Author: Daniel (The Tech Blog UK)
A new investigation has revealed a concerning trend: a large portion of iPhones stolen in the UK end up in the same place. Each year, countless iPhones are snatched from unsuspecting victims on British streets, bars, and restaurants. Recovering these stolen devices is often difficult, if not impossible, due to the sophisticated black market they’re fed into. The high demand for second-hand iPhones is believed to be a major factor driving this rise in thefts. Criminal gangs are shipping these stolen devices to China, where they are either unlocked and resold whole, or dismantled and sold for parts in recycling…
Millions of UK Households to Lose Netflix on Certain Sony BRAVIA TVs Nearly 17 million people in the UK subscribe to Netflix, with countless others in their households enjoying popular shows like Bridgerton, Selling Sunset, and Baby Reindeer. However, for some, this enjoyment might come to an abrupt halt on 24th July, as certain TVs will no longer be compatible. Sony has announced on its website that 42 televisions from the 2014 BRAVIA range will not support the Netflix app from next month due to ‘technical limitations’. After 24th July, the app will be removed from the Apps menu. Alternative…
Elon Musk’s Plan to Make Likes Anonymous on X: A Controversial Move Elon Musk has a history of floating edgy ideas for X and not implementing them or, at the least, slow-walking them. Nearly a year ago, Musk said he planned to eliminate the ability to block users, a development that would’ve rendered the site formerly known as Twitter into even more of a hellscape. He hasn’t actually done it, and if he ever does, there’s no guarantee the change will stick. But Musk’s latest plan to axe one of the site’s most famous features has been set in motion:…
O2 Rolls Out Complimentary Anti-Scam Caller ID for Millions of Customers O2 has announced the rollout of complimentary anti-scam caller identification for millions of its customers. The telecom giant confirmed this new technology will bolster customer confidence by ensuring they know who is on the other end of the line. The service, which is being introduced automatically to O2’s consumer pay-monthly and business customers, will initially be available to Android smartphone users. Anti-Fraud MeasureThis feature is designed to act as an anti-fraud measure, verifying the identity of the calling company before displaying their information. There are currently plans to extend…
Ageing Out: Three Popular Samsung Phones Stop Receiving Free Upgrades and Camera Boosts There is some good news in terms of security updates. End of Updates for Popular Samsung Devices THREE popular Samsung devices will no longer receive new Android updates, bringing them one step closer towards retirement. The Korean smartphone giant offers devices four years worth of big software upgrades, which have recently included blockbuster AI features. But Samsung will finally be withdrawing software support for three devices, leaving millions without new feature updates. The models recently received the One UI 6.1 update – also known as Android 14.1.…
NSA Recommends Simple Weekly Task to Keep iPhone and Android Users Safe from Hackers The US National Security Agency (NSA) is urging all iPhone and Android users to complete one simple task every week to protect against hackers: switch their phone off and on again. The Recommendation The NSA has highlighted this trick to safeguard against ‘zero-click’ hackers. Unlike most cyberattacks that require users to click on a malicious link, zero-click attacks don’t need any interaction from the victim. Hackers exploit security vulnerabilities in software, such as apps, to access the device. This is often done via a text or…
Google Faces £13.6bn Lawsuit Over Alleged Abuse of Online Advertising Power Google must face a £13.6bn lawsuit alleging it has too much power over the online advertising market, a court has ruled. The case, brought by a group called Ad Tech Collective Action LLP, alleges the search giant behaved in an anti-competitive way which caused online publishers in the UK to lose money. Case Background Google parent company Alphabet called the case “incoherent” in its attempts to get the legal action dropped. However, the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London has ruled the case can now go to trial. “This is…
Microsoft Adjusts Controversial Feature for AI-Powered PCs Amid Privacy Concerns Microsoft is making changes to a controversial feature announced for its new range of PCs powered by artificial intelligence after it was flagged as a potential “privacy nightmare”. Feature Announcement The company billed the “Recall” feature for Copilot+ as a way to make users’ lives easier by capturing and storing screenshots of their desktop activity. However, after concerns were raised that hackers might misuse the tool and its saved screenshots, Microsoft is making the feature opt-in instead. ICO Enquiries The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data watchdog, had told…
Microsoft’s Recall Feature: Privacy Concerns and Data Protection Hey tech enthusiasts, Today, we’re diving into a hot topic in the tech world: Microsoft’s new Recall feature, set to be included in their upcoming Copilot+ PCs. This feature has stirred quite a bit of controversy, especially concerning privacy and data protection. What is Recall? Recall is a feature that will take encrypted screenshots of your laptop every few seconds, storing them locally on your device. According to Microsoft, this is designed to help users recall past activities, including files, photos, emails, and browsing history. While similar features exist, Recall’s ability to…
Today, let’s talk about a recent hiccup with ChatGPT, one of the most popular AI tools around. On May 22, 2024, users experienced some issues with ChatGPT, including higher error rates and delays.