Just a few weeks following a major global outage that triggered a global IT meltdown, CrowdStrike isn’t running away from taking ownership. The company’s president Michael Sentonas even took the stage at the Pwnie Awards to accept the award for “Most Epic Fail.”

The awards took place at Def Con, right after the Black Hat conference where CrowdStrike had one of the biggest booths, giving out free merchandise and action figures. A spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company’s message to attendees was one of “gratitude and appreciation for the Black Hat community.”

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Sentonas’ Acceptance Speech Going Viral

Footage of Sentonas’ acceptance speech has been shared online; similar to the attendees who seemed excited to give CrowdStrike another chance, the award audience was enthusiastic and appreciative of Sentonas for showing up to acknowledge the company’s mistakes.

The organizers explained that this award was a last-minute switch because the company deserved to win. Sentonas admitted this is “definitely not the award to be proud of receiving.”

“I think the team was surprised when I said straightaway that I would get it,” Sentonas continued. “Because we got this horribly wrong, we’ve said this a number of different times, and it’s super important to own it when you do things well, it’s super important to own it when you do things horribly wrong.”

Sentonas said he would be taking the trophy back to the company’s headquarters and displaying it in a prominent place, as a reminder that “our goal is to protect people, and we got this wrong, and I want to make sure everybody understands these things can’t happen.” 

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Microsoft Could Bring Surprising Changes To Curb Outages

The recent IT outage wasn’t just bad for CrowdStrike, but also a wake-up call for Microsoft. To avoid such instances in the future, Microsoft could take some serious steps, as it is evaluating blocking third-party security software from accessing the Windows Kernel, according to a blog post by John Cable, VP of program management for Windows servicing and delivery.

If this change were to be put in place, the restriction would imitate Apple’s 2020 move, which limited third-party software from accessing its core OS. The change was brought to macOS Big Sur, making sure that every system partition that contains the core OS is cryptographically verified, down to every last file.

The goal is to curb third-party entities that could melt down the whole system.
But this change isn’t easy to pull off. The company tried doing the exact same thing in 2006 with Windows Vista, curbing third parties from having Kernel access. However, the plan failed due to resistance from EU regulators and complaints from cybersecurity vendors.

The next wave of Apple Intelligence -- iOS 18.2 -- is said to come in the first week of December. As we inch closer to the launch, Apple is constantly testing the upcoming features to improve the user experience. With the beta version, anyone who has requested or signed up for the beta version will get to experience the new Apple Intelligence features, but there is a catch.

The new AI-powered image editing tools, such as Image Playground, Genmoji, and Image Wand, need an additional waiting list. Unlike the iOS 18.1 AI features, which had relatively short wait times, the new image tools come with a longer waitlist process.

To access these features, users can install the iOS 18.2 beta, users need to open the Image Playground app, or use the Genmoji feature in the emoji keyboard to request access. After users submit the request, users will be placed on a waitlist, and this time, the delay could extend for several weeks.

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iOS 18.2 Upcoming Features

The iOS 18.2 update brings several exciting features, designed to enhance both productivity and personalization for iPhone users. One notable addition is built-in ChatGPT, providing on-demand AI assistance directly within iOS.

The feature enables users to ask questions, generate text, or get quick help, seamlessly integrated across various apps. Another unique feature, Genmoji, lets users create custom and AI-powered emojis.

Another highlight feature coming in iOS 18.2 is Visual Intelligence. Available on iPhone 16, this feature identifies objects and locations. By long-pressing the Camera Control button and pointing to their phone, users can access details like hours and reviews for restaurants, copy or read text, search items on Google, and ask ChatGPT about objects.

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Apple Planning To Create Smart Glasses With Project Atlas

Apple is strongly considering making its smart glasses and is carrying out an internal study of the wearables that are currently on the market. As part of the project code-named Atlas, the tech giant has been gathering feedback from employees on smart glasses, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Apple’s Product Systems Quality team, which comes under its hardware engineering division, is the team that is conducting the exploratory study. The report said with the research, the company is planning to understand how smart glasses can be used and what features to include in them. It is also believed that Apple has plans to carry out more focus group testing down the road.

A month ago, Apple reportedly carried out another internal study focused on developing an app that helps people with pre-diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels and track what they consume. Apple’s Vision Pro, which comes at $3,499, is yet to find mainstream success due to its high price, weight, and limited content.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the company’s next flagship smartphone, has been spotted again on a benchmarking website. The handset, which is said to arrive with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, has been listed on Geekbench with higher scores compared to previous benchmark tests.

Samsung has yet to confirm the arrival of the Galaxy S25 series, but the company recently confirmed that it would launch handsets with Qualcomm’s flagship processor.

The alleged smartphone was previously spotted on Geekbench in September with an unannounced processor that was believed to be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 - Qualcomm has since unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite as its latest flagship chipset. At that time, the smartphone with the model number SM-S938U scored 3,069 points in the single-core test and 9,080 points in the multi-core test.

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Galaxy S25 Ultra Benchmark Exceeds Expectations

A recent benchmark result for the purported Galaxy S25 Ultra hints that the smartphone could offer better performance than previously expected. The entry for the smartphone on Geekbench shows that it scored 3,148 points on the single-core test, and 10,236 points on the multi-core test.

This is a significant boost in performance compared to the listing that appeared on Geekbench two months ago. As per the entry for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the smartphone will be packed with 12GB of RAM and run on Android 15 out of the box, along with Samsung’s revamped One UI 7 interface, which is not expected to break cover until early 2025.

In October, a tipster claimed that all three models expected to debut as part of the Galaxy S25 series would be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Eite chip. However, a recent Geekbench listing for the alleged Galaxy S25+ model suggests that the handset could come packed with an unreleased processor from the company -- this could be the company’s Exynos 2500.

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Samsung Tipped To Launch Affordable Galaxy Z Flip FE in 2025

Samsung could launch a more affordable variant of its flagship Galaxy Z Flip series smartphone dubbed the Galaxy Z Flip FE next year, as per a tipster. The South Korean technology giant unveiled a Special Edition model of its top-tier Galaxy Z Fold 6 in select markets a few weeks ago, but that was priced considerably higher than the standard variant.

Meanwhile, the alleged Galaxy Z Flip FE is said to come with toned-down internals to reduce costs. In a post on the South Korean blogging platform Naver (via Android Authority), tipster @yeux1122 hinted that the company might be developing a more affordable variant of the Galaxy Z Flip series. The said device is expected to hit the market in 2025.

If rumors are to be believed, the fourth-gen SE might arrive in early 2025, with production expected to kick off by the end of 2024. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to start mass production of the iPhone SE 4 as early as December 2024.

If reports are to be believed, fans could see the SE 4 launch by March or April 2025. Kuo notes that the company anticipates producing around 8.6 million units of this new budget-friendly model in the first quarter, featuring several significant upgrades over previous models.

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What To Expect From iPhone SE 4

The iPhone SE 4 is said to pack a more modern look, resembling the iPhone 14 with a full-screen display and slim bezels. The smartphone will skip the Touch ID home button, a staple of earlier SE models. Instead, the new SE is likely to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display, a major improvement over the 4.7-inch LCD screen of the SE 3.

Apple is reportedly planning to equip the SE 4 with its latest A18 series processor, the same one found in the iPhone 16 series. Moreover, it will be backed by 8GB RAM, supporting Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI-driven suite, and ensuring smooth multitasking and future-ready performance.

As for cameras, it could come with a 12MP rear camera, the iPhone SE 4 is likely to feature a single-lens 48MP rear camera. While it won’t match the cameras on premium iPhones, this camera should offer decent image quality, backed by the company’s Apple’s computational photography features like Smart HDR and Night Mode. A 12MP front camera is said to offer better selfies.

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iPhone SE 4 Pricing And Availability

Battery life on the SE 4 is set to improve, with rumors hinting a 3279mAh battery- significantly larger than the SE 3’s 2018mAh capacity. Charging speeds are said to stay at 20W, but the company may add MagSafe support, a feature previously limited to top-tier models. Moreover, in line with EU regulations, Apple will include USB-C charging. Other expected upgrades include Wi-Fi 6 support and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Speaking of the price, the iPhone SE 4 could retail in the US between $499 and $549, a step up from the SE 3’s starting price of $429. For the Indian market, it will start around Rs 45,000, slightly higher than the SE 3’s launch price of Rs 43,900, though still significantly below Apple’s flagship models. With its affordable price point, the iPhone SE 4 could become a popular choice for those entering the Apple exosystem or upgrading from older models.

Android 16 is the next operating system (OS) from Google expected to come as a successor to Android 15, which came out in September. While Google has confirmed the timeline for the update’s release, an exact date is yet to be announced. However, a recent report has hinted that Android 16 could be launched for devices much sooner than previous iterations, with the summer of next year being tipped as the most likely period for its launch.

As per a report from Android Headlines, Android 16 will be moved to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) on June 3. It will also reportedly be made available as an over-the-air (OTA) update for Google Pixel devices, which are usually the first in the market to get the latest Android updates, on the same day.

AOSP is a source code repository that contains the core of the Android OS. When Android 16’s source code is made available on this platform, developers will be able to create custom variants of the OS catering to their respective devices and port it for the launch.

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What To Expect From Android 16

Google has already confirmed that it will have a major Android release in Q2 2025, followed by a minor release in the fourth quarter. This is in contrast to the typical Q3 launch window where the latest Android OS is usually rolled out. The company says it wants the software to be launched for eligible devices at a faster rate and its decision was made to “better align with the schedule of device launches.”

Previous reports have hinted that Android 16 could let third-party developers access Rich Ongoing Notifications, which is the OS version of Dynamic Island. It allows them to add custom text, background colors, and icons to the status bar chips. However, its capability must first be integrated within apps before end users can see it on their devices.

The update is also reported to have a new “bubble anything” feature that might enable users to use any app in a floating window on smartphones and tablets for an improved multitasking experience.

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Nothing Could Develop Own MobileOS as Android Alternative

Nothing is considering the development of its own mobile OS, according to CEO and founder Carl Pei. The UK startup’s smartphones currently run on Google’s Android operating system, with a custom interface running on top.

Most smartphones today run on Android, while Apple’s iPhone models run on iOS, the company’s mobile OS. Developers offering access to popular apps on Android and iOS through the Play Store and App Store, respectively, while Huawei’s HArmonyOS is attempting to bring a third alternative, and Nothing could eventually join the party.

Amazon has assured users about fixing issues with the Kindle Colorsoft, its first color e-reader after complaints from early buyers emerged that a yellow band of discoloration appears on the bottom of the display. The company is making “adjustments” so that new devices will not have the yellow band; people who already have a unit can reach out to Amazon for a refund or replacement.

“We take the quality of our products seriously,” Amazon spokesperson Jill Tornifoglio wrote in an email to The Verge. “Customers who notice this [yellow band] can reach out to our customer service team for a replacement or refund, and we’re making the appropriate adjustments to ensure that new devices will not experience this issue moving forward.”

Existing users can keep using the Colorsoft until they get a replacement, Tornifoglio assured. She added that shipping dates may slide around while the company works to fulfill those replacements alongside new orders for the device.

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Screen Issues Causing Delay In Shipments

Shipping dates will vary depending on where users are, but generally, Colorsoft isn’t shipping earlier than next week for US buyers. In the UK, people report seeing even more delays, with shipments pushed out to the end of the month. Before the complaints, people could expect the tablet to arrive within a more typical day or two in the US.

The delays come after people who first received the device started reporting the appearance of a yellow band along the bottom of its display. Multiple users on a Reddit thread talked about the delayed shipping times saying the company contacted them after they left negative reviews. As of now, 1-star ratings make up around 30 percent of Colorsoft reviews on Amazon.

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Amazon Prime Video Will Let You Use AI To Recap Episodes

Amazon Prime Video is getting a new generative AI-powered feature to help users catch up with a show. The new tool, dubbed X-Ray Recaps, can create text summaries “of full seasons of TV shows, single episodes, and even pieces of episodes,” the company says in a blog post.

X-Ray Recaps will be accessible from the detail page of a show or in X-Ray while users are watching something. The tool “analyzes various video segments, combined with subtitles or dialogue, to generate detailed descriptions of key events, places, times, and conversations,” Amazon says.

Amazon has also applied “guardrails” to help the feature avoid sharing spoilers and to keep summaries concise. X-Ray Recaps, which are currently in beta, are already available to Fire TV devices, the company says. The feature, at launch, will work with all Amazon MGM Studios Original series.