Microsoft Windows' famous BSOD is coming to Linux

Windows' infamous "Blue Screen of Death" or BSOD will be added to Linux Operating System soon

BSOD is a diagnostic tool, an informational screen that developers can use to identify the problem that caused the crash of the OS.

But BSOD in Windows is pretty much annoying even if it helps identify the crash reason through the error codes

Version 255 of the Linux systemd project is adding a system-BSOD component that generates a full-screen display of some error messages when a Linux system crashes.

So, If a Linux system fails to boot, it will generate a full-screen message that displays a QR code (same as in Windows) to get more information on what’s causing the boot issue.

Well, the systemd-bsod component is currently listed as "experimental" and "subject to change." but systemd is a core part of most Linux Distros including Ubuntu, Arch, Fedora, Debian, and Red Hat.

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Apple to launch new iPads, MacBook Air, Apple Pencil & Magic Keyboard in early 2024
Source

iPad Pro models will feature OLED Display & will be available in 2 screen sizes — 11-inch & 13-inch.
High-end iPad Pro will even feature Apple's M3 processor as well

iPad Air will come in a NEW 12.9-inch screen size

The new Magic Keyboards — codenamed R418 and R428 — will make the iPad Pro look more like a laptop and include a sturdier frame with aluminum

The new Apple Pencil 3rd Gen might support interchangeable magnetically attached tips that simulate different instruments.

MacBook Air powered by Apple M3 processor will launch in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes as usual

Later in 2024, Apple is working on an updated Apple Watch with blood pressure sensing and a refresh to the iPad mini.

There will also be a NEW low-end iPad and larger upscale iPhones, as well as revamped AirPods with a USB-C port

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Blind Smartphone Camera Test 2023

20 smartphones consisting of Flagships and mid-rangers from brands like Vivo, OnePlus, Google, Apple etc have been randomized and assigned a letter.

All of them take the same photo. You'll be shown a comparison side by side, and you pick the better photo until a statistically significant winner emerges.

There are 3 different categories : Standard, Portrait and Low-light
Each category takes approx 20mins to complete

I just completed it & here are my results!
Category: Standard

🥇: OnePlus 11
🥈: Motorola Razr Plus
🥉: Pixel Fold
A smartphone, A Flip & a fold, all winners lol

NOTE: Please complete ALL Three markers for the MOST accurate results

If you complete only one marker when it says 'Good', the results will be "highly flawed" as you will have Samsung winning lmao

VOTE & Get your results at https://vote.mkbhd.com
Then tell your winners in the comments for the standard category

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Asus Teases ROG Phone 8

The ROG Phone 8 has a new back design featuring a pentagon-shaped camera island with triple camera setup.
USB-C port is once again side-mounted

Asus ROG Phone 8 series will be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor & there could be 3 models in the lineup: the ROG Phone 8, Phone 8 Pro & Phone 8 Ultimate.

ROG Phone 8 Ultimate will have 24GB RAM in its highest variant & will come with 65W Fast charging

For the Zenfone lineup, Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has been Bluetooth SIG certified

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Apple and Google confirm governments spy on users through push notifications
Reuters

A US senator asked the Department of Justice to let Apple & Google disclose how governments surveil users through push notifications

Apps rely on push notifications to alert smartphone users to incoming messages, breaking news, and other updates
Now, ALL notifications travel over Google & Apple's servers.

Because Apple and Google deliver push notification data, they are forced by governments to reveal this information.
This could tell governments how users interact with certain apps, give them access to a notification’s complete text, and disclose some unencrypted content.

Apple & Google confirmed that Government agencies have been spying on smartphone users through push notifications sent out by apps.

Apple said that the US Government stopped it from being transparent about the practice

Google & Apple have now updated their transparency reporting to detail these kinds of requests.

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TechCrunch is reporting that it's likely Apple has cut off Beeper Mini's access to iMessage.

"However, Beeper CEO Eric Migicovsky responded to TechCrunch’s inquiry about Beeper Mini’s status by pointing us to the X post acknowledging the outage, and providing more detail. Asked if possibly Apple found a way to cut off Beeper Mini’s ability to function, he replied, 'Yes, all data indicates that.'"

UPDATE: Beeper Fights Back!

Previously, Apple likely (BTS) cut off Beeper Mini's access to iMessage to stop it from providing iMessage functionality to Android smartphone users

iMessage on iOS 9+ and between Apple devices were working properly but messages were not being sent/received between Apple devices & Beeper Mini

Beeper has now fixed the issue and iMessage will start working again soon as It's not working for all accounts yet

Also, the messages received during the outage are not recoverable.
If you have a Mac or iPhone, you may see an alert that a new device has been added to your account. This is due to the bridge update.

Additionally, Beeper has extended the 7-day trial by an extra one week.

The fight b/w Apple and Beeper continues again!

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Apple Confirms that it shut down Beeper Mini’s iMessage for Android

Beeper Cloud provides iMessage for Android by routing iMessage through a Mac

So, Beeper Mini was introduced by “Reverse-Engineering” the iMessage protocol & since Beeper Mini connects directly to Apple’s service, neither Apple nor Beeper can read the messages, providing encryption

But then, Apple cut off the access.
Beeper Cloud is working again, but Beeper Mini is still down!

Apple responded that these techniques exploit "fake credentials" & it cannot verify these "faux-iMessages” sent through Beeper are only accessible by the sender & recipient & they maintain encryption

Plus, there is potential for metadata exposure & enabling unwanted messages, spam & phishing attacks.

Beeper says that "we can give our entire source code to mutually agree upon 3rd-party to evaluate the security of our app."

Apple says it will continue to STOP these methods in the future

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First Look at Nubia Z60 Ultra

Specifications:
• 6.8-inch 1.5K resolution OLED display
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC
• LPDDR5x RAM with UFS 4.0 storage

• 16MP 5th Gen Front Under-Display camera (UDC)
Triple-OIS rear camera
• 50MP main (OIS)
• 50MP UltraWide (OIS)
• 64MP 3X telephoto (OV64B, OIS)

• Under-display fingerprint sensor
• 6,000mAh battery
• 80W Fast charging
• Android 14 based MyOS
• IP68 water & dust resistance

Launching on 19th December in China

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First Look at Honor 90 GT

It will have a 6.78-inches 1.5K resolution OLED Display with upto 24GB native RAM support and 100W fast charging

It will be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset to rival Redmi K70 & OnePlus 12R

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OnePlus 12R Leaks

OnePlus Ace 3 in China will debut as the OnePlus 12R Globally, including in India, Europe, and USA

Specifications:
• 6.78-inch 1.5K resolution "8T circuit" BOE X1 LTPO OLED Curved Display
• 1~120Hz Variable Refresh rate
• 2160Hz PWM Dimming
• 1600nits global peak brightness
• 4500nits local peak brightness

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC
• Vapor Cooling Chamber
• Glass body with metal frame
Colors: Pink, Grey, Blue

• 50MP main (IMX 890, OIS)
• 8MP Legendary Ultra-Wide
• 32MP 2X Telephoto (IMX 709)
• 5500mAh battery
• 100W Fast charging

Launching on 23rd January, 2024 Globally

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Beeper Mini is working again!

Beeper made iMessage possible natively on Android while having end-to-end encryption by "Reverse Engineering" iMessage Protocol.

But Apple then tried to cut off its access, which made Beeper Mini failing to send/receive iMessages on Android

Apple argued that techniques exploit "fake credentials" & it cannot verify these "faux-iMessages” sent through Beeper are end-to-end encrypted

Beeper now responds that:
Apple's statement is 1984-esque doublespeak & is completely FUD 😂😂😂

Also, If Apple doubts the security & privacy of Beeper Mini, they can share the entire source code with a mutually agreed upon 3rd party security research firm

Additionally, Beeper Mini has REMOVED the Subnoscription of 2$ per month and the app is now completely FREE to use

However, Phone number registration is NOT working yet & Apple ID is mandatory to log in to Beeper Mini
iMessage will be sent/received through your email address rather than your phone number

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