Notices by PCMag (pcmag@mastodon.social), page 2

A new malware strain targets a safety feature in Android devices and then alters apps so it can read phone screens, disable 2FA, and steal victims' funds. https://www.pcmag.com/news/snowblind-banking-malware-targets-android-users-linux-kernel-exploit

Film photography is enjoying a comeback and Pentax is here to take advantage of the trend with its first film camera in decades. Our early impressions suggest Pentax chose its moment wisely. https://www.pcmag.com/news/hands-on-pentax-17-film-camera-seizes-the-analog-moment

Bitwarden is simply the best app we've tested for free password management, while the paid version adds extra security and storage options at a low price. Here's our review: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/bitwarden

Microsoft's new accessibility-focused Proteus controller features a modular snap system that lets you customize it to various combinations and shapes. https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-byowave-team-up-on-new-modular-xbox-controller

The Kia EV9’s reasonable price, quick charging, cavernous interior, and unique safety features make it a compelling entry in the growing segment of electric three-row SUVs. Here's our review: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/2024-kia-ev9

Passkeys are currently the authentication tool of choice for security pros, but any type of account protection is better than nothing, says Trend Micro VP of Strategy Eric Skinner. Yes, even SMS-based multi-factor authentication (MFA). https://www.pcmag.com/news/not-ready-for-passkeys-multi-factor-authentication-is-still-better-than

SpaceX now has nearly 5,900 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, but it wants 30,000, posing potential safety concerns as space around the planet gets ever-more crowded. https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-satellites-make-up-60-percent-active-spacecraft-in-orbit

Tesla is recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because the pads on their accelerator pedals can get stuck in the electric vehicle's interior trim, making slowing or stopping the EV a precarious task. https://www.pcmag.com/news/tesla-recalls-cybertrucks-over-faulty-accelerator-pedals

Elon Musk's X platform, formerly known as Twitter, is "definitely" going to remove the number of "likes" and retweets from feeds, the executive said Wednesday night. https://www.pcmag.com/news/elon-musk-twitter-remove-retweet-like-counts-from-feeds

40 state attorneys general say they've seen a 'dramatic increase in user account takeovers and lockouts on Facebook and Instagram,' and are pushing Meta to take stronger action. https://www.pcmag.com/news/state-ags-demand-answers-on-surge-in-facebook-instagram-account-takeovers

Research details how simultaneous processing across GPUs and other hardware could massively change the computing industry, potentially accelerating AI development while reducing costs. https://www.pcmag.com/news/new-processing-method-can-double-computing-speeds-halve-energy-use

Firefox browser developer Mozilla's latest commissioned research argues that Microsoft isn't playing fair when it comes to promoting use of its Edge web browser. https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-deploys-harmful-design-tricks-to-push-edge-say-mozilla-researchers

Science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov’s “Three Laws of Robotics” are being used to help Google create guardrails for its latest robot advancement.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-taps-asimovs-three-laws-of-robotics-for-real-robot-safety

Tesla confirms its most popular, affordable vehicle will no longer qualify for any portion of the federal tax credit next year, likely because most of its battery materials now come from China. https://www.pcmag.com/news/buy-now-tesla-model-3-to-lose-full-7500-tax-credit-in-2024

The option to view Twitter/X without ads is finally here, but it’ll cost you $16 per month. Meanwhile, Mastodon has no ads at all. https://www.pcmag.com/news/twitters-new-ad-free-premium-plus-tier-costs-16-per-month

Researchers from the University of Chicago introduce a new tool, dubbed Nightshade, that can 'poison' AI and ruin its data set, leading it to generate inaccurate results. https://www.pcmag.com/news/new-tool-could-poison-dall-e-and-other-ai-to-help-artists

Love Reddit but tired of what's happening to it? We check out Lemmy and Kbin, two open-source fediverse alternatives that are growing fast. https://www.pcmag.com/news/reddit-alternatives-lemmy-kbin

Rather than keep AI chatbot tech private, Meta has decided to open the floodgates and essentially give away the computer code for a new large language model. https://www.pcmag.com/news/meta-open-sources-its-new-llama-2-ai-model-will-it-fuel-abuse

Here's an incomplete and unscientific explanation of why Mastodon is safe from Elon-style shenanigans, according to one of our writers. https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/whats-happening-to-twitter-could-never-happen-to-mastodon

Twitter has disabled users from retweeting, replying or liking tweets that contain a link to Substack. Users suspect it's because Substack is preparing its own microblogging service to rival Twitter. https://www.pcmag.com/news/twitter-disables-retweets-likes-on-posts-with-substack-links