Month: August 2024
Garmin adds a bunch of features to make the Fenix 8 smarter
The new Garmin Fenix 8 series adds voice commands and a new Messenger app. | Image: Garmin
Garmin’s back with two new rugged smartwatches: the all-new Fenix 8 and Enduro 3. The $999.99 Fenix 8, one of Garmin’s top-of-line flagships, will get a built-in speaker and microphone, along with several new training features. Meanwhile, the $899.99 Enduro 3 will feature an LED flashlight plus solar charging to extend battery life up to 320 hours in GPS mode.
If there’s any theme to the Fenix 8’s updates this time around, it’s in making the device smarter while also giving athletes more choices. For example, it now has a built-in speaker and microphone so you can make and take phone calls from the wrist. You’ll also be able to issue voice commands like “set a timer for 5 minutes.” For voice commands, a connection to your phone isn’t necessary either.
This isn’t new to the Garmin ecosystem — the Venu 2 Plus was the first to add voice capabilities — but it wasn’t something you could do on the Fenix lineup. Garmin is also adding a new Garmin Messenger app, which will allow you to communicate with friends and family from the wrist. (The caveat is you and the person you’re texting both need the Garmin Messenger app installed on your phones.)
Image: Garmin
The Fenix 8 comes in OLED and solar charging models.
The Fenix 8 will also let you choose whether you want an OLED display or an always-on solar charging display. The former will be available in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm. It continues Garmin’s trend of adding OLED to all of its watches.
However, many outdoors enthusiasts prefer lower-power displays that last longer during activities. For those folks, Garmin says the new solar display option is more effective this time around — though that always depends on usage. The solar models are available in 47mm and 51mm, with a respective estimated battery life of 29 and 48 days. That’s significantly longer than the standard Fenix 8 models, which get 10 (43mm), 16 (47mm) or 29 (51mm) days.
Design-wise, the Fenix 8 is also adding a new sensor guard and “leakproof” metal buttons. It’ll also have the nifty LED flashlights and EKG capabilities that Garmin introduced on the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models last year. For new fitness features, Garmin is adding advanced strength training with targeted 4-6 training plans tailored to specific sports. It’s also adding diving capabilities and a new map interface.
Image: Garmin
The Enduro 3 gets solar charging and a flashlight.
Meanwhile, the Enduro 3 is also getting some of the same updates. Namely, the built-in flashlight, the advanced strength training plans, Garmin Messenger app, EKGs, and now, solar charging. The solar charging makes sense for the Enduro line, which, as the name suggests, is targeted toward ultra-endurance athletes. The solar lens will purportedly get up to 320 hours in GPS mode, and 120 hours of GPS with the more power-intensive dual-frequency GPS.
Both the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 will be available from today. The Fenix 8 will start at $999.99, though some models may retail up to $1199.99. The Enduro 3 will retail for $899.99.
The new Garmin Fenix 8 series adds voice commands and a new Messenger app. | Image: Garmin
Garmin’s back with two new rugged smartwatches: the all-new Fenix 8 and Enduro 3. The $999.99 Fenix 8, one of Garmin’s top-of-line flagships, will get a built-in speaker and microphone, along with several new training features. Meanwhile, the $899.99 Enduro 3 will feature an LED flashlight plus solar charging to extend battery life up to 320 hours in GPS mode.
If there’s any theme to the Fenix 8’s updates this time around, it’s in making the device smarter while also giving athletes more choices. For example, it now has a built-in speaker and microphone so you can make and take phone calls from the wrist. You’ll also be able to issue voice commands like “set a timer for 5 minutes.” For voice commands, a connection to your phone isn’t necessary either.
This isn’t new to the Garmin ecosystem — the Venu 2 Plus was the first to add voice capabilities — but it wasn’t something you could do on the Fenix lineup. Garmin is also adding a new Garmin Messenger app, which will allow you to communicate with friends and family from the wrist. (The caveat is you and the person you’re texting both need the Garmin Messenger app installed on your phones.)
Image: Garmin
The Fenix 8 comes in OLED and solar charging models.
The Fenix 8 will also let you choose whether you want an OLED display or an always-on solar charging display. The former will be available in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm. It continues Garmin’s trend of adding OLED to all of its watches.
However, many outdoors enthusiasts prefer lower-power displays that last longer during activities. For those folks, Garmin says the new solar display option is more effective this time around — though that always depends on usage. The solar models are available in 47mm and 51mm, with a respective estimated battery life of 29 and 48 days. That’s significantly longer than the standard Fenix 8 models, which get 10 (43mm), 16 (47mm) or 29 (51mm) days.
Design-wise, the Fenix 8 is also adding a new sensor guard and “leakproof” metal buttons. It’ll also have the nifty LED flashlights and EKG capabilities that Garmin introduced on the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models last year. For new fitness features, Garmin is adding advanced strength training with targeted 4-6 training plans tailored to specific sports. It’s also adding diving capabilities and a new map interface.
Image: Garmin
The Enduro 3 gets solar charging and a flashlight.
Meanwhile, the Enduro 3 is also getting some of the same updates. Namely, the built-in flashlight, the advanced strength training plans, Garmin Messenger app, EKGs, and now, solar charging. The solar charging makes sense for the Enduro line, which, as the name suggests, is targeted toward ultra-endurance athletes. The solar lens will purportedly get up to 320 hours in GPS mode, and 120 hours of GPS with the more power-intensive dual-frequency GPS.
Both the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 will be available from today. The Fenix 8 will start at $999.99, though some models may retail up to $1199.99. The Enduro 3 will retail for $899.99.
That feeling when your “cool-ass girl” can’t dig your online monkey torture vids
US breaks up online “monkey crush” video groups.
Enlarge (credit: Getty Images)
Content warning: The following story describes instances of animal abuse.
In 2017, the Des Moines, Iowa, lawyer Philip Colt Moss was facing felony drug charges after a raid on his townhome turned up marijuana, hash, OxyContin, Klonopin, Xanax, zolpidem (the active ingredient in Ambien), and “four pills that contained methylphenidate” (the active ingredient in Ritalin).
The cops found enough material that they charged Moss as a drug dealer, but Moss’s lawyer told the Des Moines Register that his client was simply someone who “needs help.” Moss had stepped aside from his work as an attorney and “checked into an eight-week inpatient treatment facility outside of Iowa,” the paper reported at the time.
nOps lands $30M to optimize AWS customers’ cloud spend
nOps sells software designed to “optimize” the budgets that businesses allocate to cloud products and services.
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
nOps sells software designed to “optimize” the budgets that businesses allocate to cloud products and services.
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Black Ops 6 beta start date and how to get access
Call of Duty Black Ops 6’s open beta begins very soon indeed. Here’s how to get access, and when it starts.
(Image credit: Activision)
Thanks to a Direct event that aired in early June, we know that we’ll be getting the Worldwide Multiplayer Reveal event at Call of Duty NEXT, on August 28. Stay tuned for more details so you can be prepared to jump into the MP Beta and experience the incredible Omnimovement and additional innovations for yourself.
The Call of Duty Black Ops 6 beta will allow players to jump into the game before launch, giving them a taste of the new weapons and Omnimovement mechanics later this week (commencing Monday, August 26).
There are two distinct beta periods, one week apart, with different ways to access each one. If you’re looking to play Black Ops 6 as early as possible, you’ll need to know the details on the Early Access weekend, before the game is opened up to more players the following weekend.
From what we’ve seen of Black Ops 6 so far, it’s certainly got a great chance of ending up on our best FPS games list by the end of the year, with a globe-trotting campaign, a new set of movement skills, and new Warzone integration. The upcoming beta is the best way to find out how the game feels, and whether or not you’ll be diving in fully when launch comes around.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Black Ops 6 beta start date, including how to get Early Access, and when the open beta goes live. As we approach launch day, we’ll update the page with the latest comms from developer Treyarch.
Black Ops 6 beta start date
(Image credit: Activision)
The Black Ops 6 beta goes live on August 30 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST. This is the early access period, the first of two weekends that’ll allow players to jump into the game early. You’ll find the full schedule below:
Early Access (Weekend One): August 30 – September 4Open Beta (Weekend Two): September 6 – September 9
As we get a bit closer to Friday, Activision is likely to reveal the exact timings per time zone. Once it does, this section will be updated.
Black Ops 6 Early Access – how to get in
(Image credit: Activision)
To get into the Black Ops 6 Early Access beta weekend, you’ll need to have pre-ordered the game, or be an Xbox Game Pass subscriber (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console).
You can often find cheap Game Pass deals, so that’s what we’d recommend if you’re unsure about pre-ordering Black Ops 6 just yet. Note that the Early Access beta ends on Wednesday, September 4 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST.
Black Ops 6 open beta
(Image credit: Activision)
The Black Ops 6 open beta weekend runs from September 6 – September 9. It’ll go live at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST on the Friday, and then end at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST on the Monday. You’ll be able to download the beta from the PlayStation, Xbox, and Battle.net storefronts.
What to expect from the Black Ops 6 beta
(Image credit: Activision)
We don’t yet know what’ll be included in the Black Ops 6 beta, but we expect that to change on Wednesday, during the Call of Duty NEXT event. Looking at last year’s beta, Modern Warfare 3 offered up a handful of maps, preset loadouts, and modes for players to try out. The selection is likely to be expanded with the arrival of the second beta period, alongside the open beta. Stay tuned to find out exactly what maps and modes will be available.
Black Ops 6 beta FAQ
Can you preload the Black Ops 6 beta?
You can preload the Black Ops 6 beta from August 28, 2024, on all platforms. This works whether you’re jumping into the Early Access weekend, or the open beta the week after. Just search for it in your respective store, and free up enough space (we estimate it’ll be around 70 – 80GB).
What is the Black Ops 6 beta Vault Edition bonus?
If you pre-ordered the Black Ops 6 Vault Edition, you’ll be able to use some of your bonuses during the beta. Expect to play as any of the four Operators from the Hunter vs Hunted Operator Pack. These include Park, Adler, Brutus, and Klaus. You’ll also get to try five weapons from the Mastercraft Weapon Collection.
Is the Black Ops 6 Beta on Game Pass?
The Black Ops 6 beta will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting August 30 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST. Just log into your Xbox or PC subscription and it’ll appear in your collection. Game Pass Subscribers can access both beta weekends at no extra cost.
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Security flaw in top GPS system could have left users open to attack
Traccar 5 flaw allowed crooks to upload malicious files and take over the system, but the bug was fixed in April.
Open source tracking system Traccar GPS was found to have security vulnerabilities which could have allowed threat actors to run malicious code, remotely, and even take over flawed devices.
A report from cybersecurity researchers at Horizon3.ai outlined the flaw, and also shared a proof-of-concept (PoC) to demonstrate how the vulnerability could be exploited in the wild.
As per the researchers, Traccar GPS carried two path traversal vulnerabilities: CVE-2024-24809, and CVE-2024-31214. The former has a severity score of 8.5, while the latter 9.7. Both allow malicious actors to upload files with dangerous file types and thus put the entire endpoint in jeopardy.
Updates and patches
“The net result of CVE-2024-31214 and CVE-2024-24809 is that an attacker can place files with arbitrary content anywhere on the file system,” the researchers said. “However an attacker only has partial control over the filename.”
In layman’s terms, there is a bug in the way the program manages uploaded files, granting anyone the ability to overwrite specific system files. There are two prerequisites: to have guest registration turned on (which it is, by default), and to match the naming format. More details can be found on this link.
Sharing the PoC, Horiozon3.ai researchers said a malicious actor could upload a crontab file, effectively obtaining a reverse shell on the attacker host. This method only works on Windows devices though, since Debian/Ubuntu-based Linux operating systems have certain naming restrictions that render this method useless.
All Traccar versions between 5.1 and 5.12 were said to be vulnerable, and those fearing an attack should update the program to version 6, which was released in April this year. This version turns off self-registration by default, effectively closing down the attack avenue.
“If the registration setting is true, readOnly is false, and deviceReadonly is false, then an unauthenticated attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities,” the researchers said. “These are the default settings for Traccar 5.”
Via The Hacker News
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AI upskilling is essential for Python developers, says education expert
As generative AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, programmers face a new challenge: mastering meaningful artificial intelligence. It seems that every workplace is pushing towards leveraging the technology — some with more consideration and ethics than others. From task forces to entirely new teams, everyone from scrappy startups to tech behemoths wants a piece of the AI action. A quick look around reveals why: while global stock market turbulence has affected some of the biggest names in tech, including Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta in recent weeks, others, such as Adobe and Amazon, are enjoying a more optimistic investment…This story continues at The Next Web
As generative AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, programmers face a new challenge: mastering meaningful artificial intelligence. It seems that every workplace is pushing towards leveraging the technology — some with more consideration and ethics than others. From task forces to entirely new teams, everyone from scrappy startups to tech behemoths wants a piece of the AI action. A quick look around reveals why: while global stock market turbulence has affected some of the biggest names in tech, including Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta in recent weeks, others, such as Adobe and Amazon, are enjoying a more optimistic investment…
This story continues at The Next Web
Microsoft isn’t removing the Control Panel from Windows anytime soon
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
You may have read headlines last week about Microsoft removing the Control Panel from Windows soon, but the death of the Control Panel has been greatly exaggerated. The inaccurate reports stemmed from a single support document, originally spotted by Neowin. Microsoft has now updated the support document to make it clear that Control Panel isn’t in danger of being removed from Windows anytime soon.
“The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated in favor of the Settings app,” said Microsoft in its support note last week. While Microsoft has been working on moving Control Panel items to the Settings interface for more than a decade, this seemingly small update to a support document triggered headlines about the Control Panel being removed “soon.”
“Microsoft finally officially confirms it’s killing Windows Control Panel sometime soon” said Neowin, “Microsoft formally deprecates the 39-year-old Windows Control Panel” declared Ars Technica. Many others reported that the end of the Control Panel was near, but over the weekend Microsoft updated it support note to make it clear it’s merely in the continued process of moving items over to the Settings app.
“Many of the settings in Control Panel are in the process of being migrated to the Settings app,” says Microsoft. I asked the company to comment on the original support note and the updated one, but Microsoft hasn’t provided The Verge with a statement in time for publication.
after inaccurate reports that Microsoft would be removing the Control Panel in Windows “soon,” Microsoft now says “Many of the settings in Control Panel are in the process of being migrated to the Settings app” instead of “The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated” pic.twitter.com/eiY6dC5xbg— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 26, 2024
Either way, Microsoft has been moving more Control Panel settings over to the Settings interface in recent months. Windows 11 is finally getting mouse settings that let you avoid the Control Panel soon, removing another big reason for having to use the Control Panel.
Many Windows users still prefer the Control Panel interface to the Settings one, though. It offers up a lot of settings in an easy to use interface where you don’t have to dig into multiple levels to find what you’re looking for. Microsoft has been refining its Settings interface since Windows 8, with plenty of overhauls in both Windows 10 and 11.
The software giant still hasn’t added Control Panel to its list of deprecated features in Windows, so it’s not going away anytime soon. Microsoft typically adds Windows features to this formal deprecation list months or even years in advance to warn businesses and consumers of their removal.
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
You may have read headlines last week about Microsoft removing the Control Panel from Windows soon, but the death of the Control Panel has been greatly exaggerated. The inaccurate reports stemmed from a single support document, originally spotted by Neowin. Microsoft has now updated the support document to make it clear that Control Panel isn’t in danger of being removed from Windows anytime soon.
“The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated in favor of the Settings app,” said Microsoft in its support note last week. While Microsoft has been working on moving Control Panel items to the Settings interface for more than a decade, this seemingly small update to a support document triggered headlines about the Control Panel being removed “soon.”
“Microsoft finally officially confirms it’s killing Windows Control Panel sometime soon” said Neowin, “Microsoft formally deprecates the 39-year-old Windows Control Panel” declared Ars Technica. Many others reported that the end of the Control Panel was near, but over the weekend Microsoft updated it support note to make it clear it’s merely in the continued process of moving items over to the Settings app.
“Many of the settings in Control Panel are in the process of being migrated to the Settings app,” says Microsoft. I asked the company to comment on the original support note and the updated one, but Microsoft hasn’t provided The Verge with a statement in time for publication.
after inaccurate reports that Microsoft would be removing the Control Panel in Windows “soon,” Microsoft now says “Many of the settings in Control Panel are in the process of being migrated to the Settings app” instead of “The Control Panel is in the process of being deprecated” pic.twitter.com/eiY6dC5xbg
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 26, 2024
Either way, Microsoft has been moving more Control Panel settings over to the Settings interface in recent months. Windows 11 is finally getting mouse settings that let you avoid the Control Panel soon, removing another big reason for having to use the Control Panel.
Many Windows users still prefer the Control Panel interface to the Settings one, though. It offers up a lot of settings in an easy to use interface where you don’t have to dig into multiple levels to find what you’re looking for. Microsoft has been refining its Settings interface since Windows 8, with plenty of overhauls in both Windows 10 and 11.
The software giant still hasn’t added Control Panel to its list of deprecated features in Windows, so it’s not going away anytime soon. Microsoft typically adds Windows features to this formal deprecation list months or even years in advance to warn businesses and consumers of their removal.
Nothing CEO slammed for forcing staff to work in the office five days a week or be fired
Return to the office five days per week or find another job: the ultimatum given to 450 Nothing employees.
Nothing is now requiring its 450 employees to return to the office full-time, or find new jobs.
In an email sent to employees, Nothing CEO Carl Pei stated, beginning in two months, staff will need to work from the company’s London office five days per week.
Furthermore, those unable to adjust to the change should consider leaving the company, which launched remotely during the height of the pandemic, to “find an environment where [they] thrive.”
Nothing enforcing RTO policy
Pei explained the move is aimed at enhancing collaboration and innovation, which he believes are crucial for success.
“We make physical products where design, engineering, manufacturing and quality have to collaborate closely together to deliver products to our users. This does not work well remotely,” Pei wrote in an email to the company’s workers, which was later shared publicly on LinkedIn.
The CEO also raised the company’s challenges as a young startup, sharing that Nothing needs to “do more with way less resources than competitors.”
Nothing’s return-to-office mandate is more stringent than those of other tech giants, like Amazon, Google and Meta, which have broadly implemented three-day-per-week policies.
Pei has promised to address live questions about the changes in the company’s next Town Hall meeting, incidentally held at a physical location in the London offices.
He also indicated that a certain degree of leniency around taking time out of the office “to deal with some issues” would be granted, adding that other roles, namely in PR, may require a worker to be more flexible with location: “This is a company for grown ups… we trust you to make the right decision.”
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