Author: Robin Edgar

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

Heat pumps twice as efficient as fossil fuel systems in cold weather, study finds – gas lobby misinforms, blocks uptake

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Heat pumps are more than twice as efficient as fossil fuel heating systems in cold temperatures, research shows. Even at temperatures approaching -30C, heat pumps outperform oil and gas heating systems, according to the research from Oxford University and the Regulatory Assistance Project thinktank. […] The research, published in the specialist energy research journal Joule, Read more about Heat pumps twice as efficient as fossil fuel systems in cold weather, study finds – gas lobby misinforms, blocks uptake[…]

Ransomed.vc: Using the GDPR fine as a benchmark to ransom stolen data

Posted on by Robin Edgar

On August 15, 2023, the threat actor “Ransomed,” operating under the alias “RansomForums,” posted on Telegram advertising their new forum and Telegram chat channel. On the same day, the domain ransomed[.]vc was registered. But before activity on Ransomed had even really begun, the forum was the victim of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. In response, Read more about Ransomed.vc: Using the GDPR fine as a benchmark to ransom stolen data[…]

Firefox now has private browser-based website translation – no cloud servers required

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Web browsers have had tools that let you translate websites for years. But they typically rely on cloud-based translation services like Google Translate or Microsoft’s Bing Translator. The latest version of Mozilla’s Firefox web browser does things differently. Firefox 118 brings support for Fullpage Translation, which can translate websites entirely in your browser. In other Read more about Firefox now has private browser-based website translation – no cloud servers required[…]

Feds Probing Tesla For Lying About EV Ranges, Bullshitting Customers Who Complained

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Back in July, Reuters released a bombshell report documenting how Tesla not only spent a decade falsely inflating the range of their EVs, but created teams dedicated to bullshitting Tesla customers who called in to complain about it. If you recall, Reuters noted how these teams would have a little, adorable party every time they Read more about Feds Probing Tesla For Lying About EV Ranges, Bullshitting Customers Who Complained[…]

Tire and brake Dust Makes Up the Majority of Ocean Microplastics

Posted on by Robin Edgar

When contemplating the emissions from road vehicles, our first thought is often about the various gases coming out of the tailpipe. However, new research shows that we should be more concerned with the harmful particles that are shed from tires and brakes. Scientists have a good understanding of engine emissions, which typically consist of unburnt Read more about Tire and brake Dust Makes Up the Majority of Ocean Microplastics[…]

Researchers developed 3D-printed sensors that can record brain activity on earbuds

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have figured out a way to turn everyday earbuds into high-tech gadgets that can record electrical activity inside the brain. The 3D screen-printed, flexible sensors are not only able to detect electrophysiological activity coming from the brain but they can also harvest sweat. Yes, sweat. More specifically, Read more about Researchers developed 3D-printed sensors that can record brain activity on earbuds[…]

Backdoored Firmware Lets China State Hackers Control Routers With ‘Magic Packets’

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Hackers backed by the Chinese government are planting malware into routers that provides long-lasting and undetectable backdoor access to the networks of multinational companies in the US and Japan, governments in both countries said Wednesday. The hacking group, tracked under names including BlackTech, Palmerworm, Temp.Overboard, Circuit Panda, and Radio Panda, has been operating since at Read more about Backdoored Firmware Lets China State Hackers Control Routers With ‘Magic Packets’[…]

Essential Tips for Achieving Audit Readiness

Posted on by Robin Edgar

In the world of business, “audit readiness” is not just another buzzword—it’s a critical aspect of maintaining financial integrity and ensuring smooth operations. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a small business owner, understanding what audit readiness entails can make the difference between success and financial turmoil. In this article, we’ll delve into the ins Read more about Essential Tips for Achieving Audit Readiness[…]

Philips Hue / Signify Ecosystem: ‘Collapsing Into Stupidity’

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The Philips Hue ecosystem of home automation devices is “collapsing into stupidity,” writes Rachel Kroll, veteran sysadmin and former production engineer at Facebook. “Unfortunately, the idiot C-suite phenomenon has happened here too, and they have been slowly walking down the road to full-on enshittification.” From her blog post: I figured something was up a few Read more about Philips Hue / Signify Ecosystem: ‘Collapsing Into Stupidity’[…]

World’s 1st drug to regrow teeth enters clinical trials

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The ability to regrow your own teeth could be just around the corner. A team of scientists, led by a Japanese pharmaceutical startup, are getting set to start human trials on a new drug that has successfully grown new teeth in animal test subjects. Toregem Biopharma is slated to begin clinical trials in July of Read more about World’s 1st drug to regrow teeth enters clinical trials[…]

Chip firm Rivos countersues Apple, alleges illegal contracts and unecessary court cases

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A chip startup and several of its employees are being sued by Apple for theft of trade secrets and breach of contract and filed a countersuit. Rivos was sued [PDF] by Apple early last year over claims it lured away a gaggle of Apple employees working on the system-on-chip (SoC) designs like those in its Read more about Chip firm Rivos countersues Apple, alleges illegal contracts and unecessary court cases[…]

FTC and 17 states finally go after Amazon monopoly in new antitrust lawsuit

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The FTC – and 17 state attorneys general – have come out swinging at Amazon with a lawsuit accusing the ecommerce giant of being a monopolist. Amazon, the FTC alleges, engages in anticompetitive conduct in two markets: online ecommerce and also the market for marketplace services used by sellers. The tactics used by Amazon to Read more about FTC and 17 states finally go after Amazon monopoly in new antitrust lawsuit[…]

Philips Hue will force users to upload their data to Hue cloud – changing their TOS after you bought the product for not needing an account

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Today’s story is about Philips Hue by Signify. They will soon start forcing accounts on all users and upload user data to their cloud. For now, Signify says you’ll still be able to control your Hue lights locally as you’re currently used to, but we don’t know if this may change in the future. The Read more about Philips Hue will force users to upload their data to Hue cloud – changing their TOS after you bought the product for not needing an account[…]

AOG Technics forged certifications for Jet Engine Parts to at least 4 major airlines, leading to groundings

Posted on by Robin Edgar

American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines are among a growing list of air carriers that have grounded aircraft in the wake of a fake jet engine parts scandal that has rocked the aviation industry. Multiple have already replaced the uncertified parts and returned their planes to service, but close to 100 planes may still Read more about AOG Technics forged certifications for Jet Engine Parts to at least 4 major airlines, leading to groundings[…]

Cursed AI | Ken Loach’s 1977 film ‘Star Wars Episode IV – No Hope’

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Ken Loach’s 1977 film ‘Star Wars Episode IV – No Hope’. George Lucas was unhappy with Loach’s depressing subject matter combined with there being no actual space scenes (with all the action taking place on a UK council estate). He immediately halted filming, recast many parts (Carrie Fisher replacing Kathy Burke for example), did extensive Read more about Cursed AI | Ken Loach’s 1977 film ‘Star Wars Episode IV – No Hope’[…]

Funky AI-generated spiraling medieval village captivates social media

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…]a Reddit user named “Ugleh” posted an AI-generated image of a spiral-shaped medieval village that rapidly gained attention on social media for its remarkable geometric qualities. Follow-up posts garnered even more praise, including a tweet with over 145,000 likes. Ugleh created the images using Stable Diffusion and a guidance technique called ControlNet. [….] In June, Read more about Funky AI-generated spiraling medieval village captivates social media[…]

Troy Hunt scours the dark web for your stolen data – a look at HaveIBeenPwned: a 1 man operation

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] Have I Been Pwned started life as a hobby project. In fact, Troy wasn’t working in the cybersecurity industry until a chance encounter tweaked his curiosity. […] Hackers had stolen the email addresses and passwords of 152 million of Adobe’s customers in November 2013 — including, as it turned out, Troy’s. Only, he wasn’t Read more about Troy Hunt scours the dark web for your stolen data – a look at HaveIBeenPwned: a 1 man operation[…]

T-Mobile US exposes some customer data, but don’t say breach

Posted on by Robin Edgar

T-Mobile US has had another bad week on the infosec front – this time stemming from a system glitch that exposed customer account data, followed by allegations of another breach the carrier denied. According to customers who complained of the issue on Reddit and X, the T-Mobile app was displaying other customers’ data instead of Read more about T-Mobile US exposes some customer data, but don’t say breach[…]

‘Laugh then Think’: Strange Research Honored at 33rd Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Since 1999, Slashdot has been covering the annual Ig Nobel prize ceremonies — which honor real scientific research into strange or surprising subjects. “Each winner (or winning team) has done something that makes people LAUGH, then THINK,” explains the ceremony web page, promising that “a gaggle of genuine, genuinely bemused Nobel laureates handed the Ig Read more about ‘Laugh then Think’: Strange Research Honored at 33rd Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony[…]

E-Paper News Feed Illustrates The Headlines With AI-Generated Images

Posted on by Robin Edgar

It’s hard to read the headlines today without feeling like the world couldn’t possibly get much worse. And then tomorrow rolls around, and a fresh set of headlines puts the lie to that thought. On a macro level, there’s not much that you can do about that, but on a personal level, illustrating your news Read more about E-Paper News Feed Illustrates The Headlines With AI-Generated Images[…]

EU reinstates $400 million fine on Intel for blocking sales of competing chips

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The European Commission has imposed a €376.36 million ($400 million) fine on Intel for blocking the sales of devices powered by its competitors’ x86 CPUs. This brings one part of the company’s long-running antitrust court battle with the European authority to a close. If you’ll recall, the Commission slapped the chipmaker with a record-breaking €1.06 Read more about EU reinstates $400 million fine on Intel for blocking sales of competing chips[…]