Author: Robin Edgar

Organisational Structures | Technology and Science | Military, IT and Lifestyle consultancy | Social, Broadcast & Cross Media | Flying aircraft

Google Ordered to Pay $314M for Misusing Android Users’ Cellular Data Without Permission – calling home 389 times per day even when completely idle and all google apps closed!

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Google has been ordered by a court in the U.S. state of California to pay $314 million over charges that it misused Android device users’ cellular data when they were idle to passively send information to the company. The verdict marks an end to a legal class-action complaint that was originally filed in August 2019. Read more about Google Ordered to Pay $314M for Misusing Android Users’ Cellular Data Without Permission – calling home 389 times per day even when completely idle and all google apps closed![…]

Synology starts selling overpriced underperforming 1.6 TB SSDs for $535 — self-branded, archaic PCIe 3.0 SSDs the only option to meet ‘certified’ criteria being enforced on newer NAS models

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Synology has begun selling its newest SNV5400 enterprise NAS SSDs, and the asking prices for what you receive are nothing short of shocking. For a 1.6 TB NVMe SSD at PCIe Gen3 speeds, Synology is asking $535 on B&H Photo Video, while many competing devices retail for around $100. The new SNV5400 family, which also Read more about Synology starts selling overpriced underperforming 1.6 TB SSDs for $535 — self-branded, archaic PCIe 3.0 SSDs the only option to meet ‘certified’ criteria being enforced on newer NAS models[…]

Your Samsung phone has a secret Wi-Fi menu. Here’s how to find it

Posted on by Robin Edgar

One such example is the “Connectivity Labs” Wi-Fi settings menu. It’s buried deep in the Settings app on your Samsung phone, and it’s something I didn’t know existed until just the other day. Which is a shame, because there’s some really cool stuff in here. Let me show you. How to find Samsung’s secret Wi-Fi Read more about Your Samsung phone has a secret Wi-Fi menu. Here’s how to find it[…]

Someone Built a Concept Ad Blocker for Real Life, and I Can’t Wait to Try It

Posted on by Robin Edgar

I use as many ad-blocking programs as possible, but no matter how many I install, real-life advertising is still there, grabbing my attention when I’m just trying to go for a walk. Thankfully, there may be a solution on the horizon. Software engineer Stijn Spanhove recently posted a concept video showing what real-time, real-life ad-blocking Read more about Someone Built a Concept Ad Blocker for Real Life, and I Can’t Wait to Try It[…]

Proton joins anti-Apple lawsuit to force App Store changes in the US

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Secure comms biz Proton has joined a lawsuit that alleges Apple’s anticompetitive ways are harming developers, consumers, and privacy. Proton is a Switzerland-based (for now) provider of encrypted communications services and on Monday filed a legal complaint [PDF] against Apple, claiming the iGiant is abusing its control of iOS and the App Store in ways Read more about Proton joins anti-Apple lawsuit to force App Store changes in the US[…]

A tiny implant just helped paralyzed rats walk again—is human recovery next? | ScienceDaily

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A groundbreaking study from the University of Auckland and Chalmers University of Technology is offering new hope for spinal cord injury patients. Researchers have developed an ultra-thin implant that delivers gentle electric currents directly to the injured spinal cord. This device mimics natural developmental signals to stimulate nerve healing, and in animal trials, it restored Read more about A tiny implant just helped paralyzed rats walk again—is human recovery next? | ScienceDaily[…]

Scientists Discover Unknown Organelle Inside Our Cells

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The organelle, a type of specialized structure, has been dubbed a “hemifusome” by its discoverers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. This little organelle has a big job helping our cells sort, recycle and discard important cargo within themselves, the scientists say. The new discovery could help Read more about Scientists Discover Unknown Organelle Inside Our Cells[…]

Update your Brother printer: Multiple Critical Vulnerabilities found

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Rapid7 conducted a zero-day research project into multifunction printers (MFP) from Brother Industries, Ltd. This research resulted in the discovery of 8 new vulnerabilities. Some or all of these vulnerabilities have been identified as affecting 689 models across Brother’s range of printer, scanner, and label maker devices. Additionally, 46 printer models from FUJIFILM Business Innovation, 5 printer models Read more about Update your Brother printer: Multiple Critical Vulnerabilities found[…]

Ahold Delhaize says 2.2M affected after cyberattack

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Multinational grocery and retail megacorp Ahold Delhaize says upwards of 2.2 million people had their data compromised during its November cyberattack with personal, financial and health details among the trove. Ahold Delhaize operates a network of stores in Europe and the US via brands including Food Lion, Stop & Shop and Giant. It also has Read more about Ahold Delhaize says 2.2M affected after cyberattack[…]

Android 16 can warn you that you might be connected to a fake cell tower

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] Google has been working on ways to warn Android users or prevent them from sending communications over insecure cellular networks. Win $5,000! See all deals Reserve the next Galaxy for $50 Samsung Credit and a chance to win $5,000!Sign up to save Limited Time! With the release of Android 12, for example, Google added Read more about Android 16 can warn you that you might be connected to a fake cell tower[…]

The Conservatives On The Supreme Court Are So Scared Of Nudity, They Threw Out The First Amendment

Posted on by Robin Edgar

he Supreme Court this morning took a chainsaw to the First Amendment on the internet, and the impact is going to be felt for decades going forward. In the FSC v. Paxton case, the Court upheld the very problematic 5th Circuit ruling that age verification online is acceptable under the First Amendment, despite multiple earlier Read more about The Conservatives On The Supreme Court Are So Scared Of Nudity, They Threw Out The First Amendment[…]

Denmark to tackle deepfakes by giving people copyright to their own features

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The Danish government is to clamp down on the creation and dissemination of AI-generated deepfakes by changing copyright law to ensure that everybody has the right to their own body, facial features and voice. The Danish government said on Thursday it would strengthen protection against digital imitations of people’s identities with what it believes to Read more about Denmark to tackle deepfakes by giving people copyright to their own features[…]

This breakthrough turns old tech into pure gold — No mercury, no cyanide, just light and salt

Posted on by Robin Edgar

An interdisciplinary team of experts in green chemistry, engineering and physics at Flinders University in Australia has developed a safer and more sustainable approach to extract and recover gold from ore and electronic waste. Explained in the leading journal Nature Sustainability, the gold-extraction technique promises to reduce levels of toxic waste from mining and shows Read more about This breakthrough turns old tech into pure gold — No mercury, no cyanide, just light and salt[…]

Why cats prefer to sleep on their left side may be part of a survival strategy

Posted on by Robin Edgar

An international research team that analyzed several hundred YouTube videos of sleeping cats found that they prefer to sleep on their left side. The researchers see this bias as an evolutionary advantage because it favors hunting and escape behavior after waking up. The team from the University of Bari Aldo Moro (Italy), Ruhr University Bochum, Read more about Why cats prefer to sleep on their left side may be part of a survival strategy[…]

Security pro counts the cost of Microsoft dependency

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A sharply argued blog post warns that heavy reliance on Microsoft poses serious strategic risks for organizations – a viewpoint unlikely to win favor with Redmond or its millions of corporate customers. Czech developer and pen-tester Miloslav Homer has an interesting take on reducing an organization’s exposure to security risks. In an article headlined “Microsoft Read more about Security pro counts the cost of Microsoft dependency[…]

The Blue Screen of Death Is Dead. All hail the black screen of death.

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Microsoft’s iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is dead after 40 years. RIP to the most panic-inducing screen a Windows user can encounter. Now, get ready to fear the Black Screen of Death. In a blog post on its website today, the company revealed it’s ready to go live with an error screen redesign it’s Read more about The Blue Screen of Death Is Dead. All hail the black screen of death.[…]

Join the EU stakeholder consultation on classification of AI systems as high-risk

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The EU is asking for feedback on how the AI act classifies and handles high risk AI systems This consultation is targeted to stakeholders of different categories. These categories include, but are not limited to, providers and deployers of (high-risk) AI systems, other industry organisations, as well as academia, other independent experts, civil society organisations, Read more about Join the EU stakeholder consultation on classification of AI systems as high-risk[…]

A review of the impacts of boredom: A review of the best evidence

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Undoubtedly, one of the most important social issues is the discussion of boredom and disillusionment, which is currently observable in many societies, and perhaps many individuals, as well as our loved ones, have encountered it and are seeking treatment to be relieved of it and resolve the crisis. The issue of boredom is a perennial Read more about A review of the impacts of boredom: A review of the best evidence[…]

Federal judge sides with Meta in lawsuit over training AI models on copyrighted books, close on Federal judge ruling for Anthropic

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A federal judge sided with Meta on Wednesday in a lawsuit brought against the company by 13 book authors, including Sarah Silverman, that alleged the company had illegally trained its AI models on their copyrighted works. Federal Judge Vince Chhabria issued a summary judgment — meaning the judge was able to decide on the case Read more about Federal judge sides with Meta in lawsuit over training AI models on copyrighted books, close on Federal judge ruling for Anthropic[…]

Vitamin C flips your skin’s “youth genes,” reversing age-related skin thinning

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] “VC seems to influence the structure and function of epidermis, especially by controlling the growth of epidermal cells. In this study, we investigated whether it promotes cell proliferation and differentiation via epigenetic changes,” explains Dr. Ishigami, while talking about this study. To investigate how VC affects skin regeneration, the team used human epidermal equivalents, Read more about Vitamin C flips your skin’s “youth genes,” reversing age-related skin thinning[…]

Brain reboot: Gene therapy reverses Alzheimer’s memory loss in mice

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have developed a gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease that could help protect the brain from damage and preserve cognitive function. Unlike existing treatments for Alzheimer’s that target unhealthy protein deposits in the brain, the new approach could help address the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease Read more about Brain reboot: Gene therapy reverses Alzheimer’s memory loss in mice[…]

PNG is updated! After 20 years, Exif data and animations are possible

Posted on by Robin Edgar

PNG is back to its former glory after its progress stalled for over two decades. Did you know the U.S. Library of Congress, Library and Archives Canada, and the National Archives of Australia recommend PNG? It is important that we keep PNG current and competitive. After 20 years of stagnation, PNG is back with renewed Read more about PNG is updated! After 20 years, Exif data and animations are possible[…]

Cisco fixes two critical make-me-root bugs

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Cisco has dropped patches for a pair of critical vulnerabilities that could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to execute code on vulnerable systems. Tracked as CVE-2025-20281 and CVE-2025-20282, Cisco assigned them both maximum 10/10 severity ratings, although the former was reduced to 9.8 by the National Vulnerability Database. Both bugs affect Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Read more about Cisco fixes two critical make-me-root bugs[…]

Swarms of tiny nose robots could clear infected sinuses and more, researchers say

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Swarms of tiny robots, each no larger than a speck of dust, could be deployed to cure stubborn infected sinuses before being blown out through the nose into a tissue, researchers have claimed. The micro-robots are a fraction of the width of a human hair and have been inserted successfully into animal sinuses in pre-clinical Read more about Swarms of tiny nose robots could clear infected sinuses and more, researchers say[…]

HDMI 2.2 is here with new ‘Ultra96’ Cables — up to 16K resolution, higher maximum 96 Gbps bandwidth than DisplayPort, backwards compatibility & more

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The HDMI Forum has officially finalized HDMI 2.2, the next generation of the video standard, rolling out to devices throughout the rest of this year. We already saw a bunch of key announcements at CES in January, but now that the full spec is here, it’s confirmed that HDMI 2.2 will eclipse DisplayPort in maximum Read more about HDMI 2.2 is here with new ‘Ultra96’ Cables — up to 16K resolution, higher maximum 96 Gbps bandwidth than DisplayPort, backwards compatibility & more[…]