Technology

• Google Whisk uses images as inputs instead of text-based prompts
• It's built on Google’s Imagen 3 generative AI model
• The experimental tool is free to try for users in the US

Google’s new AI tool makes it easier to create and remix your visual concepts. Instead of asking you to describe what’s in your mind’s eye, Whisk lets you input three image prompts: one for subject, one for scene and one for style. Whisk takes care of the rest, making it a more intuitive way to experiment with different ideas.

While most of the best AI image generators require you to write a detailed prompt, Whisk handles that behind the scenes. When you drop pictures into the web-based Whisk interface as inspiration, Google’s Gemini model automatically analyzes them and writes a detailed caption for each. These are then fed into the Imagen 3 model, to create a matching image.

For example, you could drop in an image of a car as the subject and a photo of a rural landscape for the scene. You could them add a watercolor as the style to see what Whisk creates. Hit the button and you’ll get a pair of images based on your inputs.

From here, it’s easy to remix the images. The interface allows you to specify additional text-based details to tweak the outcomes. You can also easily drop in different source images or roll the dice if you’re in need of inspiration. New results appear in pairs in the feed, making it an intuitive way to ideate. You can also choose to refine images by revealing the text prompt and adding more details.

Whisk it up

While Whisk is designed to eliminate the need for text-based prompts, Google includes the option to refine the written prompts because results won’t always match up to the source material.

In a blog post about the experimental tool, Google explains that Whisk, “captures your subject’s essence, not an exact replica.” It’s only as effective as Gemini’s analysis of the images you submit. While this is generally very impressive, it also isn’t able to get inside your mind: you might expect Whisk to pull out one detail from an image, where it focuses on another.

The post explains further: “Since Whisk extracts only a few key characteristics from your image, it might generate images that differ from your expectations. For example, the generated subject might have a different height, weight, hairstyle or skin tone. We understand these features may be crucial for your project and Whisk may miss the mark, so we let you view and edit the underlying prompts at any time.”

Even with these shortcomings, Whisk an interesting application of Google’s existing AI tools. The underlying generative models are the same as if you were chatting with Gemini via its text interface. By relying on image inputs, though, Whisk is a more accessible and intuitive way for visual creators to play with their ideas.

Based on early feedback from digital creatives, Google refers to Whisk as “a new type of creative tool” which is intended for “rapid visual exploration, not pixel-perfect edits.”

How to try Google Whisk

Google Whisk is currently only available to users in the US. If you’re based there, you can try it out via your web browser at labs.google/whisk.

The experimental tool is completely free to play with. Data from your experience with Whisk will be fed back to Google to help refine and develop future AI products.

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With big cash prizes at stake—and AI supercharging research—interspecies translation is closer than ever. But what, if anything, would animals want to tell us?

• Study claims dynamic pricing creates competitive advantages for retailers
• AI enhances real-time pricing adjustments across platforms
• Savvy shoppers track prices for optimal savings

Dynamic pricing has become a cornerstone of modern ecommerce platforms, which increasingly adjust product prices in real-time based on factors such as demand, competition, seasonality, and even localized market conditions.

Unlike traditional fixed pricing, dynamic pricing strategies allow businesses to react swiftly to shifts in the market, helping them to stay competitive and maximize profits. For consumers, this approach means prices can fluctuate frequently, creating both opportunities for savings and challenges in keeping track of the best deals.

With AI and machine learning becoming integral to ecommerce, dynamic pricing is now more sophisticated, with algorithms that analyze vast amounts of data to optimize pricing around the clock.

Good for business, bad for consumer?

Now, a report by Smartproxy has revealed the top five ecommerce platforms with the most fluctuating prices.

Amazon.com leads the way in dynamic pricing, with an average of 12.6 price changes per day, leveraging advanced algorithms to make real-time adjustments. By constantly monitoring competitors, demand, and inventory levels, Amazon ensures its products remain competitively priced, with some reports claiming it updates its prices every 10 minutes.

On the other hand, Amazon’s Canadian site, Amazon.ca, employs a tailored dynamic pricing model that aligns with Canadian market trends. Averaging 4.3 price changes daily, Amazon.ca uses automated repricing tools to keep up with local demand and competitor prices, providing Canadian sellers the flexibility to adjust pricing quickly.

Walmart's Canadian site ranks second for price changes per day, with the report showing it updates around seven times, with supply and demand, seasonality, and promotions all factoring in to the calculation of new prices.

Home furnishings store Wayfair.com uses dynamic pricing as a core component of its strategy. With around 3.6 price adjustments per day, Wayfair also tailors its prices based on seasonality, demand fluctuations, and inventory data.

Rounding out the list, BestBuy.com averages 2.6 price changes per day, using dynamic pricing to respond to competitor promotions and local product availability. Best Buy’s Price Match Guarantee and AI-powered tools further support frequent adjustments, making it a preferred destination for tech-savvy shoppers. By forecasting demand shifts, BestBuy effectively manages its pricing to remain competitive in the U.S. electronics and home appliances market.

“Our industry-first Dynamic Pricing Index was designed to provide a holistic view of the global ecommerce landscape. By evaluating local and regional websites across 40 countries using carefully chosen criteria, we ensured a comprehensive assessment of ecommerce platforms that use dynamic pricing” said Vytautas Savickas, CEO at Smartproxy.

“This data reflects the popularity of the usage of dynamic pricing as well as any price change patterns in the market. We believe that our Dynamic Pricing Index will become a go-to source for various ecommerce businesses that want to improve their user experience, and the whole report will keep savvy online shoppers informed about the most recent developments in this extremely competitive landscape," Savickas added.

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• Synology patches critical zero-click vulnerabilities in NAS devices
• Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities without user interaction
• $260,000 was awarded to researchers for discovering exploits

Synology has recently patched a critical security flaw in its NAS device products which could have allowed hackers to hijack victim units.

The company released two advisories to notify users about patched vulnerabilities in its data storage products, specifically those in Photos for DMS and BeePhotos for BeeStation.

The identified issues, shown off at the recent Pwn2Own Ireland 2024 event, allowed for remote code execution, posing a serious threat as they enabled attackers to take control of affected devices without user interaction.

Critical vulnerabilities revealed

Remote code execution vulnerabilities are especially dangerous as they give attackers the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the device, putting sensitive data at risk.

By addressing these flaws, Synology has ensured users who apply the updates can better protect their devices from potential attacks, as this not only prevents potential remote access, but also reduces the likelihood of ransomware, data theft, and other types of attacks that exploit NAS vulnerabilities.

Devices storing sensitive information are often connected to the internet, therefore they are usually susceptible to attacks. To guard against malicious actors, it is important to employ regular security patches.

Organized by Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative (ZDI), Pwn2Own Ireland 2024 awarded over $1 million to white-hat hackers who successfully demonstrated exploits across devices, including NAS systems, cameras, and smart speakers.

Synology was one of the companies with security flaws with its products earning researchers $260,000 in total for their discovered vulnerabilities. The company quickly responded to the competition findings and addressed critical flaws in its products.

Via SecurityWeek

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Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1063) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1063) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1063) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1063) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1063) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• S

• P

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1063) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1063, are…

• DOUBT
• SLURP
• PAPER
• CIVIL

A tricky one today. I was doing really well until I guessed PAGER and PAVER ahead of the far more obvious PAPER.

Still, sometimes getting things wrong can help you out and the rare letter V helped me correctly solve CIVIL in the bottom right.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1063) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1063, are…

• SHOVE
• DANCE
• GUSTO
• STEEP

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1062, Saturday 21 December: STRIP, BUDGE, SAPPY, SHELF
• Quordle #1061, Friday 20 December: PENAL, EAGLE, DILLY, QUITE
• Quordle #1060, Thursday 19 December: JEWEL, GNOME, TRAMP, IDLER
• Quordle #1059, Wednesday 18 December: LITHE, BIRTH, HUMID, ROBOT
• Quordle #1058, Tuesday 17 December: DOING, ENJOY, SNAKY, AMPLE
• Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
• Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
• Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
• Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
• Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
• Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
• Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
• Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
• Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
• Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
• Quordle #1047, Friday 6 December: BRAWL, UNTIL, DOWRY, STING
• Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
• Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #560) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• STATS
• CROWN
• ABBOTT
• ELEMENTARY
• NUN
• KEY
• DOME
• ABBA
• LAUREL
• MONK
• COCONUT
• FRY
• SKULL
• BONES
• KAYAK
• KOJAK

NYT Connections today (game #560) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Bodypart lingo
• GREEN: Backwards and forwards
• BLUE: Watching the detectives 
• PURPLE: The other half

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #560) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SLANG FOR HEAD
• GREEN: PALINDROMES
• BLUE: POLICE PROCEDURALS 
• PURPLE: FIRST IN A COMEDY DUO 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #560) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #560, are…

• YELLOW: SLANG FOR HEAD COCONUT, CROWN, DOME, SKULL
• GREEN: PALINDROMES ABBA, KAYAK, NUN, STATS
• BLUE: POLICE PROCEDURALS BONES, ELEMENTARY, KOJAK, MONK
• PURPLE: FIRST IN A COMEDY DUO ABBOTT, FRY, KEY, LAUREL

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

Had today’s Connections included the words Noggin, Nut, Helmet, or Bonce then I might not have struggled to see SLANG FOR HEAD so badly. Instead, it was PALINDROMES that hit me first – although that was mainly because I couldn’t see how Swedish pop legends ABBA could connect with anything else, unless there was an obscure 1970s Eurovision act called KOJAK, which is entirely possible.

According to Wikipedia the longest palindrome in regular use is the 19-letter Finnish word saippuakivikauppias (soapstone vendor).

Wikipedia also directs us to some palindrome phrases including “A man, a plan, a canal, Panama” to which I’m sure you could add “a KAJAK” (or a saippuakivikauppias), and the eternal question “Do geese see god?”

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, 21 December, game #559)

• YELLOW: LOOP BAND, CIRCLE, HOOP, RING
• GREEN: COOKING VESSELS CASSEROLE, CROCK, PAN, POT
• BLUE: KINDS OF BEDS BUNK, CANOPY, MURPHY, SLEIGH
• PURPLE: THINGS CALLED "OSCAR" BALONEY, GROUCH, O, STATUETTE

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #294) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Are you listening?

NYT Strands today (game #294) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• WINK
• RING
• KING
• WREN
• RENT
• ANGEL

NYT Strands today (game #294) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• We’re happy tonight

NYT Strands today (game #294) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 3rd row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #294) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #294, are…

• SNOW
• BELLS
• GLISTENING
• WALKING
• SLEIGH
• SPANGRAM: WINTER WONDERLAND

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Taking words from the first verse of WINTER WONDERLAND made today’s Strands a breeze – and I’m sure you were singing about Parson Brown by the time you completed it.

It’s one of those songs that’s hard to ruin, which makes it the perfect karaoke song – perfect except for the fact that it only really works for one month a year.

In the UK, it’s a song that’s been co-opted by soccer fans, who will change the words to fit their star striker with a few variations to fit the club and player. For example, in Scotland in the 1990s Celtic fans would honor goalscorer Jorge Cadete with the chant:

“There’s only one Jorge Cadete / He puts the ball in the netty / He’s Portuguese / and he scores with ease / Walking in a Jorge Wonderland.”

Erm, what I was saying about being a song that’s hard to ruin… I take it back.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 21 December, game #293)

• ABBEY
• TABERNACLE
• MOSQUE
• TEMPLE
• MONASTERY
• SPANGRAM: SACRED SPACES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

• Shuttle XH610G2 offers compact design supporting Intel Core processors up to 24 cores
• Exclusive heat pipe technology ensures reliable operation in demanding environments
• Flexible storage options include M.2 slots and SATA interfaces

Shuttle has released its latest mini PC, aimed at meeting the diverse demands of modern commercial tasks.

With a small 5-liter chassis and a compact design measuring just 250mm x 200mm x 95mm, the Shuttle XH610G2 employs the Intel H610 chipset, making it compatible with a broad spectrum of Intel Core processors, from the latest 14th Gen models back to the 12th Gen series.

The company says the device is designed to handle applications that require significant computational power like image recognition, 3D video creation, and AI data processing.

Shuttle XH610G2

The Shuttle XH610G2 comes with an exclusive heat pipe cooling technology which allows the workstation to operate reliably even in demanding environments, being capable of withstanding temperatures from 0 to 50 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for continuous operation in various commercial settings.

The Shuttle XH610G2 can accommodate Intel Core models with up to 24 cores and a peak clock speed of 5.8GHz. This processing power allows the workstation to handle intensive tasks while staying within a 65W thermal design power (TDP) limit. The graphics are enhanced by the integrated Intel UHD graphics with Xe architecture, offering capabilities to manage demanding visual applications, from high-quality media playback to 4K triple-display setups. The inclusion of dual HDMI 2.0b ports and a DisplayPort output facilitates independent 4K display support.

The XH610G2 offers extensive customization and scalability with support for dual PCIe slots, one x16 and one x1, allowing users to install discrete graphics cards or other high-performance components like video capture cards.

For memory, the XH610G2 supports up to 64GB of DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM memory, split across two slots, making ideal for resource-intensive applications, providing the system with the necessary power to handle complex computational tasks efficiently. Running at a low 1.1V, this memory configuration also minimizes energy consumption, which can be a significant advantage in environments conscious of power usage.

In terms of storage, this device features a SATA 6.0Gb/s interface for a 2.5-inch SSD or HDD, along with two M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA storage options. Users are recommended to choose a SATA SSD over a traditional HDD to ensure faster performance.

The I/O options on the XH610G2 further enhance its flexibility, with four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two Ethernet ports, one supporting 1GbE and another 2.5GbE, and an optional RS232 COM port offering enhanced compatibility for specialized peripheral connections, which can be particularly useful in industrial or legacy environments.

Furthermore, the compact chassis includes M.2 expansion slots for both WLAN and LTE adapters, providing options for wireless connectivity that can be critical in setups where wired connections are not feasible.

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• TeamGroup claims CAMM2 memory promises high-speed DDR5 performance
• Revolutionary design offers dual-channel operation in a single module
• Limited motherboard compatibility poses challenges for CAMM2 adoption

TeamGroup has introduced its Compression Attached Memory Module 2 (CAMM2), promising high-speed DDR5 performance with its new T-Create lineup.

The company says CAMM2 features a revolutionary design that offers significant advantages over traditional memory types like SO-DIMM, U-DIMM, and R-DIMM. It supports dual-channel operation with just one module, streamlining system architecture and lowering power consumption.

The built-in Client Clock Driver (CKD) boosts signal integrity, making CAMM2 well-suited for slim notebooks while its optimized thermal design enhances heat dissipation, allowing higher performance despite the smaller form factor.

CAMM2-compatible motherboards are very scarce

The T-Create CAMM2 modules are designed with DDR5-7200 specifications and a CAS latency of CL34-42-42-84, delivering remarkable read, write, and copy speeds of up to 117GB/s, 108GB/s, and 106GB/s, respectively.

This performance is achieved through manual overclocking, which has driven latency down to 55ns, a significant reduction compared to typical DDR5 JEDEC specifications. TeamGroup is now focused on pushing boundaries and the company says it is working to achieve even faster speeds, aiming to reach DDR5-8000 and even DDR5-9000 in future iterations.

One major setback for TeamGroup lies in the availability of CAMM2-compatible motherboards, which are currently limited. The T-Create CAMM2 memory was tested on MSI’s Z790 Project Zero, one of the few boards currently compatible with this new form factor.

Other brands, such as Gigabyte, hint at possible CAMM2-enabled designs, like an upcoming TACHYON board. However, the CAMM2 ecosystem is still emerging, and widespread adoption may depend on the release of more compatible boards and competitive pricing.

Nevertheless, TeamGroup expects to launch the first-generation T-Create CAMM2 modules by Q1 2025, with broader motherboard support potentially arriving as manufacturers introduce new CPU platforms. With AMD and Intel rumoured to announce budget-friendly CPUs at CES 2025, the rollout of mid-range boards compatible with CAMM2 could align with TeamGroup’s release plans, potentially helping CAMM2 secure a foothold in the market.

CAMM2 offers a couple of advantages over the widely used SO-DIMM, UDIMM, and RDIMM standards. Notably, CAMM2 modules operate in dual-channel mode while only occupying a single physical slot. Furthermore, they incorporate a Client Clock Driver (CKD), similar to CUDIMM memory, which bolsters signal integrity at high speeds, allowing for more reliable and faster memory performance.

These features make CAMM2 particularly appealing for laptops, which often face limitations with current SO-DIMM speeds or non-upgradeable LPDDR5/5X options.

Via Tom's Hardware

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• Fake text message alerts claim to be from legitimate courier service
• URL requests personal or financial information to arrange redelivery
• If in doubt, go to the official website and enter your tracking number

A new survey has revealed the fastest-growing type of scam and it’s probably one you’ve already received this month: a fake parcel delivery alert sent by text message.

According to research published by NatWest, a UK bank, fake delivery alerts are the fastest-growing con of 2024. The study combines industry data with feedback from a survey of 2,000 British adults.

These messages, delivered to your mobile phone by SMS, claim to be from a courier service. They state that a package delivery has been attempted and needs to be rescheduled. They then prompt the recipient to click a link.

This malicious URL leads to a phishing website designed to look legitimate. It will ask for personal details and usually request a fee payment to arrange the fictitious redelivery. If users submit their information here, including login credentials or credit card details, cybercriminals will be able to use them for fraudulent purposes, including purchases.

Companies commonly impersonated in examples we’ve seen include FedEx, DHL and UPS. Because it’s common to receive real redelivery alerts by SMS, it’s easy to be fooled by an apparently convincing message. It’s also easier to fake an SMS alert, because it contains fewer words and doesn’t include a logo.

The scheme uses tactics common to most phishing scams. The message creates a sense urgency, as most people will want to respond to a missed package and arrange its redelivery as soon as possible. They might also receive and read the SMS when they are away from home and distracted, meaning they don’t pay enough attention to whether it is legitimate.

The scam is particularly effective at this time of year, because many people will be expecting genuine deliveries ahead of the festive season. The scam also relies on emotional manipulation: a lot of these packages will contain presents for love ones, so people will be particularly keen to ensure that they are safely delivered.

As a result, recipients of the SMS may act quickly to resolve the apparent issue. This could cause them to overlook inconsistencies in the message, such as the lack of tracking number.

How to stay safe

Some examples of the kinds of scam 'missed parcel' SMS text messages you might see this holiday season (credit: National Cyber Security Centre). (Image credit: National Cyber Security Centre)

As with any SMS message or email you receive which claims to be from a real company, the most important step is to stop and think before clicking on a link. Be alert to tell-tale signs of a phishing scam, particularly any urgent requests for personal or financial information.

Stuart Skinner, a Fraud Expert from NatWest, advises people: “Think about it: would a real delivery company ask you to follow a link and make a payment?”

This statement from FedEx reflects the position of most courier services: “FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail, email, or text, any personal information pertaining to your account credentials or identity.”

Once you’ve paused for thought, consider the details in the message and ask yourself a few questions. Are you expecting a delivery? If so, which company is handling that delivery? You should have received a confirmation when you placed your order, which should tell you the courier service and tracking number. If those don’t match up, then you’ve received a fake message.

You should also look out for grammatical errors in the message, as well as misspelled website addresses or variations of real URLs. If you’re uncertain about a link, don’t click it. Instead, head directly to the courier service’s official website and input your tracking number. This ensures you’re seeing genuine information about your package, including whether any action is required.

Most couriers offer advice about how to avoid fake delivery scams. For example, DHL states: “If you don't recognize the sender and don't expect the email or text message, there's a chance you're phishing.”

The United States Postal Inspection Service echoes this advice: “If you suspect the text message you have received is suspicious but are expecting a parcel, please do not click on any links. Rather, report it and visit USPS.com from your mobile device or computer for tracking and additional resources..”

UPS has a similar recommendation: “If you are unsure of the validity of a text, do not click or select any links or open any attachments as they may contain a virus.”

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• MobiSystems rebrands to MobiOffice
• Adds new MobiScan app for mobile document management
• Affordable pricing aims to attract a billion users worldwide

MobiSystems, known for its OfficeSuite software, has rebranded under a new unified platform to provide an integrated productivity experience that combines office software, PDF editing, and cloud storage within a single package.

The rebrand to MobiOffice will includes MobiPDF (formerly PDF Extra) and MobiDrive, all redesigned to offer a more integrated productivity tool experience.

With a user base of over 550 million worldwide, MobiSystems has now set its sights on the billion mark with the introduction of new products, including MobiScan, a mobile scanning app.

MobiOffice is here

MobiDocs offers a streamlined tool for document creation, supporting both basic text editing and advanced formatting options. Users can quickly create professional-grade documents, benefiting from customizable templates and an AI-powered paraphraser that adds sophistication and ease to the writing process.

For those focused on data management, MobiSheets provides straightforward tools for organizing home budgets and offers advanced data processing options like Pivot Tables for more complex business needs.

MobiSlides is designed to simplify the process of creating presentations, providing an intuitive design suite with customizable templates and options for animations, multimedia integration, and custom transitions.

Each of these components is also available as a standalone app on Windows, giving users the option to select the specific tools they need without purchasing the entire suite.

Formerly known as PDF Extra, MobiPDF lets users create and edit PDFs across platforms, including Windows, Android, and iOS. Built with an integrated mobile scanner, MobiPDF allows users to create high-quality PDFs from any document, including file conversion for over 20 formats, password protection, and advanced encryption, making it suitable for users who prioritize data security.

MobiDrive provides secure and scalable cloud storage, ranging from 20GB of free storage to 2TB paid plans. This service supports storage and conversion for over 1,200 file formats, making it a versatile option for users who need universal accessibility. MobiDrive is available on Windows, Android, iOS, and the web.

MobiOffice Premium is priced at $4.19 per month, or a one-time fee of $99.99 for lifetime access. For users who prefer individual apps, MobiDocs, MobiSheets, and MobiSlides are available at $2.49 per month each. MobiPDF is also priced affordably at $4.19 per month. Meanwhile, MobiDrive’s cloud storage options start at $4.99 per month for up to 2TB.

"In today’s fast-paced world, we provide a solution designed for everyone, helping people accomplish any task, from anywhere, on any device—so they can thrive in whatever they do," noted Justin Priestley, MobiSystems Chief Marketing Officer.

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• New QLC technology boosts storage capacity and performance
• High-Speed Link Startup Sequence reduces initialization time by 70%
• Enhanced security features protect sensitive user data effectively

The growing demands of mobile technology have increased the need for high-capacity and high-speed data storage, and as digital devices continue to advance, the industry seeks a way to handle larger data loads while delivering fast and efficient performance.

Kioxia has now launched the mass production of its latest innovation: the industry’s first QLC UFS 4.0 embedded flash memory device.

The new device is designed with quadruple-level cell (QLC) technology and comes with a higher bit density and increased storage capacity thanks to Universal Flash Storage (UFS) technology.

High-speed performance for demanding applications

With this new QLC UFS 4.0 device, Kioxia offers higher storage capacity within a compact structure which not only benefits compact devices like mobile phones and tablets but also PCs, networking systems, and emerging fields like AR, VR, and AI that require robust storage solutions.

Kioxia’s QLC UFS 4.0 device has impressive data transfer rates with the device reaching sequential read speeds of up to 4,200 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 3,200 MB/s. These speeds are achieved by utilizing the UFS 4.0 interface, which supports interface speeds as high as 23.2 Gbps per lane or 46.4 Gbps per device.

This combination of QLC storage with the latest UFS interface technology provides a significant performance boost, making it well-suited for data-heavy applications. As a result, users can expect faster file transfers, smoother streaming, and more efficient multitasking, particularly for mobile and high-performance computing devices.

Kioxia’s new QLC UFS 4.0 device is also built on its proprietary BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory, known for its durability and efficiency. Designed to meet the JEDEC standard, the UFS 4.0 package combines this advanced memory with a dedicated controller to optimize performance. With backward compatibility with UFS 3.1, Kioxia’s UFS 4.0 devices offer an upgrade path for users.

To enhance its practical application, Kioxia’s QLC UFS 4.0 device features a High-Speed Link Startup Sequence (HS-LSS), a new method that accelerates device-to-host initialization. By allowing link startup at a faster HS-G1 Rate A rather than the conventional slower speed, HS-LSS reduces link startup time by about 70%.

In addition to faster initialization, the device also includes enhanced security capabilities with Advanced Replay Protected Memory Block (RPMB) features. These security measures protect user data by securing access to sensitive information, such as credentials. With RPMB Purge, users can also ensure that discarded data is fully sanitized, adding another layer of confidence in data protection.

Furthermore, Kioxia’s QLC UFS Ver. 4.0 device supports an Extended Initiator ID (Ext-IID), which is designed to work with Multi Circular Queue (MCQ) in the UFS 4.0 host controller. This feature boosts random performance, a critical component for devices requiring fast and distributed access to data across multiple applications. With Ext-IID, the device is better equipped to manage complex data tasks, providing faster, more efficient performance for users with demanding workloads.

Via BusinessWire

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