Author Archives: Anna Washenko

Researchers claim most Google Pixel phones shipped with exploitable bloatware since 2017

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Mobile phone security firm iVerify has discovered a vulnerability in Google Pixel smartphones. According to iVerify's investigation, a piece of third-party software with deep system access is to blame, and troublingly it shipped with "a very large percentage of Pixel devices [...] since September 2017."

The issue relates to "Showcase.apk," a bit of software made for Verizon and used to put Pixel devices in demo mode while displayed in retail stores. The software downloads a configuration file over an unencrypted web connection, which — because of Showcase's deep access — might allow bad actors to perform remote code execution or remote package installation on the device.

The especially troubling part of this discovery is that Showcase can't be uninstalled at the user level. And while it is not enabled by default, iVerify said there could be multiple ways to activate the software. iVerify alerted Google to the vulnerability in May; thus far there's no confirmed evidence it's been exploited in the wild.

A Google spokesperson told Wired that Showcase “is no longer being used” by Verizon and that Google would have a software update to remove the software from all Pixel devices "in the coming weeks." Additionally, the rep said Showcase is not present in the line of Google Pixel 9 devices announced during the Made by Google event this week.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/researchers-claim-most-google-pixel-phones-shipped-with-exploitable-bloatware-since-2017-185926564.html?src=rss

Kim Kardashian is back with a new Beats headphone collab

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Kim Kardashian is lending her name and image to a second collaboration with Apple's Beats line of headphones. The latest entry to the Beats x Kim line brings three neutral colors – Moon, Dune, and Earth – to the Beats Studio Pro headphones. The limited collection is available now from Apple and Amazon, and even with the celebrity backing, the headsets retail for their usual price of $350.

Apple refreshed the Beats Studio Pro last year, including a new version of the brand's audio chip and improving active noise cancellation capabilities. The headphones also got an aesthetic refresh to couple with the updated sound quality.

This marks the second time the reality television star has worked with Apple on audio gear. In 2022, the pair launched the Beats x Kim line with the same three skin tone hues for the Beats Fit Pro earbuds. Apple said that release was its best-selling collaboration to date. Kardashian's Skims clothing company also focuses on items with skin tone colors, so the neutral appearance of her Apple gear seems on brand.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/kim-kardashian-is-back-with-a-new-beats-headphone-collab-140029761.html?src=rss

X adds passkey logins for Android users

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X announced today that it is rolling out support for passkeys on its Android app. The social media platform formerly known as Twitter introduced this security option for iOS users in the US in January, then globally in April.

Passkeys started to take off as an option from tech companies and online services last year. We have a detailed explainer, but in short, this approach to protecting an account creates a digital authentication credential. It's a stronger alternative to passwords, which can be guessed or stolen. Even password managers have been moving to offer a passkey option for customers.

For X users, you'll still need a password in order to create an account. But once you're in the app, you'll need to click through some menu options to enable a passkey. It's listed under "Additional password protection" in the Security tab.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-adds-passkey-logins-for-android-users-231827149.html?src=rss

Polestar 3 production is underway in the US

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Electric vehicle company Polestar has started production for the Polestar 3 in South Carolina. Polestar 3 cars from this location are intended for consumers in the US and Europe. The Volvo-owned company's first SUV debuted in 2023, but the shift to a US production facility will help it to avoid huge tariffs for importing EVs from its facility in Chengdu, China.

"Manufacturing Polestar 3 in the USA is a crucial step for us," Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said. "Now we offer customers in America an electric SUV that is built in America. Exporting the South Carolina produced Polestar 3 to Europe will strengthen our business on a broader scope."

Earlier this year, the Biden administration placed a sizable increase on the costs for imports of electric vehicles from China. The White House move to quadruple the tariff on Chinese-made EVs was meant to "protect American manufacturers." Even before that change was announced, we'd heard that Polestar 3 production would be shifted to South Carolina. The Polestar 4, on the other hand, will be manufactured at the company's plant in South Korea when production begins in mid-2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/polestar-3-production-is-underway-in-the-us-221732000.html?src=rss

Google’s Pixel 9 series won’t launch with Android 15

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Google users may have been waiting for an announcement about Android 15, but it seems like we'll be waiting longer to have the new operating system on smartphones. The spec sheet for the upcoming line of Google Pixel 9 devices confirms that the phones will launch with Android 14. This applies to all four of the new devices: the Google Pixel 9, Google Pixel 9 Pro, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Google Pixel 9 screencap
Google

This is an unusual approach for Google, but that may be because the new Pixel models are coming out on an earlier timeline than the usual annual OS updates. Android 14 came out in October last year, so we can expect to hear more about Android 15 later in the fall. The operating system is in its second public beta, so we've already seen some of what it can do. And despite the new phones running Android 14, there are a host of new AI-powered features that'll be available when the phones go on sale next week.

Catch up on all the news from Google’s Pixel 9 launch event right here!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/googles-pixel-9-series-wont-launch-with-android-15-175323603.html?src=rss

You can now include 20 images in a single Instagram post

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Good news, oversharers: Instagram has doubled the number of photos and videos users can share in a carousel post. A representative for the social media network told Engadget that the limit has been increased from 10 to 20 pieces of media. This update will roll out to all Instagram users round the world beginning today.

For users of a certain age, this change may harken back to the late 2000s era of photo dumps on Facebook. Long before it became “Meta,” Facebook was the place to share vast numbers of photos. And since smartphones were only just arriving on the market, most of those photos were from digital cameras that would never fit in your pocket. Ah, memories!

The carousel post format first rolled out to all Instagram users back in 2017  but was restricted to 10 items until now. Instagram has explored additional carousel features since that original launch, such as the ability to delete a single photo from the batch and setting the posts to music.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/you-can-now-include-20-images-in-a-single-instagram-post-211516632.html?src=rss

FCC proposes new rules for AI-generated robocalls and robotexts

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The Federal Communications Commission has proposed new rules governing the use of AI-generated phone calls and texts. Part of the proposal centers on create a clear definition for AI-generated calls, with the rest focuses on consumer protection by making companies disclose when AI is being used in calls or texts.

"This provides consumers with an opportunity to identify and avoid those calls or texts that contain an enhanced risk of fraud and other scams," the FCC said. The agency is also looking ensure that legitimate uses of AI to assist people with disabilities to communicate remains protected.

Today's proposal is the latest action by the FCC to regulate how AI is used in robocalls and robotexts. The commission has already moved to place a ban on AI-generated voices in robocalls and has called on telecoms to crack down on the practice. Ahead of this year's November election, there has already been one notable use of AI robocalls attempting to spread misinformation to New Hampshire voters.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/fcc-proposes-new-rules-for-ai-generated-robocalls-and-robotexts-200013807.html?src=rss

ChargePoint’s new adapter claims to work with all EVs, regardless of make or model

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ChargePoint has released a new EV connector designed to work with "any" EV, regardless of its charging architecture without requiring drivers to have a specialized adapter. In a press release announcing the development, ChargePoint said Omni Port is "designed to support vehicles that are already on the road as well as EVs coming to market."

ChargePoint said it will begin rolling out Omni Port to select new models of its AC and DC charging stations at no cost. The technology can also be retrofitted into existing ChargePoint stations at an unspecified, "nominal" cost. To use Omni Port, customers can enter their vehicle model into the ChargePoint app or pick the appropriate connector from the charging station screen if they don't use the app.

The United States doesn't have a formal standard for electric vehicle charging, but informally, Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) has become the default for many companies on the manufacturing side. ChargePoint began rolling out support for the NACS connector in 2023.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/chargepoints-new-adapter-claims-to-work-with-all-evs-regardless-of-make-or-model-182107079.html?src=rss

Fortnite Battle Pass rewards may appear in the shop under new Epic Games policy

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Fortnite is reversing a long-held policy for its Battle Passes. Previously, developer Epic Games had treated Battle Pass items as limited-time rewards that would never show up in the in-game shop. Going forward, Epic Games may make Battle Pass rewards available in the shop, but not until at least 18 months after the pass expires. The company said that the updated policy will not have any impact on battle pass pricing.

"This change lets us continue investing in new and exciting Battle Pass rewards while enabling players down the road to also enjoy the content, including Outfits based on popular licensed characters," Epic Games said in a blog post published on Wednesday.

This policy covers every item type that might show up in a Fortnite Battle Pass. The shop may offer alt styles of a Battle Pass reward as well as the original. The 18-month wait time will also apply to any items from the game's Bonus Reward and Quest Reward tabs.

The chance to buy a cosmetic later on takes some of the exclusivity pressure off each season for players. Epic said there was no guarantee that a Battle Pass cosmetic would become available in the shop at a later date, so playing enough to obtain unlocks is still the most reliable way to get an item you really want. However, the studio said it would notify players if an item would be exclusively available via Battle Pass.

Battle passes are a common way for game developers to maintain revenue for games-as-a-service. The latest one for Fortnite has a post-apocalyptic theme, with tie-ins to the Mad Max and Fallout franchises. Or if cute and colorful is more your jam, check out the limited time integration with Fall Guys.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-battle-pass-rewards-may-appear-in-the-shop-under-new-epic-games-policy-220355795.html?src=rss

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders call for an antitrust investigation into Venu Sports

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Venu Sports appears poised to offer a one-stop shop for streaming all kinds of athletic events. However, the extensive amount of sports content controlled by Disney (which owns ESPN), Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery, has  raised questions about the upcoming streaming service. Three members of Congress have called on the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission to investigate whether Venu violates antitrust laws.

"If this JV [joint venture] is permitted to proceed, competitors would be forced to negotiate with Fox, Disney, and Warner Bros. for access to over half of the major sporting licensing rights while simultaneously competing against these companies to offer the best product to broadcast or stream these programs," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) wrote in an open letter. They also questioned whether Venu could lead to increased prices for consumers. (And the prices for Venu are already looking pretty steep, with a launch price of $43 a month.)

This group isn't the first to question this sports streaming venture. Shortly after the joint venture between the three companies was announced, FuboTV filed a lawsuit alleging that Venu would fall afoul of antitrust laws.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/senators-elizabeth-warren-and-bernie-sanders-call-for-an-antitrust-investigation-into-venu-sports-203458843.html?src=rss