Technology

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The specifications for AMD’s upcoming Ryzen 7 9800X3D have leaked ahead of its scheduled release on November 7 - and it’s good news for gamers.

The leak remains consistent with the previous marketing description leak regarding a performance boost over its predecessor, the 7800X3D. As spotted by VideoCardz, the leak originates from Geizhals, a price comparison tool used by retailers in Europe. While the veracity of the information can’t be fully determined at this point, it’s likely to be accurate; leaks that stem from retailers tend to be more reliable than anonymous claims made on social media, after all.

AMD’s upcoming CPU will reportedly utilize eight Zen 5 cores with a 4.70GHz base clock speed, which can be boosted up to 5.20GHz - a 0.20GHz jump over the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, and with the CPU multiplier unlocked, users will be able to manually overclock this new processor. This wasn’t possible with previous AMD CPUs that utilized 3D V-Cache, which could be a significant boon for overclocking enthusiasts.

The leaked specifications reference 96MB of 3D V-Cache, identical to the 7800X3D (which is among AMD’s best processors), but the aforementioned marketing leak suggested that the 9800X3D may have an 8% performance boost over AMD's current high-end gaming CPU. This is reportedly powered by ‘Next-Gen 3D V-Cache’, but the Geizhals leak doesn’t appear to add any more information.

What does this mean for gamers?

AMD’s 3D V-Cache is a nifty tool for PC gamers, since it effectively triples the amount of available cache memory on the processor - something virtually every game can easily take advantage of, but it's especially valuable in CPU-bound titles.

Content creators in particular could benefit from the rumored Next-Gen 3D V-Cache, as it should boost performance when running multiple applications simultaneously - for example, having OBS or Twitch open in the background while playing a game.

Of course, it’s important that we wait for AMD’s official reveal, to find out if the leak’s suggested improvement in gaming performance is indeed the case - and if so, it could go a long way in improving gaming experiences for many on PC, considering the recent slate of CPU-bound titles such as Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

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If you want to buy a MacBook Air but your budget won’t quite stretch, Infinix has launched a lightweight, highly-affordable Windows 11 alternative which brings an impressive array of features promising to rival higher-end competitors.

The Inbook Air Pro+ weighs only 1kg, placing it firmly in the thin and light category - ideal for everyday use, performance, processing, and multitasking.

Equipped with Intel’s 13th Gen Core i5 processor (1334U), featuring 10 cores, a 4.6GHz turbo boost, and integrated Iris Xe graphics, the laptop comes with 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 512GB of M.2 NVMe SSD storage - doubling the memory and storage capacity of the entry-level MacBook Air. An advanced cooling system with 79 precision-designed 0.2mm S-shaped fan blades prevents the device from overheating when under load.

Short battery life

One of the highlights of the Air Pro+ is its 14-inch OLED 2.8K (2880 x 1800) display. It’s rare to see an OLED panel at this price, so that alone is a great selling point. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, a peak brightness of 440 nits, and a 120Hz refresh rate, it promises vibrant, sharp visuals. The display also supports 100% of both the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts, ensuring accurate color reproduction - ideal for creative professionals.

The Air Pro+ sports all the ports you expect to see on a modern laptop, such as USB-C, HDMI 1.4, and USB 3.2. It also comes with a Full HD+ IR webcam supporting face recognition and a backlit keyboard. Wireless connectivity is provided in the form of WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

The 57Wh battery life, as per Infinix’s claims, lasts up to 8–10 hours, which should be just enough to get you through a full workday. In comparison, the Apple MacBook Air offers up to 18 hours. The Air Pro+ does at least support 65W Type-C fast charging.

Currently priced at 49,990 Indian rupees (approximately $600) on Flipkart, the Infinix Air Pro+ provides impressive specs for its price, offering a tempting option for budget-conscious buyers who need performance and portability without breaking the bank.

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Wi-Fi Test Suite carries a vulnerability that allows for elevation of privilege and remote code execution (RCE) attacks - and since there is no patch, and no word if there ever will be a patch, users are advised to replace the affected endpoints, or at least stop using them until any sort of resolution.

The Wi-Fi Test Suite is a certification toolset, developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and used to test, validate, and ensure interoperability and performance of Wi-Fi devices based on Wi-Fi standards.

This suite includes a variety of tests that cover different aspects of Wi-Fi functionality, such as connectivity, throughput, security, and coexistence with other wireless technologies.

No patch yet

According to the CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC), this toolset carries a command injection vulnerability, which allows threat actors to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on affected routers. The routers affected by this vulnerability seem to be from Arcadyan, a Taiwanese-based hardware manufacturer. To exploit the flaw, the threat actor only needs to send a specially crafted packet to the vulnerable device.

What’s interesting here is that the test suite was never designed to be used in production environments - its goal was to support the development of certification programs, and device certification, the CERT Coordination Center says. However, it somehow made it into commercial routers, and thus the vulnerability trickled down to households, and possibly small businesses.

The Hacker News says the Taiwanese router maker is not building a patch for this vulnerability, and there is no word if it ever will. Therefore, other vendors using the Wi-Fi Test Suite are advised to remove it, or update to version 9.0 or later, thus minimizing the risk of exploitation.

Being omnipresent, and a gateway for all data, routers are one of the most targeted endpoint devices in cyberattacks. Therefore, using routers from reputable manufacturers, and keeping them secured and up-to-date, remains pivotal in cybersecurity best practices.

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Experts have uncovered a method allowing cybercriminals to bypass Windows security features such as Driver Signature Enforcement (DSE), and thus install rootkits on fully updated systems.

A report from cybersecurity researcher Alon Leviev of SafeBreach claims the attack is possible by downgrading certain Windows kernel components.

By taking over the Windows Update process, crooks can add outdated, vulnerable software components, making a system seem “fully patched” even though it isn’t. Apparently, even full-patched Windows 11 devices can be targeted this way.

Rising sophistication

The researcher claims to have reported this issue to Microsoft, but the software giant didn’t fix it, saying it didn’t break a “security boundary” since an attacker would already need administrator access.

Leviev demonstrated the issue at the Black Hat and DEF CON 2024 events, and shared a tool, Windows Downdate, which allows creating downgrades that reopen old vulnerabilities.

He claimed to have managed to downgrade patched components on Windows 11, bring back the DSE bypass and enable the use of unsigned drivers. As a result, he was able to install rootkits that can turn off security software, hide malicious activity, and more.

In his attack, Leviev replaced a key Windows file called ci.dll with an unpatched version. After replacing the file, the system needs a restart, which makes it look like a normal update. Leviev also demonstrated methods to disable or bypass Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) by modifying specific settings and files, further weakening protections on the system.

Microsoft is now working on a fix, to block outdated system files and prevent downgrade attacks, however, the release date is not yet set, as protecting against these issues apparently requires careful testing to prevent system disruptions.

Until then, Leviev advises organizations to monitor for downgrade attacks.

Via BleepingComputer

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Recycling isn't just better for the environment. It could make some of the best OLED TVs cheaper too.

That's the news coming from Samsung Display, which says it's developed technology that can very efficiently recycle quantum dot ink that would be wasted in the manufacturing process. That's a crucial component of QD-OLED panels, and the new tech means it can now recover and process 80% of the ink that would normally be lost during manufacturing. That should mean more affordable QD-OLED TVs, when combined with other developments.

Why Samsung is thinking ink

Making a QD-OLED display uses a lot of ink. As Samsung explains, the quantum dot layer is made using an inkjet printing process that sprays red and green QD ink through micrometer-sized nozzles.

Quantum dots, before they go in the TV. (Image credit: Samsung Display)

Until now roughly 20% of that ink ended up stuck in the nozzles and then discarded. When you think how many panels Samsung makes, that represents an awful lot of waste and an awful lot of money. So recovering and re-using four-fifths of it means lower costs.

The new recycling process isn't some far-future idea; it's being used right now on Samsung's QD-OLED production line. And according to Samsung the recycled QD ink is just as good as the original: it "undergoes advanced synthesis technology that revives its purity and optical properties", delivering the same performance as the original QD ink.

There are more improvements to come, Samsung says: it's focused on improving productivity and yield on the production of QD-OLED screens in general, which are key factors in panel prices on the best TVs and the best gaming monitors (where QD-OLED is also proving to be a huge hit). The more efficient the production, the lower the cost per panel – and the lower the cost of the TV it ends up in.

The recycling process won't have a huge change on its own, but when combined with lots of other small changes, we could get the more budget QD-OLED we've been hoping for. In the meantime, if you want a cheaper QD-OLED, you'll have to keep an eye on the best Black Friday OLED TV deals.

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Rejoice, Apple Intelligence has finally arrived! If you have a compatible device (more on that later) you can now upgrade to iOS 18.1, iPad OS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1 and get your first sampling of the update Apple says will “introduce a new chapter in Apple innovation.”

That sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it? Which is why you might feel a little bit underwhelmed when you first install Apple Intelligence. Don’t get me wrong, the potential for Apple Intelligence is still huge, but after such a strong billing by the Cupertino company what you actually get in the most recent update feels more like a good start, but ultimately, underwhelming. In iOS 18.1 you get Writing Tools for proofreading, rewriting, and summarization, Notification summaries, Clean Up in Photos, and a redesigned Siri.

Hey Siri, don’t make it bad

Yes, Siri now looks different, but it doesn’t behave any differently. Whisper those intimate words, “Hey, Siri” lovingly at your iPhone now and the whole edge of the screen will glow like a multi-colored mating call that reminds me a bit of having a migraine. Subtle it isn’t, but unfortunately Siri is not any smarter than it used to be. Sure, it can still time your boiled eggs, but ask it anything more complex and it immediately reverts to sicking up a platter of, “Here’s what I found on the web”, search results. We’re supposed to be getting proper ChatGPT integration into Siri too, but it’s not here yet. Expect to see ChatGPT in Siri with iOS 18.2 by the end of the year, followed by the major Siri upgrade with personal context and on-screen awareness next year.

The feature most people associate with AI is photo editing, and Apple’s update underwhelms compared to what the competition already offers. While Google Gemini, Meta AI, and Samsung Galaxy AI can dream up fantasy landscapes and alien worlds on your phone, Apple can simply remove objects from photos, so far at least. Photo Clean Up is nice, magical even, in the way it can use AI to intelligently fill in the background behind elements of the photo you want to remove, but it just feels like an improved photo editor for taking your ex-partner out of your holiday snapshots without having to embarrass yourself by asking a kindly Photoshop expert to do it for you, not something that lets your imagination run wild with the endless possibilities of AI.

In fact, the AI features Apple has launched so far are all hiding in the background somewhere. You have to tap on the right icon to reveal them. It’s almost as if Apple is embarrassed by them. If you want to summarize an email in Mail, for example, you have to pull the message down to reveal a hidden tab with a Summarize button on it. The Proofreading tool is hidden behind an Apple Intelligence icon in the menu bar and pretty easy to miss, and so on.

(Image credit: Apple) A high bar

Of course, for a lot of iPhone owners, Apple Intelligence will remain simply a pipe dream anyway. The bar for entry on an iPhone is ridiculously high. You need to have the highest spec of the previous generation (an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max) or a new iPhone 16 to take part in the AI revolution. There are easier ways to get a look at Apple Intelligence – any M-series Mac will do the job, as will the new iPad mini (see our iPad mini review) – but the device you want to use it on is always going to be the device you have with you all the time. And that’s your iPhone.

Add to this the geographically scattershot nature of the rollout (Apple Intelligence won’t be available on iPhone in the UK until December and April for the rest of Europe) and Apple’s big bang release is starting to feel like a whimper. Where I live in the UK I have to trick Siri into using American English to activate Apple Intelligence. It’s a relatively simple hack, but it’s a pain having to do it.

Customizing Notification previews in iOS 18.1 (Image credit: Future, Apple, inc.) Wake me up when December comes

So when will we get the Apple Intelligence we actually want? December, says Apple. That’s when we get Image Playground for creating AI images, Genmoji for creating custom emoji and a more capable Siri with ChatGPT integration. There will also be a much improved Mail app that truly takes advantage of everything Apple Intelligence has to offer.

So, wake me up when December comes, Apple, because then we'll see the proper launch of Apple Intelligence, and that’s what I’m waiting for.

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The fate of the Samsung XR headset might still be up in the air following recent leaks reporting that its headset has been delayed again, but it appears the South Korean tech giant hasn’t given up on launching some kind of XR gadget. That’s based on a recently published patent that outlines how multiple users could sync their specs with a single smartphone or tablet to enjoy a virtually augmented space together, and how the glasses might be more affordable (but less standalone) then the Meta Orion specs.

Spotted by MySmartPrice, the patent (number 20240355069 titled “Method and System for Grouping Plurality of Devices”) was published last week, and shows how multiple users could connect to a smartphone to play a game of virtual tennis.

It certainly seems to be playing into AR’s strengths of in-person collaboration compared to VR’s more isolating design, and would make sharing a virtual space more seamless. Rather than adding extra layers of signal delays as multiple phones and glasses interact wirelessly – and potential inaccuracies if the phones interpret the same visual data differently – this shared system should be more responsive and accurate.

As with all patents there’s no guarantee that Samsung’s design will ever see the light of day, but it does seemingly clue us into its thinking on how AR glasses should be implemented – in more ways than one.

Tennis games are popular in AR demos (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) AR Glasses specs teased

The patent reveals a few other tidbits. For a start, the AR glasses setup outlined in the document (page four, figure three) seems to run some version of Android, suggesting that is how Google is involved in this XR collaboration.

Another detail is that while the specs are outfitted with a display, camera, microphone and other sensors, as well as processing power to render and encode data it receives, the processing is handled by the smartphone – with this then being streamed to the glasses.

This suggests that they’re more like the smartphone-reliant Xreal Air 2 glasses than the more standalone Meta Orion AR glasses. This could be a great thing for accessibility, because less technically capable specs will be cheaper. The downside is it looks like you’ll be locked into Android - or maybe even locked into Samsung smartphones specifically - if you want to use them.

Again we’ll have to wait and see what Samsung announces, but considering some of Samsung’s most notable gadgets are its phones, it wouldn’t be surprising if its AR glasses were more of a smartphone add-on rather than a smartphone alternative.

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