Month: July 2024
Dasung’s latest color E ink monitor is portable
Don’t mistake Dasung’s portable color E Ink monitor for a tablet, it’s completely dependent on another device. | Image: Dasung
It may look like another e-note tablet, but Dasung’s Paperlike Color is actually a portable monitor featuring a 12-inch color E Ink screen with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. For those working remotely, it can provide extra screen real estate for a laptop or a smartphone, or its reflective e-paper panel can serve as an alternative to staring at an LCD for hours, thus reducing eye strain.
The Paperlike Color is Dasung’s second dedicated display product featuring an E Ink Kaleido 3 color screen, following a 25.3-inch desktop version that debuted last September. The desktop version sells for $1,649, while the new portable version is available now for $849.
The Kaleido display technology works by applying a color filter over a black and white E Ink panel, but that approach has some limitations. In black and white mode, E Ink’s Kaleido 3 screens have a resolution of 300 ppi, but in color mode, that drops to 150 ppi. In addition, Kaleido 3 technology can also only display 4,096 colors, compared to the millions that LCD or OLED screens can display.
The most compelling reason to use an E Ink monitor is that it’s designed to reflect ambient light, instead of emitting its own. That can make the screens easier to concentrate on for longer periods, and it’s why reading devices like the Amazon Kindle have remained so popular. But the Paperlike Color can also be used in the dark, thanks to an optional neutral-colored front light that illuminates the screen.
Image: Dasung
You’ll need to physically connect devices to the monitor with a USB-C cable.
Other features include touchscreen functionality, physical buttons on the bezel for adjusting various display settings, and Dasung’s “Turbo Refresh Tech,” which boosts the refresh rate of the E Ink panel so users can watch videos on it. And thanks to a housing made from CNC carved aluminum alloy, the portable Paperlike Color weighs 439 grams (about 15.5 ounces), which is lighter than both the 11 and 13-inch iPad Air.
The biggest sticking point is the Paperlike Color’s $849 price tag, which is more expensive than either iPad Air model. The monitor doesn’t include a rechargeable battery (it must be physically connected to your device with a USB-C cable), limiting where you can use it, and despite looking the part, it doesn’t function as a standalone tablet. If you’re specifically looking for an LCD or OLED alternative, the Paperlike Color will give you that in a portable package. But if you’ve already got a tablet, there are plenty of apps allowing you to repurpose it as a second screen.
Don’t mistake Dasung’s portable color E Ink monitor for a tablet, it’s completely dependent on another device. | Image: Dasung
It may look like another e-note tablet, but Dasung’s Paperlike Color is actually a portable monitor featuring a 12-inch color E Ink screen with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. For those working remotely, it can provide extra screen real estate for a laptop or a smartphone, or its reflective e-paper panel can serve as an alternative to staring at an LCD for hours, thus reducing eye strain.
The Paperlike Color is Dasung’s second dedicated display product featuring an E Ink Kaleido 3 color screen, following a 25.3-inch desktop version that debuted last September. The desktop version sells for $1,649, while the new portable version is available now for $849.
The Kaleido display technology works by applying a color filter over a black and white E Ink panel, but that approach has some limitations. In black and white mode, E Ink’s Kaleido 3 screens have a resolution of 300 ppi, but in color mode, that drops to 150 ppi. In addition, Kaleido 3 technology can also only display 4,096 colors, compared to the millions that LCD or OLED screens can display.
The most compelling reason to use an E Ink monitor is that it’s designed to reflect ambient light, instead of emitting its own. That can make the screens easier to concentrate on for longer periods, and it’s why reading devices like the Amazon Kindle have remained so popular. But the Paperlike Color can also be used in the dark, thanks to an optional neutral-colored front light that illuminates the screen.
Image: Dasung
You’ll need to physically connect devices to the monitor with a USB-C cable.
Other features include touchscreen functionality, physical buttons on the bezel for adjusting various display settings, and Dasung’s “Turbo Refresh Tech,” which boosts the refresh rate of the E Ink panel so users can watch videos on it. And thanks to a housing made from CNC carved aluminum alloy, the portable Paperlike Color weighs 439 grams (about 15.5 ounces), which is lighter than both the 11 and 13-inch iPad Air.
The biggest sticking point is the Paperlike Color’s $849 price tag, which is more expensive than either iPad Air model. The monitor doesn’t include a rechargeable battery (it must be physically connected to your device with a USB-C cable), limiting where you can use it, and despite looking the part, it doesn’t function as a standalone tablet. If you’re specifically looking for an LCD or OLED alternative, the Paperlike Color will give you that in a portable package. But if you’ve already got a tablet, there are plenty of apps allowing you to repurpose it as a second screen.
Save Almost $3,000 on EcoFlow Power Generators During the Home Backup Sale
Don’t find yourself caught without any power the next time you take an adventure to go camping. Score huge savings on tons of models right now.
Don’t find yourself caught without any power the next time you take an adventure to go camping. Score huge savings on tons of models right now.
Independent auditors confirm top VPN never logs your data
Proton VPN aces its third no-log audit since 2022, confirming itself as a truly private VPN with “the highest standards of security and privacy.” Here’s why this is important for you.
Independent auditors have confirmed that one of the best VPN providers doesn’t log your data, offering “the highest standards of security and privacy.”
Security experts at Securitum inspected Proton VPN‘s server and file configurations to ensure data related to users’ activities is never logged or stored as stated in its privacy policy. After thorough analysis, no traces of user logs were detected.
While offering open-source apps across all platforms, Proton VPN regularly puts its security and privacy features under independent scrutiny. This is the third time, in fact, the popular VPN provider has proved its no-logs claims with an external audit since 2022.
Proton VPN’s third no-log audit
Auditors spent six days – between July 3 to 5, 2024 – to verify the technical aspects of the Proton VPN server and file implementation, while assessing the company’s operating procedures.
Among others, auditors looked at whether or not Proton VPN tracks your activity on its servers or logs any metadata, including DNS traffic. They also checked if the provider monitors what users do when connected to Proton’s network, such as the websites they visit or the servers they connect to. They also verified the company’s way of preventing any unauthorized configuration change.
“During the audit, it was confirmed that the Proton VPN product complies with the No-Log policy and offers the highest standards of security and privacy,” reads the Securitum’s report.
Put simply, the audit confirmed Proton VPN does not engage in any practices that could end up compromising your privacy. This means that its VPN apps never log metadata or your VPN activity. At the same time, auditors verified that all changes and additional features have been developed to maximize user security and privacy.
Commenting on the result, Andy Yen, founder and CEO at Proton, wrote in an official announcement: “At Proton, we believe that all claims should be investigated and verified, including our own. Going forward, we will continue to perform regular security audits and publish the results so you can read an independent security professional’s report before you entrust us with your data.”
Why do you want a no-log VPN?
A strict no-logs policy, even better if regularly independently audited, should be among your top priorities when signing up for a new VPN service. That’s especially crucial if boosting your online privacy is the main reason you’re using a virtual private network.
While some logs of basic data like the number of users connecting to the same server and the email address associated with a user’s account are inevitable, a no-log VPN guarantees that no personal information or usage data linked to you or your activities is ever collected.
Proton VPN also comes with one of the best free VPN plans on the market. While you’ll need to upgrade to a premium subscription to take advantage of its streaming VPN capabilities, it’s the perfect service if simply boosting your online privacy and security is what you’re after.
Let’s say that, for instance, a malicious hacker or government manages to acquire data coming from a VPN network. With a no-log VPN, none of your sensitive information will be leaked simply because the details won’t exist.
The importance of this feature has already been proved in some instances. In 2019, Proton was unable to help authorities identify a user as they didn’t store any identifiable information. More recently, Swedish authorities were left empty-handed after an inconclusive police raid on Mullvad’s servers last year.
As mentioned earlier, Proton’s commitment to users’ privacy and security goes even further. All its apps are fully open-source, in fact, meaning that anyone can check its coding for bugs and vulnerabilities.
“As an organization founded by scientists who met at CERN, we believe in peer review and transparency,” said Yen, while inviting all security researchers to support Proton’s security through its bug bounty program.
Microsoft Pushes US Lawmakers to Crack Down on Deepfakes
Microsoft is calling on Congress to pass a comprehensive law to crack down on images and audio created with AI — known as deepfakes — that aim to interfere in elections or maliciously target individuals. From a report: Noting that the tech sector and nonprofit groups have taken steps to address the problem, Microsoft President Brad Smith on Tuesday said, “It has become apparent that our laws will also need to evolve to combat deepfake fraud.” He urged lawmakers to pass a “deepfake fraud statute to prevent cybercriminals from using this technology to steal from everyday Americans.”
The company also is pushing for Congress to label AI-generated content as synthetic and for federal and state laws that penalize the creation and distribution of sexually exploitive deepfakes. The goal, Smith said, is to safeguard elections, thwart scams and protect women and children from online abuses. Congress is currently mulling several proposed bills that would regulate the distribution of deepfakes.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Microsoft is calling on Congress to pass a comprehensive law to crack down on images and audio created with AI — known as deepfakes — that aim to interfere in elections or maliciously target individuals. From a report: Noting that the tech sector and nonprofit groups have taken steps to address the problem, Microsoft President Brad Smith on Tuesday said, “It has become apparent that our laws will also need to evolve to combat deepfake fraud.” He urged lawmakers to pass a “deepfake fraud statute to prevent cybercriminals from using this technology to steal from everyday Americans.”
The company also is pushing for Congress to label AI-generated content as synthetic and for federal and state laws that penalize the creation and distribution of sexually exploitive deepfakes. The goal, Smith said, is to safeguard elections, thwart scams and protect women and children from online abuses. Congress is currently mulling several proposed bills that would regulate the distribution of deepfakes.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Apple Watch X Rumors: Bigger screens, new chip, cheaper SE model
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, everyone’s building up to the expected launch of the Apple… Continue reading Apple Watch X Rumors: Bigger screens, new chip, cheaper SE model
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As we approach the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, everyone’s building up to the expected launch of the Apple Watch 10.
In some corners of the internet, it’s being labeled as the Apple Watch X, although no confirmation on the name has yet been issued. Of course, the tech giant’s tenth-generation smartphone was called the iPhone X, so it’s rational to expect the same format again.
Apple Watch X: What we know so far and rumors
New Design & Bigger Screen
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the Apple Watch 10 is set to have a bigger display than its predecessors, but not quite as big as the screen found on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or the bigger screen rumored to be on the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
The Apple Watch 9 has a screen size between 1.6 and 1.8 inches, but it is believed the Apple Watch 10’s screen will be nearer two inches in size.
This might suggest a slight design change to accommodate a larger screen. A previous CAD file leak from 91mobiles shows a thinner model with a bigger screen.
Image: 91mobiles
One of the more controversial changes anticipated is the potential introduction of a new magnetic band mechanism. That may mean bands will no longer be universal across all Apple Watch generations. That might be a very controversial move in the eyes of those with a collection of Apple Watch bands that they may not be able to use on the Apple Watch 10.
New Features
There are three new features Apple has been working on for the Apple Watch, according to Gurman. However, two of them may not be available in time for the Apple Watch 10.
Firstly, the blood-pressure monitor has been in production for some time now but, there have been several snags in testing which may or may not be ironed out before the 10th-generation Watch’s release.
Then there’s the sleep apnea sensor, which relies on reading blood-oxygen levels. Apple has been forced to disable its blood-oxygen tool in Apple Watch devices due to an ongoing legal dispute with Masimo Corp. If that isn’t resolved in time, a sleep apnea sensor is unlikely to be present in the next Apple Watch release.
The only other new feature that will reportedly be included is a glucose monitor. This might use short-wave infrared absorption spectroscopy. That involves shining lasers through the skin into the interstitial fluid between blood vessels and cells. The intensity of the light’s reflection can supposedly be used to calculate the glucose concentration in the bloodstream.
Elsewhere, we can expect watchOS 11, which was announced at WWDC in June, to be present out of the box, which includes a stack of new features, including new training modes, a new vitals app, and an update to the Photos watch face.
Image: Apple
New Chip
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 10 is set to receive a brand new chip, named S10, according to Gurman. Like the rumored Apple Watch Ultra 3, this new chip will be able to power new AI features in the future.
However, there are no expectations to find Apple Intelligence present in Apple Watch models for the foreseeable future. AI features are going to be limited to the likes of iPhones and iPads for now but the inclusion of powerful chips suggests Apple is planning to bring AI to its wearable range at some point.
Battery Life
Apple has always promised users will get the same battery life regardless of all the new features it adds to future generations of Apple Watches.
However, with a potential new case design and larger display, we may be in line for more than the usual 18 hours a day users are used to getting.
According to The Elec, this may happen via tweaks to the device’s display, such as including low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) and thin-film transistor (TFT) technology which could improve the display’s power consumption.
Apple Watch X: Will there be a cheaper SE model?
Image: Apple
There is a general expectation that we can also expect to see a new, cheaper SE model when the Apple Watch 10 is released.
However, what that looks like in terms of design and features remains to be seen at this point.
Apple last released an Apple Watch SE model alongside Apple Watch 8 in September 2022, two years after its first SE edition which arrived at the same time as Apple Watch 6.
What is the Apple Watch X release date?
Apple’s release schedule for its smartwatches is pretty set in stone, with a new one arriving every September.
Therefore, we should expect Apple to announce its 10th-generation Watch in September 2024, alongside the reported iPhone 16 and Watch Ultra 3.
How much will the Apple Watch X cost?
There’s a widespread belief that we won’t see Apple steer too far away from the pricing we’ve come to expect from Apple Watches in the past.
With that in mind, we should expect prices for the Apple Watch 10 to start at around the $399 mark for its baseline model, with the larger model being priced at around $429.
Meanwhile, if there is going to be an SE model, then we could be in line for another price cut, although that’s purely based on Apple’s previous two SE releases. Its first, in 2020, launched at $279 but 2022’s SE model launched at $249. Could Apple make its next SE model even cheaper? Who knows just yet, but it’s a possibility.
Featured Image: Apple
The post Apple Watch X Rumors: Bigger screens, new chip, cheaper SE model appeared first on ReadWrite.
You can snag an Anker 10K MagSafe power bank now for $32
It’s the middle of summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere, which means many of us are getting out and about to make the most of the warm weather. But there’s little worse than finding yourself mid-hike or with several more acts to go at a festival only to find your phone is out of juice. To help you stay in touch with friends and share envy-inducing photos on Instagram, you might need a portable charger, and a solid Anker options is currently on sale.
The Anker 334 MagGo Battery with a 10,000mAh capacity is 21 percent off at $31.49. It typically costs $40.
This model is a strong choice for iPhone users as it’s MagSafe-compatible. According to Anker, you’ll be able to charge an iPhone 15 Pro 1.7 times over and an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1.2 times thanks to its decently sized battery. The company also suggests that the power bank could add up to 22 hours of video playback time to an iPhone 14.
The power bank delivers 7.5W of wireless charging. It’s unlikely to easily budge from the back of your iPhone as it has 10N of magnetic force, which is more than Apple’s own MagSafe charger.
On the downside, you’ll need a compatible device to use this. The Anker 334 MagGo Battery only works with the iPhone 12 and later models. If you have a case that isn’t MagSafe-compatible, you’ll need to remove that first too. In addition, wireless charging is slower than simply plugging your phone in, but that’s perhaps less of a concern when you’re off camping for a weekend.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/you-can-snag-an-anker-10k-magsafe-power-bank-now-for-32-143426995.html?src=rss
It’s the middle of summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere, which means many of us are getting out and about to make the most of the warm weather. But there’s little worse than finding yourself mid-hike or with several more acts to go at a festival only to find your phone is out of juice. To help you stay in touch with friends and share envy-inducing photos on Instagram, you might need a portable charger, and a solid Anker options is currently on sale.
The Anker 334 MagGo Battery with a 10,000mAh capacity is 21 percent off at $31.49. It typically costs $40.
This model is a strong choice for iPhone users as it’s MagSafe-compatible. According to Anker, you’ll be able to charge an iPhone 15 Pro 1.7 times over and an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1.2 times thanks to its decently sized battery. The company also suggests that the power bank could add up to 22 hours of video playback time to an iPhone 14.
The power bank delivers 7.5W of wireless charging. It’s unlikely to easily budge from the back of your iPhone as it has 10N of magnetic force, which is more than Apple’s own MagSafe charger.
On the downside, you’ll need a compatible device to use this. The Anker 334 MagGo Battery only works with the iPhone 12 and later models. If you have a case that isn’t MagSafe-compatible, you’ll need to remove that first too. In addition, wireless charging is slower than simply plugging your phone in, but that’s perhaps less of a concern when you’re off camping for a weekend.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/you-can-snag-an-anker-10k-magsafe-power-bank-now-for-32-143426995.html?src=rss
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack explained and how to get
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is the second Wizarding World title from Portkey Games and aims to build on the success… Continue reading Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack explained and how to get
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Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is the second Wizarding World title from Portkey Games and aims to build on the success of Hogwarts Legacy, enticing fans of the franchise with one of the fan-favorite activities.
One added extra you can pick up for the game is the Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack and here, we’ll reveal what’s inside as well as how to get it, so you can be the envy of your competitors and team mates alike.
What is in the Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack?
The Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack is all about additional cosmetics, allowing for some customization right out of the gate.
This further bolsters the already comprehensive character customization, providing even more exclusive options that are not available to all.
Here is what’s included in the Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack:
Moontrimmer Broom Skin
Sebastian Sallow Hero Skin
Sebastian Sallow Style Wand
Ancient Magic Emblem
Ancient Magic Celebration
This is a solid amount of extra goodies, and will potentially set you apart from other players. You will need to acquire it though, so read on for how to do this.
How to get Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack
If you like the looks of the Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy pack contents above, how do you get your hands on it?
Well, as alluded to by the name of it, you will have to own Hogwarts Legacy. If you do so, and are playing Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions via the same WB Games account, you’ll be granted access to the aforementioned rewards.
If you end up playing Quidditch Champions and purchase Hogwarts Legacy after the fact, you’ll still be able to secure the Pack so don’t worry if you haven’t done so before getting into some Snitch catching action.
This is a nice little bonus for those of you who had faith in Portkey Games’ first escapade into the world of Harry Potter, albeit an unexpected one.
The post Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions Legacy Pack explained and how to get appeared first on ReadWrite.
Some Microsoft services, including Office, are suffering from an outage
If you’re having a little trouble with Microsoft Office or Teams today, you’re not alone. The company has reported some Azure-related issues that are preventing some users from accessing certain services. The problems started at around 8AM on Tuesday.
Microsoft reported on a status page that “a subset of customers may experience issues connecting to Microsoft services globally.” The company deployed several engineering teams to try and resolve the problem as swiftly as possible. “We’ve identified multiple workstreams and are working to mitigate impacted workstreams by performing failover operations,” it said in a statement. “More details will be provided as they become available.”
For what it’s worth, there was a significant spike in outage reports made to Down Detector on Tuesday morning for both Microsoft and Microsoft 365. Here’s hoping the issue is resolved soon so you can rejoin Teams calls you never wanted to be on in the first place. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/some-microsoft-services-including-office-are-suffering-from-an-outage-142757596.html?src=rss
If you’re having a little trouble with Microsoft Office or Teams today, you’re not alone. The company has reported some Azure-related issues that are preventing some users from accessing certain services. The problems started at around 8AM on Tuesday.
Microsoft reported on a status page that “a subset of customers may experience issues connecting to Microsoft services globally.” The company deployed several engineering teams to try and resolve the problem as swiftly as possible. “We’ve identified multiple workstreams and are working to mitigate impacted workstreams by performing failover operations,” it said in a statement. “More details will be provided as they become available.”
For what it’s worth, there was a significant spike in outage reports made to Down Detector on Tuesday morning for both Microsoft and Microsoft 365. Here’s hoping the issue is resolved soon so you can rejoin Teams calls you never wanted to be on in the first place.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/some-microsoft-services-including-office-are-suffering-from-an-outage-142757596.html?src=rss