Technology

For the disability community, technology can be the most valuable travel companion. These apps and services make it easier to get around a new city.

We spoke with an expert about who could benefit from a lymphatic drainage massage -- and how to tell if it's working.

Several important refinance rates ticked up this week, so it might be worth waiting.

A few important mortgage rates inched up. Here's what experts say is next for the housing market this year.

If visible crease issues have so far been stopping you from picking up one of the best foldable phones on the market, we've got some good news: the rumor is that Samsung's next folding handset is going to have a far less noticeable crease.

This tip comes from serial leaker Ice Universe, who has one of the better track records when it comes to rumors. Apparently the "crease control" in the upcoming Special Edition of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is "better than ever".

Now we're not expecting this Special Edition model to appear anywhere outside of South Korea and China, but it augurs well for future Samsung foldables that will be available more widely – including the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

As per well-respected industry analyst Ross Young, the improvement may be down to Samsung using Ultra Flexible Glass (UFG) for the first time: this high-strength panel tech is a little thinner around the crease, meaning a more seamless look.

Crease is the word

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 special editionThis time, they have done a good job in crease control, better than ever.October 12, 2024

Foldable display technology has improved significantly down the years – don't forget that the first Galaxy Fold phone launched in 2019 – but these screens still aren't completely flat when they're opened out, because of the underlying hinge.

Even on our favorite folding phones, including the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the OnePlus Open, the crease is still visible – although to give credit to OnePlus, on the OnePlus Open you do have to be looking pretty closely to be able to see it.

We'll have to wait and see for ourselves how much progress Samsung has made in this department, but it's fair to say that progress is being made year-on-year. The crease issue is apparently one of the reasons we haven't seen a folding iPhone yet.

As for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition, previously leaked renders have suggested it's going to be a thinner model, with larger screens on the inside and outside. It should make an appearance in the coming months.

You might also like...

• The next Motorola Razr might be able to close on its own
• I love my Amazon Kindle but foldable phones beat it
• Switch to a foldable phone and you might never go back

Apple Intelligence’s ChatGPT integration and its iPhone 16 exclusive feature, Visual Intelligence, could come sooner than expected as part of iOS 18.2.

While the well-connected Mark Gurman already hinted that ChatGPT integration would arrive in iOS 18.2, we had no info on Visual Intelligence’s arrival past Apple’s “later this year” promise. This new info, found by Aaron Perris on X, shows references to “Siri with ChatGPT” and “Visual Intelligence” found in Apple's code.

ChatGPT integration will enable you to access the chatbot via Siri on the newest models among the best iPhones, while Visual Intelligence takes full advantage of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro’s Camera Control so you can snap images and search for results using AI – think of it as Apple’s Google Lens competitor.

Based on this info, it’s expected that both free Apple Intelligence upgrades could arrive as part of iOS 18.2 which should be entering beta shortly. This comes at an exciting time for Apple users as we get closer to October 28th, iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence’s leaked release date.

Just found new references to "Siri with ChatGPT" on Apple's backend. Looks likely that it will come in iOS 18.2, as predicted. pic.twitter.com/U6qkhSVy9kOctober 13, 2024

Apple Intelligence’s ChatGPT integration

Siri's new redesign in iOS 18.1 activated on an iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Apple )

ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool in the world, and having it incorporated into Siri is going to be a major addition to the iPhone. Siri’s big Apple Intelligence upgrade won’t arrive until 2025, but ChatGPT integration is a nice stop-gap until then. You’ll be able to ask Siri to contact ChatGPT’s servers to create meal plans, summarize articles, and even write code.

The other feature here, Visual Intelligence, is the iPhone 16’s exclusive Apple Intelligence feature, and lets you use Apple AI to search for anything you can see. You’ll be able to simply snap a photo with Camera Control, the new side button, and Apple Intelligence will give you information about what you’re looking at. Want to know a restaurant’s opening times? You got it! How about a dog’s breed? Yep, it can do that too.

While this new information doesn’t confirm the inclusion of Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.2, it does make it incredibly likely. So if you’ve read our iPhone 16 review and are waiting patiently for Visual Intelligence, you might just be in luck sooner rather than later.

You might also like...

• The Apple Intelligence launch is a mess
• iPhone 16 Pro review
• My parent's iPhone 14 Pro Max phones are not getting Apple Intelligence

Nvidia’s RTX 5090 may not be as eye-wateringly expensive as a recent rumor suggested, according to another leaker who has chimed in on the matter.

Moore’s Law is Dead floated the idea of an RTX 5090 that could cost from $2,000 up to $2,500, but on X, Kopite7kimi – another regular leaker in the world of GPUs – has claimed that this is ‘totally fake’ no less.

Totally fake.October 10, 2024

Kopite7kimi adds to the thread: “I don’t believe there will be a significant price increase for RTX 5090.”

Predictably enough, the subsequent replies on X are full of attempts at guessing what the price point of the RTX 5090 might be. Not to mention trying to get the leaker to offer something firmer than there not being a significant hike for the next-gen flagship GPU, but Kopite7kimi wouldn’t be drawn to add anything else.

(Image credit: Nvidia / Future) Analysis: Make some noise (once again), PC gamers

Clearly, Kopite7kimi feels quite strongly about the RTX 5090 pricing prediction from Moore’s Law is Dead, as shown by the language of their reply (‘totally fake’ is a pretty blunt statement, let’s face it).

Of course, Kopite7kimi is still predicting a price hike for the RTX 5090 GPU, but just that Nvidia won’t make this a ‘significant’ increase, which we guess would indicate something in the region of a rise of $100 to $200 ($300 at a push, perhaps).

We’d like to be reassured by this latest nugget from the grapevine, but we remain nervous about the potential pricing of the RTX 5090 – and the rest of the next-gen Blackwell range of graphics cards for that matter. Notably, Kopite7kimi doesn’t talk about the price of the RTX 5080 here (or RTX 5070), which are the GPUs where the cost is really going to matter to consumers when it comes to buying one of the best value GPUs.

Nvidia’s flagship graphics cards remain a relatively niche proposition, and to some extent there is an attitude that people will pay through the nose for these GPUs, almost whatever the cost (within some kind of vague reason). And that’s partly why expectations of the RTX 5090 costing so much are relatively easily accepted (not meaning that people like this notion, not at all – it’s just that they can readily believe it, ourselves included).

If you look at the prices that the current RTX 4090 has hit now (Lovelace flagship models are continuing to rise in price), and you take into account Nvidia’s big AI ambitions – with heavyweight Blackwell GPUs for AI usage that make a fortune, turning huge profits compared to GeForce graphics cards, so AI is where the priority for chip allocation will inevitably lie – it’s easy enough to be pessimistic about how much the RTX 5090 will cost.

We guess the good news here, though, is the expression of such a different viewpoint on the potential price hike for the RTX 5090 reminds us that the rumor mill is a volatile place by its very nature.

We should further remember that Moore’s Law is Dead did also heavy caveat his pricing prediction in terms of it being Nvidia exploring and mulling where to pitch its next-gen GPUs – no actual decision has been made yet. Indeed, the YouTuber further raised the possibility that letting slip these prices could even be an intentional move from Nvidia to gauge reaction from PC owners out there (as if you couldn't predict what that would be).

Still, the point remains that all the rumor peddlers out there are saying Nvidia has not made any decision on pricing yet. And in that respect, it may not be a bad idea to pre-emptively rail and make noise about potentially hefty price hikes for Blackwell GPUs – to ensure Team Green hears the displeasure of would-be buyers of the RTX 5090, and indeed 5080 and 5070. All of these next-gen GPUs might be aired at CES 2025 (possibly alongside new Blackwell laptop graphics cards, too).

You might also like

• Nvidia’s RTX 5090 now rumored to have superfast clock speeds – as well as being super-slim – could this GPU be too good to be true?
• Top gaming PCs: great rigs for serious PC gaming
• Best PC games: must-play titles you don't want to miss

Take advantage of interest rates up to 5% APY while you still can.

We’ve been hearing reports of a foldable iPhone for years, and rumored launch dates have slipped ever later, with recent leaks suggesting the foldable iPhone wouldn’t land until late 2026 or 2027. However, a new leak suggests we might actually see it as soon as 2025.

This comes from Taiwanese site United Daily News (via @Jukanlosreve), which claims that Apple has accelerated its development of a foldable iPhone, and has been in frequent contact with Taiwanese manufacturers to try and get key components like the bearings ready for mass production by the end of this year.

This in turn apparently means that the foldable iPhone is likely to launch sometime next year. The site doesn’t say when, but we’d guess that, if this is accurate, it might launch in September, alongside the iPhone 17.

Ever increasing interest and competition

So, why is Apple reportedly accelerating the launch? According to United Daily News, it’s because Samsung, Huawei, and other brands are frequently releasing foldable phones, and the product category is getting ever more popular as a result.

So, now that there’s an appetite for these products, the time could be right for Apple to launch one. Many of the early teething problems with foldable phones have also been ironed out in recent models like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – though minor issues like creases in the screen remain.

All that said, we’d take this rumor with a pinch of salt, since most previous leaks regarding the foldable iPhone suggest we’ll be waiting longer. But it sounds like United Daily News has sources in the supply chain, so they may well be right in saying that production is being accelerated.

In which case, Apple could be launching two totally new models in September, with both the foldable iPhone and the previously leaked iPhone 17 Air possibly landing.

You might also like

• iPhone 16 Pro too dull? These leaked 17 Pro colors could be worth waiting for
• iPhone 16 Pro Max review: a beautiful, intelligent beast
• The iPhone 17 Pro could have yet another new button

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is building a new plant in Germany in order to address ongoing interest and continued investments in AI.

The news comes as part of the company’s efforts to expand globally, including across Europe, the US and Asia – a move confirmed by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council Minister, Wu Cheng-wen (via Bloomberg TV).

Wu confirmed that the construction of a facility in Dresden, Germany had already started, with opening more plants already on the agenda.

Taiwan is building more chip plants in other regions

The Minister confirmed: “[TSMC is] already planning the next few fabs in the future for different market sectors as well.”

TSMC, the world’s largest chipmaker, is reportedly investing billions to build new manufacturing sites in the US, Japan and Germany for a handful of reasons, including meeting demand for powerful components and mitigating risks associated with ongoing geopolitical tensions in China, which has resulted in import and export restrictions and tariffs in recent years.

The company’s $10.9 billion chip fabrication facility in Dresden is expected to be operational by the end of 2027 thanks to around 50% funding from state subsidies.

Alluding to ambitions to work more closely with the European Union, Wu hinted at opportunities from next-generation European chip designers like Germany’s Black Semiconductor and the Netherlands’ Axelera AI. However, US pressures could continue far beyond the upcoming presential election.

We added: “Short term, maybe it’s painful for Taiwanese companies because it’s more expensive if they move over there… But in the long run, maybe it’s good for them, from my point of view, because they can improve themselves.”

Moreover, relations between Taiwan and the Czech Republic have strengthened in recent months, which could represent an open door for TSMC into Europe.

More from TechRadar Pro

• Check out the best AI tools and best AI writers
• We’ve rounded up a list of all the best cloud computing services
• $6.6 billion given to Taiwan semiconductor giant to shore up US chip manufacturing

A quick start out of the gate is an enormous advantage for sprinters, swimmers, jockeys and race car drivers alike. It’s also extremely valuable to cybercriminals. By exploiting a zero-day vulnerability before anyone else knows about it, cybercriminals gain an early window to infiltrate systems and achieve goals like stealing data or deploying ransomware while avoiding detection.

Attacks that exploit zero-day vulnerabilities cannot be prevented — but they can be faced with confidence. This article offers practical guidance containing these threats by building a resilient IT infrastructure that features reducing the attack surface, fast detection and effective response.

The Frustration of Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

It is an inescapable fact that every operating system and software application have vulnerabilities that are not yet known by the vendor or the organizations using the product. Another unhappy fact is that cybercriminals are constantly looking for these vulnerabilities, and when they find one, they begin working hard to find a way to exploit it.

Organizations need to come to terms with the reality that adversaries sometimes succeed in developing an effective zero-day attack and there is little they can do to prevent the initial strike. Instead, they must focus on blocking the escalation of the threat and preventing attackers from gaining access to precious data or establishing control over the whole system.

Essentially, exploitation of a zero-day vulnerability is just the first stage of a longer battle for control over your valuable digital assets. To win that battle, security teams must proactively reduce their exposure to attack, stay on top of vulnerabilities, master threat detection and response, and ensure they can restore operations quickly after an incident.

Reducing the Attack Surface

The first priority in reducing the risk from zero-day vulnerabilities is to minimize the attack surface. Core strategies that will help include disabling unneeded services, implementing a robust patch management process, and segregating your network into distinct segments to isolate critical systems and sensitive data.

Another critical best practice is configuring stringent access controls that adhere to the least privilege principle. Even if an attacker gets into the system, their ability to move laterally will be restricted, since each account has only the access rights necessary for the user to perform their tasks.

For an even more robust approach, highly privileged accounts can be replaced with just-in-time (JiT) elevated privileges that are granted only after additional verification and that last only as long as needed for the task at hand. Such an approach further limits the ability of an adversary to escalate privileges.

Discovering and Mitigating Vulnerabilities

What makes a vulnerability a zero-day is that it is discovered by adversaries and exploited in attacks before anyone else knows about it. Software vendors usually quickly provide a security patch or mitigation strategy. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to perform the recommended action in good time, so they remain at risk from the vulnerability far longer than necessary.

Accordingly, a robust patch management strategy is another vital element in reducing the attack surface area. That strategy should include scanning systems for unpatched vulnerabilities so they can be mitigated promptly. One option is a traditional patch management tool that scans systems regularly. However, as the number of software products in use has grown, this process now takes more time than ever before. Modern solutions use a discovery process known as a scan-less scan, which maintains a real-time inventory of the software installed on the system and flags any vulnerabilities as they appear.

Detecting Threats in Their Early Stages

Attackers don’t advertise the time and place that they are going to attack, but entire websites are devoted to detailing the tactics and techniques that they use. Identity threat detection and response (ITDR) solutions leverage this knowledge, with a focus on detecting threats relating to identity and access control systems. Signs of these threats include unusual login attempts, suspicious access requests and unplanned changes to privileges. Detection of a threat can trigger automated responses like blocking access and resetting credentials.

Organizations also need an endpoint detection and response (EDR) system. EDR complements ITDR by monitoring endpoints for potentially malicious activity and enabling prompt response to those threats.

Of course, if these solutions flag too many events as suspicious, security teams will be overwhelmed with false alerts. Accordingly, file integrity monitoring (FIM) is also crucial, since it can filter out planned system changes and empower IT teams to focus on swift response to real threats.

Ensuring Quick Recovery

Organizations must also be prepared for attacks that succeed in taking down key systems and destroying or encrypting valuable data. To minimize disruption to the business in the wake of an incident, they need a documented strategy for data recovery and getting processes back on track as soon as possible.

A robust recovery plan starts with backing up key data and systems, testing those backups carefully and storing them securely. If attackers make malicious changes, IT teams should be able to identify the specific assets involved and granularly reverse the modifications. In a broader disaster, IT pros need to be able to quickly restore key domain controllers, applications and data to reduce downtime and business losses.

Conclusion

While it is not possible to prevent cybercriminals from discovering and exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, organizations can and should take action to reduce the impact of these attacks. By implementing the practices above, organizations can build a multi-layered security strategy that enhances their resilience against not only zero-day exploits, but other types of cyberattacks and insider threats.

We've rated the best identity management software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

The Irish capital's embrace of big tech is filtering through to its startups, who are building better tools for IT teams, AI content moderation tools, and RNA screening for herds of cattle.

The Spanish capital is drawing talent from Latin America, and its eye-catching startups are working on smarter payments, eldercare, and an AI-powered virtual nurse.

The Finnish capital's most exciting startups are building nuclear-powered heating networks, better weather forecasting tools and an esports streaming platform that lets viewers bet on the outcome.

The Portuguese capital's most exciting startups include a platform to help entrepreneurs get going, a smart punchbag, and the Uber of hair salons.

There are around 4,000 startups in Amsterdam—the best 10 are tackling forest fires, decarbonizing plastics, and building robot bricklayers.

The French capital has become the home of Europe's growing AI industry—but alongside giants like Mistral are startups building EV charging infrastructure and trying to revolutionize social media.

The Swiss capital might be most associated with fintech, but its startups are also focussing on medical robotics, AI-powered language learning, and the batteries of the future.

The Swedish capital produced Skype, Spotify, Klarna and Minecraft—its stars of the future are building fintech for businesses, GenAI for lawyers, and full-body health care scans.

A cluster of European cities within a five-hour train ride of London could become a unicorn factory to rival Silicon Valley, argues tech investor Saul Klein.