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Weed 'em and reap

NYT Strands today (game #210) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

  • STAVE
  • STARE
  • PLATE
  • SHIRE
  • RASH
  • QUASH

NYT Strands today (game #210) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

October feast

NYT Strands today (game #210) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: top, 3rd column

Last: right, 7th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #210) - the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 210 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #210, are…

  • SQUASH
  • PUMPKIN
  • ONION
  • APPLE
  • RADISH
  • KOHLRABI
  • SPANGRAM: FALLHARVEST

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

Today I learned for the first time of KOHLRABI, a vegetable whose name apparently translates literally as 'cabbage turnip' and which tastes a little like a broccoli stem. Fortunately the other answers today were a lot easier to find, although I did struggle a little with the spangram, FALLHARVEST, because here in the UK we say 'autumn' not 'fall'. But no matter – I was able to uncover enough answers that eventually the spangram revealed itself to me, and though it still took me a while to work out that the final word was indeed the aforementioned KOHLRABI, I got there without needing hints.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.


Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday 28 September, game #209)

  • HAPPINESS
  • LOVE
  • GRATITUDE
  • PLEASURE
  • EXCITEMENT
  • SPANGRAM: EMOTIONS

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.



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Chinese scientists use americium to produce ultra-compact nuclear battery that could perhaps one day replace lithium batteries

Scientists from across several Chinese institutions have unveiled a new ultra-compact nuclear battery that has the potential to replace the existing power sources used in everyday tech.

Powered by Americium, this new battery reportedly achieves an energy conversion efficiency up to 8,000 times greater than previous models, suggesting it could one day serve as a substitute for conventional lithium batteries.

These micronuclear power sources generate electricity by utilizing the radioactive decay of radioisotopes, producing power on a small scale typically measured in nanowatts or microwatts. Unlike chemical batteries, their lifespan depends on the half-life of the radioisotope used. Americium, specifically isotopes 241Am and 243Am, offers operational lifetimes extending over several decades, suggesting it could provide a long-term power solution.

Deep space exploration

Traditional micronuclear batteries have faced challenges with low energy efficiency due to severe self-adsorption during alpha decay. Addressing this issue, the Chinese research team has developed a novel architecture that incorporates 243Am into a luminescent lanthanide coordination polymer.

By combining this new design with a photovoltaic cell to convert autoluminescence into electricity, the radiophotovoltaic micronuclear battery achieves a power conversion efficiency of 0.889%, delivering 139 microwatts per curie. Although the power output remains tiny, the potential for a long-term, maintenance-free energy supply is considerable.

The resilience of this battery is noteworthy, as radioactive decay remains consistent regardless of environmental factors such as temperature or pressure. This stability ensures a reliable power source in challenging conditions.

The technology is still in its early stages and requires further development before widespread adoption is feasible. However, the team suggests initial applications for the americium-based nuclear battery could target small, remote devices, particularly in deep space exploration, where replacing conventional batteries is impractical.

The research findings were published in the journal Nature.

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Razer unveils the Kraken V4 Pro headset and a haptic seat cushion (yes, really) at RazerCon 2024

Popular gaming hardware manufacturer Razer has announced a batch of new products at its annual RazerCon event.

The headlining products are the Razer Kraken V4 Pro and the Razer Freyja. The former is a seriously premium addition to the brand's gaming headset lineup, while the latter is described as "the world's first HD haptic gaming cushion." 

That right, it's a vibrating seat cushion for your gaming chair.

The Kraken V4 Pro joins the headset's fourth-generation lineup alongside the standard Kraken V4 and the wired Kraken V4 X which Razer revealed last month. The Pro model looks like quite the step up in terms of features (and price, but we'll get to that). Razer's bespoke Sensa HD haptics are included here, causing the headset to react to in-game activities with directional haptic feedback.

A handful of games will directly support the technology, including Final Fantasy 16, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and Silent Hill 2. I got to test the haptics for myself at a Razer briefing last week and they definitely felt like an improvement over the Razer Kaira Pro's HyperSense feedback, feeling much more nuanced and, well, less like you had a bee in your headset.

The Kraken V4 Pro also includes a PC-compatible OLED Control Hub that allows for on-the-fly tweaks to your settings as well as the monitoring of volume, battery life and other metrics. You're getting customizable Chroma RGB on the ear cups, dual audio support and instant switching between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth (handy if you need to take a quick call while gaming), 40mm drivers supported by THX spatial audio and a retractable mic. 

The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is available to buy now from Razer's website and other retailers, but it doesn't come cheap. Expect to pay $399.99 / £399.99 which is a pretty giant step up from other models in the Kraken V4 lineup. Still, it's in with a chance of landing in our list of the best PC gaming headsets with its stacked feature set and intelligent Sensa HD haptics.

Razer Freyja

(Image credit: Razer)

The other major reveal from this year's RazerCon is the all-new Razer Freyja. This is a seat cushion that'll fit any of the best gaming chairs that, much like the Kraken V4 Pro, is powered by Sensa HD haptic feedback. That means the chair's multi-directional haptics (with six motors: four behind you, and two where you sit) react to everything from light drizzles to sword slashes and chunky explosions.

Testing this at the Razer briefing last week, I found the default settings to be a little intense. Thankfully, you are able to adjust the haptics' strength on the fly, which made the experience much more tolerable. That said, the Freyja is certainly going to have niche appeal. It doesn't really offer anything to your play session aside from some neat haptics. It is at least very comfy, but I did notice the haptics here were incredibly loud. 

If you live with family or housemates, you might want to consider investing in some soundproofing for your room if you're buying the Freyja. It's also available now from Razer's website for $299.99. The product is unfortunately not available for purchase in the UK at this time.

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Friday, September 27, 2024

Hyundai Motor and Kia team up with Samsung to strengthen infotainment in future vehicles

Automotive giants Hyundai Motor Group and Kia have announced a new strategic technology partnership with Samsung Electronics to help them transition towards the future of Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs).

Speaking to TechRadar at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division, explained how the Hyundai and Kia were rapidly heading towards the era of SDVs, where constantly connected cars could do more than transport occupants from A to B, offering on-demand services, the ability to interact with partner apps and control elements of the smart home.

The recent partnership with Samsung cements this notion and will further integrate Samsung's SmartThings IoT platform with a future infotainment system that Chang Song’s department is busy developing.

This also means that Samsung's popular Galaxy smartphones will enjoy greater integration with future cars, allowing users to check key vehicle data, such as battery range, upcoming service intervals, and even the location of their vehicles, via their phones.

Hyundai Samsung

(Image credit: Hyundai )

In addition to this, Hyundai Motor Group also wants the vehicle to fit more seamlessly into everyday life, with the potential for one Samsung Electronics account to manage everything, including health care, pet care, and vehicle systems, in one convenient place.

Chang Song is also a founding member of 42dot, an innovative autonomous transportation company now part of the wider Hyundai Motor Group. 

His vision is to create a seamless mobility system that will see one app or piece of software take care of privately owned cars, as well as the ability to summon autonomous ride-share services and potentially electronic vertical take-off and landing craft (eVTOL) like those currently being developed by sister company Supernal.

Analysis: Will 'killer apps' kill off the car?

Kia SmartThings

(Image credit: Kia)

The tie-up with Samsung proves Hyundai Motor and Kia's commitment to a future where the automobile as we know it becomes more a part of our digital lives than a mere method of transport.

Chang Song spoke of his plan to invite third-party developers to create 'killer apps' for his future systems, which would effectively do what Internet Explorer did for Microsoft computers in the 1990s, where customers flocked to the hardware purely to take advantage of the software.

Software Defined Vehicles - and to an extent, electric vehicles - are setting the automotive industry on a path toward cars becoming a commodity, where customers treat their vehicles like smartphones, chopping and changing depending on who offers the best digital experience.

The private ownership model as we know it today will likely change, as advances in technology allow companies like Hyundai and Kia to become transport service providers rather than mere car manufacturers.

Song's influence in software development, as well as Samsung’s recent integration, will bring more of the wider digital world into the car. Checking in on smart fridges, remotely activating the lights, and being able to locate a vehicle through a Galaxy phone is just the beginning.

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This ‘game-changing’ AI camera for kids wants to keep your little ones safe, and creative

A tech-focused brand for kids has launched a new camera designed for children aged 5-12, the myFirst Camera 50. The Singapore-based myFirst touts its latest camera as a 'game-changing device, featuring AI-assisted photo and video editing' that intelligently curates and enhances your creations, adding personal touches such as stickers, drawings, and voice notes.

myFirst Camera 50 can recognize facial expressions, scenery, and color, and then utilize those elements to curate stories with minimal effort. It's equipped with a 20MP rear camera and 16MP selfie camera, with wide angle and macro lenses, meaning you can capture both broad scenes and intricate details.

Beyond its basic 20MP photo and 1080p video capture and intelligent editing capabilities, myFirst Camera 50 can connect to the myFirst Circle app, which is designed to provide a secure environment for kids to share their creations with their trusted friends and family. Parents have complete control over visibility, managing posts, and who can view them.

myFirst Camera 50 in blue and purple options, on a wooden table by the beach

(Image credit: myFirst Camera)

myFirst Camera 50 is small and lightweight for little hands and features a warm light bar to illuminate selfies. It can connect to the myFirst Circle app on your phone through Wi-Fi and has 16GB of built-in storage that can be expanded to 128GB with a memory card.

Other tools include myDiary, which combines photography with journaling, providing a space for kids to express themselves, complete with prompts.

As a father of young children I like the concept of the myFirst Camera 50; an easy-to-use, connected camera with smart editing and a secure space to share multimedia creations. It could be as rewarding for grandparents and parents like me enjoying their kid's creations as much as it is for the child making them.

Whether myFirst Camera 50 is one of the best cameras for kids and can deliver its safe credentials we'll have to see – at the time of writing we're currently underway with a full review. It available now on the myFirst store in blue or purple (see above) and costs $129 / £109 / AU$149.

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Fed up with macOS Sequoia’s screen recording reapproval requests? Here’s how to make them go away for good

With macOS Sequoia, Apple introduced a feature whereby users are asked to regularly approve access for apps to be allowed to record their screen - which has not gone down too well with some folks, although there’s now a solution (albeit a third-party one).

From Apple’s perspective, this move was made to improve security in apps like Zoom where you might share your screen (or indeed screenshot utilities). The recurring permission requests for such apps first started appearing early in beta testing macOS 15, and they were introduced on a weekly basis initially, but later (following many complaints) Apple revised that to monthly prompts

And to be fair, I could still see these pop-ups being bothersome, even on a monthly basis, and you might prefer not to see them at all (or just the once, rather, when you first use the app). Luckily, there’s now a workaround that MacRumors spotted in the form of an app called Amnesia.

Once installed, Amnesia can be used to stop the monthly screen recording permission requests on an app-by-app basis. The software is pay-what-you-want, so you can give the developer whatever you feel is an appropriate payment for the convenience of the app.

MacBook Air M1 on a table showing the lid and Apple logo

(Image credit: Future)

There's another potential workaround - but will Apple do something itself?

The original version of Amnesia was for macOS 15 only, but since that release, support for macOS 15.1 (beta) has been introduced. You can check out Amnesia’s changelog (a record of updates made to the app) to see all the recent additions and adjustments for the software.

Alternatively, if you’re a little more of a techie, as MacRumors points out, you can also achieve the same result as Amnesia via the Terminal app by following instructions provided by tech blogger Jeff Johnson. Just as with Amnesia, this workaround makes it so that the screen recording reminders are turned off on an app-by-app basis.

I hope Apple considers revising this repetitive request for permissions. I’m not saying that the company has to get rid of it entirely, but maybe give macOS 15 users the option to switch to quarterly or biannual requests instead. I understand that Apple is trying to cover itself and its customers from a security perspective, but I think there’s more give here in terms of striking a balance that satisfies keeping macOS a safe environment, while annoying users less.

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Want a cool smartphone? 1mm-thin “fan-on-a-chip” technology aims to make device overheating a thing of the past

Excessive heat can severely affect the performance and lifespan of smartphones and tablets, causing them to throttle processing power or even shut down to prevent damage. Users often experience how hot their devices can get during demanding tasks, such as playing graphically intense games, and it's a problem that's only going to get worse as AI makes its way into our devices.

To address this issue, xMEMS Labs has introduced the XMC-2400 µCooling chip - the first all-silicon, active micro-cooling fan designed for portable devices like smartphones, tablets, external SSDs, wireless chargers, and laptops.

Mike Housholder, xMEMS' VP of Marketing and Business Development, explained to EE Times that current solutions, such as heat spreaders and vapor chambers, "just spread the heat throughout the real estate of the device, but there is no physical means to expel the heat."

Changing how people perceive thermal management

The XMC-2400 functions as an actual fan, and a single XMC-2400 chip can move up to 39 cubic centimeters of air per second against 1,000 Pa of back pressure and is IP58-rated for dust and water resistance.

The silent, vibration-free, solid-state chip measures just 9.26 x 7.6 x 1.08mm and weighs less than 150 milligrams, making it 96 percent smaller and lighter than non-silicon-based active-cooling alternatives. It comes in both top-venting and side-venting packages to fit various system form factors.

"Our revolutionary µCooling 'fan-on-a-chip' design comes at a critical time in mobile computing," said Joseph Jiang, xMEMS CEO and Co-Founder. "Thermal management in ultramobile devices, which are now running more processor-intensive AI applications, is a massive challenge for manufacturers and consumers. Until XMC-2400, there was no active-cooling solution because the devices are so small and thin."

"With µCooling, we are changing how people perceive thermal management. The XMC-2400 is designed to actively cool even the smallest handheld devices, enabling the thinnest, most high-performance, AI-ready mobile devices. It's hard to imagine tomorrow's smartphones and other thin, performance-driven devices without xMEMS µCooling technology," Jiang added.

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Thursday, September 26, 2024

Quordle today – hints and answers for Friday, September 27 (game #977)

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now nearly 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #977) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #977) - hint #2 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #977) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #977) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #977) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• G

• C

• R

• B

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #977) - the answers

Quordle answers for game 977 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #977, are…

  • GUEST
  • CHASM
  • ROOST
  • BASAL

You can't win 'em all, eh? After a 55-game winning streak I suffered a failure in today's Quordle. And really, it was all of my own doing. OK, so it's a potentially difficult game in general – CHASM has an uncommon spelling, ROOST and BASAL both have repeated letters – but I should still have solved it.

The truth is, I was slapdash in my play. I guessed QUEST when GUEST would have made more sense, BALSA rather than BASAL and WORST rather ROOST. All made sense at the time, but a smart player (which clearly I am not) would instead have guarded against some of those mistakes. Playing GORSE, for instance, would have told me that it had to be GUEST, ROOST and BASAL, but it would have ruled out the wrong answers. Unforgivable.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.


Daily Sequence today (game #977) - the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 977 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #977, are…

  • MISSY
  • SIXTY
  • LANKY
  • CHUMP

Quordle answers: The past 20

  • Quordle #976, Thursday 26 September: STAGE, VOGUE, CLUMP, HEATH
  • Quordle #975, Wednesday 25 September: UMBRA, DADDY, GLAZE, PRANK
  • Quordle #974, Tuesday 24 September: SPACE, INNER, SPAWN, BEGAT
  • Quordle #973, Monday 23 September: GUILT, STERN, ANNEX, FIELD
  • Quordle #972, Sunday 22 September: ZESTY, MEATY, ALIVE, DRAWN
  • Quordle #971, Saturday 21 September: VITAL, FRAIL, SPEAR, EERIE
  • Quordle #970, Friday 20 September: ELIDE, DITTO, SHAWL, BONUS
  • Quordle #969, Thursday 19 September: MARRY, OWING, DICEY, LUCKY
  • Quordle #968, Wednesday 18 September: CEDAR, VENOM, MIGHT, MEDIC
  • Quordle #967, Tuesday 17 September: ETHOS, COUNT, PRINT, THREE
  • Quordle #966, Monday 16 September: ROUGE, SWAMP, FUGUE, UNDUE
  • Quordle #965, Sunday 15 September: VILLA, SMOKE, BULKY, THRUM
  • Quordle #964, Saturday 14 September: ESSAY, GENRE, WIMPY, CHUTE
  • Quordle #963, Friday 13 September: LEANT, ORGAN, FILLY, PLAIT
  • Quordle #962, Thursday 12 September: ARBOR, STARK, LEAVE, GOOFY
  • Quordle #961, Wednesday 11 September: ROUGH, CACTI, SAVOY, ODDER
  • Quordle #960, Tuesday 10 September: PLUMB, SEIZE, EARLY, ASSET
  • Quordle #959, Monday 9 September: CHIRP, BEADY, THETA, MINUS
  • Quordle #958, Sunday 8 September: TEASE, AGATE, PRIDE, PLATE
  • Quordle #957, Saturday 7 September: LASSO, TILDE, BUNCH, PRONG


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TikTok links are being used to hijack Microsoft accounts

Hackers are using TikTok in new phishing attacks as they attempt to steal people’s Microsoft Office 365 credentials, a new report from Cofense has warned.

The company's researchers detected someone sending out phishing emails threatening victims that all of their emails will be deleted unless they press a button. What’s new about this campaign is that the button actually leads to TikTok.

To make the attack work, the attackers employ TikTok URLs. A TikTok URL usually appears in the bios of a profile that has links to external websites, the researchers explained - so therefore, the TikTok URL can redirect the visitor to whatever site the profile holder chooses.

Spotting the scam

If the phishing email recipient does not spot the trick and clicks the button in the message, they will be sent through a number of redirects, ultimately landing on a web page that looks like a Microsoft 365 login site, with the company logo and all. The malicious site even autofills the user’s email address in order to improve legitimacy.

However, since this is a fake website, controlled by the attackers, any information - including passwords - submitted there, go straight to the hackers.

The use of TikTok URLs may be novel, but the overall methodology does not differ much from what we’re used to seeing. The email still comes from a completely unrelated domain. It is still full of grammar and spelling mistakes. Finally, the URL of the landing page does not even come close to resembling a Microsoft domain.

Therefore, spotting the attack should not be too difficult - it only takes being a little mindful of the emails coming in, and not trusting everything in the inbox.

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Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Samsung zeroes on AI storage domination as it starts mass production of 1Tb QLC NAND chips targeting enterprise servers — but don't worry, it will come to consumer SSDs, maybe one day

Samsung says it has begun the mass production of its 1Tb quad-level cell (QLC) 9th-generation V-NAND, an industry first. The development follows the company's production of triple-level cell (TLC) 9th-generation V-NAND earlier in 2024, and reflects a broader industry shift from TLC to QLC technology to meet the growing demand for higher-capacity and more efficient storage solutions.

The new QLC V-NAND incorporates innovative technologies such as Channel Hole Etching, which enables a higher layer count through a double stack structure, resulting in approximately 86% higher bit density compared to the previous generation of QLC V-NAND. Samsung says the increase in density allows for greater storage capacity in the same physical space, addressing the needs of applications that require large amounts of data storage.

Designed Mold, Predictive Program, and Low-Power Design technologies boost reliability by 20%, double write performance, improve input/output speed by 60%, and reduce power consumption during read and write operations by up to 50%.

A shift from TLC to QLC

The industry is experiencing a shift from TLC to QLC NAND flash memory, driven by the need for higher storage capacities and cost efficiencies. QLC NAND stores four bits per cell instead of three, effectively increasing storage density. This transition enables manufacturers to produce SSDs with larger capacities at potentially lower costs, which is particularly important for data centers and AI applications that require vast amounts of storage.

“Kicking off the successful mass production of QLC 9th-generation V-NAND just four months after the TLC version allows us to offer a full lineup of advanced SSD solutions that address the needs for the AI era,” said SungHoi Hur, Executive Vice President and Head of Flash Product & Technology at Samsung Electronics. “As the enterprise SSD market shows rapid growth with stronger demand for AI applications, we will continue to solidify our leadership in the segment through our QLC and TLC 9th-generation V-NAND.”

Applications of the QLC V-NAND will start with branded consumer products before extending into mobile Universal Flash Storage (UFS), PCs and server SSDs for customers, including cloud service providers.

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Tuesday, September 24, 2024

ASICS enlists angry Brian Cox to highlight how dangerous your desk can be to your mental health

New research involving 26,000 participants has revealed the vital importance of movement for office workers, confirming that continuous desk work can have a drastic impact on your mental health. 

A new study commissioned by ASICS, dubbed 'State of Mind,' has revealed "a strong connection between sedentary behavior and mental well-being with State of Mind scores declining the longer individuals remain inactive." 

We all know that sitting behind a desk can get pretty tiring and draining after a while, but just how bad is the problem? Turns out it's pretty bad. The research concluded that "after just two hours of continuous desk work State of Mind scores begin to drop and stress levels rise." 

And after four hours of uninterrupted desk work, workers' stress levels increased by nearly 20%. Help is at hand, though, thanks to a new Desk Break experiment. 

15 minutes of movement is all it takes

Dr. Brendon Stubbs from King's College London has conducted a study examining the impact of movement on the mental well-being of office workers. Participants took daily 5-minute movement breaks and 15 minutes of exercise after three to four hours of work. 

After just one week of movement breaks, State of Mind scores went up by more than 22%, with confidence increasing as well as anxiety and perceived stress levels dropping by double digits. It's not just a feel-good factor, either. Just 15 minutes of exercise during the workday boosted productivity by fully one-third, and focus by more than 28%. 

"We have shown previously that just 15 minutes of exercise in leisure time can result in a meaningful improvement in people's State of Mind scores," Dr Stubbs concluded. "But what surprised us with the Desk Break experiment was how powerful the 15-minute movement breaks were in improving well-being and reducing stress. It even changed people's perceptions of their workplace for the better."    

If that's too many numbers after a long day at the office, just watch ASICS new 'The Desk Break' public service announcement, starring an angry Brian Cox. (Above)

ASICS is calling for office-based employees around the world to take a Desk Break for their mental health. Luckily, there's plenty of tech on hand to help you get a head start. 

One of the best standing desks on the market might help you with mobility, posture, and overall activity, but part of taking a desk break is leaving your workspace to help clear your mind. Many of the best smartwatches on the market, such as the Apple Watch Series 10, come with built-in 'time to stand' reminders that can remind you to get up and stretch your legs. 

On a lunch break, why not use Garmin Connect to put together a quick 25-minute walk or run over lunch? You could even try Hugh Jackman's 7-minute workout (twice, preferably) or a quick Apple Fitness Plus activity. You'll also get some benefits from an under-desk treadmill, which can be handy during calls, meetings, or training, but remember actually to get away from your screen at some point, too. 

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Everything new on Max in October 2024

Comedy, action and horror – these are just a few of the genres that are coming to Max in October 2024, proving once again why it belongs among the best streaming services. After a slightly less packed scheduled in August 2024, which did improve in September 2024 but only slightly, I can say with confidence that next month, we are so back. 

It's a relief that Max has pulled itself together for October 2024 since spooky season is the best time of year to indulge in a good show or movie, especially the best horror movies, which the platform is filling out with classics from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) to Misery (1990). 

With over 60 movies arriving on October 1 alone, choosing a movie or show can go either way. It could be the easiest choice in the world, or trigger your indecisiveness – so it's a good thing we have a best Max movies recommendations guide to point you in the right direction. 

Everything new on Max in October 2024

Arriving on October 1

21 Jump Street (movie)
22 Jump Street
(movie)
A Day in the Country
(movie)
A Nightmare on Elm Street
(movie)
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge
(movie)
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
(movie)
A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
(movie)
A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
(movie)
A Return to Salem's Lot
(movie)
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie
(movie)
Altitude
(movie)
Annabelle Comes Home
(movie)
Annabelle: Creation
(movie)
Barry Munday
(movie)
Contraband: Seized at Sea season 1
(TV show)
Contraband: Seized at the Border season 5
(TV show)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
(movie)
Dinner for Schmucks
(movie)
Doctor Sleep
(movie)
Dune
(movie)
Edge of Darkness
(movie)
Four Christmases
(movie)
Freddy vs. Jason
(movie)
Frost / Nixon
(movie)
George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
(documentary)
Godzilla vs. Biollante
(movie)
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
(movie)
Green Porno
(movie)
Gremlins
(movie)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
(movie)
I Was a Teenage Zombie
(movie)
Interview with the Vampire
(movie)
Invictus
(movie)
It
(movie)
It: Chapter Two
(movie)
Kiss of the Spider Woman
(movie)
Knife in the Water
(movie)
Lawrence of Arabia
(movie)
Major Barbara
(movie)
Mecum Main Attractions: Monterey CA
(TV show)
Misery
(movie)
Mississippi Masala
(movie)
Monte Carlo
(movie)
My Life as a Dog
(movie)
Ondine
(movie)
Open Your Eyes
(movie)
Poltergeist
(movie)
Practical Magic
(movie)
Red Dawn
(movie)
Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel
(movie)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
(movie)
Scooby-Doo
(movie)
Stephen King's It
(movie)
The Conjuring
(movie)
The Conjuring 2
(movie)
The Cranes are Flying
(movie)
The Curse of La Llorona
(movie)
The Death of Superman
(movie)
The Huntsman: Winter’s War
(movie)
The Life and Times of Farmer Al
(movie)
The Naked Kiss
(movie)
The Return of Godzilla
(movie)
The Rise of Catherine the Great
(movie)
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
(movie)
Traffik
(movie)
Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Tough Love
(movie)
Walkabout
(movie)
Water for Elephants
(movie)
 
Arriving on October 2 

Destinations of the Damned with Zak Bagans season 1 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 3

Expedition Bigfoot season 5 (TV show)
Expedition X season 8 (TV show)
Gremlins: The Wild Batch season 2 (TV show)
Las Bravas F.C. season 2 (TV show)
Salem’s Lot (movie)
Velma: This Halloween Needs To Be More Special!
(TV show)
 
Arriving on October 4

Angel of Death (Szadź) seasons 2-3 (TV show)
Angel of Death (Szadź) season 4 (TV show)
HGTV Urban Oasis 2024 (TV show)
Mini Beat Power Rockers: A Hairy Halloween
(TV show)
Mini Beat Power Rockers: What a Monster
(TV show)
Scariest House in America
season 1 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 6

Have I Got News for You (TV show)
The Franchise
season 1 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 7

House Hunters: Amazing Water Homes season 1 (TV show)
Kids Baking Championship: Scary Good (TV show)
La Mente del Poder
season 1 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 9

1000-lb Sisters season 6 (TV show)
Bargain Block New Orleans season 1 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 10

Caddo Lake (movie)
Expedition Unknown
season 14 (TV show)
Good Hair (movie)
Roller Jam
(TV show)
 
Arriving on October 11

The Confidante (Une Amie Dévouée) (TV show)
The Disappearance (Chyłka - Zaginięcie) seasons 2-5 (TV show)
Tuesday (movie)
 
Arriving on October 13

Love & Marriage: Detroit season 2 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 14

Barney's World season 1 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 15

I Am Not A Monster: The Lois Riess Murders (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 17

LOUDER: The Soundtrack of Change (documentary)
 
Arriving on October 18

MaXXXine (movie)
Mecum Full Throttle: Indianapolis Fall Special 2024
(TV show)
My Lottery Dream Home
season 16 (TV show)
The Sancho Case (Caso Sancho) (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 19

Bering Sea Gold season 18 (TV show)
Vacation House Rules season 5 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 21

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three (movie)

Arriving on October 22

Residential Rage (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 23

1000-lb Best Friends season 3 (TV show)
Breath of Fire (TV show)
Sin City Tow
season 1 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 25

Trap (movie)
 
Arriving on October 26

First-Time Buyer's Club season 2 (TV show)
Impractical Jokers season 11 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 27

Chris Brown: A History of Violence (TV show)
Somebody Somewhere
season 3 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 28

Paranormal Caught on Camera season 8 (TV show)
People Magazine Investigates season 8 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 30

Skin Hunters (TV show)
Supermarket Stakeout
season 6 (TV show)
 
Arriving on October 31

Dark Souls Among Us (aka Senales del Mas Alla) season 1 (TV show)

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Monday, September 23, 2024

It's not a Switch 2, but a Nintendo device just passed through this US regulatory agency

While we’re all awaiting an eventual unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2, the company seems to be working on yet another device. A new wireless device made by Nintendo has been spotted making its way through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. 

And no, it’s not the Nintendo Switch 2, seeing that the device is tagged simply as a “wireless device,” and the word console is not mentioned. It does carry a similar ID – CLO-001 –, though, ending in 001, which is similar to the Nintendo Switch (HAC-001), Switch OLED (HEG-001), and Switch Lite (HDH-001). 

Thanks to a diagram showing where the model number and FCC label will appear, we know this gadget will take the form of a rounded square with a divot containing this information on the back. Inside, it lacks a battery and a boatload of connectivity as it only features a 24GHz mmWave sensor and a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi antenna. It also doesn’t feature a battery, meaning it needs to be plugged in via the USB-C port.

A diagram included in the FCC filing.

(Image credit: FCC)

However, we're left with more questions than answers aside from a diagram showing where the FCC identifying will be affixed – as a divot in the plastic on a square-shaped gadget. TheVerge notes that the onboard mmWAve sensor “could be a radar sensor to track movement,” meaning it might be more of a companion peripheral.

Their guess, like ours, is as good as yours at this point for what this mysterious Nintendo device could be. It could be a new accessory for a game, maybe a move into health or fitness like Wii Fit from many years ago, or something for more internal purposes.

After all, Nintendo partners with Universal for Super Mario World in Japan and California, and another version is set to open in 2025 in Florida. If you’re still waiting for Nintendo’s next-generation Switch, check out our guide for everything we know about the rumored console here.



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An iPhone 16 Pro Max failed this drop test, but that doesn't have to be you

Glass is smooth, shiny, and beautiful, the perfect surface to transfer your touch and intention to your iPhone 16 Pro Max's brilliant mind. However, it's also not indestructible and sometimes does glassy things like shatter into countless pieces when dropped. That's the finding of a recent AllState drop test with Apple's latest series of iPhones.

The US-based insurance company has been dropping iPhones for 13 years and reports that the iPhone 16 Pro Max did not survive its 'Breakability' test this year. No iPhone has survived the Allstate Protection Plan's drop test in more than a dozen years.

When the company put the iPhone 16 Pro Max in a special rig, a.k.a 'Dropbot,' and dropped it from a height of 6 feet onto a concrete sidewalk surface face down, the screen shattered, the display flickered, and then went dark (See the test for yourself in the video below).

Since haptic responses could still be felt when touching the screen, there is a chance that only the display would have to be replaced. When they performed the same test with the back facing down, the glass around the camera array cracked, but the phone remained otherwise completely functional. This is a better result than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which last year became inoperable after a drop on its back.

Obviously, AllState, which sells additional mobile device protection, has some skin in the game here. Potentially proving that the iPhone is not concrete proof might make people more open to considering a protection plan from their company for their new iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The results, though, are a bit dispiriting. During the launch, Apple said that its second-generation Ceramic Sheild, a custom glass blend co-developed with Corning (they make the Gorilla Glass on most top-tier smartphones), is not only 50% stronger than the first generation but also tougher than the glass found on most other smartphones.

I've been testing both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro, which are excellent Apple Intelligence-infused smartphones with slightly updated and larger designs. I don't purposely conduct drop tests, though I did accidentally drop the iPhone 16 Pro Max from a height of 3 feet onto a rugged floor.

It was, as you would expect, fine. I also put cases on both phones. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is currently in a lovely Speck case. They're hugely durable and protect the back, sides, and edges, and since edges and corners are stress points for these edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR displays, they help protect the glass on them, too.

The iPhone 16 Pro is in a silicon case, which provides good protection. However, when I looked at the screen a couple of days ago, I noticed a scratch running almost the length of the phone. I can promise you I was not carrying around the phone with a diamond or key in my pocket. I am so careful, and yet there's the scratch.

My point, and perhaps Allstate's, is that this is glass, and there is only so much you can do to protect it. As I wrote last month, "It's still far too easy to damage our precious phones." In that instance, I was writing about the new Google Pixel 9, a Gorilla glass Victus 2-covered handset that also quickly ended up with an uncountable scratch.

These tests are simply not conclusive. Allstate used two different phones to run the front and back drop tests. When the results with DropBot yielded virtually the same results as last year, Allstate opted to not run them again. There is a chance that further tests would've yielded different results. I've seen people drop their phones on the pavement from four or five feet, with the devices hitting, tumbling, and somehow surviving without a scratch.

While it's true the iPhone 16 Pro Max didn't fare well on these tests, we'll never know what hundreds of similar drops would've yielded. As far as I'm concerned, the breakability of these devices is not down to some build deficit, but I do think there is an element of luck. That's why cases are so popular – they're the one way of stacking the odds in your favor.

I did ask Apple for comment and will update this post with their response.

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Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer gets 150MW power boost despite concerns over grid impact and local power stability

Elon Musk's xAI supercomputer gets power boost amid concerns 150MW approval raises questions about grid reliability in Tennessee Lo...