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Android 15 has only just started rolling out to users, but we're already hearing news about what Android 16 could bring with it next year – including enhancements to the Advanced Protection Mode to help you lock down and secure your phone to an even greater extent than you already can.

This comes from some code digging done by the team over at Android Authority, which revealed the option to toggle Advanced Protection Mode on and off from the main Android Settings screen (right now you need to enrol through a dedicated website).

What's more, apps installed on Android will be able to check in on the status of Advanced Protection Mode, and tailor their behavior accordingly – so your individual apps will have the opportunity to put up some security barriers, as well as Android as a whole.

That this code exists doesn't necessarily mean it's going to make it all the way to the final version of Android 16, of course: it might come out earlier, or later, or not at all. But for those who are particularly keen to get the strongest level of security on their Android devices, it could add some extra peace of mind.

Keep it secret, keep it safe

Android 15 rolls out to more users this month (Image credit: Shutterstock / Mojahid Mottakin)

Don't worry if you've never heard of Advanced Protection Mode before: while it's been around since 2017, it's not used too widely. Google introduced it for users with "high visibility and sensitive information" – so think journalists, politicians, people in law enforcement, and so on.

It can actually be switched on by anyone, but you need to register a physical security key or some biometric data in order to access your Google accounts. It makes it much harder for someone else to pretend to be you, even if they have your password.

At the same time, it also means logging into your Google account takes a little longer each time you do it – that's the trade-off. If you're interested in enabling the feature, you can read more about it on Google's official support pages.

Actually, this isn't the first Android 16 rumor we've come across: last month we heard that the operating system might change the way that the Quick Settings panel gets accessed. There's also been talk that test versions of Android 16 might show up a little earlier in the year than the Android 15 betas did, perhaps before July.

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Google is set to clamp down even further on using certain unsupported extensions, most notably ad blockers, with its Chrome browser, given a new move in testing.

As spotted by Leopeva64, a regular leaker of browser-related info on X, there’s a change in the Canary (early test) build of Chrome whereby Google has entirely stripped away the ability to use Manifest V2 browser extensions, such as uBlock Origin, a popular ad blocker.

Google is already testing the removal of the option to re-enable unsupported extensions, in Chrome Canary the toggle to re-enable them is now greyed out, you can only remove them or find alternatives:https://t.co/aVxHvgB01N pic.twitter.com/zitGWq1SR2October 3, 2024

Let’s rewind a bit for background here – as you may have seen, Google has been ushering in a shift in Manifest, the platform its extensions are built on, from V2 to V3, as the latter is designed to offer better security, performance, and other benefits (there are plenty of folks who disagree, mind).

As we’ve seen in recent times, that move to Manifest V3 is now underway, and Chrome users have for some time now been warned that older extensions built on V2 are not supported by the browser.

Currently, though, you can still use a V2 extension like the mentioned uBlock Origin – though you’ll be warned against it – but as Leopeva64 spotted, in the latest Canary build of Chrome, the switch to use a disabled V2 extension is now greyed out. In other words, you can no longer make the decision to enable uBlock Origin or other V2 extensions for Chrome at all (in testing).

What you get instead is a choice to bin the extension, or find an alternative - for example, with uBlock Origin you might be redirected to uBlock Origin Lite, the V3 spin on this add-on (missing some key abilities, it should be noted, as the ‘Lite’ designation hints).

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Antonio Guillem) Analysis: Some alarms, but no surprises

Well, this is no surprise. Google has been a long time in enacting this shift from Manifest V2 to V3, and in fact, it was six years back that the new platform was first aired.

Google previously let us know that during this final stage of the transition to V3, there would be an option to keep using V2 extensions for those who really wanted to – the mentioned toggle – but that this would be removed in the future. That future has arrived sooner than we expected, though note, the change is still in testing right now.

We guess there’s a chance that this switch may not make the cut for release – as is the case with anything in testing – but given that Google has previously announced that it would be fully removing the option to run V2 extensions, it seems pretty certain that this move will be coming through to the stable version of Chrome probably very soon.

Clearly, Google is serious about trying to oust ad blockers from its browser, or at least those extensions with fuller (V2) levels of functionality. One of the crucial twists with V3 is that it prevents the use of remotely hosted code – as a security measure – but this also means ad blockers can’t update their filter lists without going through Google’s review process. What does that mean? Way slower updates for said filters, which hampers the ability of the ad-blocking extension to keep up with the necessary changes to stay effective.

(This isn’t just about browsers, either, as the war on advert dodgers extends to YouTube, too, as we’ve seen in recent months).

At any rate, Google is playing with fire here somewhat – or Firefox, perhaps we should say – as this may be the shove some folks need to get them considering another of the best web browsers out there aside from Chrome. Mozilla, the maker of Firefox, has vowed to maintain support for V2 extensions, while introducing support for V3 alongside to give folks a choice (now there’s a radical idea).

It should be noted that Google’s shift to Manifest V3 is a move with Chromium, the web engine, more broadly affecting other browsers using that engine – like Microsoft Edge (or Opera) – but specific moves like removing the V2 enable toggle here are just for Chrome (Chrome is the browser, Chromium is its underlying engine which is used elsewhere).

Via Neowin

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Cybersecurity researchers have reported finding multiple mobile applications used in so-called ‘pig butchering’ schemes, lurking on the official Google and Apple repositories.

‘Pig butchering’ is a type of financial fraud in which the victims - called ‘pigs’ - are first “stuffed”, before being “slaughtered”. In other words, the victims get led on for weeks and months, and their wallets drained and drained, before the fraudsters finally pull the trigger and disappear with the money, completely.

The apps found by Group-IB are called SBI-INT (iOS), Finans Insights (Android), Finans Trader6 (Android), and have thousands of downloads among them, suggesting that many people fell for the trick.

Bots across the world

Pig butchering mostly targets cryptocurrency users. The fraudsters would usually assume the identities of beautiful young women, and would approach the victims in casual conversation, or even flirt with them. At some point, they would introduce them to a unique, hidden, or otherwise scarce, cryptocurrency trading platform that guarantees major gains for their users. In some instances, the victims were led to believe they would earn millions through the platform, and then ride off into the sunset with their newfound significant other.

The platform is obviously fake, and built by the fraudsters as a way to steal the victim’s money. But the trick is to keep the ruse going for as long as possible. The victim is first invited to invest a little money, and then shown - through the app - their enormous gains. Obviously, these are all just numbers on a screen and the actual money is already with the fraudsters.

The victim is then enticed to invest more and more, and by the time they decide to withdraw the money - it’s already too late. To make matters worse, the “stuffing” continues even after the victim realizes they can’t withdraw. Sometimes, they will reach out to customer support (also scammers), who would tell them they need to pay a withdrawal fee.

Both Google and Apple removed the apps from their repositories as soon as they were notified.

The best way to protect against such scams is to use common sense - if something sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.

Via BleepingComputer

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If you've been using your Apple Watch on the latest watchOS 11 update, there's a vital update rolling out that should fix a range of issues experienced by users since the rollout last month.

Pushed to Apple Watch users Thursday, the new watchOS 11.0.1 update can now be installed on all of the best Apple Watch models, and corrects several serious problems.

According to Apple's release notes, the new update includes bug fixes for your Apple Watch including:

• Apple Watch may unexpectedly restart for some users
• Music app may unexpectedly restart for some users
• Battery may drain more quickly than expected
• Touch screen may be temporarily unresponsive for some Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users
• Messages may unexpectedly quit when replying to a message with a shared Apple Watch face

As you can see, that's a laundry list of inconvenient bugs that will seriously degrade your Apple Watch experience. You'll probably want to download watchOS 11.0.1 as quickly as possible. Here's how.

How to install watchOS 11.0.1

(Image credit: Future / Britta O'Boyle)

The easiest way to install watchOS 11.0.1 is to head to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Make sure you've selected the My Watch tab in the bottom left-hand corner, then select General, likely including a red number to denote there's an update available.

Then tap Software Update, where watchOS 11.0.1 should automatically show as available. Downloading might start automatically, after which you can tap the Install button to push the software to your wrist.

You'll need your Apple Watch on its charger and in range of your iPhone, which in turn needs to be connected to Wi-Fi. Once your Watch is charged to 50%, the update will install.

WatchOS 11 has been available since September and the advent of Apple Watch Series 10. It brings a wealth of new health and fitness updates including a training load tracking feature, a new Vitals app, and an improved function for adding rest days into your training program.

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It probably isn't much of a surprise that workers are overwhelmed with notifications and emails on a daily basis, but new research has suggested this is actually having a detrimental effect on day-to-day cybersecurity operations.

A Vectra AI survey has shown that 71% of security practitioners worry that they will miss a real attack buried in a flood of inconsequential alerts, as vendors scramble to cover all bases in an ever evolving threat landscape.

In some cases, threat detection tools are causing more problems than they solve, as 47% don’t trust their tools to work the way they need them to, and the majority (54%) say their workload has actually increased instead.

The signal and the noise

A staggering 81% of security pros spend over 2 hours per day trawling through and triaging security events, reporting that only 16% of the alerts they receive are ‘real attacks’.

Things are improving though, with teams are more confident in their defenses than they were a year ago. The introduction of AI is helping, with 73% saying their workload and burnout have reduced thanks to AI. Since AI is playing a bigger role in cyberattacks, many security pros are adopting it as part of their response.

“Teams believe AI delivers an attack signal that will help them identify and prioritize threats, accelerate response times, and reduce alert fatigue, however, trust needs to be rebuilt. AI-powered offerings are proving to have a positive impact, but to truly reestablish trust, vendors will need to show how they add value beyond just the technologies they sell,” said Mark Wojtasiak, vice president of research and strategy at Vectra AI.

The trust has certainly been broken between practitioners and vendors, so the introduction of AI tools may take some convincing, but almost all (89%) plan to use more AI tools to replace legacy threat detection and response.

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Google just announced loads of AI search updates including video search capabilities in Google Lens adding a whole new way for people to search the internet.

The new Video Search feature comes at a time when every major tech company is looking to one-up its competitors in the race to have truly useful AI functionality that sticks with consumers - could searching the web via video be it?

Rolling out to all Google app users on iOS and Android, Video Search flexes Google’s AI muscles just in time for the launch of Apple’s Lens competitor the Apple Intelligence feature, Visual Intelligence. Apple’s offering is yet to receive a release date but it’s at the core of the company’s marketing for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, taking advantage of Camera Control.

Visual Intelligence lets you snap an image of something and quickly get information on whatever you’re looking at. Whether you’re snapping a photo of a closed restaurant to check opening times (apparently places don’t show opening hours in their windows anymore) or aiming your iPhone’s camera at a friend’s dog to check the breed (we don’t ask questions anymore either), Visual Intelligence is essentially Apple’s competitor to Google Lens - but new video and voice features in Lens leave it behind before the feature even launches.

Search what you record

(Image credit: Google)

So how does Video Search work? And would you even want to use it? You’re now able to snap videos on Google Lens and quickly ask questions related to what you’re seeing. The example Google gave was a person recording a school of fish in an aquarium and asking Lens to analyze the species based on search results. It’s pretty cool stuff, but how much more useful is video recording than snapping a quick photo?

At the time of writing, I’ve not been able to test Google’s new Video Search functionality, which is available globally for users enrolled in Search Labs ‘AI Overview and more’ experiment. I’ve also not had the opportunity to test Visual Intelligence, and as far as I’m aware no one outside the walls of Apple has had the pleasure either. With new video search functionality and even voice search functionality coming to Lens, I can’t help but feel like Visual Intelligence is already lagging behind in the same way Siri was compared to other voice assistants when it launched back in 2011.

There are a lot of questions here and we won’t get answers for at least a few months. But I have to ask, do people even care about Video Search anyway? Or will Visual Intelligence’s dedicated launch button on the side of all iPhone 16s be enough to make people start searching without typing?

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The launch of iPadOS 18 hasn’t exactly been smooth. Apple quickly pulled the update from the iPad Pro 11-inch (2024) and the iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) following reports that it was breaking some devices, seemingly due to their M4 chipset, with the company forced to send out replacements.

This all happened around two and a half weeks ago, leaving owners of the latest iPads stuck on iPadOS 17. Now, however, you can finally get iPadOS 18 if you have one of these tablets. Or rather, you can get iPadOS 18.0.1, which has rolled out to all compatible devices.

By ‘compatible,’ we mean any device that supports iPadOS 18 (check out our iPadOS 18 compatibility explainer for the full list), though this isn’t a big update, so it will mostly be of interest to owners of the M4-powered iPad Pro models mentioned above.

Other notable fixes

In fact, all that’s here is bug fixes. The most significant being the bug that was bricking some iPads, but there are also fixes for a bug that could cause performance problems due to an issue with memory allocation, and a bug that could crash Messages if you replied to a message with a shared Apple Watch face.

That latter bug was also quite nasty, albeit easily avoidable, so it’s definitely worth downloading iPadOS 18.0.1, even if your device is already running iPadOS 18.

This update is joined by a similar iOS 18.0.1 update for iPhones, which fixes the same performance and Messages bugs, as well as a bug that causes the camera to freeze, and one that caused the iPhone’s touchscreen to become temporarily unresponsive on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.

So, this is worth downloading, too, though it’s a slightly less notable update than iPadOS 18.0.1, since iOS 18 wasn’t bricking devices.

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Nvidia has updated its new Nvidia App, currently in beta, introducing much-needed features, including G-Sync controls, RTX HDR multi-monitor support, driver rollback, and other user-requested tweaks.

Nvidia has been working on the new app since February 2024, aiming to incorporate features of its separate Nvidia Control Panel and GeForce Experience apps into a seamless and simplified one-stop shop for all Nvidia driver updates and game settings.

Nvidia claims the app will be exiting its beta testing phase by the end of the year, with a definite plan to phase out the older ones.

“Your feedback matters,” Andrew Burnes writes in Nvidia’s announcement post, “and we appreciate your continued support. In future updates, we’ll continue to add the remaining Nvidia Control Panel options, with the goal of unifying the Nvidia Control Panel and GeForce Experience’s key features in one app.

“Additionally, we intend to migrate all remaining GeForce Experience users to the new Nvidia app when it exits beta before the end of the year.”

Building a better app

Previous updates to the app have allowed users to alter their monitor refresh rate, resolution and orientation, which are essential features that have been part of the Nvidia Control Panel app for years. If Nvidia really wants its new app to replace its existing ones, then making sure it offers all of the features its users rely on. The new update adds G-SYNC controls, and, most-interestingly, RTX HDR multi-monitor support.

RTX HDR is a filter that uses AI to bring High Dynamic Range to games that weren’t designed for it, which can have a big impact on visual quality. Using it in a game is seamless; it can be activated just by typing ALT+Z, and its potential is huge: out of Nvidia’s 50 most-played GeForce games, only 12 offer HDR support. Games running on Vulkan, DirectX 9, 11, and 12 will benefit from the enhanced experience on multiple HDR-capable monitors at once.

The app also contains updates introduced based on user feedback. Now you can view system stats and latency info in game and on your desktop, and frame rates from the “heads up display” settings tab. You can also adjust how and which stats are shown, and sort and filter your games and apps, hide programs and remove manually-added programs.

The app update was released on October 1 , 2024. Users will have to install the new app beta update and GeForce Game Ready Driver 565.90 WHQL driver to take advantage of these new features.

User feedback has certainly appeared to have had a positive influence on the app’s development. Nvidia encourages users to continue sending feedback, which they can do via a button at the top right of the app. Meanwhile, features still to come include custom resolutions, surround options and multi-monitor setup.

It’s good to see big companies like Nvidia listening to their customers – as sometimes it can feel like they can forget about us and putting their financial interests first. This is especially important when making big changes to apps many of us use every day. Other companies *cough* Microsoft *cough* would do well to remember this.

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Given the potential that AI has to offer, it’s no wonder that it has the world at large hooked and businesses hurrying to integrate it into the network strategy. According to McKinsey, 65% of surveyed organizations are already regularly using GenAI, which is nearly double the percentage from their last AI survey conducted less than a year ago. However, prioritizing speed over strategy in AI adoption can lead to mistakes, including wasted resources, improper training, and potential network compatibility issues.

Businesses must avoid the trap of adopting AI merely for its novelty. A common mistake is treating AI as just an add-on to existing products or services. Instead, companies should focus on using AI tools to fundamentally improve their operations and the experiences they deliver to customers and partners.

Although businesses might consider shifting entire models to be AI-driven, it’s often more effective to start by deploying AI with specific use cases in mind, ensuring quicker value realization. Identifying specific applications where AI can have an impact allows for quicker implementation and more immediate results. For example, deploying AI in network operations can lead to significant gains in issue detection, remediation, and overall efficiency and performance. By focusing on targeted applications rather than an overarching cultural shift, businesses can achieve the benefits of AI faster, and with a greater impact.

This concept is best illustrated through what we call the ARC framework, which provides a structured approach to AI implementation. This framework outlines three pivotal stages in AI implementation: augmentation, replacement, and creation. Each stage represents a step towards maximizing the ROI from AI, demonstrating a clear progression from basic enhancements to innovative transformations that is easy for businesses to follow, no matter where they are in their AI journey.

Augmentation

The initial phase, augmentation, involves enhancing existing capabilities with AI. This is where many enterprises begin their AI journey. For example, AI can be used to improve IT operations (AIOps) by automating routine network monitoring tasks, including anomaly detection, remediation and root cause analysis, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing downtime. 

By freeing IT staff from manual tasks, they gain back the time to focus on higher-value aspects of their role. While augmentation can offer immediate benefits, such as improved performance and reduced operational costs, relying solely on this phase can limit long-term ROI. Many organizations find themselves stagnating at this stage, causing hesitance among boards regarding further AI investments.

Replacement

The second phase, replacement, involves AI taking over entire tasks previously performed by humans or outdated systems. This phase offers a more substantial boost in efficiency and cost savings. For instance, in customer service, AI chatbots can replace human agents for handling routine inquiries, freeing up human resources for more complex issues. This phase not only enhances productivity but also prepares the organization for more substantial innovation. 

By transitioning from augmentation to replacement, businesses can demonstrate tangible improvements and build confidence among stakeholders in the potential of AI. However, it should be noted that even replacement phase activities are best implemented and planned with the assistance of humans. IT staff can still embrace this phase and view it as an overall opportunity to encourage automation and optimization across their department.

Creation

The third and most transformative phase is creation. This is where the true potential of AI is unlocked, as it goes beyond just enhancing or replacing existing processes. It becomes a catalyst for entirely new business models and revenue streams. Take sports stadiums as an example. Organizers can use AI to analyze real-time data on fan behavior and preferences, allowing them to personalize their customer experiences by recommending concession items or merchandise based on past purchases. Additionally, AI can identify lucrative sponsorship opportunities by analyzing fan demographics and engagement in real-time across specific applications or areas of the stadium.

This phase demonstrates the long-term ROI of AI and its role in sustaining business growth. By creating new value propositions through AI, organizations can address any concerns of their businesses’ CFO regarding the cost-effectiveness of AI investments. The creation phase exemplifies the ultimate goal of AI implementation: fostering innovation and propelling businesses forward by creating entirely new possibilities.

Other considerations

The ARC framework offers a robust approach to integrating AI into business operations, but it's crucial to recognize that its phases can occur concurrently, not just sequentially. This flexibility allows businesses to simultaneously address various aspects of their operations, creating a more dynamic and responsive implementation process. Unlike previous technological advancements, Generative AI is moving so fast that all three phases of the ARC framework—augmentation, replacement, and creation—are often overlapping and running in parallel. At each phase, human assistance and leadership are still essential.

To fully harness the power of AI, businesses must reimagine every aspect of the user journey and lifecycle. This involves applying AI-driven insights and solutions at every step— from training and enablement to day-to-day operations. Each phase should be infused with AI to enhance and transform the overall experience.

An effective AI strategy must also be agnostic, leveraging all available technologies without becoming locked into any single one. This vendor flexibility allows organizations to adapt and integrate new advancements as they emerge, a necessity given AI's continuous evolution. Additionally, ensuring seamless integration across all people and devices is crucial. This comprehensive connectivity supports the deployment of AI across various touchpoints, enhancing its effectiveness and reach.

Conclusion

AI is more than just a technological upgrade; it's a transformative force that can redefine entire business experiences. For CIOs and business leaders, adopting AI requires a fundamental shift in how interactions with customers, partners, and vendors are envisioned. Instead of viewing AI as a simple enhancement, it should be central to business design and architecture. This approach can reshape experiences, processes, organizational structures, and business models. 

While GenAI captures much of the spotlight, the real potential lies in developing comprehensive AI ecosystems that integrate multiple technologies with existing infrastructures, driving productivity and innovation. Rather than succumbing to FOMO and rushing into AI adoption, businesses should adopt a focused, use case-driven strategy, guided by the ARC framework, to maximise ROI. This ensures that AI becomes an integral, long-term component of the business, delivering tangible benefits, justifying investments to stakeholders, and fostering ongoing support for future AI initiatives.

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