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Apple to Protect Users From Highly Targeted Mercenary Spyware

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Apple has detailed two initiatives to help protect users who may be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware. Lockdown Mode — the first major capability of its kind, coming this fall with iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura — is extreme, optional protection for the very small number of users who face grave, targeted threats to their digital security. Apple also shared details about the $10 million cybersecurity grant it announced last November to support civil society organizations that conduct mercenary spyware threat research and advocacy.
“Apple makes the most secure mobile devices on the market. Lockdown Mode is a groundbreaking capability that reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting users from even the rarest, most sophisticated attacks,” said Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of Security Engineering and Architecture. “While the vast majority of users will never be the victims of highly targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect the small number of users who are. That includes continuing to design defenses specifically for these users, as well as supporting researchers and organizations around the world doing critically important work in exposing mercenary companies that create these digital attacks.”
Lockdown Mode offers an extreme, optional level of security for the very few users who, because of who they are or what they do, may be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from NSO Group and other private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware. Turning on Lockdown Mode in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura further hardens device defenses and strictly limits certain functionalities, sharply reducing the attack surface that potentially could be exploited by highly targeted mercenary spyware.
At launch, Lockdown Mode includes the following protections:
  • Messages: Most message attachment types other than images are blocked. Some features, like link previews, are disabled.
  • Web browsing: Certain complex web technologies, like just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation, are disabled unless the user excludes a trusted site from Lockdown Mode.
  • Apple services: Incoming invitations and service requests, including FaceTime calls, are blocked if the user has not previously sent the initiator a call or request.
  • Wired connections with a computer or accessory are blocked when iPhone is locked.
  • Configuration profiles cannot be installed, and the device cannot enroll into mobile device management (MDM), while Lockdown Mode is turned on.
“Apple will continue to strengthen Lockdown Mode and add new protections to it over time. To invite feedback and collaboration from the security research community, Apple has also established a new category within the Apple Security Bounty program to reward researchers who find Lockdown Mode bypasses and help improve its protections. Bounties are doubled for qualifying findings in Lockdown Mode, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 — the highest maximum bounty payout in the industry,” the company said.
“Apple is also making a $10 million grant, in addition to any damages awarded from the lawsuit filed against NSO Group, to support organizations that investigate, expose, and prevent highly targeted cyberattacks, including those created by private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware. The grant will be made to the Dignity and Justice Fund established and advised by the Ford Foundation — a private foundation dedicated to advancing equity worldwide — and designed to pool philanthropic resources to advance social justice globally. The Dignity and Justice Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity,” the company added.
“The global spyware trade targets human rights defenders, journalists, and dissidents; it facilitates violence, reinforces authoritarianism, and supports political repression,” said Lori McGlinchey, the Ford Foundation’s director of its Technology and Society program. “The Ford Foundation is proud to support this extraordinary initiative to bolster civil society research and advocacy to resist mercenary spyware. We must build on Apple’s commitment, and we invite companies and donors to join the Dignity and Justice Fund and bring additional resources to this collective fight.”
The Dignity and Justice Fund expects to make its first grants in late 2022 or early 2023, initially funding approaches to help expose mercenary spyware and protect potential targets that include:
  • Building organizational capacity and increasing field coordination of new and existing civil society cybersecurity research and advocacy groups.
  • Supporting the development of standardized forensic methods to detect and confirm spyware infiltration that meets evidentiary standards.
  • Enabling civil society to more effectively partner with device manufacturers, software developers, commercial security firms, and other relevant companies to identify and address vulnerabilities.
  • Increasing awareness among investors, journalists, and policymakers about the global mercenary spyware industry.
  • Building the capacity of human rights defenders to identify and respond to spyware attacks, including security audits for organizations that face heightened threats to their networks.
The Dignity and Justice Fund’s grant-making strategy to research, track, and hold the enhanced cyber weapons trade accountable will be advised by an independent, global Technical Advisory Committee. Initial members include:
  • Ron Deibert, professor of political science, and director of the Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto
  • Ivan Krstić, head of Apple Security Engineering and Architecture
“There is now undeniable evidence from the research of the Citizen Lab and other organizations that the mercenary surveillance industry is facilitating the spread of authoritarian practices and massive human rights abuses worldwide,” said Ron Deibert, director of the Citizen Lab, a research group at the University of Toronto. “I applaud Apple for establishing this important grant, which will send a strong message and help nurture independent researchers and advocacy organizations holding mercenary spyware vendors accountable for the harms they are inflicting on innocent people.”
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Apple’s Beats Unveils Powerbeats Pro 2 with Heart-Rate Monitoring

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Apple Inc.’s Beats division has unveiled the long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2, which features noise cancellation, a heart-rate monitor, and a revamped design aimed at athletes. This new model incorporates capabilities seen in Apple’s AirPods, such as transparency mode for better external noise awareness and the H2 chip for enhanced sound quality. Additionally, it offers improved spatial audio for a 3D listening experience and comes with a smaller, wireless charging case.

The heart-rate monitor is a notable first for Apple-designed earbuds, expanding the company’s health-related features, and utilizes technology found in the Apple Watch. Despite a slow holiday season for Apple’s wearables business—with sales in the division falling nearly 2% to about $11.8 billion—the introduction of these new earbuds is anticipated to drive interest and sales.

Priced at $250, the same as the previous model, the new Powerbeats Pro 2 will be available in black, orange, purple, and a color called quicksand. This price point matches the AirPods Pro 2, although the Powerbeats may be more appealing to athletes due to their secure ear hooks.

Apple Vice President Oliver Schusser, who oversees Beats as well as the company’s sports, TV+, and music initiatives, hailed the new Powerbeats as “the most impressive product in Beats’ history.” Acquired by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, Beats remains the company’s largest acquisition to date.

The heart-rate monitor will be compatible with fitness apps like Peloton, Nike Run Club, Ladder, and Slopes, with data integration into the Apple Health app. The earbuds will also be compatible with Android devices. Apple is reportedly working on AirPods with heart-rate monitoring, though they are still many months away from release.

In terms of battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 holds an advantage over AirPods, with 10 hours of usage on their own and 45 hours with the charging case, compared to six hours for AirPods alone and up to 30 hours with the case. However, AirPods continue to offer unique features, such as a new hearing aid functionality.

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Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review: A Powerhouse Packed with Premium Features

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Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series has always been a crowd-pleaser, offering flagship-level features at a mid-range price. The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G continues this legacy, delivering a compelling package that excels in design, performance, and innovation.

Design and Build Quality
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G boasts a sleek and modern design that feels premium despite its affordable price tag. The phone features a glass back with a matte finish, which not only looks elegant but also resists fingerprints. The phone also features high-strength aluminium composite frame, giving it a sturdy and premium feel.

The device is surprisingly lightweight at 190 grams and has a slim profile, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The IP68 rating ensures protection against dust and splashes, adding to its durability. The placement of buttons is ergonomic, ensuring ease of use.

Display
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G features a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering buttery-smooth scrolling and animations. The screen supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, which delivers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.

With a peak brightness of 3000 nits, the display remains visible even under direct sunlight. The in-display fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate, adding to the overall premium experience. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or browsing, the display is one of the standout features of this device.

Camera
The camera setup on the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is impressive for its price range. The device features a 200MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.65 aperture, utilising 16-in-1 binning to create one large 2.24μm pixel. It has a 1/1.4” sensor size and a 7P lens. Additionally, it includes an 8MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 2MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture. The camera capabilities include dynamic shots, motion tracking focus, lightning burst, film frame, portraits, document mode, night mode, dual video, and steady video.

The primary camera captures stunning, detailed photos with accurate colours and excellent dynamic range, even in low-light conditions, thanks to Xiaomi’s advanced Night Mode. The ultra-wide-angle lens is great for capturing landscapes, while the macro lens adds versatility for close-up shots.

The device also boasts a 20MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, featuring a soft-light ring, AI beautify, night mode, portrait mode, palm shutter, and selfie timer. For front camera video recording, it supports 1080p at 30/60fps and 720p at 30fps. The front camera does a good job in both the photography and videography department.

Internal Specs and Performance
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra chipset, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G delivers flagship-level performance. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra is built on a 4nm manufacturing process. It features an octa-core CPU with a clock speed of up to 2.5GHz, and it is paired with a Mali-G615 MC2 GPU.

Paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the device handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps with ease. The 5G connectivity ensures future-proofing, while the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 support add to the device’s versatility. Gaming performance is quite food, with the device handling titles such as Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings without breaking a sweat.

AI Features
Xiaomi has integrated several AI-powered features into the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G, enhancing the user experience. These features make the device smarter and more intuitive, catering to both casual users and tech enthusiasts.

AI Erase Pro lets you easily remove unwanted clutter from your photos with just a tap, making it magically disappear. AI Image Expansion allows you to extend your image beyond its original frame seamlessly, while AI Bokeh adds a beautiful background blur to make your image subject stand out. With AI Cutout, you can identify and separate image subjects from the background, and AI Film helps you create short vlogs and videos by recommending tailored templates and soundtracks based on your chosen photos and videos.

AI Beautify enhances your photos with gender recognition and pro-level beauty features for richer and more natural effects. AI Ultra-Clear Portrait provides sharp and detailed portraits with improved face clarity. Gemini Extensions connect Gemini to other Google apps and services, while Image Generation lets you create stunning images. The Gemini Overlay offers quick access to context-aware help with what’s on your screen, enabling you to easily search and get information with just a click or circle around an image.

Battery and Charging
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is equipped with a 5110mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of heavy usage. The device supports 45W turbo charging, allowing you to quickly top up the device without any hassle.

Overall Performance
The combination of the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra, ample RAM, and optimised Xiaomi HyperOS ensures a smooth and lag-free experience. The device handles everything from everyday tasks to intensive gaming with ease. The 120Hz display and 5G connectivity further enhance the overall performance, making it a future-ready device.

Verdict
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is a stellar offering in the mid-range segment, delivering flagship-level features at an affordable price. Its premium design, stunning display, versatile camera system, and powerful performance make it a standout choice for anyone looking for a feature-packed smartphone.

The inclusion of AI features and 5G connectivity ensures that the device remains relevant for years to come. If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is an excellent choice.

Price: AED 1200

Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G AED 1200
  • Final Rating
3.5

Summary

The camera setup on the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is impressive for its price range. The device features a 200MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.65 aperture, utilising 16-in-1 binning to create one large 2.24μm pixel.

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Huawei to Launch HUAWEI Mate XT Tri-Fold Smartphone Globally in Kuala Lumpur

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HUAWEI is set to debut the Mate XT, the first commercial tri-fold smartphone, globally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 18, 2025. Previously available only in China, this innovation combines a tablet-sized screen with a smartphone form factor, potentially creating a new category of handheld devices. The Mate XT offers single, dual, and triple-screen modes, enhancing productivity and leisure.

At the same event, Huawei is expected to unveil the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2”, featuring a complete office suite and detachable HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard, aimed at setting a new standard for tablet productivity. The launch may also include the HUAWEI Band 10 and HUAWEI FreeArc, a new open-ear earbud with an earhook design.

With these new releases, Huawei aims to revolutionize consumer gadgets, integrating digital and real-world experiences. The event promises to showcase groundbreaking devices and mark a significant step in tech innovation.

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