Monthly Archives: December 2022

Google Voice now flags suspected spam calls

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Google Voice has made it easier to filter out spammers trying to call your number. The tech giant has announced that the service will now flag suspected spam calls and will clearly label them as such, complete with a big red exclamation mark. Spam calls and texts have been a huge issue for a years, and they aren't going away anytime soon — according to the FCC, consumers in the US receive approximately 4 billion robocalls per month and that Americans had lost nearly $30 billion to scam calls in 2021. Google says the feature was designed to help protect you "from unwanted calls and potentially harmful scams."

The new label that says "suspected spam caller" will show up not just on the incoming call screen, but also in call history for future reference. If you confirm that the call is spam, any future call from that number will head straight to voicemail, and all its call history entries will be sent to the spam folder. But if you confirm that the number is legitimate and isn't a spam caller, the warning will never be displayed for it again. Here's what the label would look like on the call screen:

Google
Google

Google uses the same artificial intelligence that's in charge of identifying spam calls across its ecosystem to pinpoint spam callers for this feature. Apparently, that AI has been filtering out billions of spam calls a month for the tech giant. To note, the new label will only appear if your spam filter setting under Security is turned off. If it's on, all calls Google suspects to be spam are sent to voicemail from the start.

Google Voice now flags suspected spam calls

Posted on by

Google Voice has made it easier to filter out spammers trying to call your number. The tech giant has announced that the service will now flag suspected spam calls and will clearly label them as such, complete with a big red exclamation mark. Spam calls and texts have been a huge issue for a years, and they aren't going away anytime soon — according to the FCC, consumers in the US receive approximately 4 billion robocalls per month and that Americans had lost nearly $30 billion to scam calls in 2021. Google says the feature was designed to help protect you "from unwanted calls and potentially harmful scams."

The new label that says "suspected spam caller" will show up not just on the incoming call screen, but also in call history for future reference. If you confirm that the call is spam, any future call from that number will head straight to voicemail, and all its call history entries will be sent to the spam folder. But if you confirm that the number is legitimate and isn't a spam caller, the warning will never be displayed for it again. Here's what the label would look like on the call screen:

Google
Google

Google uses the same artificial intelligence that's in charge of identifying spam calls across its ecosystem to pinpoint spam callers for this feature. Apparently, that AI has been filtering out billions of spam calls a month for the tech giant. To note, the new label will only appear if your spam filter setting under Security is turned off. If it's on, all calls Google suspects to be spam are sent to voicemail from the start.

JLab’s smallest earbuds yet still cover the basics for $39

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JLab has consistently produced some of the best cheap earbuds over the last few years. The company offers solid performance and decent sound quality for well under $50 in some models. For 2023, JLab is taking things a step further in multiple ways with its smallest true wireless earbuds yet and also its first premium noise-canceling set. What's more, the company is jumping into the over-the-counter hearing aid market with two options with "discreet" designs. 

First, the $39 JBuds Mini are 30-percent smaller than JLab's Go Air Pop that debuted in 2021. They aren't the company's cheapest model, but despite the tiny stature, the JBuds Mini still pack on-board controls, Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and over six hours of listening on a charge (over 20 hours with the case). The charging case is also quite small — about the size of a car key fob — and has an integrated key ring loop. 

On the higher end, the $199 Epic Air Lab Edition earbuds are JLab's first hybrid dual driver design and, as you might expect, the company is calling them its best-sounding option to date. Equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound mode, the Epic Air Lab Edition also offers touch controls, Bluetooth multipoint and over 54 hours of use when you factor in the wireless charging case. The company says there will be multiple ANC modes available in its app and a USB-C dongle will offer low-latency Bluetooth LE audio for video and games. 

JLab hearing aid
JLab OTC Hearing Aid prototype. 
JLab

Now that over-the-counter hearing aids have been approved by the FDA, you can expect to see a lot of headphone companies entering that market. JLab has two models that will debut in 2023: the OTC Hearing Aid and the Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aid. The former is $99 while the pricing on the latter is TBD. The company says both will be compatible with iOS and Android with "impressive" battery life. Details are scarce for now, but we expect a lot more info before these two hearing aids arrive later in the year. And based on the early renders, at least one of them will look like a set of JLab true wireless earbuds.

JLab says all of these new products, which will be the focus of its CES showcase, will be available during Q3 2023.

JLab’s smallest earbuds yet still cover the basics for $39

Posted on by

JLab has consistently produced some of the best cheap earbuds over the last few years. The company offers solid performance and decent sound quality for well under $50 in some models. For 2023, JLab is taking things a step further in multiple ways with its smallest true wireless earbuds yet and also its first premium noise-canceling set. What's more, the company is jumping into the over-the-counter hearing aid market with two options with "discreet" designs. 

First, the $39 JBuds Mini are 30-percent smaller than JLab's Go Air Pop that debuted in 2021. They aren't the company's cheapest model, but despite the tiny stature, the JBuds Mini still pack on-board controls, Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and over six hours of listening on a charge (over 20 hours with the case). The charging case is also quite small — about the size of a car key fob — and has an integrated key ring loop. 

On the higher end, the $199 Epic Air Lab Edition earbuds are JLab's first hybrid dual driver design and, as you might expect, the company is calling them its best-sounding option to date. Equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC) and ambient sound mode, the Epic Air Lab Edition also offers touch controls, Bluetooth multipoint and over 54 hours of use when you factor in the wireless charging case. The company says there will be multiple ANC modes available in its app and a USB-C dongle will offer low-latency Bluetooth LE audio for video and games. 

JLab hearing aid
JLab OTC Hearing Aid prototype. 
JLab

Now that over-the-counter hearing aids have been approved by the FDA, you can expect to see a lot of headphone companies entering that market. JLab has two models that will debut in 2023: the OTC Hearing Aid and the Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aid. The former is $99 while the pricing on the latter is TBD. The company says both will be compatible with iOS and Android with "impressive" battery life. Details are scarce for now, but we expect a lot more info before these two hearing aids arrive later in the year. And based on the early renders, at least one of them will look like a set of JLab true wireless earbuds.

JLab says all of these new products, which will be the focus of its CES showcase, will be available during Q3 2023.

HyperPack Pro is the creative pro’s mobile tool kit featuring an Apple Find My compatible location module

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Keep your gear safe, dry, and always by your side with HyperPack Pro. Locate your HyperPack anywhere with an Apple® Find My™ compatible location module. HyperPack Pro also protects your gear from the elements with YKK water-resistant zippers & 1260D Cordura Nylon. It stops would-be thieves with interlocking zippers, an RFID protective pocket, and a hidden lumber pocket. HyperPack Pro was carefully designed for creative professionals on the move with travel-friendly features like a 1L interior water bottle pocket and a triple-padded airflow system, as well as Pass-through charging for easy access to your portable battery pack. Yes, the backpack’s also comfortable to wear, spacious on the inside, and is designed with a durable waterproof exterior… but the ability to track your bag and know exactly when it leaves your personal radius makes the HyperPack Pro an instant must-recommend in our book!

Designer: HYPER

Click Here to Buy Now: $120 $200 (40% off). Hurry, only 5/20 left!

Locate your HyperPack Pro from anywhere using Hyper’s built-in Apple® Find My™ Compatible Location Module.

The HyperPack Pro has a minimal, water-resistant black Cordura exterior with YKK zippered pockets on the outside for your water bottle, sunglasses, as well as a hidden pocket built into the lumbar cushion that’s difficult for any pickpocket to access. The bag comes with padded straps and a triple-padded airflow back to keep you cool and breeze, sternum straps for your posture, and a pass-through strap for attaching the backpack onto your travel case while rushing through an airport. The HyperPack Pro’s location module is built into its exterior too, but that feature really deserves its own dedicated section in this article.

Strategic Charging Pockets & Passthroughs

Secure Interlocking Zippers

Water-resistant 1260D Cordura and YKK Aquaguard Zippers

Peek inside and the HyperPack Pro’s 22-liter inner capacity comes with carefully considered compartments for all your belongings, from a padded slot for a 16” laptop to a dedicated RFID-blocking pocket for your cards, an area for a MagSafe wireless charger, and dedicated loops to organize your cables that connect your gadgets on the outside to the power bank inside the bag. The MagSafe charging area is a surprisingly new addition, letting you slide your phone right into your bag and have it charge without plugging a single cable in. The bag’s YKK zippers and Cordura fabric exterior keep water out, and integrated zip-ties let you effectively lock your zips together so your backpack puts up a fight to any slimy pickpocket who wants to slide their hands right in and steal your belongings.

The integrated location module is by far the most innovative and interesting feature of the HyperPack Pro, and surprisingly enough, is the first I’ve seen for any backpack or laptop bag. The module runs on a standard CR2032 battery cell, and connects to your Find My network, letting you physically track your backpack the way you would your phone, AirPods, iPad, or MacBook. It has its own Out Of Range alert system that lets you know if your bag leaves your personal radius, and you can even ‘ping’ your backpack through the Find My app, with the module’s transducer capable of ringing as loud as 90 decibels.

The beauty of the HyperPack Pro’s design is that it’s pretty much universal in its appeal. Whether you’re someone who carries a backpack to work or on travels, or uses it for specific storage like your drone and camera gear, the ability to track your belongings seems like an obvious win… and I won’t be surprised if other companies start integrating this feature into their travel gear too. Besides, the backpack’s spacious, travel-ready, and outdoor-friendly build makes it great for commuters and wanderlusts. The HyperPack Pro is priced at $200, but backers on Indiegogo can grab it early for a 30% discounted price of $140.

Click Here to Buy Now: $120 $200 (40% off). Hurry, only 5/20 left!

The post HyperPack Pro is the creative pro’s mobile tool kit featuring an Apple Find My compatible location module first appeared on Yanko Design.

This minimal + visually light seating collection is inspired by the gentle curves of the hillsides

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We often underestimate the importance of a great chair! When in reality we really shouldn’t. We spend the majority of our day sitting on chairs, whether we’re working in our home office, enjoying a meal, or simply sitting and reading a book for leisure! Hence, this piece of furniture needs to be not only comfortable but ergonomic, and aesthetic as well. And one such design I recently came across is the Terra seating collection.

Designer: Sebastian Alberdi for Missana

Designed by Sebastian Alberdi for the Spanish furniture brand Missana, the Terra seating is a curvy yet gentle seating design that will add a burst of personality to any space it is placed into. The minimal yet sturdy furniture piece is inspired by the gentle curves of the hillsides, which is depicted in its intriguing form.

Missana says that the Terra chairs and sofas feature “a sinuous valley of backrests”. Alberdi designed the seats to mimic picturesque landscape sceneries. The gently curving structure of the chair is supported by slender iron legs, and a rather slim profile, which gives the impression that the chair is quite light and free-flowing. “I had two clear purposes – to create a compact design collection that at the same time looks visually very light,” said Alberdi.

The seating collection includes two- and three-seater sofas as well as a chair, armchair, and bar stool. The frame of the chair features a classic black color, while the cushioned seating is available in a variety of diverse fabric colors. You can pick upholstery in the color of your choice.

The post This minimal + visually light seating collection is inspired by the gentle curves of the hillsides first appeared on Yanko Design.

TikTok will be banned on most US federal government devices

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TikTok will be outlawed on almost all devices issued by the federal government after lawmakers passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill. Officials crammed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, which the Senate unanimously approved last week, into the mammoth 4,155-page omnibus bill. The spending package was fast tracked in order to avoid a partial government shutdown. It will fund the government through September.

The Senate voted 68-29 to pass the bill on December 22nd. The House approved it on Friday with a vote of 225-201. On the same day, President Joe Biden signed a stopgap bill that funded the government for another week in order to avert a shutdown until the omnibus bill landed on his desk. Today, President Biden signed the bill into law.

The legislation requires the Biden administration to establish rules to remove TikTok from government devices by mid-February. The bill carved out exceptions for elected officials, congressional staff, law enforcement agents and other officials. However, the House of Representatives separately banned TikTok on devices it owns and manages.

Earlier this month, FBI Director Chris Wray warned that China could use the app (which is owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance) to collect data on users. Some attempts have been made, including in the last few weeks, to prohibit TikTok in the US entirely. Several states have banned TikTok from government devices, including Georgia, South Dakota, Maryland and Texas. Indiana has sued TikTok over alleged security and child safety issues.

TikTok has attempted to soothe US lawmakers' concerns that the app could be used for spying purposes. Since June, it has been directing all traffic from the country to Oracle servers based domestically. TikTok and ByteDance said they'd delete US user data from their own servers in the US and Singapore. In August, Oracle began a review of TikTok's algorithms and content moderation systems.

As Congress was voting on the bill, news broke that ByteDance fired four employees (two in the US and two in China) who accessed the TikTok data of US journalists. The workers were allegedly trying to find the sources of leaks to the reporters.

The omnibus bill includes other tech-related provisions, including more funding for federal antitrust officials. In addition, the package incorporates the Computers for Veterans and Students Act. This requires the government to hand over certain surplus computers to nonprofits. The systems will be repaired and/or refurbished, then distributed to schools, homeschooled students, veterans, seniors and others in need.

There's also another $1.8 billion in new funding to implement the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to boost domestic production of semiconductors. The omnibus bill earmarks $25.4 billion for NASA — 5.6 percent more than the agency received in fiscal year 2022, but less than the $26 billion the White House asked for. The National Science Foundation will get $9.9 billion, an increase of 12 percent. The National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will receive increases of 32 percent (up to $1.6 billion) and 17.5 percent ($761 million), respectively.

TikTok will be banned on most US federal government devices

Posted on by

TikTok will be outlawed on almost all devices issued by the federal government after lawmakers passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill. Officials crammed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, which the Senate unanimously approved in mid-December, into the mammoth 4,155-page omnibus bill. The spending package was fast tracked in order to avoid a partial government shutdown. It will fund the government through September.

The Senate voted 68-29 to pass the bill on December 22nd. The House approved it on Friday with a vote of 225-201. On the same day, President Joe Biden signed a stopgap bill that funded the government for another week in order to avert a shutdown until the omnibus bill landed on his desk. Today, President Biden signed the bill into law.

The legislation requires the Biden administration to establish rules to remove TikTok from government devices by mid-February. The bill carved out exceptions for elected officials, congressional staff, law enforcement agents and other officials. However, the House of Representatives separately banned TikTok on devices it owns and manages.

Earlier this month, FBI Director Chris Wray warned that China could use the app (which is owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance) to collect data on users. Some attempts have been made, including in the last few weeks, to prohibit TikTok in the US entirely. Several states have banned TikTok from government devices, including Georgia, South Dakota, Maryland and Texas. Indiana has sued TikTok over alleged security and child safety issues.

TikTok has attempted to soothe US lawmakers' concerns that the app could be used for spying purposes. Since June, it has been directing all traffic from the country to Oracle servers based domestically. TikTok and ByteDance said they'd delete US user data from their own servers in the US and Singapore. In August, Oracle began a review of TikTok's algorithms and content moderation systems.

As Congress was voting on the bill, news broke that ByteDance fired four employees (two in the US and two in China) who accessed the TikTok data of US journalists. The workers were allegedly trying to find the sources of leaks to the reporters.

The omnibus bill includes other tech-related provisions, including more funding for federal antitrust officials. In addition, the package incorporates the Computers for Veterans and Students Act. This requires the government to hand over certain surplus computers to nonprofits. The systems will be repaired and/or refurbished, then distributed to schools, homeschooled students, veterans, seniors and others in need.

There's also another $1.8 billion in new funding to implement the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to boost domestic production of semiconductors. The omnibus bill earmarks $25.4 billion for NASA — 5.6 percent more than the agency received in fiscal year 2022, but less than the $26 billion the White House asked for. The National Science Foundation will get $9.9 billion, an increase of 12 percent. The National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will receive increases of 32 percent (up to $1.6 billion) and 17.5 percent ($761 million), respectively.

LEGO’s artistic version of Hokusai’s The Great Wave of Kanagawa is just as captivating as the original

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It distills the detailed painting down to a set of block-based art but retains every bit of the original’s grand beauty.

The Great Wave of Kanagawa remains one of the art world’s most iconic and recognizable paintings. Just about as famous as the Mona Lisa or Van Gogh’s Starry Night, The Great Wave is a hallmark of Japan’s Ukiyo-e art movement, which flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries and involved a series of detailed wood-block print techniques. LEGO Art’s interpretation involves plastic blocks instead, and comes with a brick-count of 1810 pieces to build this influential eastern artwork from scratch, along with a special brick that contains artist Hokusai’s signature too!

Designer: LEGO

Unlike LEGO’s revisit of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, which used regular linear bricks to mimic the Dutch artist’s post-impressionist strokes, The Great Wave (31208) takes a much more intricate approach, with the canvas comprising of multiple dot-shaped bricks that give the painting a pointillism-effect.

The overall set measures 20.5 inches in width and 15.5 inches in height, making it almost twice as large as the original. The 1810-brick set features 6 canvas plates, 2 hanger elements, a brick separator, and a decorative tile with Hokusai’s signature. The box it comes in also has a QR code which leads you to a tailor-made soundtrack to enhance your building experience.

The LEGO Art Hokusai – The Great Wave (31208) will sell for US$99.99, and will be available starting January 1st, 2023. Check out LEGO’s official page for more details, and if you’re looking for a late Christmas Gift or a nice New Year solo activity, this just might be the perfect pick for you!

The post LEGO’s artistic version of Hokusai’s The Great Wave of Kanagawa is just as captivating as the original first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wall-clock with built-in task-board lets you be more efficient with your time

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Someone should seriously make a whiteboard clock at this point, because this sounds like just a really smart idea. Meet Task Time, a clock with a set of magnets that let you assign tasks at certain times of the day in an incredibly analog way. You don’t need to bust your phone out and access the alarm or the calendar. You don’t need to tell Siri or Google to remind you to do something. Just make a note of it on the Task Time’s legend on the side, and pick up a corresponding magnet and place it on the clock. The colorful magnets become indicators of when you need to start a task, helping you efficiently manage your time in a wonderful low-tech way.

Designer: Dominic

While the Task Time seems like a rather simple idea and an elementary device, it has a great amount of appeal and versatility if you think of its applications. Sure, it makes for a great task clock while at work (even though you’d much rather use an online calendar service) but it also acts as a wonderful educational toy for children, allowing them to learn how to read time. Imagine a Task Time in a school, with different magnets indicating the different periods of the day. The child uses them as visual indicators to help understand how a day is split between story time, playtime, lunchtime, nap time, and home time. The visual dots help make the entire ordeal more interesting and easy to understand too, whether you’re a 6-year old learning how to read a clock or a 30-year old using the Task Time as your personal Pomodoro Timer to help boost your efficiency and productivity!

The post Wall-clock with built-in task-board lets you be more efficient with your time first appeared on Yanko Design.