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The Power of Screenshots: Chrome Overcomes Incognito Mode’s Limitations

By
Sajin Vargheese
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0
Image Credit: gizchina.com

Capturing screenshots is incredibly convenient for preserving information or sharing content with friends. However, we often take this ubiquitous feature for granted, not realizing the challenges when the software fails to cooperate. Over time, users have come up with innovative workarounds to tackle the issue of capturing screenshots in certain situations. Now, Google Chrome is actively striving to enhance its screenshot capabilities by introducing a new feature in its Canary flag, allowing users to take screenshots even while browsing in Incognito mode.

Ordinarily, when users attempt to capture a screenshot in Incognito mode, they are greeted with a frustrating black screen devoid of content. To address this inconvenience, Google introduced the chrome://flags/#incognito-screenshot option in Chrome 88. Enabling this flag resolved the screenshot limitation but came with an unintended consequence: the Incognito tab preview became visible in the Recents overview on your phone. This presented an opportunity for onlookers to observe your browsing habits as you scrolled through your recent apps—a potential breach of privacy.

Techdows was the first to notice the recent change after prolonged discussions on the Chromium bug tracker. The screenshot restrictions were initially implemented as a protective measure against passive snooping while browsing the Recents overview. The only viable solution to prevent previews in Recents was to enforce a complete restriction on capturing screenshots. However, with the new implementation, the content of Incognito tabs remains invisible as you navigate through your recent apps while still allowing you to manually capture screenshots at your discretion.

In summary, Google Chrome’s recent update aims to balance preserving privacy and providing users with the convenience of capturing screenshots, even within the confines of Incognito mode. This improvement is a testament to the ongoing commitment to refining the user experience and addressing long-standing concerns within the Chrome ecosystem.

Ransomware Alert: Reddit Confronted by ALPHV Hackers

By
Ramana Rishi
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Reddit has become a focal point of attention due to its recent modifications to API regulations, which have negatively affected third-party applications. This situation has led to the closure of announcements of several prominent apps and the temporary blackout of numerous significant subreddits as a form of protest. Additional development has emerged: a hacker group has come forward, threatening to expose 80GB of confidential Reddit data unless the company retracts the API modifications and pays a ransom.

This collective of malicious individuals, collectively known as ALPHV, has gained notoriety for their involvement in the notorious BlackCat ransomware, and they have claimed responsibility for a significant breach of Reddit that the company had acknowledged earlier this year in February. ALPHV has made headlines for targeting prominent entities like Western Digital and Ring, a surveillance hardware brand affiliated with Amazon. In their latest exploit, the group asserts that they successfully obtained approximately 80GB of compressed data from Reddit’s systems during the attack and are now leveraging it as a bargaining chip (according to reports by BleepingComputer).

The hackers now hold the stolen data for ransom, demanding that Reddit revert the API changes and pay $4.5 million. ALPHV has taken to the dark web to communicate their demands, stating that they attempted to engage with Reddit on April 13 and June 16, but their efforts proved fruitless. In addition to their needs, they have also resorted to mocking Reddit’s CEO, Steve Huffman, commonly known by the username /u/spez. It is worth noting that this incident resembles a traditional ransomware attack; however, Reddit’s systems remain operational, and the hackers have not imposed any restrictions on their access. While a Reddit spokesperson did not comment when approached by TechCrunch, they confirmed that ALPHV’s threat is related to the February data breach. At that time, Reddit had assured its users that no customer data, banking information, or user passwords had been compromised. The hackers had access to internal documents and the website’s underlying code.

Although the hackers have made audacious claims and presented their demands, they have yet to substantiate their possession of the stolen data. It remains to be seen whether Reddit will succumb to ALPHV’s demands and reverse the API changes or they will choose an alternative course of action. The unfolding situation will determine how Reddit responds to this unsettling predicament.

Signal Unveils New Update: Enhancing Messaging with Text Formatting Tools

By
Shanmugam
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While Telegram and WhatsApp dominate the instant messaging arena, Signal has garnered a loyal following due to its unwavering commitment to privacy. Continuously striving to enhance the user experience, Signal’s developers have introduced a range of novel features, such as disguisable icons. Today, Signal unveils its latest update, offering users a fresh set of tools. The newest beta version now incorporates text formatting capabilities, making messages more vividly expressive and understandable.

At its core, a messaging app serves as a medium of expression. Typically, individuals rely on a blend of words and emojis to convey their intended tone, with the latter supplementing the conversational nuances found in face-to-face interactions. However, including formatting options for the text, such as italics, can empower readers to emphasize specific words or other elements within a message. With the recent beta update, Signal introduces several new formatting options.

Users can now italicize or embolden text to heighten emphasis. Additionally, the ability to format content as monospace is particularly advantageous for coders seeking to share technical information that may otherwise be mistaken as part of the main sentence. Signal also facilitates strikethrough formatting, allowing users to redact erroneous information and correct previously sent messages. Lastly, a new spoiler effect has been introduced, catering to those who wish to withhold juicy plot details from the latest Marvel movie when conversing with group chat participants who have yet to watch it.

These innovative options manifest when text is selected after typing. The pop-up menu now offers choices to Cut, Copy, Bold, Italicize, and Strikethrough the ongoing text. Additionally, the three-dot overflow button presents an option to obfuscate text, preventing unintended spoilers.

Download the latest Signal beta update from the Google Play Store to access these text formatting features. Suppose you are not currently enrolled in the beta program. In that case, you may attempt to join via the provided link or patiently await the integration of these features into the stable builds, which is expected to occur in the upcoming weeks.

Immerse Yourself in Minecraft’s Trails & Tales: A Journey of Exploration

By
Alex Infant
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One year has passed since the launch of Minecraft’s The Wild update, and now we have the Trails & Tales Update (Minecraft 1.20) to explore. Unlike previous updates, this release doesn’t revolve around a specific theme. Still, it brings much fresh content for players, ranging from archaeology to introducing the new sniffer mob. Moreover, this update also signifies the complete release of Minecraft on Chromebooks.

Singling out a standout feature from this update is no easy task, but the beautiful cherry blossom trees will captivate your attention. Nestled within a pristine yet uncommon biome, these trees are part of two new wood sets available in the game. The other set, crafted from bamboo, finally receives its due recognition, as it has been part of Minecraft since 2018, albeit with limited applications until now.

This update introduces two new mobs, each with its distinct purpose. Mounting a camel will protect you against melee mobs, while the sniffer can locate seeds for ancient plants. The inclusion of the sniffer mob is a direct result of community voting during Minecraft Live 2022. Players must unearth sniffer eggs using the newly introduced archaeology feature to encounter this fan-requested mob.

minecraft trails tales 1

Beyond these major additions, many minor features await exploration in this update. Signs can now be affixed to the undersides of blocks, allowing for more versatile sign placement. Armor trims allow players to personalize their armor with unique styles, adding a touch of flair to their character. Furthermore, written books can now be stored alongside regular, enchanted, and quills on bookshelves, offering a tidier storage solution.

minecraft trails tales 2

The Trails & Tales update for Minecraft is now available across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS. While Minecraft has been accessible on select Chromebooks since March, the arrival of the Trails & Tales update signals its full release on ChromeOS. However, please note that it is not integrated with the Android release; although you can install it from the same Play Store listing, a separate purchase of $20 ($13 if you already own the Android version) is required. Moreover, running the game on one of our preferred gaming Chromebooks is recommended for optimal performance.

Apple’s WWDC 2023: Excitement Builds for iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 Rollout

By
Sajin Vargheese
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0
Image Credit: piunikaweb.com

Apple is preparing for the highly anticipated Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), which will begin on June 5th. This event promises to make intriguing announcements about next-generation software versions like iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10. As a prelude to the event, the Cupertino-based tech behemoth recently revealed surprising insights regarding iOS 16 usage statistics. To collect this information, Apple thoroughly examined app store transactions performed by numerous devices on May 30th, 2023.

Apple typically provides software updates for its products up to five years after their initial release. According to the business, 81 percent of iPhones globally are powered by iOS 16, released in September of the previous year. This outstanding figure rises to 90% when we only include iPhones released in the last four years, specifically the iPhone 11 series and the recently unveiled iPhone 14 series.

Among the remaining 19 percent, 13 percent have chosen not to upgrade from iOS 15, while 6 percent stay on iOS 14 and older versions. Notably, iOS 16 is still compatible with iPhone 8 and later models introduced in 2017 or after. Shifting our attention to tablets, Apple reports that an astonishing 71 percent of all iPads presently run iPadOS 16. If we limit the figures to tablets introduced in the last four years, the adoption rate jumps to 76 percent.
Nonetheless, 18% of these iPads still run iPadOS 15, with 6% running previous versions. According to the research, 20% of all iPads still run iOS 15, while 9% still run iPadOS 14 and prior editions.

As the curtain rises on the imminent unveiling of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, with their subsequent release expected later this year, the technology landscape awaits with bated breath the level of acceptance and uptake these latest versions will receive in comparison to their predecessors, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16.

Noise’s May Achievement: Empowering the Indian Market through Local Manufacturing

By
Shanmugam
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0

The new Noise milestone is further evidence of the Make In India program’s impact on the Indian manufacturing sector. The government continues to deliver incentives both at the central and regional levels. With one million Noise smartwatches manufactured locally in India last month, the brand hope to continue on an upward trajectory. The company has surpassed its initial target of 1 million monthly units. Noise also claims it is the first brand to ship more than 3 million made-in-India smartwatches.

Noise has also reiterated its unwavering commitment to the Make In India initiative. According to the brand, its May achievement clearly demonstrates its deep-rooted dedication and understanding of the Indian market. Noise says it will continue relentlessly pursuing the goal of making India self-reliant across several facets. The company hopes to sustain its strong performance in the year’s second half. It could even achieve new milestones in production going forward.

India continues to benefit immensely from the surge in made-in-India goods. It has grown in capacity and continues to leverage its huge population for greater effect. There are policies and incentives coupled with a relatively cheaper labor force.

Gmail’s Identity Verification: A Double-Edged Sword against Scammers

By
Ramana Rishi
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0
Image credit: theverge.com

Determining the trustworthiness of online entities is an incredibly intricate matter. Despite offering valuable advice, scammers continuously devise novel tactics and tools to deceive individuals and gain their trust. Consequently, many companies have endeavored to develop straightforward and readily comprehensible methods for verifying online identities. For instance, Gmail employs the familiar blue checkmarks that appear alongside verified senders in users’ inboxes. Unfortunately, certain malicious actors have discovered a means to exploit Google’s system.

Gmail provides companies and organizations with various mechanisms to authenticate their identities, such as BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification), VMC (Verified Mark Certificate), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). By completing the necessary procedures to confirm their legitimacy, these entities can display their company logos alongside their names, accompanied by the aforementioned blue checkmark.

However, cybersecurity engineer Chris Plummer recently made a disconcerting observation. Some scammers have managed to circumvent Google’s protective measures and manipulate their messages to appear as if they originate from an officially recognized source, successfully passing integrity checks.

Deeply troubled by this revelation, Plummer promptly notified Google of the alarming situation. To his surprise, his bug report was closed with the explanation that this behavior was somehow intentional—an explanation that failed to convince him. Consequently, Plummer turned to Twitter to express his frustrations. The response on social media was overwhelming, indicating that Google may need to reconsider its initial dismissal. The ball is now in Google’s court, and there is a cautious sense of optimism that the issue underlying this vulnerability will be promptly identified and addressed. Regrettably, Plummer had to push Google to acknowledge the severity of the matter persistently, but we are relieved that the company appears to have eventually recognized its significance.

Snapdragon Tech Summit 2023: Discover the Latest Advancements in Mobile Technology with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

By
Alex Infant
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0

Qualcomm has officially announced the dates for its annual Snapdragon Tech Summit, which will occur from October 24th to 26th this year. Notably, the event is scheduled a month earlier than usual, generating even more excitement among tech enthusiasts. The highly anticipated summit will serve as a platform for Qualcomm to unveil its latest flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, showcasing its cutting-edge advancements in mobile technology.

While the company has not provided official details, leaks have surfaced regarding the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Speculations suggest that the forthcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650) System on a Chip (SoC) will feature an updated architecture, transitioning from a “1+2+2+3” setup to a more dynamic “1+5+2” configuration. This architectural shift is expected to introduce a more powerful performance core with a higher operating frequency. Moreover, reports indicate that the chip will be manufactured using the TSMC N4P process, renowned for its advanced capabilities in chip fabrication.

Rumors surrounding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 propose that it will comprise 1 Cortex-X4 prime core, 5 A720 performance cores, 2 A520 power efficiency cores, and an Adreno 750 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Notably, according to the reputable leaker Ice Universe, the Adreno 750 GPU is expected to deliver significant performance enhancements compared to its predecessor, the Adreno 740. Additionally, there are talks of a 10MB L3 cache, a notable increase from the previous iteration’s 8MB L3 cache.

Furthermore, performance benchmarks of the new chip have emerged. According to a listing on Geekbench, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 achieved an impressive score of 2563 points in the single-core test and 7256 points in the multi-core test. Both scores showcase substantial improvements, particularly in the multi-core test compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. In contrast, the device recorded an impressive AnTuTu score of 1,712,271, with the CPU contributing 331,292 points and the GPU contributing 853,295 points.

With the Snapdragon Tech Summit on the horizon, technology enthusiasts eagerly await Qualcomm’s official unveiling of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, expecting it to usher in a new era of mobile performance and redefine the possibilities of mobile technology.

Android 14’s BatteryManager API: A Comprehensive Look into Your Device’s Battery Performance

By
Sajin Vargheese
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0

Android 14 has recently introduced a fresh BatteryManager API to provide users with comprehensive insights into their smartphone’s battery health. This latest functionality and a range of other valuable features have generated considerable excitement. The information comes directly from Mishaal Rahman of Esper.io, who confirms that the new APIs offer a wealth of valuable data, including cycle count, charging status, manufacturing date, date of first use, setting policy, and the battery’s health status.

The new BatteryManager API is exclusively accessible on Google’s Pixel smartphones operating on Android 14 Beta 2 or later. Leveraging this API, developer @narektor has developed a battery health app named Batt, which allows users to access detailed battery health statistics. However, it should be noted that the accuracy of the provided battery health data may not be absolute. Nevertheless, this development sets the stage for a potential future release of an official battery health tracking feature by Google, presumably integrated within the Settings app.

Regrettably, there is a possibility that the upcoming Android 14 iteration might not incorporate this feature, potentially deferring it to Android 15 instead. Considering the high demand for such a feature among users, it will eventually become available in a subsequent release. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development.

The Awaited Arrival: What We Know About the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

By
Ramana Rishi
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0

Samsung has established a pattern of releasing new Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip devices in the fall season, and these foldable phones have gradually taken over the Galaxy Note series. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is anticipated to be the most premium phone of the year, following the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Throughout the years, Samsung has consistently improved its foldable phone formula, making advancements in display technology, durability, software features, and hardware upgrades such as more powerful processors and enhanced cameras. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is rumored to surpass its predecessors and become Samsung’s most celebrated foldable phone. Although Samsung has not officially confirmed the Galaxy Z Fold 5 launch, multiple rumors indicate its arrival.

Samsung has been actively releasing new foldable phones since the introduction of the first Galaxy Fold in 2019, and the company aims for its foldable line to surpass the popularity of its flagship S series by 2025. Recent reports suggest that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 may be launched earlier than usual, in July instead of August. The exact date is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be announced a few weeks before the launch. Samsung’s Unpacked event, where the phone is expected to be unveiled, will take place in Seoul, marking the first foldable phone launch in the company’s home country.

While official information about the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is limited, rumors indicate several upgrades. One of the notable design changes is the implementation of a teardrop-style hinge, similar to other devices like the OPPO Find N2 and the Motorola Razr 2022. This hinge design will allow the display to close flat, reducing the appearance of the prominent crease in previous models. A patent from Samsung a few years ago depicted a similar design concept. It has been reported that a Galaxy Z Fold 5 hinge prototype was showcased at CES 2023, reinforcing the speculation about this new hinge design. Additionally, Samsung shared images of a new prototype display called the Flex In & Out, which can fold both inwards and outwards. This innovative screen technology could be featured in the Galaxy Z Fold 5, representing a significant design change for the series.

As for the color options, leaks suggest that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be available in Beige, Black, and Light Blue. However, Samsung may rename the colors Cream, Phantom Black, and Blue. Additional colors may be introduced as well. Leaked renders indicate that the phone’s folded thickness will be reduced to 13.4mm compared to its predecessor, while the external display and inner screen are expected to remain the same size. The bezels may be reduced to enhance the device’s aesthetics.

In terms of performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will likely feature the latest Snapdragon chipset. Speculations suggest that it may use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is expected to be announced by Qualcomm in May. However, specific details regarding the chipset have yet to be confirmed. The phone’s dimensions have been the subject of conflicting reports, with various sources providing different measurements. The camera setup is another crucial aspect, with reports suggesting a 108MP primary camera, a 64MP 2x telephoto lens, and a 12MP wide-angle camera. However, other sources dispute these claims and recommend a different camera system, such as a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10MP telephoto camera.

Users want to include an S Pen slot considering the sizeable foldable screen. However, it was reported that Samsung decided against adding an S Pen slot to the Galaxy Z Fold.

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