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How Fraudsters Exploit AI to Trick You: 4 Techniques and Safety Recommendations

chatbots even excel past ChatGPT. Nevertheless, as a regrettable consequence, these tools and assistants have come into the possession of individuals who likely should not be using them. Scammers of nearly every type have embraced AI effectively, utilizing it to enhance their existing phishing schemes and elevate activities such as identity theft to alarming new levels.

The idea of a scammer employing AI tools to create realistic replicas of you and your family members, or customizing their scams to align with your preferences, is indeed quite unnerving. However, similar to how nearly every online scam has a perceptible thread to tug on, so do those augmented by AI. AI is indeed potent, but it is certainly not flawless, and if you are aware of the right indicators to watch for and implement some basic precautionary measures, even AI-augmented scammers will struggle to take your money or identity.

AI-augmented phishing scams

Reasons Your PlayStation 5 Might Need Repairs Soon

PlayStation 5 (PS5) systems utilize liquid metal for cooling during prolonged operation. The thermal interface material of the PS5 consists of a liquid metal known as Galinstan, an alloy made from tin, indium, and gallium. This metal acts as a thermal interface between the Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) and the heatsink, facilitating effective heat dissipation and excellent thermal conductivity. However, independent technicians have indicated that positioning your PS5 vertically may lead to liquid metal leakage, as gravity draws it toward the bottom of the heatsink.

Although the vertical orientation issue has not been definitively established, it remains a potential concern. If your PS5 encounters overheating and unexpected shutdowns, this may still result from thermal degradation linked to a faulty cooling system. In either scenario, the repercussions of a liquid metal leak in the PS5 could involve lasting damage, such as ongoing performance declines, sudden shutdowns — and in severe instances, an unusable console (although other factors could be causing your PS5 to show a black screen).

What are the unmistakable indicators of a PlayStation 5’s liquid metal leak

OnePlus Working on Smartphone with Battery Capacity Surpassing Total of Two Galaxy S25s

OnePlus is allegedly developing a smartphone equipped with an extraordinary 9,000mAh battery. This upcoming device, known internally as “Volkswagen,” is rumoured to have a compact sub-6-inch OLED screen featuring a 165 Hz refresh rate. It is expected to be driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. The smartphone is anticipated to include a dual-camera configuration and enable up to 80W wired charging. This battery size surpasses the combined capacity of two Samsung Galaxy S25 base models. The launch of the phone could occur in Q1 2026.

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EU Asserts iOS 26.3 Capabilities Foster Innovation

The European Union has claimed responsibility for the new interoperability features in iOS 26.3. The bloc maintains that these improvements will stimulate a marketplace for innovative products and services.

The most recent beta release focuses on making iOS more accessible, particularly by enhancing support for third-party smartwatches.

### New iOS 26.3 Features

The latest developer beta introduces three new functionalities, two of which are designed to improve compatibility with third-party hardware.

The most notable change is a Transfer to Android feature, enabling users to shift all their data to a new Android device in a fashion akin to setting up a new iPhone. Apple states in the Settings app, “Position your Android device next to this iPhone to connect and initiate the transfer process.” Once linked, iPhone users can wirelessly transfer their photos, messages, notes, apps, and more, including their phone number, to the new Android device. The latest Android beta reflects this with a feature for transitioning from Android to iPhone.

Another key feature is Notification Forwarding, which allows iPhone notifications to be displayed on third-party smartwatches, much like they appear on the Apple Watch. This feature is limited to users in EU countries to adhere to antitrust regulations.

### EU Takes Credit

The Wall Street Journal reports that the European Commission has pointed out that both features were required to comply with the Digital Markets Act. The Commission is pleased with the beta version of Apple’s iOS 26.3, asserting that developers can now test interoperability with the new functionalities arising from an EU inquiry into the company’s terms for connected devices in March under the Digital Markets Act.

A representative for the Commission remarked, “The DMA opens up new possibilities for developers to launch innovative products and services in Europe. This marks another move toward a more interconnected digital ecosystem for the advantage of all EU citizens.”

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Pirate Collective Asserts It Has Acquired Almost the Complete Spotify Library

**Anna’s Archive: The Contentious Scraping of Spotify’s Music Catalog**

Anna’s Archive, a platform that claims to be the largest open repository in history, has recently garnered attention by announcing that it has scraped an incredible 99.6% of all music found on Spotify. This extensive initiative has led to the download of nearly 300 terabytes of information, which the platform intends to offer for torrenting.

The site characterizes its actions as a “backup” of Spotify, highlighting its goal to safeguard humanity’s knowledge and culture across various forms of media, not limited to text. Historically, Anna’s Archive has concentrated on archiving books and documents but has now expanded into the domain of music preservation. The organization claims to have uncovered a technique to scrape Spotify on a large scale, enabling it to establish a significant music archive.

Although Anna’s Archive has managed to capture only about one-third of Spotify’s total 256 million tracks, it contends that the 86 million tracks it has preserved represent nearly all of the music that users actually engage with. The site utilized Spotify’s “popularity” metric to prioritize which tracks to scrape, concentrating on those with a popularity rating above zero.

In its evaluation of the data, Anna’s Archive has disclosed some fascinating insights. For example, it discovered that the three most popular songs on the platform have a total stream count that exceeds the combined streams of the least popular 100 million songs. The top three tracks include:

– **Billie Eilish** – “Birds of a Feather” with 3.137 billion streams
– **Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars** – “Die With A Smile” with 3.075 billion streams
– **Bad Bunny** – “DtMF” with 1.124 billion streams

In reaction to the scraping, Spotify has acted by disabling the accounts responsible for the data extraction. A spokesperson for the company indicated that they have put new measures in place to prevent such copyright breaches and are actively monitoring for any suspicious activities. Spotify remains dedicated to safeguarding the rights of creators and opposing piracy.

The actions of Anna’s Archive prompt crucial questions regarding copyright, data ownership, and the ethics of digital archiving. As the discussion progresses, the ramifications of such extensive data scraping on the music industry and the rights of artists are yet to be completely understood.

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Paul Dano’s Celebrated Sci-Fi Movie about AI and the Future of Humanity Now Streamable on Netflix

**Paul Dano’s Sci-Fi Tour de Force “Pantheon” Explores the Future of Humanity with AI**

In the swiftly changing realm of artificial intelligence, the intrigue surrounding AI’s possible effects on society has spurred numerous stories. Among these is the widely praised series “Pantheon,” now streaming on Netflix. This sci-fi production, featuring Paul Dano, Katie Chang, and Aaron Eckhart, investigates the crossroads of human consciousness and technology, offering a thought-provoking journey into digital immortality and technological singularity.

**A Hidden Treasure in Sci-Fi Television**

Initially debuted on AMC’s streaming service, AMC+, “Pantheon” rapidly earned the label of a “criminally underrated masterpiece.” Despite its tumultuous path, which included a cancellation of its second season for a tax write-down, the series breathed new life on Netflix. With a flawless score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% rating from viewers, “Pantheon” has enthralled audiences with its complex storytelling and engaging characters.

**Plot Synopsis**

The story revolves around three central figures: Maddie Kim, Caspian Keyes, and Vinod Chanda. Maddie, played by Katie Chang, struggles with the loss of her father, only to find out that his consciousness has been transferred to a digital space. Paul Dano’s character, Caspian, is unwittingly controlled by a technological conglomerate, while Vinod, portrayed by Raza Jaffrey, fights against his mandatory digital upload. Collectively, they unveil a conspiracy involving a covert arms competition among world superpowers.

**Themes and Perspectives**

“Pantheon” compels viewers to ponder the nature of humanity in an era of technological progress. The show’s creator, Craig Silverstein, highlights the intertwined nature of technology and human essence, urging society to be accountable for its inventions. This narrative aligns with current debates regarding AI’s influence on our forthcoming trajectory.

For those fascinated by “Pantheon,” additional sci-fi series like “Black Mirror” and “Love, Death & Robots” provide equally riveting explorations of techno-futurist concepts. As AI continues to advance, “Pantheon” remains a poignant mirror reflecting the possible directions humanity may follow.

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Evaluation of Google Pixel Buds 2a: Budget-Friendly, Comfortable, and High-Quality Earphones

Google Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds had plenty to offer, yet they lacked several significant features — such as noise cancellation. Now, Google returns with a revamped version known as the Pixel Buds 2a, which operate on Google’s Tensor A1 chip, bringing new functionalities to the earbuds, including ANC.

The Pixel Buds 2a are undoubtedly designed for Android users who desire seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem. However, they also encounter stiff competition from brands like Anker’s Soundcore, OnePlus, and Nothing. Are they worth the investment? Having used these earbuds for some time, I can attest that they perform remarkably well for their price, although some trade-offs may be more significant for you than for others.

Design

Samsung Set to Unveil Refrigerator with Gemini Integration at CES 2026

**Gemini to Debut on Home Appliances for the First Time**

Samsung is poised to create a buzz at CES 2026 with the launch of Google Gemini on household appliances, signifying a key development in smart home innovation. This groundbreaking integration will first appear on Samsung’s latest Bespoke AI Refrigerator and an AI-equipped wine cellar, demonstrating the capabilities of AI in daily household products.

**Essential Information:**

– Samsung intends to reveal the incorporation of Google Gemini in home appliances, beginning with refrigerators and wine cellars at CES 2026.
– The Bespoke AI Refrigerator will boast improved recognition features, being able to identify a greater variety of food items, including processed options, without user intervention.
– An AI-driven wine cellar will be unveiled as well, with the ability to monitor wine bottles, their placements, and offer pairing suggestions utilizing Gemini.

**Gemini’s Infiltration into Home Appliances:**

Having been previously featured in smartphones, smartwatches, and vehicles, Gemini’s move into home appliances marks a new chapter for AI technology. Samsung’s event, “The First Look,” slated for January 4, 2026, will showcase these innovations, providing insights into the upcoming era of smart kitchens.

**Transforming Kitchen Appliances:**

The Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub will incorporate enhanced AI Vision capabilities, enabling it to recognize a wider variety of food items, including those in personal containers. This functionality aims to simplify food oversight, minimizing the necessity for manual entry.

Beyond the refrigerator, Samsung’s new AI Wine Cellar will leverage Gemini to improve wine management. A strategically placed camera will recognize wine labels, updating the SmartThings AI Wine Manager instantaneously. This system will also deliver comprehensive details about wine storage locations and provide pairing recommendations based on the user’s collection.

**The Prospective Smart Kitchen Landscape:**

While Samsung fans look forward to new gadgets like the Galaxy Z TriFold and the Galaxy S26 series, the inclusion of Gemini in kitchen appliances is a significant advancement. Whether this breakthrough will be a practical enhancement for households is yet to be determined, but it undoubtedly lays the groundwork for a new age of smart home technology.

Stay tuned for live updates from CES 2026 to witness these pioneering devices in action.

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Examination of the 2026 Mac Admin Survey and Its Consequences for Apple IT on the Apple @ Work Podcast

### Apple @ Work: Insights from MacPaw’s Mac Admins Survey 2026

In the constantly changing tech landscape, overseeing Apple devices within the workplace has become increasingly vital for organizations. The latest episode of Apple @ Work features Alexander Tatarchuk, who elaborates on the results of MacPaw’s Mac Admins Survey 2026. This survey offers important insights into the challenges and trends experienced by IT professionals managing Apple devices.

#### Key Findings from the Survey

The Mac Admins Survey 2026 brings to light several significant trends and obstacles that organizations face while overseeing Apple devices. Some of the principal findings include:

1. **Device Management Challenges**: Numerous IT professionals report facing issues in handling a variety of Apple devices, especially in settings with diverse operating systems.

2. **Security Concerns**: Given the increase in cyber threats, security continues to be a major concern. The survey reveals that organizations are progressively investing in solutions to safeguard their Apple devices from possible vulnerabilities.

3. **Adoption of Unified Platforms**: There is a rising trend towards the implementation of unified management platforms that simplify the deployment and supervision of Apple devices. This method not only boosts efficiency but also lowers expenses.

4. **Remote Work Impact**: The transition to remote work has greatly affected how organizations manage their devices. IT teams are adjusting to provide support for remote employees while ensuring that security measures are upheld.

5. **Training and Support**: The necessity for continuous training and support for both IT personnel and end-users is highlighted. Organizations are acknowledging that investing in training can lead to improved device management and greater user satisfaction.

#### The Role of Mosyle

Mosyle distinguishes itself as a premier solution for organizations seeking to effectively oversee their Apple devices. As the sole Apple Unified Platform, Mosyle incorporates all essential tools for deploying, managing, and securing Apple devices without any hassle. With over 45,000 organizations depending on Mosyle, it has demonstrated to be a cost-efficient solution that alleviates the intricacies of Apple device management.

#### Conclusion

The insights from MacPaw’s Mac Admins Survey 2026 highlight the significance of proficient device management in today’s workplace. Organizations must remain aware of the latest trends and challenges to ensure they are prepared to manage their Apple devices effectively. With solutions such as Mosyle, businesses can optimize their processes and concentrate on what is most important—enhancing productivity and security in their operations.

For further insights and to listen to the complete discussion, tune into the latest episode of Apple @ Work.

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