Tag: major

Major Google Pixel 8a leak reveals promo pictures and hints at pricing

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 30, 2024
No Comments on Major Google Pixel 8a leak reveals promo pictures and hints at pricing

[ad_1]

There’s a good chance the Google Pixel 8 will be unveiled at Google I/O 2024 on May 14, so it’s perhaps no surprise the pace of the associated leaks is picking up – and the latest major leak we’ve seen covers Pixel 8a promo images and pricing.

This is via the usually reliable @OnLeaks and Smartprix, and to start with the pricing, it looks as though worries about a price hike may have been unfounded: the Pixel 8a pricing is said to be $499 ( with 128GB of storage), and $559 (with 256GB) in the US.

That’s exactly what the Google Pixel 7a cost when it went on sale in May 2023, though only a 128GB version of that phone is available. We’re assuming Google will keep the same pricing as last year internationally as well (though there’s always the possibility of variations between regions), which was £449 and AU$749 for the 128GB Pixel 7a.

In our Google Pixel 7a review, we didn’t feel like the mid-ranger was particularly good value compared with the Pixel 7, so we’ll have to see how the Pixel 8a measures up against the Google Pixel 8 (the new phone is rumored to have the same Tensor G3 chipset inside).

Pictures aplenty

enjoy all these nice hq pixel 8a images without watermarkshttps://t.co/d2OoSMfIB8April 29, 2024

Besides the pricing leak, we also get a plethora of promotional images for the Pixel 8a, which you can view over at Smartprix. We can’t guarantee these are genuine, but they certainly look authentic enough, and fit in with the style of previous Pixel promo pics.

We previously heard about four Pixel 8a colors – dark gray (or Obsidian), white-ish (Porcelain), light blue (Bay), and a bright-ish green (Mint) – and three of them appear here, together with the rear camera bar and what looks like someone using Circle to Search.

If you need even more leaked pictures, seasoned tipster @MysteryLupin has you covered with another batch. This collection includes a Pixel 8a case – but not a Pixel 8a phone – in the orangey Coral color you can buy the Pixel 7a in.

All of this means we probably know just about everything there is to know about the Google Pixel 8a at this stage, ahead of its grand reveal at the Google I/O 2024 event. Here are 5 new things we’re expecting Google to announce.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Tags Google, hints, leak, major, pictures, Pixel, Pricing, promo, reveals

Featured

ChatGPT Plus just got a major update that might make it feel more human – here’s how the new memory feature works

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 29, 2024
No Comments on ChatGPT Plus just got a major update that might make it feel more human – here’s how the new memory feature works

[ad_1]

Artificial intelligence might seem a little less artificial today now that Memory is live for all ChatGPT Plus users.

After a few months of testing in both the free and pay versions of the generative AI chatbot, OpenAI chose to enable the feature, for paying customers only, in all regions except Korea and Europe.

ChatGPT‘s memory is exactly what it sounds like. During prompt-driven “conversations” with the AI, ChatGPT Plus can now remember key facts about the conversations, including details about you, and then apply that information to future interactions. Put another way, ChatGPT Plus just graduated from a somewhat disinterested acquaintance to a friend who cares enough to remember that your birthday is next week or that you recently bought a dog.

You can tell the system to implicitly remember something or just state facts about yourself that it will remember.

ChatGPT Plus Memory

Cross-chat memory introduction (Image credit: Future)

I know, it’s the kind of thing that could make AIs like ChatGPT far more useful or completely terrifying. Up until now, we’ve mostly dealt with generative AIs that had intense short-term memory loss. Systems like ChatGPT, Google‘s Gemini, and Microsoft CopIlot could carry on lengthy, discrete conversations where they’d do a decent job of maintaining context (the longer the conversation, the wonkier this could get). If, however, you ended one conversation and started another, it was like meeting a completely different person who knew nothing about you or the conversation you had three minutes ago.

Unlike human memory, which can remember some things forever but easily forget others, ChatGPT Plus Memory is in your control.

Controlling ChatGPT Plus Memory

As I mentioned earlier, you can help ChatGPT Plus build its Memory by telling it things about yourself that you want it to remember. By doing so, you’ll notice that when you ask, say, your age or where you live, it will be able to tell you. ChatGPT will also take those details and combine them with future queries, which could shorten your conversation and make the results more accurate and useful.

Memory is enabled by default. You can find it under Settings/Personalization. There’s a toggle switch where you can turn it off.

ChatGPT Plus Memory

ChatGPT Plus Memory control. (Image credit: Future)

To see all of ChatGPT Plus’ memories, you select the Manage button, which sits right below the Memory description and toggle. Initially, even though I told ChatGPT Plus to remember things about me, my memory box remained empty. If I had found any in there, I could clear all of them or select only the ones I wanted to remove.

However, when I told ChatGPT “I really love houseplants,” I saw a little notation appear right above its response that said: “Memory updated.” When I selected that, the memory, “Loves houseplants”, appeared below it, and right below that, a link to Manage memories.

Image 1 of 4

ChatGPT Plus Memory — (Image credit: Future)

Later, when I asked ChatGPT Plus how I might liven up my home, it answered, in part (I bolded the relevant bit), “Adding some houseplants is a great way to liven up your home! They not only beautify the space but also improve air quality and can enhance your mood. Since you love houseplants, you might consider diversifying the types you have….”

As noted, Memory is not free. A ChatGPT Plus subscription, which gives you, among other things, access to the GPT-4 model, costs $20 /£20 a month. I asked OpenAI if any version of Memory is coming to non-paying ChatGPT users and will update this post with their response.

Sure, ChatGPT Plus Memory nudges the generative AI in the direction of humanity, but there is, as far as I know, no way to go into anyone’s mind and delete some or all memories.

ChatGPT Plus Memory

Temporary Chat will turn off memories for that that. (Image credit: Future)

While you can turn off Memories, you might like the middle option, which uses the new “Temporary Chat” to introduce short-term amnesia to the system.

To use it, choose the ChatGPT model you want from the drop-down menu and then select “Temporary chat”. Now, nothing you share with ChatGPT Plus during that chat will be added to its memory.

Come to think of it, a real friend, who only remembers what you want them to, could come in handy.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Tags ChatGPT, feature, Feel, Heres, Human, major, memory, update, Works

Featured

Hackers attempt to hijack a major WordPress plugin that could allow for site takeovers

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 27, 2024
No Comments on Hackers attempt to hijack a major WordPress plugin that could allow for site takeovers

[ad_1]

A critical vulnerability recently discovered in a popular WordPress plugin, is being actively abused in the wild, researchers have said, with hackers potentially able to use the flaw to fully take over a victim’s website.

WordPress security firm Patchstack first discovered an SQL injection (SQLi) vulnerability in the WP‑Automatic plugin, in mid-March 2024.

WP-Automatic is a WordPress plugin designed to automate the process of importing and publishing content from various sources. It can grab content from RSS feeds, websites, YouTube channels, and more, and then automatically create and publish posts.

Five million attacks

According to a WPScan alert, cybercriminals can use the flaw to “gain unauthorized access to websites, create admin‑level user accounts, upload malicious files, and potentially take full control of affected sites.” So far, the flaw was used to create new administrator accounts, which the hackers would later use for additional attacks (installing malicious add ons, exfiltrating sensitive data, and more).

It was given a rating of 9.9 (critical), and tracked as CVE-2024-27956. All versions up to 3.9.2.0 are said to be vulnerable. So far, more than five million exploitations attempts were recorded.

“Once a WordPress site is compromised, attackers ensure the longevity of their access by creating backdoors and obfuscating the code,” WPScan said. “To evade detection and maintain access, attackers may also rename the vulnerable WP‑Automatic file, making it difficult for website owners or security tools to identify or block the issue.”

The Hacker News, also said that the file renaming part might also be an attempt by hackers to prevent other hackers from taking over.

WordPress is by far the most popular website builder platform around today, powering almost half of the entire Internet. Still, it is considered relatively safe, with themes and plugins being the weakest link. WordPress site users are advised to only install themes and addons they plan on using, and to keep them updated at all times.

Oracle is moving its global HQ in major healthcare switch

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 24, 2024
No Comments on Oracle is moving its global HQ in major healthcare switch

[ad_1]

Oracle has confirmed it will soon relocating its global headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee, in a moved apparently aimed at positioning the company closer to a major hub in the healthcare industry.

The announcement, made by company chairman Larry Ellison at the Oracle Health Summit, marks a surprising shift from the company’s previous decision to move its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas in 2020.

TechRadar Pro has asked Oracle to share more information about the relocation, but the company did not immediately respond.

Oracle relocating to healthcare epicenter

The hour-long interview, shared on the Oracle Health LinkedIn page, sees Ellison explain some of the reasoning behind the cloud company’s decision to relocate again.

Ellison explained that Nashville was chosen because it is a healthcare hub, and Oracle could benefit from being linked more closely with that “community” – a word he expressed choosing specifically. The chairman also highlights the city’s vibrant culture, family-friendly environment, and the fact that many Oracle employees had expressed a desire to live and work there.

Nashville’s trajectory as a healthcare hub took off with the establishment of HCA Healthcare in 1968, drawing in various other healthcare entities in the decades that followed.

Between its most recent relocation and today, Oracle acquired Cerner for $28 billion. The 2022 acquisition saw it obtain the resources and experience from the Missouri-based EHR management software company.

The new campus, designed by Norman Foster, is described as a park-like setting with office buildings, a community clinic (which is not shocking given the company’s increasing involvement with the healthcare industry), restaurants, a hotel, and even a concert venue with a floating stage on a lake.

Fortnite Festival’s next major headlining star is Billie Eilish

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 24, 2024
No Comments on Fortnite Festival’s next major headlining star is Billie Eilish

[ad_1]

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite Festival season 3 will feature pop star Billie Eilish.

Starting today (April 23) through to June 13, the award-winning singer will be taking the stage in the latest season alongside new outfits, instruments, emotes, Jam Tracks, and more items themed after the artist, some of which can be earned by completing this season’s Festival Quests.

While there is a free reward track, players can also upgrade to the Premium Reward Track which will unlock an extra layer of rewards to be earned, as well as the Green Roots Billie Outfit, which will be received automatically upon purchase.

With the launch of Season 3, Epic Games has also made Rock Band 4 guitar controllers fully compatible with the game mode’s new song parts – Pro Lead and Pro Bass – on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and can be accessed on the Main Stage. This also includes the recently-launched PDP Riffmaster.

You can head over to the official blog post to see whether your controller can be supported this season.

There are also a bunch of quality-of-life improvements that have been made to the game mode, which you can read in full below.

Fortnite Festival Season 3 patch notes

Improvement and Fixes:

Pro Lead and Pro Bass

Added two new song parts: Pro Lead and Pro Bass! All current and future Jam Tracks now have these two playable song parts, accessible on the Main Stage with a guitar controller.
Pro Lead and Pro Bass have hammer-on and pull-off notes. When you have a streak going, you can hit these notes without strumming!
Pro Lead and Pro Bass have colored notes for each lane, corresponding with the guitar controller’s buttons.
Leaderboards now have new listings to support Pro Lead and Pro Bass scores. Climb to the top!
To support the release of Pro Lead and Pro Bass, we’ve updated the Overdrive color for all song parts from bright orange to silver-white. How you gather and activate Overdrive hasn’t changed, but we felt with the added note colors that Overdrive needed to appear more distinct.
For now, the whammy bar only provides a visual effect. There is no audio distortion or extra Overdrive energy when whammying.
We’re continuing to improve the feel of playing with a guitar controller and want your feedback! For rhythm-rocking veterans, there may be situations where you miss a note you’d expected to hit, or where a familiar Jam Track feels different. Let us know your thoughts as you don the axe in Fortnite Festival. We’re excited to see you shred!

Tuning Up

The Music Library now shows an expanded set of stats, showing your selected Instrument type’s best performance in each Jam Track row.
The Music Library is now also ordered with new and featured Jam Tracks at the top by default (this can be re-sorted), allowing players with large libraries to easily access Quest-relevant Jam Tracks.
New Wristband Quests and rewards have been added.
Season 2 leaderboard scores have been recorded and archived. The leaderboards await your new top performances with Season 3!
For more convenient song selection, you’ll be closer to the organ when you arrive Backstage. No more sprinting to make your setlist!
There are more stats on the Results screen after each performance. You can now see the percentage of notes hit and missed and the average from your other performances to see how you’ve improved.
We’ve reordered the song parts selection menu to Vocals > Bass > Lead > Drums.
We fixed a bug that was granting a “Double Overdrive” meter during certain note sections.
Made various other fixes and improvements.

UnitedHealth confirms major cyberattack, says hackers stole “substantial” amount of patient data

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 23, 2024
No Comments on UnitedHealth confirms major cyberattack, says hackers stole “substantial” amount of patient data

[ad_1]

UnitedHealth Group has issued an update on the data breach that recently struck its subsidiary, Change Healthcare.

The healthcare giant suffered a ransomware attack that knocked some of its services offline and affected different pharmacies and other adjacent businesses across the United States.

In an update, UnitedHealth Group said that based on initial targeted data sampling to date, the company found “files containing protected health information (PHI) or personally identifiable information (PII), which could cover a substantial proportion of people in America.”

Ransomware fiasco

So far, there has been no evidence that the hackers stole materials such as doctors’ charts, or full medical histories.

The company further explained that the data review is ongoing and complex, and that it will likely take a few months to conclude the investigation, suggesting that the type of stolen data, as well as its scope, might change.

In the meantime, it set up a dedicated website http://changecybersupport.com/ where affected individuals can get more information and details. It also set up a dedicated call center, and is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection for two years.

The ransomware attack suffered something of a fiasco on both sides. The company was apparently attacked by an affiliate of the infamous ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). To address the problem and get its data back, the company paid the attackers $22 million in cryptocurrency. However, due to the nature of RaaS, the affiliates who breached Change never got the money, as ALPHV took all of it and shut the entire operation down.

This also meant that Change never got its data back. In the meantime, a separate threat actor came forward, claiming to be in possession of the data, and asking for even more money.

UnitedHealth Group said that it’s monitoring the internet and the dark web, together with industry experts, to determine if any data made it online.

“There were 22 screenshots, allegedly from exfiltrated files, some containing PHI and PII, posted for about a week on the dark web by a malicious threat actor. No further publication of PHI or PII has occurred at this time,” the notification concludes.

Some Samsung Galaxy owners are getting screen replacements to fix major issue

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 22, 2024
No Comments on Some Samsung Galaxy owners are getting screen replacements to fix major issue

[ad_1]

Last week, several Galaxy owners took to the internet to complain about seeing a distracting green line going down their phone’s screen. It was unclear if Samsung would address this issue or ignore it. As it turns out, the tech giant is going to help people fix the problem, but it’s not making it easy.

Industry insider Tarun Vats on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) recently spoke to an “official Samsung support channel” on WhatsApp. And they told Vats that the company will replace the display as well as the battery even if the “warranty has expired” – so long as you meet certain requirements.

First off, Samsung will only repair certain models. They include most of the Galaxy S20 series (the S20 FE is excluded), most of the S21 line (minus the S21 FE), the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Note 20, and Note 20 Ultra”. Other models mentioned in the initial reports, like the Galaxy Z Flip 3, are not included in the support offer. Second, the smartphones must’ve been purchased within the last three years. Three, there cannot be any other physical or water damage to the device. And lastly, you must be living in India. Taurn Vats spoke to Samsung India’s customer support channel confirming it is the only branch offering the fix at the time of this writing. Also, users in the country have until April 30 to take advantage of the deal.

Repeated problem

While Samsung’s apparent offer to help is good news, it’s still disappointing that the program is so limited although it does make sense. India has run into the green line problem before. Back in July 2023, the exact same support channel offered to replace screens if people ran into green, pink, or purple lines. If you look through the recent complaints, many of them come from India. Of course, Galaxy owners in other global regions are experiencing the same issue. India, for whatever reason, seems to be a bit of a hotspot for the glitch.

No one knows exactly why this is happening. One theory claims it could be a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forbes in their coverage points out how phones released in 2020 and 2021 from multiple manufacturers have seen the green line. You can find posts on Apple’s forums from iPhone users running into the problem to this day. Forbes states the green lines are likely the result of lower-quality screen materials brought upon by “manufacturing delays related to the pandemic.”

No word if Samsung plans to expand its repair program to other countries. It’s unknown how widespread the green line issue is and if it’s a big enough problem to warrant expansion. We reached out to the company for more information. We’ll update this story if we learn anything new.

In the meantime, check out TechRadar’s list of the best Samsung phones for 2024.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Tags fix, Galaxy, issue, major, Owners, replacements, Samsung, Screen

Featured

A key Apple app is rumored to be getting a major upgrade in macOS 15

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 20, 2024
No Comments on A key Apple app is rumored to be getting a major upgrade in macOS 15

[ad_1]

We’re set to hear much more about what’s coming with macOS 15 when Apple‘s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) gets underway on June 10 – and one app in particular is rumored to be getting a major upgrade.

That app is the Calculator app, and while it perhaps isn’t the most exciting piece of software that Apple makes, AppleInsider reckons the upcoming upgrade is “the most significant upgrade” the app has been given “in years”.

It’s so substantial, it’s got its own codename: GreyParrot (that’s said to be a nod towards the African grey parrot, known for its cognitive abilities). Part of the upgrade will apparently include the Math Notes feature we’ve already heard about in relation to a Notes app upgrade due in iOS 18.

It sounds as though Math Notes is going to make it easier to ferry calculations between the Notes and the Calculator apps. A new sidebar showing the Calculator history is reported to be on the way too. This might well get its own button on the app, AppleInsider says.

Currency conversions

Calculator for macOS

Currency conversions currently require a pop-up dialog (Image credit: Future)

A visual redesign is also apparently on the way, with “rounded buttons and darker shades of black” to match the iOS Calculator. Users will also be able to resize the Calculator app window, with the buttons resizing accordingly, which isn’t currently possible.

Unit conversion is going to be made more intuitive and easier to access, AppleInsider says, with no need to open up the menus to select conversion types – at the moment, it’s necessary to select currencies in a pop-up dialog.

The thinking is that Apple wants to better compete with apps such as OneNote from Microsoft, and the third-party Calcbot app for macOS. It’s been a long time since the Calculator app was changed in any way, and its rather basic feature set means it’s lagging behind other alternatives.

According to AppleInsider, there’s no guarantee that Apple will go through with this Calculator upgrade, but it seems likely. Expect to hear much more about macOS 15, iOS 18, and Apple’s other software products at WWDC 2024 on June 10.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Tags App, Apple, Key, macOS, major, rumored, upgrade

Bisnis Industri

iPhone 16 Pro camera could bring major upgrades [The CultCast]

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 20, 2024
No Comments on iPhone 16 Pro camera could bring major upgrades [The CultCast]

[ad_1]

iPhone 16 Pro camera rumors on The CultCast episode 643 — The iPhone 16 Pro camera might knock our socks off with new upgrades.
*Image: Cult of Mac*

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors about the iPhone 16 Pro’s camera make it sound better than ever. That’s no surprise, considering Apple makes a big deal out of the iPhone camera every year. But we couldn’t be happier to have even finer photographic tools at our disposal.

Also on The CultCast:

A new retro game emulator for iPhone called Delta is a … game changer! And this is just the start of a revolution brewing in the App Store.
Griffin knows some Mac settings you should change for a better experience.
There’s lots of big Apple TV+ news, from a new show from the writer behind Slow Horses and extensions of popular series including Silo and For All Mankind.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

The CultCast live stream archive

Our sponsors: Squarespace and Notion

Squarespace: Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself at Squarespace.com/CultCast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Notion: Combine your notes, documents and task/project management into one space that’s simple and beautifully designed, with the power of AI built right inside. Try Notion AI for free when you go to notion.com/cultcast.

This week’s top Apple news

On the show this week: Your host Erfon Elijah (@erfon), Cult of Mac managing editor Lewis Wallace (@lewiswallace) and Cult of Mac writer D. Griffin Jones (@dgriffinjones).

Here are the headlines we’re talking about on this week’s show:

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Tags bring, camera, CultCast, iPhone, major, Pro, Upgrades

Bisnis Industri

‘Hollywood Con Queen’ on Apple TV+ documents major scam

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 15, 2024
No Comments on ‘Hollywood Con Queen’ on Apple TV+ documents major scam

[ad_1]

A new three-part documentary series explores the story of an international con artist impersonating Hollywood’s most powerful women, Apple TV+ said Monday. And it provided a “first look” image, above. You can watch Hollywood Con Queen on Apple TV+ starting May 8.

Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Chris Smith created the three-part series. It’s based on investigative journalism by Scott Johnson in The Hollywood Reporter.

Hollywood Con Queen documentary series airs on Apple TV+ May 8

Apple TV+ called the new documentary series from Smith (Tiger King, Fyre, 100 Foot Wave) “incredible” and “riveting.” As such, the story it tells comes from work by investigative journalist Scott Johnson. He writes for The Hollywood Reporter and published a book through Harper Collins entitled, Hollywood Con Queen: The Hunt for an Evil Genius.

So here’s how Apple TV+ describes the documentary series:

A mysterious figure dubbed the ‘Con Queen’ impersonates the industry’s most powerful women, luring unsuspecting victims to Indonesia with the promise of a life-changing career opportunity. The Con Queen’s marks exhaust their personal finances in pursuit of a big break, while being exploited in a perverse psychological game spanning the globe.

The scam eventually draws the attention of veteran investigative journalist of The Hollywood Reporter, and dedicated private investigator Nicole Kotsianas, formerly of K2 Integrity, who set out to find the truth, only to discover a story more strange than they could have imagined.

Library Films produced Hollywood Con Queen for Apple TV+. Smith serves as director and executive producer alongside executive producer Ben Anderson. Johnson is a consulting producer.

Watch documentaries on Apple TV+

So does that sound tempting? You can see Hollywood Con Queen on Apple TV+ starting May 8. It joins numerous other documentary films and shows on Apple TV+.

The service is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.

After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.

In addition to award-winning movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso), Apple TV+ offers a variety of documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.

Source: Apple TV+

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Tags Apple, Con, documents, Hollywood, major, Queen, scam