FBI suspects China-linked hackers accessed officials’ call logs and SMS messages, report says

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Late last week, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) confirmed they were investigating “the unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China.” At the same time, The New York Times reported that phones used by Donald Trump, JD Vance and Kamala Harris’ campaign staff were among the targets, though it was unclear what data the group may have been able to access.

Now, The New York Times has new details about the extent of the hack, which is reportedly linked to a Chinese group known as “Salt Typhoon.” According to The Times, aides to President Joe Biden, as well as Trump’s family members were also targeted, in addition to diplomats and other government officials. Even more concerning, though, is what the hackers may have been able to access. From the report:

F.B.I. investigators think the hackers may have been able to access unencrypted SMS text messages on the targeted devices, as well as call logs, according to people familiar with the investigation. They said there was also evidence indicating that audio communications were captured, though it was not immediately clear whether that meant voice mail or phone call conversations.

CISA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment The agency said last week in a joint statement with the FBI that the investigation was “ongoing” and that the affected companies and other potential victims had been notified. At least 10 companies, including Verizon and AT&T, were impacted, according to The Washington Post. A spokesperson for AT&T declined to comment. Verizon didn’t immediately respond to questions, but previously told The Times the company was “aware that a highly sophisticated nation-state actor has reportedly targeted several U.S. telecommunications providers to gather intelligence.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/fbi-suspects-china-linked-hackers-accessed-officials-call-logs-and-sms-messages-report-says-000434865.html?src=rss

Fancy A-Frame Structure Conceals A Nuclear Microreactor That Powers Your House For Decades

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Visualize a day where you can visit your local nuclear power facility, and dive into its indoor pool, or just relax with a close friend and enjoy a cup of coffee. You could be basking in the warm glow of nuclear power, while you unwind and hang out after a long day at work. This vision could be a reality someday, all thanks to Oklo Inc. – a company backed by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and the makers of ChatGPT. Oklo is attempting to transform the way we perceive nuclear energy with its mindblowing Aurora microreactor, which uses recycled nuclear fuel.

The reactor sites will be designed as happening and vibrant community hubs, aimed at remote areas. These hubs will be sanctums of utility and leisure for regions where long and harsh winters can adversely affect mental well-being. These innovative venues will provide some comfort and connection. Oklo reassures everyone that the microreactor will be completely safe. It will produce almost zero greenhouse gas emissions and no nuclear waste. Oklo will recycle nuclear fuel, utilizing pre-existing resources, and cutting down on nuclear waste.

Designer: Oklo

Aurora is designed with a “fire-and-forget” attitude. It will occupy a small footprint while delivering a small output of 1.5 MW, which is more than enough to power 1000 homes.  It has passive safety features, a sealed core, and no moving parts. It has the ability to cool and shut itself down without any intervention from humans.

Aurora can operate for twenty years without any refueling. The core can be easily removed and replaced with another sealed core which will hold the next batch of recycled nuclear fuel. It utilizes high-assay low-enriched uranium-235 fuel in a one-of-a-kind reactor, which essentially means it uses high-energy neutrons to take care of the nuclear chain reaction.

Nuclear fission also produces heat, and hence Aurora features waste heat utilization components to ensure maximum efficiency – 90% overall. The heat is transferred to secondary systems through heat exchangers, and this heat is then applied to other causes such as heating nearby buildings, pasteurizing, and greenhouses.

The microreactor is housed in an unconventional “nuke-like” structure. You can’t see any massive cooling towers, which are often seen with nuclear power plants. It showcases a simple A-frame building, which looks like a little fancy ski lodge where the rich would vacation. The roof is equipped with solar panels, which power the facility’s control panels and monitoring system, ensuring the site is self-sufficient.

Oklo’s goal is to deploy this facility in remote areas where traditional nuclear reactors don’t make sense, military installations, isolated and remote countries, and research outposts. The US Department of Energy recently approved Oklo’s conceptual plans for Aurora and the first commercial Aurora power station will be online by 2027.

The post Fancy A-Frame Structure Conceals A Nuclear Microreactor That Powers Your House For Decades first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition You Desire is Here — But You Can’t Buy It!

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Samsung has finally made the right changes with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition (SE), refining their approach to foldable smartphone innovation. Building on the Z Fold 6, this new edition introduces practical upgrades that raise the bar for foldable technology. While South Korean tech enthusiasts are celebrating, the rest of the world can only wait, wondering when or if they’ll get access to this exclusive release. Let’s take a closer look at why the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition is such a pivotal step for Samsung and why it’s leaving global consumers wanting more.

Designer: Samsung

Advancements in Design

Samsung continues to lead in foldable technology, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE redefines design expectations. It’s thinner and lighter than its predecessor, measuring just 10.6mm when folded and 4.9mm when unfolded, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to refining foldable devices. This sleek profile enhances usability and addresses long-standing demands for a more elegant foldable design.

Image Samsung: Z Fold 6 Special Edition

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE features larger displays, with an 8-inch foldable screen and a 6.5-inch cover screen, offering a larger canvas for productivity and entertainment. The internal screen’s 20:18 aspect ratio and the external screen’s 21:9 ratio provide a traditional smartphone experience when closed, addressing complaints about cramped outer screens on previous models.

Camera Enhancements

The camera system on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE has been upgraded with a 200MP primary camera, aligning it with Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra and closing the gap with competitors like Google and Apple. This high-resolution sensor promises superior detail and dynamic range, appealing to photography enthusiasts. While other cameras remain unchanged from the Fold 6, the main sensor’s improvement is significant.

Image Samsung: Z Fold 6 Special Edition

However, these advancements come with a high price. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE starts at around $2,000, a substantial increase from the Fold 6’s price. This reflects the high-end materials and engineering required for its slim profile and large screens, raising questions about its value compared to the more affordable Fold 6.

Market Availability Challenges

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE is initially exclusive to the South Korean market. This strategy may be a nod to Samsung’s home market, where foldables are popular, but it leaves potential buyers in other regions, such as North America and Europe, feeling excluded.

Image Samsung: Z Fold 6 Special Edition

Limiting the launch to South Korea could be a strategic test of market response before a wider rollout or a move to cater to domestic preferences. This approach is not unprecedented; Apple has also introduced products exclusively in certain markets before global availability.

Comparing the Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 6 Special Edition

Several key differences emerge between the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the SE:

  • Design: The SE is thinner and features a unique striped design and rectangular camera bump, appealing to those seeking a distinctive look. The Fold 6 maintains a more conservative design.
  • Display: The SE’s larger screens provide an immersive experience. However, it lacks S Pen functionality due to the absence of a digitizer layer for a slimmer profile, a feature retained by the Fold 6 that may appeal to productivity-focused users.
  • Camera: The SE’s 200MP main sensor enhances imaging capabilities. While the Fold 6’s camera is commendable, the SE’s upgrade could attract photography enthusiasts despite the price difference.
  • Performance: Both models use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, ensuring top performance. The SE’s 16GB of RAM is an improvement over the Fold 6’s 12GB, offering smoother multitasking.
  • Pricing and Availability: The Fold 6 is more accessible globally at a lower price, making it a more viable choice for many consumers.

Samsung Galaxy Fold6

Samsung Galaxy Fold6

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition is a significant step for Samsung, showcasing foldable design and technology advancements. It responds to critics and competitors with a thinner, lighter design and superior camera. Yet, its limited availability means this technological leap remains out of reach for many consumers. While it’s an exciting upgrade for South Korea, it’s a missed opportunity for the rest of the world.

Image Samsung: Z Fold 6 Special Edition

This situation reflects a broader trend in tech, where exclusivity can create desire and alienate many consumers. As Samsung continues to innovate, there is hope that future foldables will be more accessible worldwide, bridging the gap between innovation and availability. Until then, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition symbolizes Samsung’s capabilities, but not necessarily what consumers can experience.

The post The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition You Desire is Here — But You Can’t Buy It! first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Harris/Walz campaign has its own Fortnite map

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We’re in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election and both sides are pulling out all the stops to get those all-important undecided voters. The Harris/Walz campaign is exploring an unconventional option: a map in Epic Games’ mega online multiplayer hit Fortnite.

The “Freedom Town, USA” map available at 7331-5536-6547 is a little different from the usual Fortnite matches. Forbes senior contributor Paul Tassi played the new map and reported that there aren’t any guns in Freedom Town (probably for obvious reasons). Instead, the game focuses on racing with cars and parkour style. The map also has some campaign signs and decorations for Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz’s presidential run.

Video games have become a cornerstone of the Harris/Walz campaign. Harris’ camp has its own Twitch page that’s been broadcasting games like World of Warcraft and the latest Madden title as a way to spark discussions with the voting public. The Fortnite map, however, doesn’t look like it’s doing a great job of getting the message out to players. As of this story’s publishing, the map only has less than 300 active players.

Political ads and recruitment in video games isn’t just limited to this campaign cycle. Then-candidate Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign introduced the concept to politics when they purchased ads in 18 games including Need for Speed: Carbon and Madden NFL 13 on Microsoft’s Xbox Live service and the mobile version of Tetris, according to NPR.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-harriswalz-campaign-has-its-own-fortnite-map-220450255.html?src=rss

Expandable Touchdown transports as any trailer, docks flat on ground for convenient accessibility

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The advent of tiny houses on wheels has redefined the concept of mobile living in more ways than motorhomes or van homes did. Travel trailers have their advantages when it comes to the convenience of movement, the possibilities of customization, and the freedom of living a low-or no-debt life. That said, the ground-level accessibility of these mobile living units has been a big impediment in their adoption by the mobility impaired.

Such mobile homes are based on trailer chassis and cannot fully lower to the ground when docked. This creates a low step-in for the wheelchair-bound, who require a ramp that generally push back the interior space in the layout. How can a mobile unit fully lower to the ground has been a looming question, which the Expandable Touchdown intends to address with its Reddot awarding-winning mobile spaces.

Designer: Expandable Trailers

Dutch company Expandable’s Touchdown is a flexible mobile unit easy to transport as any trailer. With its retractable axle bogie that moves from below the unit to rest on the front (possible via an integrated control panel), it can have a low step-in height – flat down to only 35 centimeters off the ground – without compromising the interior space. The first tiny unit on wheels to do so, the Touchdown is accessible for people with mobility impairments without additional ramps and modifications.

Providing an interesting alternative to traditional travel trailers, the Touchdown will redefine boundaries of mobility and flexibility for many. Especially those seeking mobile units to set-up temporary roadshows, on-the-move offices, mobile classrooms, and makeshift hospitals in events of emergency. The applications and customization possibilities of such a unit are high: You can tow it by a normal or low-deck truck, set it up in 15 minutes, lower the entrance, and use the interior however you wish to.

Expandable’s provides a few cosmetic customizations to the Touchdown which has almost edge-to-edge glass panels on either side, and a spiral staircase from the back to the roof terrace, spanning across the length and breadth of the trailer. The customizations available include the choice of electric entrance door, air conditioning, and heating.

The post Expandable Touchdown transports as any trailer, docks flat on ground for convenient accessibility first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Simpsons will join Monday Night Football on ESPN+ and Disney+

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The town of Springfield will host a National Football League game in December at Atoms Stadium, but neither the Springfield Atoms nor the Shelbyville Sharks will take the field.

Instead, the Bengals-Cowboys game on December 9 will be transformed into the world of TV’s longest running sitcom The Simpsons for a special Funday Football edition of Monday Night Football. The special Simpsons-ized broadcast will air on the ESPN+ and Disney+ streaming services and the NFL+ mobile app. The game will broadcast in its regular form on ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

The game will implement tracking technology to turn the players on the field and ESPN commentators Mina Kimes, Dan Orlovsky and Drew Carter into Simpsons characters. Kimes, Orlovsky and Carter will wear Meta Quest Pro headsets to see their virtual environments. The quarterbacks will be transformed into Bart for the Cincinnati Bengals and Homer for the Dallas Cowboys using Sony’s Beyond Sports AI data analyzer and Hawk-Eye Innovations sports tracking and broadcast technology, according to a Disney press release.

The game will also feature more characters and pre-animated scenes from the show’s original cast including Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner and Yeardley Smith along with some surprise sports cameos. Characters like Lisa, Krusty the Clown, Carl, Lenny, Moe and Milhouse will be on the sidelines rooting for their respective teams. The announcement doesn’t mention Harry Shearer, so don’t expect Mr. Burns or Smithers to be at the game.

This isn’t the first time that ESPN has turned a regular season NFL game into an animated spectacle. Last year, Disney, ESPN and the NFL teamed up to turn an October game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars into a Toy Story themed game that transformed London’s Wembley Stadium into Andy’s room. The kids’ cable network Nickelodeon has also aired a few NFL games for its NFL Slimetime broadcasts featuring live commentary from animated characters like SpongeBob voiced by Tom Kenny and Patrick Star voiced by Bill Fagerbakke and computerized slime spewing in the end zones after touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-simpsons-will-join-monday-night-football-on-espn-and-disney-202238589.html?src=rss

X is trying to make Community Notes faster with ‘lightning notes’

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X is trying to speed up its crowdsourced fact-checking system, Community Notes. In an update, the company says it has “re-architected” the scoring system that powers the feature so that the user-generated notes can now appear less than 20 minutes after a post is published on its platform.

Community Notes, introduced in 2022, relies on other X users to fact-check or add missing context to posts on the platform. Contributors are required to cite their sources, and other users then rate the “helpfulness” of the note. Creators are also penalized for posts that get “community noted” in an effort to discourage them from trying to monetize misinformation. Now, that whole process should be able to move a lot quicker.

According to X, these new “lightning notes” can “go live in as little as 14m33s after being written, and 18m20s after the post itself was written.” The change could help address a long running criticism of the crowdsourced fact checking system: that it moves far too slowly compared with the speed of viral misinformation on the platform. For example, an analysis last year by Bloomberg found that it could take several hours for a Community Note to appear on a viral tweet and that, often, only a fraction of users see the fact check compared with the original post.

The new speedier system could change that, though it’s unclear how often the faster “lightning” version of the process will actually play out. Not all posts with incorrect information, misstated facts or AI-generated imagery are immediately flagged for review, if they are at all. X says it has more than 800,000 contributors to the program globally, but some posts will likely still take much longer to wind their way through the Community Notes process.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-trying-to-make-community-notes-faster-with-lightning-notes-202227151.html?src=rss

Enhance unveils two collectors’ box sets in honor of its tenth anniversary

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Game studio Enhance is celebrating its tenth anniversary and marking the occasion with two limited run box sets that showcase the art and audio of its creative titles. Founded by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Enhance has released some stellar video games over the past decade, including Tetris Effect: Connected, Rez Infinite, Lumines Remastered and Humanity.

One collection — The Enhance Soundworks Collection Boxed Set — centers on the music and soundtracks from the studio's history. It includes nine LPs with the soundtracks to each of the four games above, all on custom-printed vinyl. The box set also includes a liner booklet with insights on the music from game composers and creators, a turntable slipmat, a poster and a set of pin badges. Only 505 collections will be sold and are scheduled to ship in spring 2025.

The other collection is called The Sounds & Visions: Enhance at 10 Boxed Set. This contains a 300-page oral history of the studio's founding and its game projects, a laser-etched glass sculpture inspired by Rez Infinite, prints of concept art for Tetris Effect: Connected and Rez Infinite, and a CD of audio tracks by Hydelic from the same pair of games. This set will begin shipments in summer 2025 and is limited to 1,010 copies.

Each of these box sets is available to pre-order now and will retail for $259. Even the packaging on these collectors' items align with the blend of art, audio and design that has become a hallmark of Enhance's creations. Both Rez Infinite and Tetris Effect: Connect impressed Engadget's team for their mindful, meditative approach to immersive, flow-state gaming.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/enhance-unveils-two-collectors-box-sets-in-honor-of-its-tenth-anniversary-194435400.html?src=rss

Black Friday Proton VPN deals include up to 70 percent off plans

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Now isn’t a bad time to try our pick for the best VPN service for 2024. ProtonVPN is on sale for 70 percent off 12-month subscriptions, bringing the one-year cost down to just under $36. You can also save on Proton Unlimited, which includes VPN access along with access to all of Proton's other services like Mail and Calendar.

ProtonVPN is Engadget’s favorite VPN service of 2024. Although most services passed our tests with high marks, Proton’s service stood out for its independently audited no-logs policy, a proven record of refusing law enforcement requests, open-source code and a peer-review program that discloses potential vulnerabilities. We also liked its user-friendly interface.

The company offers a limited free plan, but ProtonVPN Plus gives you access to 6,500 servers in more than 110 countries. It also includes the company’s high-speed (10Gbps) servers, BitTorrent support, a built-in ad blocker and the option to route your connection through multiple servers.

Other Proton services are also on sale. That includes Proton Mail, the company’s fully encrypted email service that put it on the map. You can get 12 months for 60 percent off ($23.88) or 24 months for 30 percent off ($83.76). ProtonMail recently added an AI-powered writing feature to its mail service. Even if you aren’t a fan of robots putting words into your mouth, the service still gives you up to 10 email addresses (including custom domain support), smart filters and labels, one-click unsubscribe and dedicated mobile and desktop apps.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-proton-vpn-deals-include-up-to-70-percent-off-plans-192530055.html?src=rss

This Steampunk Magic Mouse Competitor has a built-in SD Card Reader, and even Charges Normally

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We could spend a lot of time bashing the new USB-C Magic Mouse for repeating the same charging port mistake as its predecessor, but let me just take a minute to ask a few questions about mice in general. Wireless or not, why does a mouse ONLY serve as an input device? Personally, it has the capability to do much more than move a cursor, right? So why is it that in all these years the only improvements to mouse design are only upgrading their Bluetooth chipsets and making them more responsive?

A winner of the Red Dot Award for best Design Concept, the D Mouse comes with a few unusual design choices that may seem weird at first, but make a world of sense if you try to think about how these changes make a mouse ‘better’ than existing ones. Built with an unusual design that employs stainless steel mesh on top and wood on the bottom, the D Mouse looks extremely different from existing plastic mice – because it is. This one comes with NFC pairing, a built-in SD card reader, and in-device storage of up to 1 terabyte, transforming the mouse into a data storage and processing device too.

The best part? It has its own cable integrated into the mouse that wraps around the base, and charges normally – unlike the Magic Mouse that needs to be overturned to charge. Even after an entire decade of people pointing it out.

Designer: Tride Design

The D Mouse is notably a wired mouse, relying on a built-in braided USB-C cable to connect to devices – although it does have Bluetooth 5.0 too. The wired design makes sense considering the D Mouse also works as a data storage and transfer device, given that wired transfers are far more secure and rapid than wireless transfer. Unwrap the cable, plug the mouse in, and it becomes a cursor that also stores data for you. The mouse has up to 1TB of SSD storage on-board, which is fairly helpful if you want to stash important files that nobody goes looking for. After all, who searches for files on a mouse, right?!

The rest of the mouse has a fairly unique but familiar design. The silhouette of the D Mouse is like your everyday ergonomic peripheral, albeit with a metal and wood construction instead of plastic (98% of the materials are recycled). A steel mesh on the top provides a very tactile surface to rest your hand, while still being breathable because of the open mesh. The mouse clicks silently, and instead of the scroll wheel, there’s a scroll-bar right near the thumb for touch-sensitive scrolling.

The mouse has a built-in card reader, along with internal storage that makes it perfect for creatives wanting to carry their files and access them on multiple devices without dongles and such. In this case, the D Mouse IS the dongle, working both wired and wirelessly, depending on how many files you have to transfer. It’s got an integrated fan that keeps the mouse (as well as your palm) cool while in use, and if you’re a gaming fanatic, there’s LED lighting too.

The D Mouse is a winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2024.

The post This Steampunk Magic Mouse Competitor has a built-in SD Card Reader, and even Charges Normally first appeared on Yanko Design.