It was never going to last. Ever since it was launched this week, the Beeper Mini app, which let Android users get iMessage text support, was expected to be in trouble as soon as it caught Apple's attention. And catch Apple's attention it has. Yesterday, the entire Beeper platform appeared to be on the fritz, resulting in speculation that the iPhone maker had been shutting down the iMessage workarounds. As of this morning, Beeper Mini was still posting on X (formerly Twitter) that it was working on and potentially fixing the outage, but with an announcement from Apple today, all that may be for naught.
"We took steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials in order to gain access to iMessage," Apple said. "These techniques posed significant risks to user security and privacy, including the potential for metadata exposure and enabling unwanted messages, spam, and phishing attacks. We will continue to make updates in the future to protect our users."
Though Apple does not mention any apps by name, it stands to reason that, given the timing of Beeper Mini's launch and recent troubles, that this refers to the loophole the platform was using.
Beeper's method sent users' texts to Apple's servers before moving on to their intended recipients, and was thought up by a high-school student. Would-be messengers wouldn't even need an Apple ID to access iMessage via Beeper Mini, though the Android app did offer end-to-end encryption for conversations between those on both operating systems.
Apple also said today that it's unable to verify that messages sent through unauthorized means that pose as having valid credentials can maintain end-to-end encryption. Beeper had anticipated that this workaround might one day be shut down, and it looks like the Android-iOS messaging divide remains intact. For now.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-confirms-it-has-blocked-imessage-exploit-012015485.html?src=rss
If you’ve been dipping your toes into the culinary world, and are on a mission to become an accomplished chef who can whip up delicious meals, then you’ve reached the right place. The key to preparing amazing dishes is having a streamlined and efficient cooking process, which can be achieved with the help of the right kitchen appliances and tools. With the perfect kitchen accessories, you can create fantastic meals within no time, and with minimum hassles. And, we’ve curated a collection of unique, innovative, and functional kitchen tools for you. From sheet pan that helps you prepare culinary masterpieces, to a pair of sleek kitchen shears – these are the useful tools you need in your kitchen with you!
1. Cheat Sheets
The Cheat Sheets are ingeniously designed to revolutionize oven cooking. These silicone dividers transform a single baking tray into a versatile multi-compartment cooking surface, enabling the preparation of various dishes simultaneously while maintaining their distinct flavors and cooking requirements.
These oven-safe, non-stick silicone dividers transform a single sheet pan into a multi-portion culinary canvas, accommodating up to six small or three large portions. Ideal for family meals or weekly meal planning, multiple sets of these dividers offer unparalleled control and efficiency in the kitchen.
What we like
Allows cooking multiple dishes simultaneously on one tray
Accommodates various portion sizes, suitable for individual or family meals
High-quality, food-safe silicone material ensures safety and durability
What we dislike
Silicone material tends to attract dust and grease, leading to a sticky surface if not used frequently
2. Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors
The Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors are sleek and innovative kitchen shears that let you cut through food in an easy and efficient manner. These scissors make cutting meat and different kinds of food extremely effortless and smooth.
The stunning scissors are black in color, and hold an image of power and style, allowing them to occupy an intimidating and impressive position in your kitchen or dining table. You can cut through your steak, veggies, pizza, and more with finesse and functionality.
What we like
Equipped with a specially designed curved serrated blade that ensures cutting meat is effortless and safe
A multifunctional tool that ensures precise cutting, which is essential for intricate food prep
What we dislike
There are no different color options, it is only available in black, which could be boring for some users
3. Iron Frying Plate
Called the Iron Frying Plate, this innovative kitchen design can be used to serve your food or a frying pan with a removable handle. It is a refreshing new way to combine cooking and eating!
What makes the Iron Frying Plate super cool is that it combines both a frying pan and a serving plate. It is built using durable materials and offers a functional and sophisticated solution to cooking and serving. It introduces a novel and ingenious cooking method, that supports direct-from-the-pan serving, which could allow aspiring chefs to experiment with different cooking techniques and presentation styles.
What we like
The wooden handle can be attached and detached as and when needed
What we dislike
The frying plate is made from iron, which makes it heavier than traditional frying pans, which can be tough to handle and store in small kitchens
4. Playful Palm Grater
Dubbed the Playful Palm Grater, this whimsical and playful product is created to add some fun and functionality to your kitchen and dining life. It is designed to fit perfectly into the palm of your hand.
The Playful Palm Grater is a charming and functional product that resembles a curled piece of paper. It is made from a single aluminum alloy plate and is available in different color options.
What we like
Features a unique and minimal form that provides a strong and firm grip
Makes a simple act like grating fun and playful, as well as convenient and efficient
What we dislike
Since it is quite small in size, it isn’t the best option to grate large amounts of food
5. Kurenai
The stunning Kurenai kitchen knife is the result of storied tradition, craftsmanship, and sleek modern aesthetics. It is a class apart from the typical kitchen knives we find, which can be attributed to the captivating flame pattern along its sharpened edge.
Why is it noteworthy?
The unique flame pattern is a tribute to the knife’s flame-forged origin, as well as the fiery passion and precision that was channeled to create it. The Kurenai features a distinctive octagonal-shaped wooden handle that fits perfectly in the user’s hand, regardless of the size.
What we like
Perfectly merges aesthetics, functionality, and craftsmanship
What we dislike
It doesn’t have a ribbed knife option to support multiple cutting styles
6. The Russell Hobs Satisfry Air & Grill Multi-Cooker
Dubbed the Russell Hobs Satisfry Air & Grill Multi-Cooker, this innovative kitchen appliance provides seven cooking settings and is a must-have for aspiring chefs. It helps them create delicious and healthy food quickly and efficiently!
Why is it noteworthy?
This multifunctional appliance offers a myriad range of cooking options – ranging from air frying to roasting, and even slow cooking to searing. It can crisp, brown, and bake with the use of little or even no oil.
What we like
It works 76% faster as compared to a conventional oven
Supports more uniform cooking, so no part of your food is undercooked or overcooked
What we dislike
A bulky appliance that will occupy substantial real estate in your kitchen
7. Elizabat
Named the Elizabat, this adorable little bat scissor by OTOTO is designed to add some fun and flavor to your kitchen. The scissor is quite easy to grip on the inside, as well as the outside.
Why is it noteworthy?
This pair of culinary scissors helps you cut, chop, and slice away at veggies and herbs in the kitchen. It features a clever blade design which also serves as a bottle opener, while the gap between the handles serves as a nut-cracker.
What we like
Features an ergonomic profile that is quite comfortable to use
What we dislike
The scissor looks quite adorable and can be mistaken for a toy, so it needs to be kept away from children
8. The Fellow Tally Pro Studio Edition Coffee Scale
The Fellow Tally Pro Studio Edition coffee scale is an accurate scale to help you prepare the perfect cup of coffee every morning. It simplifies your morning coffee rep routine and transforms it into a seamless process.
It is equipped with a brew assist mode wherein you just need to select your coffee-to-water ratio, and it guides you until you hit your goal. It is built from premium Studio Edition materials and features a glass-based, metal touchpoints, and an OLED screen.
What we like
Offers a weight mode that measures in grams, ounces, pounds, and milliliters of water, as well as a timer mode that shows timer and weight in grams
What we dislike
Only available in black color, there aren’t multiple color options
9. Jamonero
A Barcelona-based designer created a solution to accommodate ham stands in your kitchen. Dubbed Jamonero, the folding ham stand is designed to hold your ham while you slice it.
Why is it noteworthy?
When you don’t need Jamonero, you can fold and tuck it away into a drawer to make space for other kitchen accessories. It is an extremely useful kitchen product for when your dining table or kitchen isn’t large enough.
What we like
Has an anti-slip feature that keeps the holder and ham in place
Easy to clean and maintain
What we dislike
Some users may not be comfortable using wood to hold their meat, and there is no alternative material option for them
10. Reencle
This compact, odor-free, and quiet kitchen appliance is called the Reencle and it utilizes your food waste and puts it to good use. It effectively composts and breaks down food waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Reencle is an at-home solution that effectively and efficiently breaks down food, and transforms it into a rich compost that benefits the planet instead of harming it. The compost can be utilized in gardens, indoor planters, and backyards, or can be disposed of as well.
What we like
Doesn’t require any setting up or plumbing
Features an odor-proof design that ensures bad aromas never enter your home
The sense of smell is easily taken for granted compared to sight and even hearing, but odors and scents actually have an often subtle yet significant effect on our moods and even our health. Bad smells can throw us off our equilibrium, while aromatic scents can either soothe or energize us. Unfortunately, we have little to no control over what we smell or even how we smell during the day, not unless we carry a bottle of perfume with us all the time. A more practical solution would be to have a tiny amount of your favorite fragrance on or near you throughout the day, which is what this ingenious pin offers in an inconspicuous button-shaped design.
Aromatic oil diffusers have become quite fashionable these days, coming in all shapes, sizes, and features. All of them, however, are confined to being used in rooms, often placed on a flat surface like a table or shelf. You could bring a small bottle of your favorite oil with you, but those oils are quite strong if you don’t find a way to diffuse the scent, which is what a diffuser is made for. Portable aroma diffusers are, unfortunately, still bulky and inconvenient to use, especially when you still have to take them out of your bag or purse and put them down on some surface.
The ALMA aroma pin is a simple yet elegant solution that lets you enjoy the gentle fragrance of your aromatic oils without lifting a finger. The pins are actually tiny containers that can hold a pinch of cotton where you drop some of that oil. This effectively diffuses the scent and spreads it around the button automatically; no need to put a container down or hold it in your hand. It’s like your own personal bubble of fragrance that follows you everywhere.
The pins are shaped like rather thick buttons, so it’s actually easy to disguise them and pin them on any soft material, including clothes, hats, bags, and more. Each piece is carved out of a single block of aluminum and is handmade by skilled craftsmen pouring hours of attention and love into each and every single pin. The pins are then dyed using “alumite” which gives them their lustrous colors. This process results in variations in color depending on the production lot, which gives each pin somewhat of a unique visual personality, in turn.
Thanks to their discreet, button-shaped design, these pins can be just as subtle as the scents they diffuse. Whether you want to walk around smelling fragrant all day, want to always smell your favorite oils wherever you go, or make sure your apparel and accessories don’t pick up bad odors, these stylish pins will make your day. With just a drop or two of essential oil, the aroma diffuser pin will let you carry your own bubble of fragrance whenever and wherever you go.
Amazon filed a motion on Friday in the Western Washington district court asking a judge to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) antitrust lawsuit against it. The FTC along with 17 state attorneys general sued Amazon in September, alleging the company uses monopolistic practices that are unfair to both its competitors and consumers. Amazon is now arguing that the FTC did not provide evidence that its practices have driven up prices or harmed consumers, according to Bloomberg.
The FTC’s lawsuit claims Amazon uses illegal tactics to crush its competition — like punishing sellers who list their products for better prices elsewhere by burying them in search results, and coercing sellers into using Amazon’s own fulfillment service by tying it to Prime eligibility. It also accuses Amazon of inflating prices from 2016-2018 using an algorithmic tool codenamed Project Nessie. These increases added up to more than $1 billion, according to the suit.
In Amazon’s motion for dismissal, per AP, Amazon said it’s only engaging in “common retail practices” that “benefit consumers and are the essence of competition.” Amazon attorney Heidi Hubbard wrote that the suit “implausibly, and illogically, assumes that Amazon’s efforts to keep featured prices low on Amazon somehow raised consumer prices across the whole economy,” according to Bloomberg.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-asks-court-to-dismiss-ftc-lawsuit-that-accuses-it-of-monopolistic-practices-220546149.html?src=rss
Amazon filed a motion on Friday in the Western Washington district court asking a judge to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) antitrust lawsuit against it. The FTC along with 17 state attorneys general sued Amazon in September, alleging the company uses monopolistic practices that are unfair to both its competitors and consumers. Amazon is now arguing that the FTC did not provide evidence that its practices have driven up prices or harmed consumers, according to Bloomberg.
The FTC’s lawsuit claims Amazon uses illegal tactics to crush its competition — like punishing sellers who list their products for better prices elsewhere by burying them in search results, and coercing sellers into using Amazon’s own fulfillment service by tying it to Prime eligibility. It also accuses Amazon of inflating prices from 2016-2018 using an algorithmic tool codenamed Project Nessie. These increases added up to more than $1 billion, according to the suit.
In Amazon’s motion for dismissal, per AP, Amazon said it’s only engaging in “common retail practices” that “benefit consumers and are the essence of competition.” Amazon attorney Heidi Hubbard wrote that the suit “implausibly, and illogically, assumes that Amazon’s efforts to keep featured prices low on Amazon somehow raised consumer prices across the whole economy,” according to Bloomberg.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-asks-court-to-dismiss-ftc-lawsuit-that-accuses-it-of-monopolistic-practices-220546149.html?src=rss
There is something exciting about having your dog hike with you during the day and sit alongside you at the campfire by night. This is why many adventurers prefer to have their dogs along on their campervan when they head out. And this is not just true for solo travelers, in fact, small families on long road trips prefer to travel with their dogs.
To make this adventure more suitable and comfortable for both the pets and their humans, Germany-based Flowcamper has come up with the Fellschnute: the first campervan built around the needs of our canine friends. Well, the campervan is customizable to make the road trip experience desirable for dogs, it does not at any point, compromise on the convenience and functionality of the people onboard.
The Fellschnute dog camper designed for adventurous outings with dogs, has a customizable interior based on the modular floor rail system. This makes dedicated areas for the pet and humans possible, so each can have their spacious living area, yet stay at a safe distance from the other. To that accord, the configuration of the dog area in the rear of the vehicle is such that it can be accessed from either an interior door or the one facing the tailgate.
This space for dogs, which is way more than the little nooks dogs get to themselves on other campervans, can easily “accommodate one to four dogs,” depending on the choice of kennel layout the customer opts for, Flowcamper informs. Above the spacious dog area, the Fellschnute makes provision to mount a fold-out bed and if you have more than a couple of people lying over, the bed in the pop-up roof is usable.
The living area for humans comprises special seats that can track back and forth or be positioned in any orientation to create a more spacious living space. Here you also have a small corner kitchen behind the driver’s seat. The kitchen is laid out with a 30-liter compressor cool box, a two-burner stove, and a sink. The utensils and other kitchen accessories hide away in drawers while a table swivels out for dining and working needs.
Interesting part of the Fellschnute campervan is its 18-L fresh water system which is linked up to the kitchen sink and hand sprayer at the back to wash up a dirty dogo or clean up your gear. Flowcamper also offers a portable air conditioner that doesn’t help with the cooling of the campervan, instead is specially designed to keep the dog kennel(s) temperature down by almost 15 degrees. For human convenience, however, there is a dry separating toilet that can be hidden from sight or can be pulled out in the open to double up as a bench at camp. The campervan draws power from a 400-watt solar system onboard and retails for a starting price of $75,000.
Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen these days, but the majority of them share one particular trait. They’re designed with aesthetics to fit inside the house, sometimes looking like elegant pieces of interior decoration even. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but they do imply or even explicitly state that these speakers should not be taken out of the house. There will always be times when you wish you could bring your trusty wireless speaker along with you, but at the same time don’t want to take out what looks like a military weapon out of your bag or car. This Bluetooth speaker aims to strike a balance between durability and bold design, and it does so by taking a few pages out of an electric vehicle’s design book.
Electric vehicles or EVs are touted to be the cars of the future, mostly because of their more eco-friendly mode of operation and advanced electronics, but there are some EV makers that take that identity beyond just internal components. Rivian’s adventure vehicles, for example, employ a combination of angular and muscular elements, sharp lines, bold proportions, and distinctive lighting that make the EVs look like TRON vehicles come to life. It’s no wonder, then, that the RIFT Bluetooth speaker concept gives off that same futuristic vibe, demonstrating a design that looks great not just outdoors but indoors as well.
Unlike regular speakers, RIFT comes in an oval ring shape that leaves its middle completely hollow. With the speaker mesh that wraps around the exterior surface, it almost looks like the tread of a tank. Although it comes in different colors, the options are limited to earthy tones that match the EV maker’s own selection, including Glacier White, Rivian Blue, Compass Yellow, and Midnight Black. The LED lighting on the rim serves as a unique accent that brings a sci-fi aesthetic while also providing functionality as a battery level and pairing indicator.
There aren’t too many details in the design that distract from the overall appearance. There are only four control buttons for power, volume, and pairing, and they’re mostly hidden from view on the inner surface of the loop. The more visible button on the top serves both as pause/play control as well as branding. Other than these, the entire body of the speaker is one unbroken ring, giving it a unified and bold appearance while also evoking a sense of stability and reliability.
Given the shape of the speaker, there might be some concerns about the direction that the sound will travel because of the positioning of the speakers. There’s also mention of any dust and water resistance that is a must-have for any adventurous pieces of electronic equipment. Of course, these are just implementation details that wouldn’t really affect the core concept of a bold and daring speaker that can accompany you on your adventures, even if that means just staying at home.
OctoML says it has ended its business relationship with Civitai days after an investigation by 404 Media revealed the text-to-image platform was being used to generate images that “could be categorized as child pornography.” Civitai previously relied on OctoML’s OctoAI for image generation. While OctoML initially indicated it would continue working with Civitai and introduced new measures to curb the creation of harmful images, 404 Media reported on Saturday that it has now decided to cut ties with the platform altogether.
According to 404 Media’s December 5 report, internal communications showed that OctoML was aware some Civitai users were creating sexually explicit material that included nonconsensual images of real peopleand pornographic depictions of children. In a followup report this weekend, the publication noted that OctoML rolled out a filter to block the generation of all NSFW content on Civitai before announcing its decision to pull out. Civitai also added new moderation methods in response to the investigation earlier this week, including a mandatory embedding called Civitai Safe Helper (Minor) that bars the model from generating images of children if “a mature theme or keyword is detected,” according to 404.
Andreessen Horowitz-backed Civitai has previously come under scrutiny for its “bounties” feature that challenges users to generate realistic images of real people for rewards. In November, 404 Media found it was being used to make nonconsensual deepfakes of celebrities, influencers and even a private citizen that were, in many cases, sexual in nature. The subjects were primarily women. According to 404 Media, Civitai has since added a filter to prevent the creation of NSFW content featuring “certain” celebrities.
Nevertheless, OctoML — which uses Amazon Web Services’ servers — no longer wants to be involved. In a statement to 404 Media on Saturday, OctoML said, “We have decided to terminate our business relationship with Civitai. This decision aligns with our commitment to ensuring the safe and responsible use of AI.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/controversial-ai-image-platform-civitai-has-been-dropped-by-its-cloud-computing-provider-195530538.html?src=rss
OctoML says it has ended its business relationship with Civitai days after an investigation by 404 Media revealed the text-to-image platform was being used to generate images that “could be categorized as child pornography.” Civitai previously relied on OctoML’s OctoAI for image generation. While OctoML initially indicated it would continue working with Civitai and introduced new measures to curb the creation of harmful images, 404 Media reported on Saturday that it has now decided to cut ties with the platform altogether.
According to 404 Media’s December 5 report, internal communications showed that OctoML was aware some Civitai users were creating sexually explicit material that included nonconsensual images of real peopleand pornographic depictions of children. In a followup report this weekend, the publication noted that OctoML rolled out a filter to block the generation of all NSFW content on Civitai before announcing its decision to pull out. Civitai also added new moderation methods in response to the investigation earlier this week, including a mandatory embedding called Civitai Safe Helper (Minor) that bars the model from generating images of children if “a mature theme or keyword is detected,” according to 404.
Andreessen Horowitz-backed Civitai has previously come under scrutiny for its “bounties” feature that challenges users to generate realistic images of real people for rewards. In November, 404 Media found it was being used to make nonconsensual deepfakes of celebrities, influencers and even a private citizen that were, in many cases, sexual in nature. The subjects were primarily women. According to 404 Media, Civitai has since added a filter to prevent the creation of NSFW content featuring “certain” celebrities.
Nevertheless, OctoML — which uses Amazon Web Services’ servers — no longer wants to be involved. In a statement to 404 Media on Saturday, OctoML said, “We have decided to terminate our business relationship with Civitai. This decision aligns with our commitment to ensuring the safe and responsible use of AI.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/controversial-ai-image-platform-civitai-has-been-dropped-by-its-cloud-computing-provider-195530538.html?src=rss
The Beeper Mini team has apparently been working around the clock to resolve the outage affecting the new “iMessage on Android” app, and says a fix is “very close.” And once the fix rolls out, users’ seven-day free trials will be reset so they can start over fresh. Beeper Mini was released earlier this week, and seemed an especially promising entrant due to its unique approach to bridging the iMessage-Android gap. The app, reportedly the result of a 16-year-old’s work to reverse-engineer iMessage, routes messages directly through Apple’s own servers, making it more secure than some of the other options out there.
But, only days after its release, Beeper Mini users on Friday found that they could no longer send and receive messages, sparking questions about whether Apple intervened and put a stop to it. In an update posted on social media, the team said it’s deregistered users’ phone numbers from iMessage while it works to fix the issue. That may not be the end of the immediate headaches caused by the outage, though. “Annoyingly, the iPhone Messages app ‘remembers’ that you were a blue bubble for 6-24 hours before falling back to SMS,” the Beeper Mini team wrote, “so it’s possible that some messages will not be delivered during this period.”
Beeper Mini - fix coming soon
Our fix for Beeper Mini is still in the works. It’s very close, and just a matter of a bit more time and effort.
In the meantime, we have deregistered your phone numbers from iMessage so your friends can still text you. Sorry, you’re temporarily a…
While Beeper says a fix is coming soon, it may still have a greater struggle ahead if Apple actually was behind the shutdown. The chat app costs $2 a month after the seven-day free trial and offers end-to-end encryption for messages sent between Android and iMessage users. In a statement to Engadget yesterday, Beeper co-founder Eric Migicovsky said, “If it's Apple, then I think the biggest question is — if Apple truly cares about the privacy and security of their own iPhone users, why would they try to kill a service that enables iPhones to send encrypted chats to Android users?”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/beeper-mini-team-says-a-fix-is-coming-soon-and-promises-to-extend-users-free-trials-171310651.html?src=rss
