Month: September 2023
Leaked Samsung Galaxy S24 renders tease iPhone 15 Pro-style frame
New renders have seemingly revealed the design of the Samsung Galaxy S24.
So far, the majority of rumors surrounding Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S24 series have concerned the inevitably pricey Galaxy S24 Ultra, but a new leak has seemingly revealed the design of the standard Samsung Galaxy S24, specifically.
Based on detailed renders shared by @OnLeaks and SmartPrix, the Galaxy S24 – which is expected to launch early next year – could arrive boasting flatter sides and markedly thinner bezels than its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S23. The latter phone’s slightly rounded edges will reportedly remain, however, which should make the Galaxy S24 easier to hold and pick up from flat surfaces.
In our book, these are welcome design changes. But there’s a rather large elephant in the room: if these renders prove accurate, then the Galaxy S24 will look an awful lot like Apple’s newly released iPhone 15 Pro. At least one model in the Galaxy S24 lineup is rumored to feature titanium sides, too, so Samsung’s next standard flagship (if not only the S24 Ultra) could also boast similar durability credentials to Apple’s best iPhones.
A 3D render of the Samsung Galaxy S24 (Image credit: @OnLeaks / SmartPrix)
Luckily (for the anti-Apple brigade), the rear of the Galaxy S24 looks set to remain noticeably Samsung-like. Per these new renders, the phone’s three rear cameras will be arranged in the same way as they are on the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus. Rumors suggest that the cameras themselves will remain unchanged, too: so, expect the Galaxy S24 to sport a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP f2.4 telephoto lens (with 3x optical zoom).
The phone’s display, however, is reportedly in line for a slight change. According to @OnLeaks, the Galaxy S24’s screen will measure 6.17 inches – up from 6.1 inches on the Galaxy S24 – which will make the phone taller and narrower than its predecessor. Interestingly, we’ve also heard that next year’s iPhone 16 Pro will be taller and narrower than the iPhone 15 Pro, so perhaps Apple and Samsung are not-so-secretly trading upgrades with one another (we’re joking, of course).
The Galaxy S24’s frame looks remarkably similar to that of the iPhone 15 Pro (above) (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Other rumored upgrades for the Galaxy S24 include a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, although we’ve also heard that the phone – like the Galaxy S22 – might ship with an Exynos chipset in certain regions, including Europe. Last year, Samsung was praised for finally bringing Qualcomm chipsets to every Galaxy S23 model, regardless of region. So, we’re hoping that this rumor is bogus, and that the company holds firm by equipping every Galaxy S24 model with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in 2024 (Samsung’s Exynos chipsets are known for being weaker than their Qualcomm counterparts).
As for when the Galaxy S24 line will launch, rumors suggest that Samsung could hold an announcement event as early as January 18 next year, in a bid to counteract consumer demand for Apple’s new iPhones. Will the tactic work? It remains to be seen, but Samsung is certainly improving its chances by at least making its standard Galaxy S24 look like the mega-popular iPhone 15 Pro.
Sony has hidden the KOTOR Remake trailer sparking even more cancelation rumors
Sony has removed the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake trailer and deleted the game’s initial announcements posts.
Sony has hidden the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake trailer and deleted the game’s initial announcements posts online.
On September 28, speculation that the highly anticipated KOTOR Remake had been canceled kicked off after a post on the Gaming Leaks and Rumours subreddit reported that the 2021 PlayStation Showcase reveal trailer that was published to the official Playstation Youtube channel had been delisted (via Kotaku).
If you now try to search for the trailer on the platform, you’ll not find any sort of official video from Sony, only reuploads from other fan and media channels.
But that’s not all. Twitter user Crusader3456 later shared a thread showing that Sony has also gone ahead a deleted the original announcement tweet that was posted during the 2021 PlayStation Showcase. Using the Wayback Machine will show you the now-deleted tweet.
The only official mention of the Star Wars game is now featured only in a tweet from the PlayStation account, which lists several announcements from the event. Otherwise, Sony seems to have scrubbed any mention of the Remake from the internet.
Although an official cancelation has not been announced by Aspyr and Sony, it hasn’t stopped fans from wondering if this means the end for the KOTOR Remake.
The game was originally announced as a PS5 exclusive and is being developed by Aspyr under parent company Embracer Group after the latter acquired the studio in 2021. However, it’s also expected to be released on Xbox Series X|S at some point in the future, so perhaps the game is still alive in some aspect.
Back in May, Embracer Group revealed its quarterly report for Q4 (FY 2022-2023), which listed every game in active development. KOTOR Remake was listed, meaning that the game was still being worked on, but there hasn’t been any update since.
Recent reports show that Embracer is making cuts across its many studios by shutting down Saints Row developer Volition and putting others up for sale – including Gearbox Entertainment, the developer of the Borderlands franchise. The decision comes after a reportedly rough year for the holding company, after “a “groundbreaking strategic partnership” worth $2 billion fell through at the last minute (via PC Gamer).
The sudden removal of any mention of the KOTOR Remake could mean that Embracer is making further cuts by canceling the game. Neither the publisher, Sony, nor Aspyr have commented on the rumors right now.
For more, check out our list of the best Star Wars games, as well as our guide to every upcoming game releasing this year.
The UK government is telling people to stop using Excel spreadsheets because of multiple data breaches
Spreadsheets used to share freedom of information requests are being distributed with personal information unredacted.
The UK government’s online privacy safeguard has issued a warning over the use of spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel following several high-profile security incidents.
Spreadsheets are a major cause for concern in the safety of personal information, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The warning comes in the wake of a surge in data breaches caused by Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, with incidents including the leaking of personal information pertaining to witnesses, suspects and victims in a number of crimes.
Excel warning
“The recent personal data breaches are a reminder that data protection is, first and foremost, about people.” said John Edwards, the Information Commissioner, “We have seen both the immediate and ongoing impact that the release of such sensitive personal information has had on the individuals and families involved, and that is why I have taken this action.”
“It is imperative that robust measures are in place to protect personal information. The advice we have issued sets out the bare minimum that public authorities should be doing to protect personal data when responding to information access requests, and to reassure the people they serve, and their staff, that their information is in safe hands.”
Alongside its statement, the ICO has issued a number of recommendations to organizations:
Immediately stop uploading original source spreadsheets to online platforms used to respond to FOI requestsContinually provide training to staff who are involved with disclosing informationAvoid using spreadsheets with hundreds or thousands of rows and instead invest in data management systems which support data integrity
FOI requests are an obligation for public bodies, but personal information is exempt from release and should be redacted before the request is actioned. However, there have been numerous cases where employees have not received enough training to fully redact spreadsheets before release.
Breaches such as these show that data is not just at risk from hackers, but also from general incompetence and highlights the importance of cyber literacy within organizations.
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The Morning After: The FTC is challenging Microsoft’s Activision buyout, again
Just when Microsoft’s buyout of Activision finally seemed to be near complete — and we could focus on Google’s legal tussles with the Department of Justice — the Federal Trade Commission said it will revive its attempt to block the $69 billion deal in an adjudicative process. Microsoft received EU approval over the summer when the European Commission endorsed the deal as long as the tech giant could ensure “full compliance with commitments.”
Normally, the FTC drops its challenges to deals when efforts are lost in federal court. This move will not delay the deal, though in the worst-case scenario, Microsoft might have to sell off parts of the gaming company. Microsoft told Bloomberg it’s not concerned about the move preventing its purchase. Regardless of the impact it could have, the FTC’s in-house hearing will only start after the Ninth Circuit issues an opinion on the appeal.
— Mat Smith
The Morning After is going to YouTube. Check out our weekly episodes here!
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Scientists confirm some black holes spin
The researchers analyzed 22 years’ worth of observations of the galaxy M87.
Observing 22 years of the first black hole humanity has ever imaged has offered “unequivocal evidence” that black holes spin. There’s apparently an oscillating jet that swings up and down roughly every 11 years. An international team of scientists headed by Chinese researcher Dr. Cui Yuzhu analyzed more than two decades of observational data gathered by more than 20 telescopes around the world to make the discovery in the black hole at the center of galaxy M87.
A small fraction of particles not falling into the black hole get jetted out. The telescopes’ observations show that M87’s jet oscillates by 10 degrees in a recurring 11-year cycle —– as Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity predicted. Aside from proving Einstein right, it’s a significant discovery that massively improves our understanding of black holes.
Continue reading.
Honda’s first all-electric SUV has 300-mile range
The Prologue arrives in early 2024.
Honda has revealed more details about its all-electric Prologue SUV. The EV will have a listed range of 300 miles and cost around “the upper $40,000s” before any incentives or tax credits. The pricing puts it well above rival SUVs, like the Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mustang Mach-E — all of which start around $40,000. Also, the range of Honda’s EV is comparatively shorter.
Continue reading.
This third-party deck makes your Switch feel like a dream
CRKD’s Nitro Deck costs $60.
Engadget
The Nitro Deck comes from CRKD, a new company founded at Embracer Group’s Freemode incubator lab. The Nitro Deck is a simple idea executed well: Slide your Switch screen into the frame and it acts as a self-contained, beefed-up gamepad, sidestepping the initially innovative but drifty Joy-Con controllers. You can also get it in a decidedly Gamecube colorway. Lots of purple.
Continue reading.
These origami-inspired flying robots change shape in mid-air
The true foldables.
University of Washington
Scientists at the University of Washington have developed flying robots that change shape in mid-air, without batteries, as originally published in the research journal Science Robotics. These miniature Transformers snap into a folded position during flight to stabilize descent. They weigh just 400 milligrams and feature an on-board battery-free actuator, powered by solar. Future-use cases could range from monitoring weather to checking air conditions with a fleet of the lil’ things
Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-ftc-is-challenging-microsofts-activision-buyout-again-111600835.html?src=rss
Just when Microsoft’s buyout of Activision finally seemed to be near complete — and we could focus on Google’s legal tussles with the Department of Justice — the Federal Trade Commission said it will revive its attempt to block the $69 billion deal in an adjudicative process. Microsoft received EU approval over the summer when the European Commission endorsed the deal as long as the tech giant could ensure “full compliance with commitments.”
Normally, the FTC drops its challenges to deals when efforts are lost in federal court. This move will not delay the deal, though in the worst-case scenario, Microsoft might have to sell off parts of the gaming company. Microsoft told Bloomberg it’s not concerned about the move preventing its purchase. Regardless of the impact it could have, the FTC’s in-house hearing will only start after the Ninth Circuit issues an opinion on the appeal.
— Mat Smith
The Morning After is going to YouTube. Check out our weekly episodes here!
The biggest stories you might have missed
How to use iOS 17’s Check In feature in iMessage to let friends know you got home safe
macOS Sonoma made me hate widgets less
The best gaming keyboards of 2023
ChatGPT now supports voice chats and image-based queries
Scientists confirm some black holes spin
The researchers analyzed 22 years’ worth of observations of the galaxy M87.
Observing 22 years of the first black hole humanity has ever imaged has offered “unequivocal evidence” that black holes spin. There’s apparently an oscillating jet that swings up and down roughly every 11 years. An international team of scientists headed by Chinese researcher Dr. Cui Yuzhu analyzed more than two decades of observational data gathered by more than 20 telescopes around the world to make the discovery in the black hole at the center of galaxy M87.
A small fraction of particles not falling into the black hole get jetted out. The telescopes’ observations show that M87’s jet oscillates by 10 degrees in a recurring 11-year cycle —– as Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity predicted. Aside from proving Einstein right, it’s a significant discovery that massively improves our understanding of black holes.
Honda’s first all-electric SUV has 300-mile range
The Prologue arrives in early 2024.
Honda has revealed more details about its all-electric Prologue SUV. The EV will have a listed range of 300 miles and cost around “the upper $40,000s” before any incentives or tax credits. The pricing puts it well above rival SUVs, like the Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mustang Mach-E — all of which start around $40,000. Also, the range of Honda’s EV is comparatively shorter.
This third-party deck makes your Switch feel like a dream
CRKD’s Nitro Deck costs $60.
The Nitro Deck comes from CRKD, a new company founded at Embracer Group’s Freemode incubator lab. The Nitro Deck is a simple idea executed well: Slide your Switch screen into the frame and it acts as a self-contained, beefed-up gamepad, sidestepping the initially innovative but drifty Joy-Con controllers. You can also get it in a decidedly Gamecube colorway. Lots of purple.
These origami-inspired flying robots change shape in mid-air
The true foldables.
Scientists at the University of Washington have developed flying robots that change shape in mid-air, without batteries, as originally published in the research journal Science Robotics. These miniature Transformers snap into a folded position during flight to stabilize descent. They weigh just 400 milligrams and feature an on-board battery-free actuator, powered by solar. Future-use cases could range from monitoring weather to checking air conditions with a fleet of the lil’ things
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-ftc-is-challenging-microsofts-activision-buyout-again-111600835.html?src=rss
The Meta Quest 3 will get a much-needed body-tracking update soon
Body-tracking and improved VR legs are coming to the Meta Quest 3 before the end of the year.
If you’ve ever found yourself pulled out of a VR experience because your virtual arms and upper body don’t match up well with your real body, Meta has some good news: the Meta Quest 3 will soon have proper body tracking thanks to an incoming update.
Currently, a lot of guesswork goes into VR avatars. Unless you’re wearing some kind of tracking suit, the headset has to guess where your arms and body should be based on your head and hand movements, as well as any height data you provide. Sometimes it’s okay, but generally this system is a little off, and rather than helping with immersion it can serve as a constant reminder that the virtual world is just that.
The Meta Quest 3 has an answer – or at least it will come December, when Meta rolls out an update (via UploadVR). The new VR headset’s downward-facing side cameras are able to see and track your torso, shoulders, elbows, and wrists, and using these data points, and some new algorithms, VR experiences can create avatars that more closely mimic your actual movements through a system called inside-out upper-body tracking.
In a demo video Meta, has shown how this system can not only more accurately copy your movements, but translate body movements that Quest hardware couldn’t follow well before – such as elbow strikes, and bending forward or to the side (movements which could be great for guided workouts in VR, for example).
Unfortunately, not every app will support inside-out upper-body tracking right away. A few, like Supernatural and Drunken Bar Fight, will, but you’ll have to wait for developers of other VR experiences to implement the SDK update into their software before you can enjoy the improved avatars.
Legs at last
This SDK update will also bring some improvements to VR legs.
VR legs have been a sore spot for Meta. It received some ridicule during Meta Connect 2022 when one of its biggest announcements was that Meta’s avatars would soon get legs – ridicule that was amplified when it was discovered that the demo it showed off was staged using motion-captured animation.
Virtual legs did actually start rolling out in September, but only for VR beta testers, and only in the Quest home app. It appears that this upcoming Meta Quest 3 update will bring the appendages to more users and a wider variety of apps – that is, if developers enable it.
(Image credit: Meta)
It’s worth noting, however, that your VR legs will be AI-generated rather than actually being tracked. Based on demo videos, the AI seems to get the leg movements mostly correct – it knows when you’re squatting, jumping, or doing a movement like a boxer bounce – but it won’t know when, say, you lift up a knee. So copying the jump-knee tuck movement Zuckerberg showed off during the Meta Connect 2022 demo won’t be possible in VR yet.
With the advancements Meta is making in tracking and AI it’s possible its legs will evolve in the coming year but for now, we’ll have to make do with what we have.
Want to know more about the new VR headset? Check out our hands-on Meta Quest 3 review.
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WestBridge seeks to buy stake in India’s Meesho
WestBridge Capital is in advanced stages of talks to purchase shares of Meesho in the secondary market, according to two people familiar with the matter, as the high-profile venture firm looks to broaden its bet on e-commerce. The investment firm, with a two-decade history of focusing on startups in India and Southeast Asia, is engaging
WestBridge Capital is in advanced stages of talks to purchase shares of Meesho in the secondary market, according to two people familiar with the matter, as the high-profile venture firm looks to broaden its bet on e-commerce. The investment firm, with a two-decade history of focusing on startups in India and Southeast Asia, is engaging […]
Rocket Report: Iran launches satellite; Artemis II boosters get train ride
Is ArianeGroup finally getting more serious about a reusable rocket?
Enlarge / All four RS-25 main engines are now installed the core stage for the Artemis II mission.
Welcome to Edition 6.13 of the Rocket Report! While SpaceX waits for regulatory approval to launch the second full-scale test flight of its Super Heavy booster and Starship rocket, NASA’s contractors took two steps forward this week to prepare for the second launch of the government-owned Space Launch System on the Artemis II mission, which will send a team of four astronauts around the far side of the Moon. This launch is still more than a year away. How many Starship test flights will SpaceX launch before Artemis II? Will Blue Origin’s New Glenn be flying by then?
As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.
Iran has launched a small satellite. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps successfully launched a small satellite named Noor 3 into orbit Wednesday, Reuters reported. This military satellite launched aboard a Qased rocket, a small launch vehicle powered by a liquid-fueled booster stage. The Qased, which means “messenger” in Persian, is reportedly capable of carrying a payload up to about 100 pounds (45 kilograms) into low-Earth orbit. Publicly available US military tracking data indicated the rocket deployed the Noor 3 satellite into an orbit about 280 miles (450 kilometers) above Earth.
5 Reasons to Use a VPN – CNET
Is it time for you to start using a VPN? Here’s a quintet of reasons why the answer may be yes.
Is it time for you to start using a VPN? Here’s a quintet of reasons why the answer may be yes.