Monthly Archives: February 2024

Tinder is bringing its advanced ID verification system to the US and UK

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Tinder has announced it’s bringing an advanced ID verification system to the US, UK, Brazil and Mexico. This is part of an ongoing effort to reduce the number of catfish swimming around the old dating pool. The new system requires that users take a video selfie and upload a valid driver’s license or passport.

Tinder has long required users to take photos or video selfies as part of its verification process, which would provide a blue checkmark to illustrate authenticity. So the passport and driver’s license stuff is new. Once you upload the ID, Tinder will check to see if it lines up with your video selfie and the photos on your profile. It’ll also look at the date of birth on the license or passport to confirm your age.

If the idea of uploading your ID to a dating app gives you an icky feeling, you can still get verified with just a video selfie. However, your profile will get a blue camera icon badge, and not a blue checkmark.

Tinder started testing this system last year in New Zealand and Australia, and it must have worked out just fine, given the broader roll-out. The updated verification tool is coming to the UK and Brazil by spring and the US and Mexico by summer. In other words, catfish only have a few more months left to do their thing. That includes you, AI catfish.

This shouldn’t be confused with Tinder’s recently-abandoned background check feature, which was powered by the non-profit Garbo. Tinder and Garbo paired up to provide a robust background check tool on the app in 2019, to check users for histories of violence.

Garbo ended up breaking it off with Tinder’s parent company, Match Group, after disagreements over payments and how to best use the tool. Garbo’s CEO said she’d rather leave the partnership instead of allowing "the vision of Garbo to be compromised and relegated to a piece of big corporations’ marketing goals.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tinder-is-bringing-its-advanced-id-verification-system-to-the-us-and-uk-164353306.html?src=rss

Levitating Xbox controller themed on the “Dune: Part Two” movie is up for grabs via a competition

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There’s no denying, we love everything that levitates. Consider the magical element of a floating gadget or the sheer curiosity of the working mechanism, anything that suspends in mid-air, ignites our curiosity. Of course, this levitating Xbox controller wouldn’t escape our radar.

This special edition gaming Xbox gaming controller will mark the release of Dune: Part 2 on March 1. Microsoft is labeling it as the world’s first floating Xbox controller, and we’ll agree since this is a one-of-a-kind creation. The idea behind the levitating aesthetic is to mimic the Ornithopter’s capability to hover over the Arrakis’ dunes. The good news is that you can win this one-off collectors’ piece by topping the sweepstakes competition by Microsoft on X.

Designer: Microsoft

Limited edition hardware is nothing new to Microsoft for promoting their flagship console. For the Dune edition version, the tech giant has collaborated with Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures to promote the release of Denis Villeneuve’s movie. Coming on to the levitating feature, the controller rests on a stand that floats. The visual trickery is not made clear by Microsoft but we presume magnets are used to weave the magic. Hiding behind the big sandy base that’s most likely created to aid this cool illusion.

The gaming controller has a custom finish complete with the movie logo and symbols. Similarly, the Xbox Series S console carries a vibrant design to represent the scale of Arrakis in the cosmos. It is accompanied by the Dune-themed Ornithopter Stand for the complete feel. If you are interested in rolling in for the competition jump right away to check out the official rules and eligibility details. The entry period is currently on and will go on till March 25.

The post Levitating Xbox controller themed on the “Dune: Part Two” movie is up for grabs via a competition first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dr. Garmin will see you now

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There’s a reason smartwatches haven’t replaced clinically validated gear when you visit the hospital — accuracy and reliability are paramount when the data informs medical procedures. Even so, researchers are looking for ways in which these devices can be meaningfully used in a clinical setting. One project in the UK has explored if a Garmin Venu 2 and dedicated companion app could be used to free up doctors and nurses, six minutes at a time.

The Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is used to diagnose and monitor a number of cardiovascular maladies. This includes conditions like Pulmonary Hypertension that, if left untreated, are eventually fatal. “[The test has been] a cornerstone of hospital practice and clinical trials for decades all around the world as [...] a marker of how well the heart and lungs are working,” project leader Dr. Joseph Newman told Engadget. While a change in a blood test marker might be clinically relevant, he said “it’s probably more important to someone that they can walk to the shop and back.” 

The test requires a patient walk on a flat, hard surface for six minutes straight, which stresses the heart enough to measure its capacity. A professional tests the patient’s heart rate and blood oxygen levels at the start and end. While it’s simple and reliable, "it’s not perfect,” according to Dr. Newman. “This is why we’ve looked to change it in two important ways," he said, "can we make it shorter [...] and digitize it for remote use?"

After all, six minutes is a lifetime in a clinical setting, and patients dislike having to schlep all the way to their hospital just to walk up and down a corridor. It’s why Newman and Lucy Robertson — both researchers at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge — began looking for ways to revolutionize the test. They wanted to see if the test could be shortened to a single minute, and also if it could be carried out by a patient at home using a Venu 2. 

The watch was connected to a secure and dedicated clinical trial platform built by Aparito – a Wrexham-based developer – for testing. This was then sent out to patients who were instructed to wear the watch and walk outdoors to complete their own tests. “They’re asked to walk on flat, even, dry, relatively straight roads rather than in laps or circuits,” Dr. Newman said, with patients walking at their own natural pace.

“We carried out a product appraisal early on in the research process and were open-minded as to the brand or model,” said Dr. Newman. “Garmin came out on top for a few reasons; we can access raw data as well as Garmin’s algorithmically-derived variables,” he said. Because the research was being funded by a charity, the British Heart Foundation, the watch had to offer good value for money. It helped that Garmin, with its established health research division, gave the team “confidence in the accuracy of the sensors,” not to mention the fact that Aparito feels that “the Garmin SDK is relatively easy to work with,” he added. 

But while Garmin is in use right now, there’s no reason this setup couldn’t eventually work with a number of other brands. “As long as the technology works, it’s accurate, reliable and patients accept it, then we’re not tied to any brand,” he said.

There are several benefits in giving patients the ability to run the tests at home: it’s more representative of the demands of their actual life, and patients can retake the test at regular intervals, making it easier to track that person’s health over time. “We can see real value in providing patients with pulmonary hypertension with an app and smartwatch to monitor their progress,” Dr. Newman said. “It’s unlikely to ever fully replace the need for in-person hospital reviews, but it will likely reduce their frequency.”

The results of the study right now suggest cutting the test to one minute has no detrimental effect on its outcome or accuracy, and that patients are far more likely to run the test regularly if they’re able to do so at home. “It’s likely that the upfront costs of wearables [to a hospital] may be offset by the longer term reduction in hospital visits,” Dr. Newman said. If that turns out to be right, it means clinicians can better focus their time and efforts where their expertise is more valuable.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/dr-garmin-will-see-you-now-160013340.html?src=rss

Google engineers modded a PlayStation Portal to emulate PSP games

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The PlayStation Portal has turned out to be a bit of a surprise hit for Sony. The portable peripheral is often out of stock and hard to come by, even though it does just one thing: stream games from your own PlayStation 5. The device does not run games locally — unless you find a way to modify it to do so.

Two Google engineers claim to have done just that by getting PPSSPP, a PlayStation Portable emulator, to work natively on the Portal. A photo shows Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories running on the system. Andy Nguyen, one of the engineers, says that no hardware modifications were required to make the emulator run and that the project took “more than a month of hard work” to see through.

Nguyen has discovered PS4 and PS5 exploits in the past, as The Verge notes. It’s not yet clear whether Nguyen will detail how to get PPSSPP working or release a jailbreak so that other folks can install the emulator on the Portal with relative ease. “There’s no release planned in the near future, and there’s much more work to be done,” Nguyen wrote on X. However, Nguyen hinted at posting some videos this weekend to show the emulator in action.

The Portal is clearly popular and it’s evident that players yearn to be able to do more with the system. As things stand, they can't even stream games from Sony's cloud gaming service. Perhaps these factors might be enough to convince Sony to give many fans what they truly want: a proper handheld successor to the PSP and the Vita.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-engineers-modded-a-playstation-portal-to-emulate-psp-games-152256608.html?src=rss

Samsung Galaxy Buds get AI features

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Samsung Galaxy Buds

Samsung has revealed a range of new AI features for its Samsung Galaxy Buds Series and this includes a range of real-time translation features, that work with you listening to translations directly into your earbuds. At the same time, the other participant receives them through your phone’s speaker. Tired of feeling lost in the translation […]

The post Samsung Galaxy Buds get AI features appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Members of ransomware gang Lockbit arrested by law enforcement

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International law enforcement, led by the UK’s National Crime Agency, have disrupted ransomware gang Lockbit's operation. The group behind notable hacks against aircraft manufacturer Boeing, chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, sandwich chain Subway and thousands more had its site taken offline on Monday while authorities arrested major players behind the gang. "This site if now under the control of law enforcement," the website reads. According to malware repository Vx-underground, law enforcement took down at least 22 Lockbit-affiliated Tor sites.

"Through our close collaboration, we have hacked the hackers; taken control of their infrastructure, seized their source code, and obtained keys that will help victims decrypt their systems," National Crime Agency Director General, Graeme Biggar, said in a statement. “As of today, LockBit are locked out. We have damaged the capability and most notably, the credibility of a group that depended on secrecy and anonymity."

Lockbit admitted defeat, too. In a statement to Vx-underground, the group said "FBI pwned me." Operation Cronos, the name law enforcement used for their efforts, also resulted in the seizure of source code and other useful data related to Lockbit's operations. At the same time, authorities in Poland, Ukraine and the US arrested key members of the ransomware operation. There are sanctions out for two more Lockbit affiliates in Russia.

There's more good news for Lockbit victims, too: The operation obtained keys from Lockbit to create a decryption tool for victims to get their data back, according to US Attorney General Merrick Garland. The free decryptors can be found via the No More Ransom project. 

Since 2019 when Lockbit first entered the scene, it's squeezed victims for more than $120 million in ransomware payments, according to acting assistant AG Nicole Argentieri.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/members-of-ransomware-gang-lockbit-arrested-by-law-enforcement-144245076.html?src=rss

Vivo X100 Pro Review: A strong contendar for the best camera phone of 2024

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PROS:


  • Exceptional imaging capabilities

  • Great display

  • Snappy performance

CONS:


  • Front facing video is capped at 1080p

  • Limited market availability

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Vivo X100 Pro currently stands as one of the best camera phone on the market, transforming even the most maudane scene into form of artistic expression.

In the landscape of mobile phone space, making a significant impact can be challenging unless you belong to the elite trio of Apple, Google, and Samsung. The task becomes even more formidable for an underdog like Vivo. If you are not familiar with Vivo, the company was founded in 2009 and has since become a significant player in the mobile phone industry with a strong presence in Asia and the Middle East with its footprint extended to certain regions in Europe. The company is known for offering devices with innovative features, and its X-series flagship, in particular, has gained attention for its impressive mobile imaging performance, through continual collaboration with the renowned lens manufacturer Zeiss. Vivo’s new flagship X100 Pro, which was launched in China on December 19th last year, is yet another Vivo device with outstanding camera capabilities.

We’ll explore how Vivo continues to push boundaries in the realm of mobile photography and invocation. From its sleek aesthetics to the powerful internals, the X100 Pro promises an immersive user experience. Join us as we uncover the nuances of its design, performance, and unique features, providing you with a comprehensive insight into what makes this smartphone a noteworthy contender in the ever-evolving world of mobile phones.

Designer: Vivo

Aesthetics

A large, circular camera module proudly graces the top of the device and rightly commands attention. Aside from the massive camera module, Vivo does not shy away from splashing X100 Pro’s camera capabilities. At the center of the camera module, the Zeiss logo gleams, accompanied by the red letter T* beneath it to indicate the anti-reflective coating that significantly increases light transmittance and helps accurately reproduce colors, according to Vivo. Made of aerospace-grade stainless steel, the “Sun Halo” or “Moon Halo” Ring surrounds the camera module with lens specs on the ring. Underneath the camera module, you’ll find “Xtreme Imagination” Vivo Zeiss Co-engineering branding. On the bottom, you’ll find big, but subtle Vivo branding. If all these texts on the back of the device are not enough for you, look at the top of the phone, and you’ll find a “Professional photography” sign.

A bit cluttered with texts aside, the X100 Pro is a sleek-looking device. It is available in two color options: Asteroid Black and Startrail Blue. We received the Asteroid Black variant which has a glass back panel with a matte finish, resembling sandblasting. The Startrail Blue variant also boasts a glass back panel but distinguishes itself with patterns that emulate the streaks of light created in the night sky.

Ergonomics

Vivo X100 Pro measures 164.05 x 75.28 x 8.91 mm and weighs 225 g. The display features slightly curved side edges. The side edges of the back panel are also slightly curved. The device fits nicely in the hand and thanks to the curved edges, it does not bite into the palm. In the Asteroid Black variant, the glass back panel offers a velvety touch that is quite pleasing but tends to be a bit slippery. Luckily the textured gray case came with the phone to provide a nice grip, though it tends to show scratches easily.

Like numerous other smartphones with an in-display fingerprint scanner, the positioning of the scanner near the bottom edge of the display can present a challenge for swift unlocking and seamless navigation with one hand. Fortunately, the fingerprint proves to be fast and accurate. The arrangement of the physical buttons and SIM tray is also similar to other phones, with the volume control button situated on the right side, and below it, the power button. At the bottom, you’ll find a SIM tray, primary microphone, USB-C port, and speaker. Meanwhile, on the top, there is a secondary microphone and an IR emitter.

Performance

There is absolutely no doubt that the main attraction of the Vivo X100 Pro is its upgraded ZEISS co-engineered imaging system. Before delving into the details, I’ll spill the beans – it is phenomenal. X100 Pro boasts a triple camera setup. The main 50MP camera uses a Sony 1-inch IMX989 sensor with an aperture of f/1.75. However, the true standout in the triple camera setup is the Zeiss APO floating telephoto camera with an aperture of f/2.5. The telephoto camera features an innovative periscope group structure called the Floating Elements Design, enabling sharp focus both up close and at a distance, by allowing individual lens elements to move freely. Both the main and telephoto cameras support OIS. Rounding up the triple camera setting is a 50MP ultra-wide with an aperture of f/2.0.

The main camera produces excellent images with plenty of details and a wide dynamic range. The photos are sharp and color rendering is realistic. The 2x zoom photos, captured with the main camera, are great as well.

The ultra-wide does its job well, and the photos captured are equally impressive as those taken by the main camera. However, it’s not very wide (119-degree field-of-view) compared to some other phones.

Both the main and ultra-wide cameras are also very capable in low-light conditions, capturing images with the right level of exposure, excellent dynamic range, and substantial details even in dark areas.

However, as stated before, 4.3x Telephoto is hands down the star of the triple camera setup, delivering superb photos in nearly every lighting scenario. Even in low-light settings, the handset takes photos with plenty of details, balanced exposure, and minimal noise. With the 100mm equivalent focal length, you can get close to your subject and snap the photos with a nice bokeh, and if you need to get even closer to the subject, the device is capable of digitally zooming up to 100x.

I took the Vivo X100 Pro to Ed Sheeran’s show in Osaka, Japan, and captured many photos and videos using mainly telephoto throughout the show. My seat was located on the first floor of the baseball stadium, which had been transformed into a concert venue with a capacity of 36,447. I was very impressed with the photos and videos I snapped at the show where lighting was constantly changing and tricky.

Given that this is an imaging-focused mobile handset, the device offers an array of shooting modes and styles to cater to your creative vision. There are Snapshot mode, Night mode, and Portrait to name a few. In Photo mode, the users can select from three distinct color treatments: Vivid, Natural, and Zeiss. The Portrait mode offers various styles to choose from, with my personal favorite being Vintage, delivering a film-like output.

With photos captured in Portrait mode, you have the flexibility to adjust the focus point and aperture after the fact, allowing you to customize the desired focal point and level of bokeh.

I usually don’t find much interest in Macro mode as the photos produced are subpar. However, the X100 Pro proves to be an exception. It produces sharp images with a pleasing bokeh effect, as you can see in the sample photo below.

Vivo X100 Pro’s excellent capability does not stop at taking photos. The device takes great videos as well. The phone is capable of taking up to 8K 30fps video with its main camera. The telephoto and ultra-wide cameras can record videos up to 4K at 60fps. Unfortunately, the front-facing camera is maxed out at 1080p at 30fps. Stabilization works very well in well-lit conditions but struggles a bit under low-light conditions.

There is a 4k Cinematic Portrait mode that offers automatic focus switching, similar to Apple’s Cinematic Mode. While its performance can be inconsistent, it takes artistic videos when it gets right.

Powered by MediaTek’s latest and most powerful Dimensity 9300, the device offers a seamless experience whether you are playing graphically demanding games or multi-tasking with numerous apps opened. Despite the phone’s responsiveness and speed, the battery performance can be somewhat underwhelming depending on what you do on the phone. Equipped with an enhanced 5,400mAh battery, the phone provides ample power for normal daily use. If you take tons of photos and videos(which with the phone this good, you will be inclined to do so), topping up during the day might be required. Fortunately, it supports 100W FlashCharge and 50W wireless FlashCharge.

Vivo X100 Pro sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with 2,800 x 1,260 resolution, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and is equipped with LTPO technology for dynamically adjusting the refresh rate while saving the battery. With a local peak brightness of 3,000 nits, the screen is ample bright even under direct sunlight. It delivers smooth images with vibrant colors.

Running on Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14, the photo provides smooth performance. There are many customization options for things like lock screen styles and useful features like split-screen and small windows. Another welcoming change is having less bloatware.

Sustainability/Repairability

With its exceptional ability to capture high-quality photos in diverse situations, the likelihood of reaching for the Vivo X100 Pro to snap moments becomes a natural inclination. Considering the exposure to elements like water and dust, it’s comforting to know that the device has an IP68 rating, meaning it can endure submersion up to a depth of 1.5 meters for a duration of up to 30 minutes.

Vivo does not specify the use of sustainable materials for the phone. However, the material used for the ring around the camera module is crafted from aerospace-grade stainless steel, known for its resistance to wear, high temperature, and corrosion, ensuring durability.

Value

Vivo X100 Pro X was launched in China with a price tag of 5,499 CNY (about 770 USD)for the 16GB RAM/ 512GB storage variant. Since then the company has gradually rolled out the device into other Asian markets including India, Malaysia, and Thailand. It has finally reached some European markets. It’s worth noting that the price is higher than anticipated, at 1,199 Euros (about 1230 USD). However, given the phone’s quality, particularly its exceptional and versatile imaging capabilities, it is not excessively expensive.

Verdict

If mobile photography is your priority when choosing a phone, the Vivo X100 Pro currently stands as one of the best camera phones on the market. Whether capturing moments with friends and family, street scenes, or exploring the intricacies of subjects like flowers and bugs in macro mode, this device has the remarkable ability to transform even the most mundane scene into a form of artistic expression, thanks to its exceptional camera features. The images captured by the telephoto camera are just another level, setting the new standard for mobile photography. Beyond its impressive camera capabilities, the Vivo X100 Pro is a solid device with a vibrant and sharp display, responsive software, great build quality, and fast wired and wireless charge capabilities. The handset also offers a well-rounded and high-performing smartphone experience.

The post Vivo X100 Pro Review: A strong contendar for the best camera phone of 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

New Garmin Forerunner 165 Series Launched

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Garmin Forerunner 165

In the ever-evolving world of fitness technology, the launch of the Garmin Forerunner 165 Series marks a significant step forward for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. This new series combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly features to enhance your training, monitor your health, and integrate seamlessly into your daily life. Let’s delve into what makes the […]

The post New Garmin Forerunner 165 Series Launched appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Apple Music debuts a monthly version of its annual Replay feature

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Apple Music is building on its annual Replay feature by offering a monthly version. The annual Replay playlist will still be available, but the monthly option should offer a more granular look at your listening history.

Simply visit replay.music.apple.com and sign in with the same Apple ID you use for Apple Music. You'll be able to view your top songs, albums and artists, as well as your personal milestones for each month. Apple will archive these stats as well, so you can revisit them later.

I don't exactly need Apple to tell me that I spent much of the last few weeks listening to Deacon Blue, Charlotte Cardin and Gang of Youths' blistering cover of LCD Soundsystem's "All My Friends" on repeat. Still, being able to revisit my February 2024 replay years from now should provide a nice little reminder as to what I was absorbing in this period of my life.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-music-debuts-a-monthly-version-of-its-annual-replay-feature-140042667.html?src=rss