The Morning After: Your cheap video doorbell may have serious security issues

Video doorbells manufactured by a Chinese company called Eken, sold under different brands for around $30 each, have serious security issues, according to Consumer Reports. These doorbell cameras are sold on Walmart, Sears and even with an Amazon Choice badge on Amazon.

As is often the case with basic technology products, the device is available under multiple brands, including Eken, Tuck, Fishbot, Rakeblue, Andoe, Gemee and Luckwolf, among others. Most pair with an app called Aiwitt.

TMA
Amazon

These devices aren’t encrypted and can expose the user’s home IP address and WiFi network name to the internet, making it easy for scumbags to gain entry. Worse, somebody could easily take control of it by creating an account on the Aiwit app, going up to the doorbell and then pressing a button to put it into pairing mode, which then connects it with their phone.

Worse still, even if the original owner regains control, the hijacker can still get time-stamped images from the doorbell, as long as they know its serial number.

There’s no way to protect yourself if you do own this doorbell series. Temu told Consumer Reports it’s looking into the issue. Amazon, Sears and Shein reportedly didn’t respond.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

Microsoft plans to streamline game upscaling across different graphics cards

The best DACs for Apple Music Lossless

This week’s gaming news: layoffs and weird PR emails

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

Dell XPS 16 laptop review

Beauty and power come at a cost.

TMA
Engadget

The XPS 16 stands out from most other large laptops by combining power and beauty. But you’ll have to suffer through some usability tradeoffs. For example, the XPS 16’s invisible trackpad, a lovely divisive design feature, is still annoying and not for everyone. A lack of ports counteracts that minimalist design. (No HDMI, no SD card reader.)

Continue reading.

UK government wants to use AI to cut civil service jobs

That's not a typo.

The UK government is actively promoting the use of AI to do the work normally done by civil servants, including drafting responses to parliamentary inquiries, the Financial Times reports.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will unveil a red box tool that can allegedly absorb and summarize information from reputable sources, like the parliamentary record. A separate instrument is also being trialed that should work for individual responses to public consultations. The Telegraph quoted Dowden arguing that implementing AI technology is critical to cutting civil service jobs — something he wants to do. “It really is the only way, I think, if we want to get on a sustainable path to headcount reduction.”

Continue reading.

Meta is killing the Facebook News tab in the US and Australia

The tab is already gone in the UK, France and Germany.

In early April, the Facebook News tab will disappear for users in the US and Australia. Meta has announced it’s pulling the dedicated tab to “align [its] investments to [its] products and services people value the most.” Meta added that the number of people using the News tab in the US and Australia over the past year has dropped by 80 percent.

By pulling the News tab in Australia, the company will stop paying publishers in the country for their content after their current deals end. A few years ago, Facebook blocked Australian news links in response to the then-proposed law requiring companies like Meta to pay media organizations for their content. The company unblocked news links just a few days after striking deals with Australian media organizations.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-your-cheap-video-doorbell-may-have-serious-security-issues-121525353.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Your cheap video doorbell may have serious security issues

Video doorbells manufactured by a Chinese company called Eken, sold under different brands for around $30 each, have serious security issues, according to Consumer Reports. These doorbell cameras are sold on Walmart, Sears and even with an Amazon Choice badge on Amazon.

As is often the case with basic technology products, the device is available under multiple brands, including Eken, Tuck, Fishbot, Rakeblue, Andoe, Gemee and Luckwolf, among others. Most pair with an app called Aiwitt.

TMA
Amazon

These devices aren’t encrypted and can expose the user’s home IP address and WiFi network name to the internet, making it easy for scumbags to gain entry. Worse, somebody could easily take control of it by creating an account on the Aiwit app, going up to the doorbell and then pressing a button to put it into pairing mode, which then connects it with their phone.

Worse still, even if the original owner regains control, the hijacker can still get time-stamped images from the doorbell, as long as they know its serial number.

There’s no way to protect yourself if you do own this doorbell series. Temu told Consumer Reports it’s looking into the issue. Amazon, Sears and Shein reportedly didn’t respond.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

Microsoft plans to streamline game upscaling across different graphics cards

The best DACs for Apple Music Lossless

This week’s gaming news: layoffs and weird PR emails

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

Dell XPS 16 laptop review

Beauty and power come at a cost.

TMA
Engadget

The XPS 16 stands out from most other large laptops by combining power and beauty. But you’ll have to suffer through some usability tradeoffs. For example, the XPS 16’s invisible trackpad, a lovely divisive design feature, is still annoying and not for everyone. A lack of ports counteracts that minimalist design. (No HDMI, no SD card reader.)

Continue reading.

UK government wants to use AI to cut civil service jobs

That's not a typo.

The UK government is actively promoting the use of AI to do the work normally done by civil servants, including drafting responses to parliamentary inquiries, the Financial Times reports.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will unveil a red box tool that can allegedly absorb and summarize information from reputable sources, like the parliamentary record. A separate instrument is also being trialed that should work for individual responses to public consultations. The Telegraph quoted Dowden arguing that implementing AI technology is critical to cutting civil service jobs — something he wants to do. “It really is the only way, I think, if we want to get on a sustainable path to headcount reduction.”

Continue reading.

Meta is killing the Facebook News tab in the US and Australia

The tab is already gone in the UK, France and Germany.

In early April, the Facebook News tab will disappear for users in the US and Australia. Meta has announced it’s pulling the dedicated tab to “align [its] investments to [its] products and services people value the most.” Meta added that the number of people using the News tab in the US and Australia over the past year has dropped by 80 percent.

By pulling the News tab in Australia, the company will stop paying publishers in the country for their content after their current deals end. A few years ago, Facebook blocked Australian news links in response to the then-proposed law requiring companies like Meta to pay media organizations for their content. The company unblocked news links just a few days after striking deals with Australian media organizations.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-your-cheap-video-doorbell-may-have-serious-security-issues-121525353.html?src=rss

How to install CrewAI and run AI models locally for free

Installing AI models locally with CrewAI

If you have been hit with large costs when using OpenAI’s API or similar you might be interested to know how you can install and run CrewAI locally and for free. Imagine having the power of advanced artificial intelligence right at your fingertips, on your very own computer, without spending a dime on cloud services. […]

The post How to install CrewAI and run AI models locally for free appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

2024 Samsung Neo QLED, OLED TVs now available in Korea

Samsung Neo QLED TVs

Samsung has announced that its new range of 2024 Smart TVs is now available to pre-order in its home country of South Korea, this includes the new 2024 Samsung NEO QLED TVs, the new 2024 Samsung OLED TVs, and the new 98-inch model. Samsung Electronics will hold pre-sales from March 1 to March 14 ahead […]

The post 2024 Samsung Neo QLED, OLED TVs now available in Korea appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

X reinstates policy against deadnaming and misgendering

X has updated its abuse and harassment page in January, and it has added a new section that explains its new rule against intentionally using the wrong pronouns for a person or using a name they no longer go by. As noticed by Ars Technica, the new section entitled "Use of Prior Names and Pronouns" states that the service will "reduce the visibility of posts" that use pronouns for a person different from what they use for themselves and those who are now using a different name as part of their transition. 

The social networking service formerly known as Twitter removed its longtime policy against deadnaming and misgendering transgender individuals just as quietly back in April 2023. GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said at the time that X's decision was "the latest example of just how unsafe the company is for users and advertisers alike." It's worth noting that Elon Musk, the website's owner, has a history of liking and sharing anti-trans posts and talking points. 

Under the new policy, X will only act on a post if it hears from the target themselves "given the complexity of determining whether such a violation has occurred." That puts the onus on the target who might end up being blamed for not reporting if they choose to distance themselves from the abuse. Jenni Olson, GLAAD's senior director of social media safety, told Ars that the organization doesn't recommend self-reporting for social media platforms. Still, policies clearly prohibiting the deadnaming and misgendering of trans people are still better than vague ones that don't clarify whether or not they're in violation of a platform's rules, Olson said. 

X reduces the visibility of posts by removing them from search results, home timelines, trends and notifications. These posts will also be downranked in the replies section and can only be discovered through the authors' profiles. Finally, they will not be displayed on the X website or app with ads adjacent to them, which could prevent a repeat of the ad revenue losses the company suffered last year. In late 2023, advertisers pulled their campaigns from the website just before the holidays after Media Matters published a report showing ads on the website right next to antisemitic content.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-reinstates-policy-against-deadnaming-and-misgendering-114608696.html?src=rss

X reinstates policy against deadnaming and misgendering

X has updated its abuse and harassment page in January, and it has added a new section that explains its new rule against intentionally using the wrong pronouns for a person or using a name they no longer go by. As noticed by Ars Technica, the new section entitled "Use of Prior Names and Pronouns" states that the service will "reduce the visibility of posts" that use pronouns for a person different from what they use for themselves and those who are now using a different name as part of their transition. 

The social networking service formerly known as Twitter removed its longtime policy against deadnaming and misgendering transgender individuals just as quietly back in April 2023. GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said at the time that X's decision was "the latest example of just how unsafe the company is for users and advertisers alike." It's worth noting that Elon Musk, the website's owner, has a history of liking and sharing anti-trans posts and talking points. 

Under the new policy, X will only act on a post if it hears from the target themselves "given the complexity of determining whether such a violation has occurred." That puts the onus on the target who might end up being blamed for not reporting if they choose to distance themselves from the abuse. Jenni Olson, GLAAD's senior director of social media safety, told Ars that the organization doesn't recommend self-reporting for social media platforms. Still, policies clearly prohibiting the deadnaming and misgendering of trans people are still better than vague ones that don't clarify whether or not they're in violation of a platform's rules, Olson said. 

X reduces the visibility of posts by removing them from search results, home timelines, trends and notifications. These posts will also be downranked in the replies section and can only be discovered through the authors' profiles. Finally, they will not be displayed on the X website or app with ads adjacent to them, which could prevent a repeat of the ad revenue losses the company suffered last year. In late 2023, advertisers pulled their campaigns from the website just before the holidays after Media Matters published a report showing ads on the website right next to antisemitic content.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-reinstates-policy-against-deadnaming-and-misgendering-114608696.html?src=rss

Zapier adds new error handling feature to Zaps for when the unexpected occurs

Zapier adds error handling to Zaps

Zapier has introduced a new error handling features to its Zaps. This new features allows you  to maintain the flow of automated tasks, even when unexpected disruptions occur. Imagine the frustration of a timeout or an API outage interrupting your carefully crafted workflow. Now, with Zapier’s latest update, you can breathe easier knowing that your […]

The post Zapier adds new error handling feature to Zaps for when the unexpected occurs appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Test your cybersecurity knowledge with this IBM quiz

Test your cybersecurity knowledge

Are you confident in your cybersecurity knowledge? IBM has created an interactive Cybersecurity Quiz that challenges you to test your understanding of this critical field. This tool is not just a test; it’s a learning experience that caters to everyone, from experts to beginners. As you navigate through the quiz, you’ll encounter a variety of […]

The post Test your cybersecurity knowledge with this IBM quiz appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Dual-screen E Ink reader doubles as a laptop for double productivity

Just like smartphones, laptops are undergoing a bit of change and experimentation with foldable, dual-screen, or even transparent laptops coming out of the woodwork. It’s only a matter of time before that trend makes its way to other devices, though there are signs of that happening in the e-book reader industry already. E-readers, as they are called, are breaking out of their shell, and some are even Android tablets that just happen to use e-paper displays. Compared to this unexpected design, however, those Android-powered E Ink readers sound almost unambitious, because this particular device actually puts together two E Ink displays to offer an almost literal book reader, a notebook, and a laptop all rolled into one.

Designer: LCFC (Hefei) (a Lenovo subsidiary)

Dual-screen laptops might not be new to our ears after the aborted Microsoft Surface Duo, the ASUS ZenBook Duo, and the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i. The idea behind this design is to bring the same dual-screen experience some users enjoy on desktops to the laptop without completely losing the advantage of portability. That use case might make perfect sense for a laptop that runs a conventional operating system with plenty of applications, but it isn’t as straightforward for e-book readers, even the ones running Android.

And yet, that’s exactly what the Gemini “Dual Screens Wisdom E-Ink Book” is trying to do, albeit with a slightly different focus. It connects two 7.8-inch E Inks screens using a 360-degree hinge that lets you fold it close like a book or fold it in the opposite direction completely to transform it into a tablet. In addition to reading, the device is designed to make it more natural to write down notes, possibly on what you’re reading. Note-taking is so central to the Gemini’s purpose that other features are framed in that perspective.

You can, for example, fold it half upright like a laptop for typing out notes. Of course, you’ll have to make do with an on-screen keyboard, but typing on an E Ink screen is notoriously awkward, uncomfortable, and inefficient, far worse than typing on a regular LCD or OLED display. You could potentially connect a Bluetooth keyboard, though that does lose the charm of being able to use this as a laptop. The Gemini also has a stylus you can write with, but the more interesting aspect of the pen is the detachable microphone module that you can use to record voice notes or even lectures.

The design of the Gemini is actually a bit peculiar thanks to an extended edge that’s thicker than the rest of the device. Not only is this where most of the electronics are housed, but it also seems to have controls like a dial and buttons, almost reminiscent of those display tablets for drawing. When using the Gemini like a laptop, you will be resting your wrist on this “bump,” but that will actually force you to reach further down to actually type on the E Ink screen, not to mention you risk triggering those buttons. There is no definite word yet on when and where the Gemini will launch, but it will happen sometime this year, though it remains to be seen whether it will elicit the same interest as dual-screen laptops.

The post Dual-screen E Ink reader doubles as a laptop for double productivity first appeared on Yanko Design.

Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail unveiled

Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently unveiled a new pinnacle of bespoke luxury, the Arcadia, marking the third Coachbuild Droptail commission. This extraordinary vehicle is not just a testament to the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and excellence but also a celebration of the form, embodying a uniquely pure reflection of the Droptail’s principal design ethos. The Arcadia […]

The post Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail unveiled appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.