Latest Tech News

An “early build” of Diablo 4 is apparently being used for a “friends-and-family alpha test” according to a recent report. 

The report comes from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier who wrote on Twitter that a “fun but minor Blizzard tidbit” he’s heard is that “a bunch of people are playing an early build of Diablo 4 right now thanks to a friends-and-family alpha test.” 

According to Schreier, the “players are under NDA” and therefore cannot speak publicly about what they’re doing but he adds, “I'm hearing mostly positive buzz”.

Another fun but minor Blizzard tidbit that I haven't seen reported anywhere yet: a bunch of people are playing an early build of Diablo IV right now thanks to a friends-and-family alpha test. Players are under NDA, but I'm hearing mostly positive buzzAugust 3, 2022

See more

When quizzed by another Twitter user on what he means by “positive” and if it’s in regards to gameplay or microtransactions, Schreier notes that he doesn’t think microtransactions are actually in the build being tested so these players won’t be able to get a gauge on the monetization. 

The Diablo 4 development team has previously said that the game’s microstransactions will be restricted to "optional cosmetic items and full story-driven expansions". It’s not surprising, however, that this is being asked given the furore around Diablo Immortal’s approach to microtransactions which, in our review, we noted “compromised some of the most important elements of a Diablo game.”

Beta wait a little longer

For anyone keen to get their hands on Diablo 4 (it feels safe to say that’s probably a lot of people) this will be an excruciating tease. Especially after a beta showed up on Battle.net recently, only for Rod Fergusson to have to clarify that it was for “an internal test only”. 

Fergusson did, at least, add that Diablo 4 “will have more public testing in the future as we continue down the path to shipping in 2023” so, if it's not too un-Diablo to say, don’t give up hope. 

In fact, Blizzard has already opened pre-registration for Diablo 4's beta test. We don't know when it'll actually start but you can "sign up now for a chance to be included in future beta tests" just so you'll be prepared whenever the date is announced. 

If you’re really desperate you can always take a look at Blizzard’s recent offer to give away beta access to dedicated Diablo 4 fans who get permanent tattoos. In the lead-up to Diablo 4’s release next year, the publisher is apparently offering free Diablo-inspired tattoos as part of its Hell’s Ink promotional campaign between now and September 10. 

As Blizzard shared on Twitter, those who took part in the first stop in LA were given a card that promised them access to Diablo 4’s upcoming beta and a free digital copy of the game. It’s a pretty hardcore step to get access to a video game but Diablo is a pretty hardcore game. 

Diablo 4 doesn't have a firm release date just yet but it's still expected to launch sometime in 2023 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

• Diablo 4’s final class revealed in in-depth gameplay trailer

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/TbcBsmK

Latest Gadgets News

iPhone 14 could be priced same as the launch price of iPhone 13, as per a blog post on Naver. The decision is said to have been taken by the top executives of Apple despite inflation and supply chain constraints. The rationale behind the move is to increase a customer’s desire to buy a new iPhone model, according to the blog post.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/arot1QS

The Smart Way to Cancel Internet Service With Your Provider - CNET

Time to bid your ISP farewell? Here's how to go about canceling your home internet service.

from CNET https://ift.tt/vU56HaQ

Latest Gadgets News

A government agency has accused Chinese-owned Vivo Mobile of evading taxes worth Rs. 2,217 crore, in the second such allegation this week against a Chinese phone-maker. The DRI has issued a show cause notice to Vivo India, the agency said in a statement.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/X1PF3BI

Apple to Delay Rollout of iPadOS 16 Until October, Report Says - CNET

Developers are reportedly trying to work out kinks in Stage Manager, a new organizational tool.

from CNET https://ift.tt/W8Xabil

14 Cleaning Tools That'll Make You Excited to Wash Up in 2022 - CNET

We like anything that makes cleaning less of a chore.

from CNET https://ift.tt/DFXtTz3

Latest Tech News

More than a dozen adware apps have been found being promoted on Facebook, resulting in a total of over seven million downloads, experts have warned.

Researchers from McAfee discovered the malicious mobile apps and the aggressive advertising campaign on one of the world’s largest social media platforms, warning that users could be at risk of attack.

The promised functionality was to optimize the mobile endpoint and rid it of spyware, adware, and other malware. Instead, what the apps did was push ads, whilst also changing their names and icons frequently in order to stay on the victim's device for as long as possible - including masquerading as the Play Store itself.

Faking the Play Store

The apps managed to serve the ads by abusing the Contact Provider Android component, meaning every time the user installs a new app, the adware uses this subsystem, and begins the ad-serving process. As a result, the user thinks the ads were being served by the newly installed app. 

The adware apps also create a permanent service for displaying the advertisements, and if user terminates the service, it just restarts. 

Read more

> China squashes thousands of malicious mobile apps in anti-fraud drive

> More brutal malware-laden Android apps are lurking on the Play Store

> Keep your identities safe with the best ID theft protection tools around

These are the apps that McAfee found as malicious - all have since been removed from the Play Store:

• Junk Cleaner 
• EasyCleaner
• Power Doctor 
• Super Clean
• Full Clean -Clean Cache
• Fingertip Cleaner 
• Quick Cleaner 
• Keep Clean
• Windy Clean 
• Carpet Clean 
• Cool Clean
• Strong Clean 
• Meteor Clean

The apps have been downloaded by users all over the world, with those located in South Korea, Japan, and Brazil, were most affected.

While Google removing the apps is definitely a welcome move, it doesn’t help those that have already downloaded them. Until they are removed, these apps will continue to be a nuisance to the users. 

• Here are the free and paid options for the best firewall software to stay protected online

Via: BleepingComputer

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/TInNLCw

Latest Gadgets News

The Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has issued notices for tax evasion to Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi, three Chinese smartphone manufacturers, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi have received notices as part of investigations into cases of alleged tax evasion by the three mobile companies.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/qUIdvLE

Latest Gadgets News

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 could launch with a 10W fast charger, according to a tipster. The alleged images of the wireless charger have also been shared. It can be seen with a USB Type-C cable. The smartwatch is expected to feature five colour options. It is expected to launch during the August 10 Galaxy Unpacked event.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/IkYc28o

Worried About a Recession? Don't Wait to Make These 8 Money Moves - CNET

Help safeguard your finances ahead of more challenging times.

from CNET https://ift.tt/aYUrdlI

Latest Tech News

Cybersecurity researchers from Group-IB have spotted a major crypto scam campaign whose goal is to defraud people out of at least €250.

That may not sound like a lot, but the attackers have employed more than 11,000 domains to carry out the scam, potentially netting huge returns.

The premise is simple: the fraudsters created a fake investment platform where people can “invest” in different cryptocurrencies. The platform *guarantees* earnings and high gains for everyone who signs up and uses the service. When the victim makes the deposit, it shows up in their dashboard, where they can track their earnings. The platform, obviously, shows bogus numbers, which sometimes even motivate the victims into depositing even more of their investment budgets, expecting even more earnings. 

Troubles with withdrawals

However, once they try to withdraw the money from the platform is when the scam becomes obvious. Not only does the platform prevent the user from withdrawing the cash, but it also demands one last payment.

This fake investment platform is supported by a network of more than 11,000 promotional domains. The threat actors would use these domains, together with stolen social media accounts, to promote the platform, often using celebrity identities to try and add more legitimacy to the ad. 

If the victim clicks the ad, and ends up on the fake platform (after a series of redirects), they’ll get a call from a “customer agent” that explains the terms and conditions, and guides the victim through the onboarding process. 

Read more

> Apple, Google told to explain themselves after crypto scams hit app stores

> Crypto scams are now a billion-dollar market

> These are the best bitcoin wallets right now

It’s quite an elaborate scheme. 

The researchers are saying that right now, more than 5,000 malicious domains are still actively promoting the platform. People in the UK, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Norway, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, are among the victims. 

When it comes to cryptocurrency investments and stock trading, it’s always a good idea to double-check, and triple-check everything. There are very few celebrities actually involved in the industry, while others, such as Elon Musk, are being abused left and right. 

• Here's our take on the best accounting software right now

Via: BleepingComputer

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/AiNc3Ze

Learn Fundamental Cybersecurity Skills With These 4 Online Courses - CNET

You can open up new career opportunities and keep yourself safer online when you learn the essentials of cybersecurity. Here's a few online courses to check out.

from CNET https://ift.tt/WoylnkI

Latest Tech News

Two infrastructure companies from Chile and Singapore are preparing to build the first submarine internet cable to dock on the shores of Antarctica.

The product of a partnership between Desarrollo País and H2 Cable, a subsidiary of BW Digital, the Humboldt Cable cable will run 15,000km from Chile to Australia, with offshoots landing in New Zealand and two islands off the Chilean mainland.

Significantly, however, there will also be a 2,000km branch connecting Antarctica, which is currently the only continent that does not benefit from the increased speeds and capacity that undersea cables afford.

Connecting Antarctica

According to a research paper from 2021, cited by The Register, Antarctica’s Scott Base and McMurdo Station currently suffer from an extreme lack of networking capacity, “insufficient to even be considered broadband.”

“A summer population of up to 1,000 people share what is equivalent to the connection enjoyed by a typical family of three in the United States,” wrote Peter Neff, who authored the report.

The arrival of the Humboldt Cable on Antarctic shores would minimize the reliance on slow and patchy satellite internet, offering those living and working in the area access to a hardwired connection for the first time.

Presumably, the new connection will be of particular benefit to researchers operating out of the area, who might currently struggle to pass large quantities of data to collaborators elsewhere in the world, for example.

Read more

> Facebook set to snatch record for longest undersea web cable

> Our list of the best business broadband deals right now

> Google's new submarine web cable will carry millions of 4K videos at once

The cable will also be of great significance for the residents of South America, who will benefit from a significant increase in capacity.

"The Humboldt Cable will be the most significant piece of subsea infrastructure connecting South America, paving the way for deployment of essential datacenters, AI and other data-driven technologies to help to put Chile on the digital map," said H2 and Desarrollo País.

As it stands, the route and schedule have been formalized, but the two companies are still courting potential investors before launching procurement and engaging with stakeholders at the anchor locations.

• These are the best mobile plans for business right now

Via The Register

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/8bDLfei

Pregnancy Insomnia: What It Is and How to Beat It - CNET

When you're pregnant, you need extra rest. Unfortunately, getting a good night's sleep with a growing belly and hormonal changes can be hard.

from CNET https://ift.tt/pbsVtiP

Latest Tech News

Value Electronics, an A/V retailer located just outside New York City, has been conducting an annual ‘TV Shootout’ for nearly two decades. The Shootout traditionally gathers a panel of TV testing experts and puts them in front of the best 4K TVs to decide which one is the absolute best – an honor that Sony earned this year for its A95K QD-OLED model.

With the rise of 8K TVs, the Value Electronics test has expanded in 2022 to include a separate test for that category, with LG’s Z2 OLED model taking the 8K crown at this year’s Shootout.

4K TVs competing in the 2022 TV Shootout: 

• LG G2 Gallery Series OLED
• Samsung QN95B Quantum Dot mini-LED
• Samsung S95B QD-OLED
• Sony XR-A95K QD-OLED (winner)
• Sony XR-X95K mini-LED

8K TVs competing in the 2022 TV Shootout:

• LG Z2 OLED (winner)
• Samsung QN900B Quantum Dot mini-LED
• Sony XR-Z9K mini-LED TV

Robert Zohn of Value Electronics addressing participants in the 2022 TV Shootout. (Image credit: Value Electronics)

To create an even playing field for the evaluation, each TV is first adjusted by a professional TV calibrator. The sets are then arrayed side by side along with a 32-inch Sony professional broadcast reference monitor, and fed test patterns and regular movie scenes over a video distribution network. This arrangement allows for the expert participants to evaluate the TVs simultaneously, with their votes tabulated to determine the winner in each category.

The evaluations covered standard high-definition content displayed in both a bright and dark viewing environment, and 4K high dynamic range (HDR) in a dark viewing environment. For the HDR tests, each set was further evaluated for “tone mapping,” or its performance when scaling the full contrast range of incoming HDR programs to the display's maximum brightness capability.

Is QD-OLED the best TV tech? 

The Sony QD-OLED had a first place standing in each testing category in the Value Electronics Shootout, and was followed closely by Samsung’s own S95B QD-OLED model. That result says quite a bit about the future for the new TV technology, which combines the best qualities of OLED with the Quantum Dots tech used by QLED TVs.

LG’s G2 OLED also closely trailed Sony’s QD-OLED in the 4K TV test. This tells us that regular OLED is still a viable contender, especially models like LG’s G2 and C2 that use the company’s higher brightness ‘evo’ panels. In fact, the G2 bested the Sony A95K in the peak brightness and 4K picture detail categories of the Value Electronics test.

The LG Z2 OLED model was also the winner in the 8K category, which proves that OLED can be expanded to even higher resolutions and greater screen sizes (the Z2 is only available in 77- and 88-inch options) and still successfully compete with the best QLED TVs.

What’s really interesting about the results of this test is the pricing aspect. At around $4,000 / £3,499 in a 65-inch screen size, Sony’s award-winning XR-A95K is one of the most expensive 4K TVs you can buy – not surprising given that it uses next-gen display tech. 

But the Samsung S95B which uses the same display technology and was nipping at the Sony QD-OLED’s heels in the Value Electronics evaluation, is only around $2,600 / £2,799, making it the test’s real value champ.

You won’t go wrong with any of the sets that participated in this test, since they are all top models from top brands. But if getting a good deal is also of interest, you may want to do further research before simply forking over hard-earned cash for an award-winning flagship TV.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/m6wuRvp