Technology

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 584 for Jan. 15.

Apple is reportedly still working on an AI health coach, almost two years after we first heard about it. The report comes from journalist Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, published Sunday 12 January, in which he mentions (alongside news of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and SE 3) that: “The company also is increasing its ambitions in the health realm."

Gurman continued: “Apple is planning a revamped health app — as well as an AI-based coaching service — and added capabilities for AirPods. That includes heart-rate monitoring and sensors to measure other health data.”

The news about Apple’s AirPods getting heart rate monitoring is exciting, but the AI health coach is also an enticing nugget of information. It sounds as though the AI companion is likely to live on the iPhone’s Health app, rather than on the best Apple watches. Details are scarce at this point, but other wearables like Oura have AI advisory services in beta, allowing users to ask questions about their habits and having the AI respond using data collected by your wearables.

This is not the first time we’ve heard of Apple’s plans: way back in April 2023, I reported on Apple reportedly developing an AI fitness coach, codenamed Quartz.

The AI coach was said to be able to track emotions via the Apple Watch, although we’ve not heard a peep about the functionality since then. It’s likely now that the Apple Intelligence rollout is in full swing, we could see a first version of this functionality in September 2025, alongside the iPhone 17.

Analysis: Still a bad idea?

AI felt like it was in its infancy a couple of years ago, and I wrote about the prospect of an AI fitness coach with some trepidation. I was afraid that it would hallucinate, offer unhelpful or downright dangerous workout ideas, and health advice that hadn’t been vetted by an expert. In many ways, I still am.

However, after seeing AI infest every corner of the tech world, and trying several such dedicated services like the Oura Advisor chatbot available with the Oura Ring 4, I’m convinced this is simply the way the industry’s going to go, and steps will be taken to ensure the software is safe to use.

I’m not convinced they’re all that useful, especially to experienced exercisers, but I can see the potential - for example, recommending workouts from Apple’s Fitness+ service and tweaking recommended bedtime suggestions based on your sleeping habits, all wrapped up in cosy language like Strava’s encouraging Athlete Intelligence feature.

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Spend a few minutes on TikTok right now and you'll see that it's filled with goodbyes, heartfelt thank-yous, considerable anger at US politicians, and a lot of chatter about something called Red Note.

Zero hour is fast approaching for TikTok, with the US Supreme Court set to deliver its ruling on whether or not the TikTok ban should be delayed or allowed to take effect on January 19, which happens to be the day before past and future President Donald Trump takes office. Trump has flip-flopped on the TikTok topic. After launching the call for a ban during his first administration he's fallen in deep like with the platform, and now signals that he might want to save it, although if the ban happens it's not clear how he can reverse it.

While Red Note is obviously a workable solution for those who aren't ready to give up TikTok, it's also another Chinese app.

While the Supreme Court has yet to rule, most took the justice's comments during oral arguments as a sign that they were not on TikTok's side. There's been late word that TikTok's parent company, the China-based ByteDance, might agree to let Elon Musk of all people buy up TikTok. Since the company has characterized that report to Mobile World Live as "pure fiction," I'm betting that it's just a lot of wishful thinking on the part of Musk and X (formerly Twitter) fanboys.

Trust me, that won't happen.

An alternative emerges

What is happening, though, is that TikTok users building digital life rafts, and floating over to other platforms. Many creators already cross-post content on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, but nothing feels quite like TikTok… nothing, that is, except for Red Note.

I'd tell you to search for 'Red Note' in the Apple App Store, but you'd quickly run into some confusion. This is a Chinese app. No, I don't mean just another Chinese-owned App. This app has a Chinese-language name in the app store. It's the top result when you enter 'Red Note,' but you'll never see that name anywhere on the official app. When I threw the Chinese characters into a translation app it came back with 'Red Note' or 'Red Book'.

(Image credit: Future)

Naturally, I downloaded the app and got started. At first, setting up an account was, despite the instructions being in English, a bit of a challenge. The app asks you to enter a phone number to set up an account (it allows for all the necessary international prefixes) and to use an SMS PIN code sent to that number to log in. I tried this a few times but no PIN arrived. Then, hours later one did, but the system rejected it. I tried again, and more hours later a useless code arrived. I shelved the app for the night and tried again in the morning. A code instantly appeared, and I used it to quickly activate my account.

Set-up involved entering my age (those under 14 ostensibly have to verify their identity, but I realize that Red Note has no way of knowing if you lied about your age) and selecting some option interests. You should also hop into settings and ensure that your language setting is English.

TikTok Refugees

Red Note is bursting with #TikTokRefugees as they refer to themselves. They're introducing themselves, and being greeted in kind by Red Note veterans enjoying the influx of English-speaking users.

The app looks and works much like TikTok, but it's not an exact match. The For You Page is a grid of jump-off points instead of an instantly scrollable stream of videos. For that, you'd want to check out 'Trending.' I also noted that the video-editing capabilities are minimal compared to the robust tools in TikTok.

There are a lot of Chinese-language posts and, as you would expect from the TikTok crowd, memes about US users trying to quickly learn Chinese. There are also imposters, like a fake Pedro Pascal and a ton of unlicensed US content from TV shows and movies. Comments seem to be a mix of English and Chinese.

While Red Note is obviously a workable solution for those who aren't ready to give up TikTok, it's also another Chinese app. Unlike TikTok, there's been no effort to Amercanize the platform, and there's been no effort to protect our data from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has access to the data of any company operating within its borders.

(Image credit: Future)

The irony is rich here, but I also think that's the point. Angry TikTok users who think the US Government is making a massive mistake are showing them just how quickly they can make an end run around these rules. Take away TikTok and they will not necessarily flood to American companies and their products, i.e., Meta-owned Instagram Reels and Google-owned YouTube Shorts. Also, let's pause for a second to consider the name: Red Note. The Chinese flag features five gold stars on an all-red background. Red is literally a cultural symbol in China.

Red Note's rise as the current number one app (TikTok is now number 13) is especially comical because, unlike TikTok, there's nothing remotely American about this app or the company running it, Xingin. There's no US arm running operations, and no promise of US data protection on US servers. It's the CCP free-for-all US lawmakers feared in the case of TikTok.

What happens next

I envision a rapidly developing game of whack-a-mole. TikTok gets banned, and Red Note takes its place. Red Note Gets banned, and Lemon8 (also owned by TikTok) steps in. And Lemon8 isn't just waiting in the wings – it's already Number 2 on the Top Apps chart, and is also part of the TikTok Refugee conversation. But it too could get banned, and then something else, likely developed in China, will take its place.

I don't know what's going to happen between now and January 19. TikTok might survive, but in a more likely scenario it will eventually disappear. The app will still work on your phone for a time, but that span could be a matter of days or even hours as it becomes a breach of US law for third-party companies to support the platform; Oracle, for instance, will no longer be able to host and store TikTok data. So, while the app won't disappear from your phones it will no longer be operable. But you might not care, because you're already on Red Note, Lemon8, or some other relatively unsanctioned social media platform.

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Some TikTok users are trying out other Chinese-owned apps as a form of protest against a potential US ban.

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White supremacists and MAGA livestreamers are using the wildfires to solicit donations, juice social media engagement, and recruit new followers.

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• Metal Gear Solid Delta, Assassin's Creed Shadows, and more AAA games are reportedly coming to Nintendo Switch 2
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is expected to arrive in 2026
• Its claimed Ubisoft is "doing more than half a dozen games for the Switch 2"

A new report suggests that many third-party games are coming to Nintendo Switch 2.

According to leaker 'NatetheHate' (via VGC) Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will be among the first AAA titles to arrive on the Switch 2, alongside Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the latter of which is said to arrive in 2026.

In a recent podcast, it was also claimed that there has been support from Ubisoft to bring two of its Assassin's Creed games to the next-gen console, including 2023's Assassin's Creed Mirage and Assassin's Creed Shadows.

"One title that will be there within the launch window comes from Ubisoft, and it’s going to be Assassin’s Creed Mirage," said the leaker.

Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't expected to be released until March 20 following its recent delay from February 14, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, but it's claimed that the game will be making its way to the Switch 2 at a later date.

"To my understanding, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of those in development ports, it just won’t be ready for launch, and it probably won’t be ready for the launch window," they said.

It was also claimed that Ubisoft is "doing more than half a dozen games for the Switch 2" and "a lot of them are going to be late ports", including some popular multiplayer titles like The Division and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege.

"There was also some discussion and consideration of doing a Mario Rabbids collection, so it would have one and two in a single package," they added. "It’s just a question of when will these games come out, and I think for Ubisoft, if they can port the game, they will port the game."

The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't have a release date just yet, but recent reports suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement could finally happen this week after months of leaks and rumors.

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• Cortini loves Campfire IEMs so much, he approached founder Ken Ball
• The result is Clara, a hybrid driver configuration elite set of IEMs
• Clara IEMs are now available, priced $1,999 / £1,999 (around AU$3,900)

Sometimes the story of a beautifully symbiotic hi-fi partnership and how it came into being feels just a tad too good to be true. The tale as it's being told (and according to committed audiophile and mutual friend of both parties, John Darko) involves long-time lover of Campfire Audio products, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inductee and celebrated NIN synth/bassist, Alessandro Cortini. The story goes that Cortini humbly pitched the idea of a collaborative in-ear monitor effort to CA's founder, Ken Ball, just over a year ago. No, not the other way around; this isn't like that. And he said yes, folks!

Look, when the resulting product is one of the most stunning-looking pairs of IEMs I've seen in many years – not to mention a set of wired earbuds that can be worn in support of a musician who's been on heavy rotation in my ears since 1988 – I don't care if the story's been embellished a little.

I've also long been a fan of the niche Portland Oregon IEM maker's output since I discovered it 2018, including the excellent Trifecta, Fathom, the Solaris Stellar Horizon (which still sit pretty in TechRadar's best wired earbuds buying guide) and more recently the Moon Rover.

But Campfire Audio x Alessandro Cortini – specifically Ken Ball on design and production; Cortini on headshell type and overall sound? This is different. This might just be the perfect drug.

Clara: no, you can't take it

(Image credit: Campfire Audio)

So what's (ahem) underneath it all? That'll be the latest iteration of Campfire’s dual-magnet dynamic driver. Then, there's the advanced dual-diaphragm balanced armature driver for mids, plus Campfire’s signature dual super-tweeters, paired with the brand’s proprietary Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber (TAEC) tech.

This is Campfire Audio so I'd expect some visual theatrics, and sure enough, they don't disappoint aesthetically. The Clara IEM has a printed transparent acrylic finish with navy internal elements, so you can see the insides and feel closer to its multiple drivers.

Pricing? Of course, but take a deep breath. You're looking at $1,999 / £1,999 (around AU$3,900 where sold).

Something I can never have? Quite possibly. But I'm not hurt about it – I'd absolutely love to test them if I possibly can. Watch this space…

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• Microsoft reveals in-depth analysis of a flaw it recently found in macOS
• The bug is potentially dangerous since it allows threat actors to bypass SIP
• SIP is a security feature designed to protect critical system files

Microsoft has released an in-depth technical analysis on CVE-2024-44243, a medium-severity macOS vulnerability which could allow attackers to deploy “undeletable” malware.

macOS devices come with System Integrity Protection (SIP), (AKA "rootless") a security feature designed to protect critical system files and processes from being modified, even by users with root privileges. It was first introduced in macOS El Capitan, and is designed to restrict access to system directories and enforce code integrity.

SIP can be temporarily disabled for specific tasks, but doing so requires restarting the system in recovery mode and using Terminal commands.

Impacting entire OS security

The bug allows local attackers with root privilege to mount low-complexity attacks through which they can bypass SIP root restriction, even if they don’t have physical access to the target endpoint. As a result, they can install rootkits, malware that “cannot be deleted”, and work around Apple’s Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) security framework.

In its writeup, Microsoft described how destructive bypassing SIP can be: "Bypassing SIP impacts the entire operating system's security and could lead to severe consequences, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive security solutions that can detect anomalous behavior from specially entitled processes," Redmond said.

“The challenge of detecting such threats is compounded by the inherent limitations in kernel-level visibility on macOS, making it difficult for traditional security measures to spot and mitigate these sophisticated attacks.”

The flaw was first discovered in late 2024 by both Microsoft and a separate security researcher, Mickey Jin, both of whom responsibly disclosed it to Apple, which addressed it on December 11, 2024, through macOS Sequoia 15.2.

While there is no word of abuse in the wild, users are still advised to apply the patch as soon as possible.

Via BleepingComputer

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• A new Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 are tipped for launch in September
• Both could feature high blood pressure detection
• It would work similarly to Apple's sleep apnea detection, without giving specific readings

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 tipped for launch in September 2025 could both feature Apple's long-awaited high blood pressure detection feature, according to the latest reports.

This week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed that Apple's 2025 slate includes plans to upgrade all three of the best Apple Watch models on the market, the Series line, Ultra, and Apple Watch SE. The Apple Watch SE 3 might be the only one getting a redesign, but Gurman says the more premium models may both benefit from a hefty health upgrade.

Gurman says "it's likely" both will feature Apple's rumored high blood pressure detection, along with bolstered satellite tech and 5G, but what could the health upgrade mean for Apple Watch?

Apple Watch Ultra 3's biggest upgrade

(Image credit: Future)

This isn't the first time we've heard about high blood pressure monitoring on the Apple Watch, but this latest leak might be our clearest sign yet that 2025 is the year.

Gurman outlined details about the high blood pressure monitoring late in 2024 and admitted it'll work a lot like the sleep apnea detection feature.

Crucially, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 won't be able to give you specific readings for blood pressure, either diastolic or systolic levels, likely due to the limitations of LED readings. Most smartwatches struggle with accurate blood pressure readings, with the exception of the Huawei Watch D2, which uses a physical cuff. Instead, Apple Watches will apparently be able to inform users if they're in a state of hypertension, without specifics.

As Gurman outlines, Apple is also still hard at work on noninvasive blood-glucose tracking, the holy grail of smartwatch innovation that continues to allude Cupertino.

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Ah, CES… the first big tech event of the year, and, if you're a tech journalist, likely the last thing you think about as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. Does it fill us with dread? Absolutely. Still, it's the first glimpse we get of the tech and gadgets that will define the year ahead, and CES 2025 did not disappoint.

The latest episode of the TechRadar podcast features me and our motley crew of tech experts, cozied up in a charmingly intimate broadcast room on the show floor discussing the biggest news from the show floor, analyzing the most interesting trends, and cutting through the hype.

From AI to robot vacuums, display technology to PC components, wearables to the downright weirdables, we've got plenty of ground to cover.

You can catch the episode by watching the embedded video above, or you can stream it directly via our YouTube channel, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

While you’re there, you can catch up on all of our earlier podcast episodes if you haven’t tuned in before, or browse all our other YouTube content.

Make sure to subscribe too so that you can catch our next episode, in which we'll be talking about all the latest and greatest tech news. See you there!

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TechRadar will be extensively covering this year's CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!

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People in Venezuela can now use Telegram without a VPN service.

Authorities restricted access to the popular messaging app starting Friday, January 10, 2024 and blocked its official website across all the country's main internet service providers (ISPs).

Despite the Telegram ban being lifted, the internet in Venezuela remains restricted. Most notably, the video-sharing app TikTok has entered its seventh day of blockage.

⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show messaging app Telegram is now disrupted in Venezuela, corroborating user reports of issues accessing the service; the incident comes as Nicolas Maduro is sworn in for a third presidential term, a move identified by the opposition as a coup #10Ene pic.twitter.com/7SonpVuAzNJanuary 11, 2025

Venezuelan digital rights group VE sin Filtro shared the news with a post on X (formerly Twitter).

As per VE sin Filtro data, some ISPs (CANTV, Inter, Airtek, Digitel, G-Network, and Movistar) began to lift the ban between Saturday evening and Sunday morning – about a day after the block was enforced. All the rest of the ISPs slowly unblocked Telegram by Monday, January 13.

"It's not the first time Telegram is blocked [in Venezuela]. Telegram was blocked for one day on September 2, 2024, during the wave of post-election censorship," wrote the experts, adding that encrypted messaging app Signal is also currently blocked in the country.

Increased internet censorship

Venezuela's latest wave of restrictions kicked off last week when authorities restricted TikTok on January 8 for failing to appoint a local representative.

The government's decision provoked a surge in VPN usage across the country as citizens looked for ways to bypass disruptions.

Internet disruptions were then extended to the official websites of some of the best VPN providers a day after, to prevent citizens from overcoming government-imposed restrictions.

The blockage targets over 20 VPN websites, including the likes of Proton VPN (which has been blocked since before the July 2024 elections), NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish. Despite this, all the providers contacted by TechRadar confirmed their VPN apps are still working as usual in Venezuela at the time of writing.

For the first time, the government even decided to block Canva, a free online graphic tool that can be used to create social media posts and other graphics to share online. Signal, the Tor Browser, and over 30 DNS services are also reportedly blocked.

Proton VPN recorded a spike in sign-ups at 5000% above baseline on January 9, 2025, a day before the contested Maduro’s inauguration ceremony. (Image credit: Proton)