2 min read Last Updated : Oct 04 2024 | 11:08 PM IST
Scammers are registering over 1,000 phishing domains every day and creating deepfake videos of prominent Indian personalities such as Mukesh Ambani, Virat Kohli, etc to promote dubious gamings apps, cyber security firm CloudSEK said on Friday.
The deepfake videos use manipulated footage of famous news anchors to create fake news videos of prominent personalities to endorse dubious apps, the CloudSEK report said.
“Scammers are not only using deepfake videos to lure people to download the dubious app but have also created a fake Play Store to appear genuine. Research shows over 1000 phishing domains are being created every day to cheat netizens of over seven countries,” the report said.
The cyber security firm said that by leveraging its deepfake detection technology research team has identified a series of deceptive campaigns targeting users in India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and beyond for promoting a fake gaming app.
“Prominent figures such as Mukesh Ambani, Virat Kohli, Anant Ambani, Neeraj Chopra, and international icons like Christiano Ronaldo, James Donaldson (Mr. Beast), Deadpool aka Ryan Reynolds, and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir are shown promoting the app,” the report said.
The videos lure users by promising substantial financial rewards through minimal investments, claiming users can multiply their money simply by playing the game.
“Virat Kohli has been one of the most frequently targeted figures for similar deepfakes in South Asia. The videos often start with manipulated footage of respected news anchors, including Shweta Singh (Aaj Tak), Arnab Goswami (Republic TV), and Sudhir Chaudhary. These fake broadcasts claim that the mobile application has been helping people from all walks of life earn money easily,” the report said.
According to the report, scamsters initially targeted the European Union population in early September 2024 and later expanded to India and various other regions, including Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia.
CloudSEK also announced that it has made its deep fake detection technology free for everyone that will help them in identifying deepfake videos.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
3 min read Last Updated : Oct 04 2024 | 8:51 PM IST
By Kurt Wagner
Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. debuted a new artificial intelligence tool that can generate or edit videos based on a simple text prompt, elevating competition with rivals like OpenAI and Google in the race to develop the world’s most advanced AI technology.
Meta’s product, Movie Gen, can create a new video up to 16 seconds long based on a text prompt. It can also use such prompts to generate audio for or edit an existing video, or even use a photo to create a customized video featuring a real person.
Movie Gen is only available for some internal employees and a handful of outside partners, including some filmmakers, though the social media company — which also owns Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger — plans to build the product into its existing apps sometime next year.
Executives are still discussing how best to implement this integration, but the aim is for Movie Gen to encourage more people to create or edit video posts, said Connor Hayes, a Meta vice president focused on generative AI products. It will be “fun to use, helpful for creators, good for overall engagement in the apps, but we don’t have a concrete product plan of what it will look like at this point,” he said.
The social networking leader is one of many major tech companies pushing into AI models focused on generating videos, which are more complicated and expensive to build than those that return AI-generated text. Microsoft Corp.-backed OpenAI has its own video generation tool, called Sora, that debuted earlier this year and can create videos up to a minute in length, though that technology isn’t available to the public yet. DeepMind, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.’s Google, also has a video generation tool, called Veo, which was unveiled earlier this year.
Meta is waiting to roll out Movie Gen for several reasons, including the technology’s efficiency. It currently takes “tens of minutes” to generate a video based on a text prompt — too long for general consumers, who are likely to use this on their phone, Hayes said.
But Meta is also “sorting out a bunch of really important problems around safety and responsibility,” Hayes said, including how to handle personalized videos so that a user can’t create an inappropriate or unflattering video featuring another person without their consent. “That’s going to be probably the most important problem to solve before we would make the personalization capability available to folks broadly.”This type of technology has been used in the past to create misleading so-called deepfakes of famous people, including US President Joe Biden and pop star Taylor Swift, though Meta executives have said they’re working on ways to “watermark” these creations so that people can tell they’re AI-generated.
Meta has made AI advancements a key priority for the entire company, and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly talked about AI as a driver of user and revenue growth. In the short term, Zuckerberg has credited AI for helping improve the company’s content algorithms by showing people more relevant posts and advertisements. Eventually, Zuckerberg has said he believes AI will play an even larger role in powering its apps and other futuristic wearables Meta is producing, like smart glasses.
6 min read Last Updated : Oct 04 2024 | 8:03 PM IST
Apple has confirmed that it is now manufacturing the entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, in India as of October 4. The company also announced plans to enhance its retail presence by opening four new stores in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai. This expansion follows the opening of stores in Saket, Delhi, and BKC, Mumbai, in April 2023. However, Apple has not specified a timeline for the launch of these new stores.
Lava has launched the Agni 3 smartphone, which features a dual-display design and a customizable Action Key reminiscent of the iPhone. This key can be programmed by users to carry out various tasks. Another highlight is the secondary 1.74-inch AMOLED display on the back, which allows users to view quick notifications, preview images from the main camera, and more.
WhatsApp is rolling out several new features, including the ability to like status updates, make private mentions, and reshare statuses. Users can now tag other WhatsApp accounts in their status updates, enabling those mentioned to repost the status on their own accounts. Each status can include mentions of up to five individuals, and users can privately tag someone without revealing their names. Notifications will be sent to those who are mentioned.
Apple has released its first update for iOS 18, known as iOS 18.0.1. While it does not include the anticipated artificial intelligence features, this update focuses on performance enhancements and addresses several issues, including a problem with the iPhone 16 series experiencing an unresponsive touchscreen in certain situations. Additionally, Apple has resolved security concerns related to the microphone and the new Passwords app.
Samsung India has introduced festive offers for its sixth-generation Galaxy Z series, which includes the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. The promotions feature bank cashback, upgrade bonuses on exchange deals, and up to 24 months of no-cost EMI options. Additionally, the Galaxy Z Assurance plan is available at a discounted price of Rs 999 as part of these festive offers. Customers can take advantage of these deals both online and in retail stores.
OpenAI has unveiled a new workspace interface called Canvas for its ChatGPT AI chatbot. This interface appears in a separate section next to the main conversation, enabling users to highlight specific sections or request ChatGPT to focus on particular tasks while assisting with writing or coding.
Samsung Galaxy smartphone users may have to wait longer for the Android 15 update. During its Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2024, the South Korean tech giant announced that the Android 15-based One UI 7 interface will not be publicly released until 2025.
Sony is reportedly introducing support for Google’s Find My Device network for its headphones and earbuds. This upcoming software update will simplify locating the WF-1000XM5 earbuds and WH-1000XM5 headphones.
Google is launching product advertisements within its AI Overviews. When users perform a search, the AI summaries will now display the answer alongside relevant products available for purchase. These advertised products will appear under a “sponsored” header. According to Google spokesperson Craig Ewer, ads will only be shown if the search query has a “commercial angle.”
Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE may be the first model to incorporate the company’s own 5G modem, potentially replacing Qualcomm’s modem for connectivity, according to a report by 9to5Mac. The report also outlines other specifications for the next iPhone SE, including details about the camera and display.
With an expanding library of exclusive titles and long-awaited support for retro gaming emulators, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has something to offer every gamer.
The iPhone 16 continues Apple’s tradition of iterative improvements, with AI enhancements still on the horizon that may unlock its full potential once available.
Google’s India Managing Director, Roma Datta Chobey, has highlighted that hardware is a significant focus for the company in India as it celebrates 20 years of its presence in the country.
Apple announced on Friday that it will open four new stores in India, located in Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai. Additionally, the company is set to launch its first-ever “made in India” iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max series devices later this month.
On Friday, Google announced that it would cease linking to news articles from New Zealand and terminate its agreements with local news organisations if the government moves forward with a law requiring tech companies to pay a fair price for content featured on their platforms.
On Friday, Google announced that it would stop linking to news content from New Zealand and withdraw its support for local media outlets if the government enacts a law mandating that tech companies pay for articles displayed on their platforms.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE smartphone is now available for purchase in India. This fan edition smartphone, powered by the Samsung Exynos 2400e chip, boasts a full suite of Samsung Galaxy AI experience. The 2024 model features a design inspired by its flagship counterpart, and boasts several enhancements, including a larger display and a high-capacity battery.
2 min read Last Updated : Oct 04 2024 | 5:24 PM IST
Samsung‘s latest Galaxy S24 FE smartphone is now available for purchase in India. Equipped with the Samsung Exynos 2400e chip, this fan edition model of the flagship Galaxy S24 boasts a comprehensive Galaxy AI experience. Like its predecessor, the smartphone features a design inspired by its flagship counterpart, but it includes several notable enhancements, such as a larger display and a high-capacity battery.
As part of the introductory offers, the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant of the Galaxy S24 FE is available for Rs 59,999, reduced from its original price of Rs 65,999. Additionally, customers can take advantage of the Samsung Care+ package, valued at Rs 4,799, for a discounted price of Rs 999. This introductory offer is valid until October 12.
There is also an option for a no-interest equated monthly instalment (no-cost EMI) plan of up to 12 months through Samsung Finance Plus.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Details
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. For photography, the smartphone is equipped with a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), along with a 12MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera.
The device is powered by the Exynos 2400e chip, which is part of the same series that powers the Galaxy S24 flagship smartphone. The AI-driven features include Google’s Circle to Search, Live Translate for translations during phone calls, an Interpreter for real-time translation during in-person conversations, and writing assistance with Composer and Note Assist. Additionally, Samsung provides various Galaxy AI tools for image editing, such as generative editing for removing or rearranging elements in an image, Portrait Studio for thematic edits, and Instant Slow-mo for videos.
Minister for Media and Communications Paul Goldsmith told The Associated Press in a written statement on Friday that he was still consulting on the next version of the bill. Photo: Bloomberg
4 min read Last Updated : Oct 04 2024 | 4:51 PM IST
Google said Friday it will stop linking to New Zealand news content and will reverse its support of local media outlets if the government passes a law forcing tech companies to pay for articles displayed on their platforms.
The vow to sever Google traffic to New Zealand news sites made in a blog post by the search giant on Friday echoes strategies the firm deployed as Australia and Canada prepared to enact similar laws in recent years.
It followed a surprise announcement by New Zealand’s government in July that lawmakers would advance a bill forcing tech platforms to strike deals for sharing revenue generated from news content with the media outlets producing it.
The government, led by centre-right National, had opposed the law in 2023 when introduced by the previous administration.
But the loss of more than 200 newsroom jobs earlier this year in a national media industry that totalled 1,600 reporters at the 2018 census and has likely shrunk since prompted the current government to reconsider forcing tech companies to pay publishers for displaying content.
The law aims to stanch the flow offshore of advertising revenue derived from New Zealand news products.
Google New Zealand Country Director Caroline Rainsford wrote Friday that the firm would change its involvement in the country’s media landscape if it passed.
Specifically, we’d be forced to stop linking to news content on Google Search, Google News, or Discover surfaces in New Zealand and discontinue our current commercial agreements and ecosystem support with New Zealand news publishers, she wrote.
Google’s licensing program in New Zealand contributed millions of dollars per year to almost 50 local publications, she added.
The News Publishers’ Association, a New Zealand sector group, said in a written statement Friday that Google’s pledge amounted to threats and reflected the kind of pressure that it has been applying to the government and news outlets, Public Affairs Director Andrew Holden said.
The government should be able to make laws to strengthen democracy in this country without being subjected to this kind of corporate bullying, he said.
Australia was the first country to attempt to force tech firms including Google and Meta to the bargaining table with news outlets through a law passed in 2021. At first, the tech giants imposed news blackouts for Australians on their platforms, but both eventually somewhat relented, striking deals reportedly worth 200 million Australian dollars ($137 million) a year, paid to Australian outlets for use of their content.
But Belinda Barnet, a media expert at Swinburne University in Melbourne, said Meta has refused to renew its contracts with Australian news media while Google is renegotiating its initial agreements.
As Canada prepared to pass similar digital news bargaining laws in 2023, Google and Meta again vowed to cease their support for the country’s media. Last November, however, Google promised to contribute 100 million Canadian dollars ($74 million) indexed to inflation in financial support annually for news businesses across the country.
Colin Peacock, an analyst who hosts the Mediawatch program on RNZ, New Zealand’s public radio broadcaster, said Google doesn’t want headlines around the world that say another country has pushed back by enacting such a law.
While Google pointed Friday to its support of local outlets, Peacock said one of its funding recipients the publisher of a small newspaper had told a parliamentary committee this year that the amount he received was a pittance and not enough to hire a single graduate reporter.
Minister for Media and Communications Paul Goldsmith told The Associated Press in a written statement on Friday that he was still consulting on the next version of the bill.
My officials and I have met with Google on a number of occasions to discuss their concerns, and will continue to do so, he said.
Goldsmith said in July that he planned to pass the law by the end of the year.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Apple launched the iPhone 16 series amidst much fanfare, primarily around its upcoming artificial intelligence features, which it calls Apple Intelligence. While these AI-powered enhancements are not yet available, they promise to be the key differentiator once rolled out. In its current form, however, the baseline model, iPhone 16, brings several upgrades over its predecessor. Let us find out how the device fares in its present state.
The iPhone 16 continues Apple’s signature design language with a flat aluminium frame and subtle curves at the edges, providing a comfortable in-hand feel. Notably, it introduces some new elements, including new buttons, a revamped camera island, and colour-infused back glass.
The most significant change is the customisable action button, a feature introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro series, now available on the entry-level model. Alongside, it introduced a new “Camera Capture”, which plays a role in the device’s imaging experience.
The new camera island on the iPhone 16 stands out with its vertically stacked dual-camera system, designed to enable spatial video and photo capture for use on virtual reality headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro. While the new design looks streamlined, it creates a noticeable bump, making the phone wobble on flat surfaces.
As with previous models, durability remains a core focus. The iPhone 16 uses Ceramic Shield glass, which Apple claims offers 50 per cent stronger drop protection while maintaining its scratch-resistant qualities. The phone is also IP68-rated, making it resistant to dust and water. The iPhone 16 is available in five colours: ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black (the reviewed model).
Display and Audio
The iPhone 16 retains the 6.1-inch display size of its predecessor but brings improvements in brightness for better visibility under direct sunlight. It also now dims to as low as 1 nit, which is especially useful for comfortable viewing in dark environments. However, the 60Hz refresh rate remains a significant drawback, leading to less fluid transitions and scrolling, particularly noticeable if you are accustomed to higher refresh rate displays. The absence of an always-on display due to this refresh rate limitation is also a letdown.
The audio experience, on the other hand, is impressive. The iPhone 16 has a stereo speaker system that supports spatial audio. The sound is loud, clear, and well-balanced, with decent depth, making for an enjoyable experience when gaming or watching videos.
Imaging
The iPhone 16’s dual-camera system is versatile, featuring a 48-megapixel main sensor with sensor-shift stabilisation and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus. By default, the main camera captures 24MP stills and supports 2x optical-quality telephoto using in-sensor zoom in 12MP resolution. The ultra-wide sensor also doubles up as a macro lens for close-up shots, thanks to its autofocus capability.
The primary camera impresses with its colour accuracy and dynamic range, with zero shutter lag being a key highlight in good lighting conditions, allowing for smooth captures of moving objects. The 2x optical-quality zoom works well even in low light, though its quality does not always match a dedicated telephoto lens, especially in artificial lighting conditions.
The ultra-wide sensor offers a 120-degree field of view, making it ideal for capturing landscapes and cityscapes while maintaining colour consistency with the main camera. The macro capabilities of this sensor are also commendable, producing detailed close-up shots.
Apple has also enhanced the camera’s software with a new image pipeline, providing photographic styles that allow users to adjust colours and tones in real-time. Apple emphasises that these styles are not simple filters, as they adjust not only the highlights and shadows but also skin tones and colours across the frame. Furthermore, the new on-screen trackpad offers on-the-fly adjustments for exposure, depth, and zoom while capturing images.
In terms of video, all the camera sensors, including the front-facing one, support 4K resolution at 60fps with Dolby Vision. Switching between sensors while recording is seamless, avoiding the shutter issues seen in competitors like the Google Pixel 9 series. A significant improvement in audio recording is the addition of spatial audio capture, and a new Audio Mix feature that allows for post-production editing of recorded audio. Four options are offered in Audio Mix: Standard, In-Frame, Studio, and Cinematic, with a slider for fine-tuning.
Lastly, the Camera Capture button offers an innovative way to access camera functions with different press types and swipe gestures, though it requires some learning to use advanced features like zoom, exposure, and photographic styles.
Software
The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18, which introduces new apps and enhancements to existing ones. Notably, iOS 18 supports more India-focused features, including the ability to customise clock widgets in 12 Indian languages. Another major update is the ability to place apps and widgets in any open position on the home screen. Live Voicemail, introduced with iOS 17, is now enabled for calls in India, offering real-time transcription of voicemails.
A Passwords app has also been introduced, which securely stores credentials and syncs them across Apple devices with end-to-end encryption. The iPhone 16 also benefits from Game Mode, prioritising system resources to ensure smooth gameplay, particularly for demanding titles like Resident Evil 4 and Assassin’s Creed Mirage.
Performance
The iPhone 16 is powered by Apple’s A18 system-in-package (SiP), delivering consistent and efficient performance. It handles routine tasks with ease and performs impressively under heavy workloads, such as extended 4K video recording or multimedia editing. Gaming is also smooth, with hardware-accelerated ray tracing being a standout feature in AAA titles.
Battery and Charging
The iPhone 16 delivers all-day battery life under moderate use but drains quickly with intensive workloads. It comes with a braided USB-C cable, supporting both data transfer and charging. Fast charging is possible with a 20W or higher power adaptor, taking about an hour to charge fully. Notably, wireless charging is supported up to 25W with Qi2 compatibility, offering similar charging speeds to wired charging. However, the USB-C port is USB 2.0, which limits data transfer speeds to 480Mb/s.
Verdict
The iPhone 16 brings meaningful upgrades over the iPhone 15, with improved imaging capabilities, software enhancements, and the promise of Apple Intelligence features in the future. However, the absence of a higher refresh rate display and the slower USB-C port might disappoint some users. At Rs 79,900 for the base 128GB model, the iPhone 16 delivers solid value, especially with AI-driven updates expected to enhance the experience further.
