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It’s Make-or-Break Time for AI Labeling Systems

We’re about to find out if the systems designed to make deepfakes and AI-generated content easy to spot are actually up to snuff. SynthID and C2PA Content Credentials, two distinct technologies for invisibly tagging image, video, and audio files with information about their origins, are getting their biggest expansion to date, and with it, the […]

Signs of a Deteriorating Laptop Battery

damaging practices that could be draining your laptop battery indicate that you may eventually need to swap out this crucial part. Nonetheless, the indicators of a deteriorating battery aren’t always as clear-cut as your device alerting you that it’s time for a change. This is why it’s beneficial to become acquainted with some of the subtler signs that suggest a laptop battery might be failing.

Many of the warning signs mentioned could signify a variety of technical problems. It’s accurate that a failing battery isn’t always responsible for these laptop complications. However, battery issues frequently play a significant role in such cases. While it’s wise to investigate the underlying cause of any of these concerns, which might necessitate taking your device to a technician, these are commonly indications that a laptop’s battery is nearing the end of its life.

Your laptop unexpectedly shuts down

Hacknect: Wireless Hacking USB Cable with Built-in microSD Card Slot (Crowdfunding) – CNX Software

Hacknect ESP32-S3 USB cable

Little Gadgets’ Hacknect is an ESP32-S3-powered wireless USB Type-A hacking cable with Wi-Fi control, HID automation for keyboard/mouse events, payload deployment, and a microSD card slot hidden in one of the Type-A connectors. The USB cable is designed for makers, developers, automation enthusiasts, and cybersecurity researchers and can be wirelessly controlled from your smartphone or computer. It just looks like a normal cable, so any free USB cable that comes your way may look suspicious in the future. Hacknect specifications: Wireless SoC – ESP32‑S3 with WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.x Storage – MicroSD card slot (inside one of the USB Type-A ports) USB – 2x USB Type-A male ports (Full-speed, 12 Mbps) Features: Keystroke injection – Automated keyboard payloads using HID emulation. Mouse injection – Simulated mouse movements and automated actions. Payload slots – Store and manage multiple payloads directly on the device. Wi‑Fi Triggers – Trigger actions wirelessly from […]

The post Hacknect – A wireless hacking USB cable with a built-in microSD card slot (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

The Largest Data Center in Utah is Becoming a Significant Problem

Utah may host one of the world’s most colossal data centers, despite stark warnings from experts and fierce public backlash. Earlier this month, commissioners in Box Elder County signed off on the Stratos Project: a 40,000-acre data center stretching across the county’s Hansel Valley. It’s supposed to establish American AI dominance, but potentially at the […]

Apple Set to Launch Engaging Video Starring Real Madrid on Vision Pro This Week

**Real Madrid: The Burden of Excellence Premieres This Friday on Apple Vision Pro**

Apple is poised to unveil an exhilarating new immersive video titled *Real Madrid: The Burden of Excellence*, premiering this Friday, May 22, exclusively for Apple Vision Pro users. This 20-minute documentary provides a distinct perspective on one of the most legendary football clubs in history, Real Madrid.

Leveraging Apple’s groundbreaking 180-degree immersive video format, known as Apple Immersive, the film fuses exciting on-pitch action with personal interviews featuring prominent players and figures related to the club. The documentary highlights footage recorded during the 2025 Champions League, showcasing star athletes such as Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Thibaut Courtois.

Apple has indicated that *Real Madrid: The Burden of Excellence* stands as one of its most significant productions to date within the Apple Immersive category. The film was carefully filmed using over 30 Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive cameras across a five-day span, guaranteeing a premium viewing experience.

The trailer for the documentary can be viewed [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yTXr5bX2wQ).

Early viewers have commended the film for its adept use of immersive technology, specifically highlighting that the vibrant nature of sports translates remarkably well in this format. The blend of enthralling gameplay and personal interviews crafts an engaging narrative that resonates with both die-hard football fans and casual viewers alike.

For those possessing the Vision Pro, *Real Madrid: The Burden of Excellence* will be accessible for free in the Apple TV app starting this Friday. This release is expected to further enrich the viewing experience for sports lovers and exemplify the possibilities of immersive storytelling in sports media.

As Apple continues to broaden its offerings in immersive video, fans are invited to share their opinions on their favorite Apple Immersive videos in the comments section.

AI Firms and Data Vendors Employ Fraudulent Forms to Persist in Trading Personal Information

**The Misleading Actions of Data Brokers and AI Firms: A Privacy Study Summary**

An alarming privacy study has unveiled deceptive methods utilized by data brokers and AI firms that deliberately confuse consumers attempting to withdraw consent for the sale of their personal data. An examination of the opt-out procedures of 38 prominent data-gathering organizations, including renowned companies such as Google, Meta, and OpenAI, revealed a variety of misleading strategies designed to hinder consumer attempts to safeguard their privacy.

Data brokers gather personal data from numerous sources, including app creators, websites, and public data extraction. This data is then compiled and sold to corporations, frequently resulting in unsolicited messages and targeted advertisements. The study noted that numerous companies employ misleading opt-out forms that do not truly permit users to stop the sale of their data. Common strategies include:

– **Opt-out forms that do not effectively support genuine opt-out requests.**
– **Links to opt-out procedures obscured in fine print or missing from main pages.**
– **Consumers being guided through multiple forms to fulfill a single request.**
– **Demands for users to set up accounts or subscribe before they can withdraw consent.**

Among the examined companies, major technology players were found to be participating in these tactics. For example, OpenAI’s opt-out form fails to present a clear option for opting out of data sales and instead provides a feature to erase personal information from ChatGPT responses, which does not tackle the core data concerns.

A spokesperson for OpenAI mentioned that while the firm does not market user data, it does share limited information with marketing partners for targeted advertising, resulting in confusion about their data management practices.

The audit also indicated that people-search brokers, such as Spokeo and Whitepages, were particularly problematic, offering no viable means for consumers to opt out of data sales. Instead, these firms present a painstaking process for removing individual listings while providing no guarantee that the data will not be resold in the future.

The results of this study accentuate the critical need for comprehensive federal privacy legislation in the United States, similar to Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As data brokers continue to function with minimal regulation, consumers remain at risk of having their personal information exploited.

In summary, the misleading actions of data brokers and AI firms reveal a significant deficiency in consumer privacy safeguards, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory reforms to protect individuals’ personal data in an increasingly digital landscape.

Android’s Embrace of Apple’s Handoff Functionality: A Favorable Advancement

### The Emergence of Device Continuity: Apple’s Handoff and Google’s Continue On

The allure of Apple devices has consistently blended hardware excellence with software capabilities, with the broader ecosystem playing a crucial role. Essentially, the value of Apple devices increases when you possess multiple items from their range.

Handoff exemplifies this perfectly. You can start a document on your Mac, effortlessly continue on your iPad, and then make final adjustments on your iPhone. Google is now replicating this feature in Android 17 through a new function named Continue On.

#### Continue On: Connecting the Android Ecosystem

Google’s Continue On enables users to initiate an Android application on one device and switch to another within their Android ecosystem, continuing the user experience they commenced. This feature will allow activities from one Android device to appear on other devices linked to the same account.

The initial deployment of Continue On will be restricted. Google mentions that it is intended to operate bidirectionally but will “initially” only work between Android smartphones and tablets. For instance, an activity from your phone will be visible on your tablet in the dock, allowing users to access the same document in Google Docs from their tablet via a “handoff” suggestion.

#### The Competitive Arena: Apple vs. Android

The history of Android replicating Apple features dates back to the very first Android smartphones, with Steve Jobs notoriously voicing his concerns about the resemblances to the iPhone. Since that time, the exchange of features has occurred bidirectionally. Android has mimicked iOS features, while Apple has incorporated innovations that were first introduced on Android.

While some analysts express indignation on behalf of Apple, the truth is that this rivalry serves the users of both platforms well. It compels both Apple and Google to push for further innovation, avoiding stagnation.

In the sphere of AI features, Apple users will gain directly from Google’s advancements, as numerous Apple Intelligence capabilities will be powered by Gemini models. Looking ahead, there is optimism that Apple will create its own AI models, promoting competition that stimulates progress.

In summary, the launch of functionalities like Continue On showcases the continuous development of device continuity across platforms, ultimately enriching user experience and promoting innovation within the tech sector.