Meta-owned WhatsApp has revealed a critical bug that could affect older installations on various devices that have not been updated with latest software versions.
The vulnerability could allow an attacker to exploit a code error known as an integer overflow.
“An integer overflow in WhatsApp for Android prior to v2.22.16.12, Business for Android prior to v2.22.16.12, iOS prior to v2.22.16.12, Business for iOS prior to v2.22.16.12 could result in remote code execution in an established video call,” WhatsApp said in an update.
In remote code execution, a hacker can remotely execute commands on someone else’s computing device.
Remote code executions (RCEs) usually occur due to malicious malware downloaded by the host and can happen regardless of the device’s geographic location.
The recently disclosed vulnerability has been called CVE-2022-36934, with a severity score of 9.8 out of 10 on the CVE scale.
WhatsApp also revealed details of another bug that could have caused remote code execution when receiving a crafted video file.
Both of these vulnerabilities have been patched in the latest versions of WhatsApp.
WhatsApp on Monday announced it was rolling out Call Links to make it easier to start and join a call in just one tap.
The company also started testing secured and encrypted group video calls for up to 32 people on WhatsApp.
–IANS
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(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.)
Expanding its tablet line-up, HMD Global on Tuesday launched in India the Nokia T10 tablet. The entry-level tablet is powered by Unisoc T606 processor and 5,250 mAh battery. It comes in Wi-Fi and LTE+Wi-Fi connectivity variants, but currently the Wi-Fi only model is available in India. The Nokia T10 (Wi-Fi) is available exclusively on Amazon and Nokia online store. The tablet comes in 3GB+32GB and 4GB+64GB configurations at Rs 11,799 and Rs 12,799, respectively.
Nokia T10 tablet: Specifications
The Nokia T10 tablet is powered by Unisoc T606 processor. It sports an 8-inch display of 800 x 1280 (HD+) resolution and 450 nits peak brightness level. Powered by a 5,250 mAh battery, the tablet supports 10W charging. It boots Android 12 operating system. The tablet has dual-stereo-speakers, featuring OZO Playback. HMD Global promises up to three years of monthly security updates and two years of major OS upgrades. The tablet features a second screen, which allows it to mirror its display to PC or a laptop. The tablet has a microSD card slot for storage expansion (up to 512GB), 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio out, 8-megapixel rear camera, and 2MP camera on the front. Other features include Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, and inbuilt GPS.
Last year, Nokia made its debut in the tablet category with the launch of Nokia T20 tablet. It was powered by Unisoc T610 processor and 8,200 mAh battery. The Nokia T20 sports 10.4-inch IPS LCD display of 1200 x 2000 resolution protected under scratch-resistant glass. Priced Rs 15,499 onwards, this tablet comes in 3GB+32GB and 4GB+64GB configurations. It boasts Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, 15W fast charging, 8MP rear camera, and 5MP front camera.
Meta announced that it is testing new ways for people to more easily switch between and create new accounts and profiles on Facebook and Instagram globally for iOS, Android and web users.
The company said that users could get notifications for both platforms in one place if they choose to add them to the same Accounts Center.
“Today, we are introducing new features that will make it easier for people on Facebook and Instagram to access, create and navigate between multiple accounts and profiles,” the company said in a blogpost.
Users will now also be able to create an account with their existing Facebook or Instagram login and use it to sign up for additional accounts and profiles.
“We know that many people use more than one of our apps to pursue different interests, reach a broader audience or share different aspects of who they are with different groups of people,” the company said.
“With that in mind, we are simplifying the process of creating and switching between accounts and profiles,” it added.
The company said it is also introducing a new account registration and login flow that will enable people to more easily log in and create new accounts across Facebook and Instagram.
People new to their products can create a Facebook or Instagram account, and then use that account to sign up for additional ones.
And people who have both a Facebook and an Instagram account can now easily use login information from one app to access the other, as long as their accounts are in the same Accounts Center.
–IANS
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(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 supplier Foxconn has dismantled parts of its production lines for iPhone 14 models in China to update them to manufacture more Pro models as the high-end Apple iPhones are generating more demand in the country, the media reported on Tuesday.
Basic iPhone models are reportedly facing lukewarm sales amid growing economic headwinds in the country, according to local reports.
A Foxconn spokesperson told South China Morning Post that the company “would not comment on market rumours”.
According to market research firm Sandalwood Advisors, the sales volume for basic models of the iPhone 14 series “dropped 71 per cent in the first 11 days post launch”, which included a week of pre-orders and four days of public release, compared to last year’s iPhone 13 versions in the same sales period.
Meanwhile, the demand for Pro models, which include the Pro and Pro Max, went up 38 per cent, the report mentioned.
Apple analyst Ming-chi Kuo said earlier this month that orders of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus were likely to be cut.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is expected to be the most popular model, accounting for 30 to 35 per cent of the new product line, according to Kuo.
China’s smartphone sales hit a fresh low in Q2 2022 to reach less than half of the sales of the historical peak in Q4 2016.
The last time the sales were lower than this point was nearly a decade ago in Q4 2012, when the iPhone 5 was introduced.
Apple still saw a comparatively good performance thanks to the shining sales of the iPhone 13 series in Q2 2022, according to Counterpoint Research.
–IANS
na/
(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.)
The iPhone 14 Pro is essentially the iPhone 13 Pro (review), but with new experience. As part of upgrades, Apple’s flagship smartphone gets a brighter new screen with pill shaped cut-out on the top, instead of notch, accommodating the front camera and FaceID-related hardware. The screen supports an always-on feature and gets an interactive interface around the cut-out area called Dynamic Island, which turns the otherwise blank cut-out area into a lively spot on the screen. Besides the new screen and its related features, the phone gets a new 48-megapixel primary camera sensor in the triple-camera system on the rear.
Screen is the gateway to smartphone experience, and Apple’s iteration in the iPhone 14 Pro is noteworthy. The smartphone sports a 6.1-inch OLED (Super Retina XDR) screen of 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (ProMotion). Though familiar, it is an entirely new panel. The screen is brighter than the one seen in the last generation Pro models. The extra brightness it gets makes it perform even better in bright outdoor environments, compared to the iPhone 13 Pro. Not just peak brightness, the screen is as good when it comes to the other side of the brightness spectrum. It gets dim-lit for comfortable use in a dark environment. The extremely low lux levels prove beneficial in always-on screen mode.
Apple’s implementation of always-on display is novel even if the feature itself is not new. The always-on screen on the iPhone 14 Pro shows the lock screen at dimmed brightness with clock, day and date, and widgets information visible on the forefront, and the wallpaper faded in the background. As the case with the Watch series, sensitive information such as health and wellness data is hidden on the always-on screen. Though different and novel, the always-on screen on the iPhone 14 Pro consumes a fair amount of battery power because the entire screen is active, and not just a portion.
The bright screen panel and always-on mode are good additions, but it is the Dynamic Island that gives the iPhone 14 Pro an edge over others. Some may see it as Apple’s way to hide the distracting screen cut-out, but there is more to it than meets the eye. It is a dynamic interface designed around the cut-out area on the screen to show system alerts, live activity, and notifications at a glance. Importantly, it is animated and interactive. Currently, the Dynamic Island supports tap and tap and hold controls for quick view and full view, respectively. It enables multitasking and makes way for a secondary interface on the screen. However, the list of supported apps and integrations is currently limited.
Imaging is another area where the iPhone 14 Pro brings meaningful improvements. Not that the last generation Pro model was bad, but the iPhone 14 Pro is better with visible quality improvements in both photos and videos. The primary wide-angle sensor impresses with detailed output and colour accuracy. Besides, it is quick in terms of focus speed and there is no shutter lag to ruin the moment. Importantly, the camera delivers consistent results irrespective of lighting conditions. The ultra-wide-angle sensor captures as much detail in the frame and maintains colour accuracy, similar to the primary sensor. It doubles up as a macro camera for close-up shots. The telephoto lens enables up to 3x optical zoom and is a solid performer – especially in daylight conditions.
In terms of videos, the iPhone 14 Pro brings minor but meaningful upgrades. It introduces a new action mode, which stabilises the video by reducing shakes, motion, and vibrations for smooth and linear output. However, it works well only in well-lit environments. The cinematic mode, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 13 Pro, gets a boost in terms of frames recorded per second. The iPhone 14 Pro is capable of recording videos in cinematic mode at up to 4K resolution at 30 frames-per-second (fps), up from 24fps in the predecessor.
The iPhone 14 Pro is capable of recording 4K resolution videos at up to 60fps from all available camera sensors, including the front-facing one. At 30 fps, you can even switch between the wide, ultra-wide and telephoto sensors while recording the video. Like the iPhone 13 Pro, the phone can record high dynamic range (HDR) videos in Dolby Vision format.
Rounding up the package is the class-leading on-battery time. The iPhone 14 Pro easily sails through a day on regular usage, with always-on screen enabled. Power-intensive tasks such as graphic-intensive gaming, video recording, and video editing make the phone go hot and drain the battery quickly, but do not hamper the performance.
Verdict
The iPhone 14 Pro is a familiar looking smartphone that is different in terms of experience. Part of the differentiating experience is enabled by screen related upgrades. Dynamic Island, for instance, proves useful in daily usage. Likewise, Apple’s approach to the always-on display and redesigned lock screen is both novel and functional. Despite its high starting price of Rs 1,29,990, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro has enough newness to convince enthusiasts for an upgrade.
