Month: August 2024
Lego’s first Mario Kart sets start throwing out shells on January 1
Back when Lego first announced that Mario Kart sets would be arriving in 2025, we didn’t expect them to release on the very first day of the year. However, the company just announced availability for these sets starting on January 1. It’s a New Year’s miracle.
Lego’s Mario Kart collection includes new buildable versions of iconic characters, like Yoshi, Peach, Baby Mario and Donkey Kong. Of course, there are several kart designs pulled from recent games, complete with paragliding sails, and motorcycles. Incidentally, these karts will actually shoot green or red shells in real life, which is a nice touch. Some figures also play sounds and music from the iconic kart racing series.
All told, there are six sets to choose from. These include the 133-piece blue Yoshi set, which comes with a Yoshi-themed motorcycle, and a 174-piece iconic Mario set, complete with a red kart and Toad dressed as a member of the pit crew.
The most impressive of the bunch is the 832-piece Grand Prix set. This one comes with a starting gate, three karts and four characters. The prices range from $15 for something like the aforementioned Yoshi set to $80 for the Grand Prix set.
Lego
Lego has really been building out its portfolio of gaming-related combo packs. In addition to Mario Kart, the company just announced a few Animal Crossing sets. These also release on January 1. In recent years, there have been traditional Mario sets, comprehensive Zelda kits and Fortnite collections, among many others.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/legos-first-mario-kart-sets-start-throwing-out-shells-on-january-1-183551717.html?src=rss
Back when Lego first announced that Mario Kart sets would be arriving in 2025, we didn’t expect them to release on the very first day of the year. However, the company just announced availability for these sets starting on January 1. It’s a New Year’s miracle.
Lego’s Mario Kart collection includes new buildable versions of iconic characters, like Yoshi, Peach, Baby Mario and Donkey Kong. Of course, there are several kart designs pulled from recent games, complete with paragliding sails, and motorcycles. Incidentally, these karts will actually shoot green or red shells in real life, which is a nice touch. Some figures also play sounds and music from the iconic kart racing series.
All told, there are six sets to choose from. These include the 133-piece blue Yoshi set, which comes with a Yoshi-themed motorcycle, and a 174-piece iconic Mario set, complete with a red kart and Toad dressed as a member of the pit crew.
The most impressive of the bunch is the 832-piece Grand Prix set. This one comes with a starting gate, three karts and four characters. The prices range from $15 for something like the aforementioned Yoshi set to $80 for the Grand Prix set.
Lego has really been building out its portfolio of gaming-related combo packs. In addition to Mario Kart, the company just announced a few Animal Crossing sets. These also release on January 1. In recent years, there have been traditional Mario sets, comprehensive Zelda kits and Fortnite collections, among many others.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/legos-first-mario-kart-sets-start-throwing-out-shells-on-january-1-183551717.html?src=rss
Google can’t defend shady Chrome data hoarding as “browser agnostic,” court says
Court reverses Google win in case from Chrome users who chose not to sync data.
Enlarge (credit: Thomas Trutschel / Contributor | Photothek)
Chrome users who declined to sync their Google accounts with their browsing data secured a big privacy win this week after previously losing a proposed class action claiming that Google secretly collected personal data without consent from over 100 million Chrome users who opted out of syncing.
On Tuesday, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the prior court’s finding that Google had properly gained consent for the contested data collection.
The appeals court said that the US district court had erred in ruling that Google’s general privacy policies secured consent for the data collection. The district court failed to consider conflicts with Google’s Chrome Privacy Notice (CPN), which said that users’ “choice not to sync Chrome with their Google accounts meant that certain personal information would not be collected and used by Google,” the appeals court ruled.
Google set to face class-action lawsuit over data collection in Chrome
Google will now have to argue it didn’t mislead users by telling them disabling Chrome sync would prevent personal information from being sent to the company.
Google will have to answer in court allegations of collecting users’ private information inside its Chrome browser without their permission following a new ruling.
A US federal appeals court has reversed a previous dismissal of the case Calhoun v. Google LLC on the basis that the lower court should have assessed “whether a reasonable user reading [Google’s privacy disclosures would think that he or she was consenting to the data collection].
Per The Verge, at the heart of the case is the allegation that Google harvested data on users of Chrome without opting into Chrome Sync – a feature designed to sync bookmarks, passwords and tabs across multiple Chrome clients.
Google back in court on appeal
The plaintiffs in the case assert that Chrome sent Google their browsing history, IP addresses, and identifying cookies without their say-so. This was previously dismissed on the basis of Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers noting that this behaviour was established in Chrome’s privacy policy, and finding users’ continued use of the web browser enough to establish agreement with that policy.
However, on appeal, Judge Milan D. Smith Jr. wrote users may not have understood these disclosures thanks to conflicting customer-facing information provided by Google.
“Google had a general privacy disclosure yet promoted Chrome by suggesting that certain information would not be sent to Google unless a user turned on sync.”
Google, naturally, aren’t happy with this, with a spokesperson for the company telling The Verge that it intends to fight the case. And in the midst of all this is the announcement that passwords will soon sync across Android and Desktop Chrome clients without Chrome Sync, so long as users are signed into the browser with their Google account.
So, data is still being synced to a Google account without express permission being given via Chrome Sync, but at least it’s just passwords, and a presumably optional measure designed to be convenient for users. It’s also not an entirely new feature, with the change having arrived on iOS in November 2023
More from TechRadar Pro
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Starfield update offers a new vehicle and improved framerates for Xbox Series S
A new Starfield update from Bethesda adds an off-road vehicle called the REV-8 to your garage and higher frame rates for players with a Xbox Series S. Bethesda announced the new features for Starfield on its X page and a new trailer on YouTube.
The REV-8 is a four wheeled, all-terrain beast with all sorts of interesting features for your universe-exploring needs. The new vehicle includes a mounted turret to blow away hostile enemies and a thick layer of armor to keep you safe from unfriendly fire. The REV-8 also has rear boosters for those moments when you need to flee the scene fast and undercarriage boosters to help you glide across chasms and canyons. There’s even a place for Vasco to sit so it can conveniently remind you when you’re driving too fast.
You can pick up your REV-8 from the ship technician. It will also appear near your ship after landing once you’ve purchased it.
The new Starfield update also comes with a bunch of display tweaks for players on the Xbox Series S console. There’s new options for your frame rate target at 30, 40, 60 or “uncapped” fps. If you don’t have a variable refresh rate (VRR) display that can run 120kz, the 30 and 60 fps options are still usable.
The update also allows you to choose between prioritizing visuals and performance in your game while maintaining your selected frame rate. Bethesda recommends making “performance” the priority if you’re running 60 fps or higher.
The new graphics update also lets you toggle vertical synchronization (Vsync) on and off in your game. Vsync prevents screen tearing from occurring during the game by syncing the frame of the graphic cards with the refresh rate of the monitor. So if you turn off, you run the risk of screen tearing but it won’t limit your frame rate.
These same features were added to the Xbox Series X version of Starfield back in May. The May update also delivered a new design for surface maps to increase legibility across all of the game’s platforms.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/starfield-update-offers-a-new-vehicle-and-improved-framerates-for-xbox-series-s-182216898.html?src=rss
A new Starfield update from Bethesda adds an off-road vehicle called the REV-8 to your garage and higher frame rates for players with a Xbox Series S. Bethesda announced the new features for Starfield on its X page and a new trailer on YouTube.
The REV-8 is a four wheeled, all-terrain beast with all sorts of interesting features for your universe-exploring needs. The new vehicle includes a mounted turret to blow away hostile enemies and a thick layer of armor to keep you safe from unfriendly fire. The REV-8 also has rear boosters for those moments when you need to flee the scene fast and undercarriage boosters to help you glide across chasms and canyons. There’s even a place for Vasco to sit so it can conveniently remind you when you’re driving too fast.
You can pick up your REV-8 from the ship technician. It will also appear near your ship after landing once you’ve purchased it.
The new Starfield update also comes with a bunch of display tweaks for players on the Xbox Series S console. There’s new options for your frame rate target at 30, 40, 60 or “uncapped” fps. If you don’t have a variable refresh rate (VRR) display that can run 120kz, the 30 and 60 fps options are still usable.
The update also allows you to choose between prioritizing visuals and performance in your game while maintaining your selected frame rate. Bethesda recommends making “performance” the priority if you’re running 60 fps or higher.
The new graphics update also lets you toggle vertical synchronization (Vsync) on and off in your game. Vsync prevents screen tearing from occurring during the game by syncing the frame of the graphic cards with the refresh rate of the monitor. So if you turn off, you run the risk of screen tearing but it won’t limit your frame rate.
These same features were added to the Xbox Series X version of Starfield back in May. The May update also delivered a new design for surface maps to increase legibility across all of the game’s platforms.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/starfield-update-offers-a-new-vehicle-and-improved-framerates-for-xbox-series-s-182216898.html?src=rss
How to freeze your credit after a data breach
Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge
Back in 2017, Equifax announced that hackers stole half of the US population’s Social Security numbers in what, we said, “will likely end up being one of the worst data breaches to ever affect the country.” Perhaps — until this year, when about 2.9 billion rows of data were collected through a breach at National Public Data (NPD), a company that resells collected personal data for background checks. This data included names, Social Security numbers, and other personal information.
As usual, when this sort of thing hits the news, our immediate reaction is to wonder what we can do to prevent ourselves from falling prey to identity theft, unauthorized withdrawals, false credit applications, and other nasty consequences. And, also, as usual, the information from the breached organization — and from most news organizations — is often vague and unsatisfactory.
How do I know if my data was stolen from National Public Data?
Unfortunately, at the time this story was written, National Public Data was not providing a lot of information about whose data was stolen. There are a couple of websites out there (specifically, npdbreach.com, from Atlas Privacy, and npd.pentester.com) that say they can tell you, but since they ask you to enter data such as your birth year, it’s up to you whether you want to trust them or not.
Many companies that have suffered a breach eventually offer the services of a security firm that will monitor your account for a period of time; but so far, the only thing NPD is doing is recommending that you monitor your accounts, get a free credit report, and initiate a credit freeze.
What’s a credit freeze?
A credit freeze prevents creditors from viewing your credit file. Whenever you apply for a credit card, loan, mortgage, or even just to rent an apartment, the bank or landlord evaluates your credit and the risk of approving you. A freeze blocks them from retrieving your credit information, thereby preventing an attacker from taking out new credit in your name.
How do I place a freeze?
The good news is that placing a credit freeze is free. It will last one year, and after that, you can renew it. The bad news is that you’ll have to reach out to each credit reporting company independently. There are three main companies in the US: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Here are the contact numbers for each company, as well as links to their freeze landing pages.
Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
Experian: 1‑888‑397‑3742
TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872
Does this mean I won’t be able to rent an apartment, take out a new credit card, or get a loan?
No, you’ll just have to temporarily lift your freeze, and the approval process might be slightly delayed. If you can find out which credit reporting company your potential landlord or bank uses, you can lift it only for that company. This won’t affect your credit score, and it won’t prevent you from receiving a credit report. You can also keep using your same credit cards, although if you think they might have been compromised, you should get new ones.
Screenshot: National Public Data
Security breaches like the one at National Public Data are unfortunately becoming more common.
Couldn’t an attacker lift my freeze and open a new line of credit?
In order to lift a freeze, you need either an account with the credit bureau, a password, or a PIN (depending on the credit bureau). Each bureau puts in several safeguards to make sure only the owner of the account can change it.
When should I put this freeze on my account?
You’re probably here because you’re worried your data has been compromised. You should try to do this as soon as possible. Even if you’ve happened here by accident, you might consider putting this freeze on your accounts as a safety precaution because there’s no telling whether your data is out there. And once you request a freeze online, it is required to take effect within one business day.
When should I unfreeze my credit?
It’s fairly easy to lift your freeze in the event that you want to open a new credit card or rent a new apartment (or do anything else involving your credit). And every company must lift your freeze within one hour of it being requested online. Still, it won’t hurt to give your creditor a heads-up, just in case.
Is there anything else I can do?
There are several other steps you can take:
Keep a watch on your savings and checking accounts, credit card statements, and any other financial accounts, and immediately chase down any expenses or withdrawals that you don’t recognize — even small ones. Fraudsters will sometimes test to see if you actually read your statements by charging or withdrawing small amounts and, if you don’t report it, will then follow up with larger thefts.
You are entitled to a free credit report once a week. These reports contain information on loans, bill payments, debts, and other financial dealings that have occurred, and so will let you know if anything has happened that you may not have authorized. There is actually a single place you can go to obtain a credit report from all three agencies, AnnualCreditReport.com, which will then move you to each agency you want a report from.
You can set up a fraud alert, which means a business must verify your identity before extending new credit. If you set up a fraud alert at one of the three credit bureaus, it will contact the other two so they can set one up as well. The fraud alert lasts a year, after which you can renew it. (If you’re a victim of identity theft, it will last seven years.)
It’s a good idea to set up two-factor authentication on your online accounts, especially those involving money (like bank accounts or credit cards), using an authentication app.
Update, August 21st, 2024: This article was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated to reflect considerable changes in credit freezes, reports, and the latest data breach.
Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge
Back in 2017, Equifax announced that hackers stole half of the US population’s Social Security numbers in what, we said, “will likely end up being one of the worst data breaches to ever affect the country.” Perhaps — until this year, when about 2.9 billion rows of data were collected through a breach at National Public Data (NPD), a company that resells collected personal data for background checks. This data included names, Social Security numbers, and other personal information.
As usual, when this sort of thing hits the news, our immediate reaction is to wonder what we can do to prevent ourselves from falling prey to identity theft, unauthorized withdrawals, false credit applications, and other nasty consequences. And, also, as usual, the information from the breached organization — and from most news organizations — is often vague and unsatisfactory.
How do I know if my data was stolen from National Public Data?
Unfortunately, at the time this story was written, National Public Data was not providing a lot of information about whose data was stolen. There are a couple of websites out there (specifically, npdbreach.com, from Atlas Privacy, and npd.pentester.com) that say they can tell you, but since they ask you to enter data such as your birth year, it’s up to you whether you want to trust them or not.
Many companies that have suffered a breach eventually offer the services of a security firm that will monitor your account for a period of time; but so far, the only thing NPD is doing is recommending that you monitor your accounts, get a free credit report, and initiate a credit freeze.
What’s a credit freeze?
A credit freeze prevents creditors from viewing your credit file. Whenever you apply for a credit card, loan, mortgage, or even just to rent an apartment, the bank or landlord evaluates your credit and the risk of approving you. A freeze blocks them from retrieving your credit information, thereby preventing an attacker from taking out new credit in your name.
How do I place a freeze?
The good news is that placing a credit freeze is free. It will last one year, and after that, you can renew it. The bad news is that you’ll have to reach out to each credit reporting company independently. There are three main companies in the US: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Here are the contact numbers for each company, as well as links to their freeze landing pages.
Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
Experian: 1‑888‑397‑3742
TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872
Does this mean I won’t be able to rent an apartment, take out a new credit card, or get a loan?
No, you’ll just have to temporarily lift your freeze, and the approval process might be slightly delayed. If you can find out which credit reporting company your potential landlord or bank uses, you can lift it only for that company. This won’t affect your credit score, and it won’t prevent you from receiving a credit report. You can also keep using your same credit cards, although if you think they might have been compromised, you should get new ones.
Screenshot: National Public Data
Security breaches like the one at National Public Data are unfortunately becoming more common.
Couldn’t an attacker lift my freeze and open a new line of credit?
In order to lift a freeze, you need either an account with the credit bureau, a password, or a PIN (depending on the credit bureau). Each bureau puts in several safeguards to make sure only the owner of the account can change it.
When should I put this freeze on my account?
You’re probably here because you’re worried your data has been compromised. You should try to do this as soon as possible. Even if you’ve happened here by accident, you might consider putting this freeze on your accounts as a safety precaution because there’s no telling whether your data is out there. And once you request a freeze online, it is required to take effect within one business day.
When should I unfreeze my credit?
It’s fairly easy to lift your freeze in the event that you want to open a new credit card or rent a new apartment (or do anything else involving your credit). And every company must lift your freeze within one hour of it being requested online. Still, it won’t hurt to give your creditor a heads-up, just in case.
Is there anything else I can do?
There are several other steps you can take:
Keep a watch on your savings and checking accounts, credit card statements, and any other financial accounts, and immediately chase down any expenses or withdrawals that you don’t recognize — even small ones. Fraudsters will sometimes test to see if you actually read your statements by charging or withdrawing small amounts and, if you don’t report it, will then follow up with larger thefts.
You are entitled to a free credit report once a week. These reports contain information on loans, bill payments, debts, and other financial dealings that have occurred, and so will let you know if anything has happened that you may not have authorized. There is actually a single place you can go to obtain a credit report from all three agencies, AnnualCreditReport.com, which will then move you to each agency you want a report from.
You can set up a fraud alert, which means a business must verify your identity before extending new credit. If you set up a fraud alert at one of the three credit bureaus, it will contact the other two so they can set one up as well. The fraud alert lasts a year, after which you can renew it. (If you’re a victim of identity theft, it will last seven years.)
It’s a good idea to set up two-factor authentication on your online accounts, especially those involving money (like bank accounts or credit cards), using an authentication app.
Update, August 21st, 2024: This article was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated to reflect considerable changes in credit freezes, reports, and the latest data breach.