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Grasping an HDMI Port ‘Dummy Plug’

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard has been in existence since 2002 and is currently the most prevalent method for transmitting a video signal from a device to a display. But what if there is no need to send video to a screen, yet you still wish to utilize your device? This is where an HDMI dummy plug comes into action, facilitating what is referred to as headless operation. This may sound cumbersome, but in the context of HDMI, it simply implies that you can operate your system without a connected monitor.

These plugs deceive the host computer into believing that a display is connected when it is not. A prime example of the practicality of an HDMI dummy plug is when you need to keep a computer running for extended periods, perhaps for home automation, without the necessity of accessing the monitor. Maintaining a monitor and cables occupies a significant amount of space, particularly when utilizing a small form-factor PC for various automation tasks.

The energy consumption of a monitor may also be a factor for those who may have a PC running continuously throughout the day. Moreover, a primary consideration for many is utilizing an HDMI dummy plug for game streaming: if a monitor is not connected, your GPU may be restricted from outputting at maximum resolution, as it is searching for a display to establish the correct output size.

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Cloudflare Service Interruption Affects X, ChatGPT, and Various Other Platforms

Cloudflare Outage Demonstrates How a Single Point Can Disrupt the Modern Internet

What you should know:
– Cloudflare—a critical internet infrastructure provider—has experienced a severe outage, disrupting a significant portion of the global web.
– The situation was identified as a worldwide issue involving “extensive 500 errors” and an “internal server error.”
– The breakdown rapidly incapacitated major services, including X, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, creative platform Canva, and favored online games like League of Legends.

Typically, the internet is chaotic, but today, November 18, 2025, it ceased to function as a utility and transformed into a high-stakes, worldwide comedy of errors.

Around 6:00 am ET, a substantial section of the internet went offline. The culprit was Cloudflare, a firm that provides essential network infrastructure for numerous websites. Thus, when it fails, the digital realm struggles to recover.

Users attempting to access everything from X to the film review site Letterboxd encountered the universally dreaded “internal server error on Cloudflare’s network.”

Cloudflare acknowledged this as a worldwide problem with “extensive 500 errors.” To complicate matters, the company’s own diagnostic tools and API also became nonfunctional, leaving the team addressing the issue without their usual support.

The list of affected services was extensive, highlighting how integral Cloudflare is to our daily activities. Not only did social media platforms go offline, but AI applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT also became unavailable. Creative workers couldn’t access Canva, and famous online games like League of Legends were similarly down.

One of the most ironic aspects of this outage was that services designed to monitor internet issues, such as Downdetector, were also impacted. When the site intended to report outages is also down, it indicates the severity of the predicament.

Cloudflare conceded that the situation was serious, stating it was “investigating an issue that affects multiple customers.” The company did not provide a specific explanation, but it is notable that Cloudflare had scheduled maintenance at its Santiago (SCL) data center that same day, from 12:00 to 15:00 UTC.

This outage mirrors previous major disruptions, like the infamous Amazon Web Services (AWS) failures. It underscores how heavily the modern internet relies on a few central infrastructure providers. Initial reports indicated some improvement in locations like the UK, but US users soon encountered additional error notifications.

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Lumia 2 Earrings Released with Enhanced Tracking Capabilities Exceeding Smartwatches

Step aside, intelligent rings.

(Image credit: Lumia)

Key information to consider

  • Lumia 2 introduces the first global smart earrings designed to monitor health indicators such as blood flow and sleep patterns.
  • These customizable earrings come in various styles and finishes, suited for different types of earrings utilizing cutting-edge ‘SwitchBack’ technology.
  • The earrings deliver comprehensive insights regarding hydration, nutrition, and posture, aiding personal health choices for a price of just $249.

This represents the type of fashionable technology that I support. Fitness gadgets that effortlessly integrate with your style, resembling earrings, and the unique aspect is their customizability. Today (Nov. 17), Lumia unveiled the Lumia 2, the world’s inaugural smart earrings that monitor blood flow to your head.

The company claims that the Lumia 2 is crafted from platinum and titanium and can be styled in multiple formats, including Huggie Hoops, Cuffs, and Ball Studs. They are offered in six finishes, notably Gold, Silver, and Clear. Moreover, they can attach to any push-back earring through their ‘SwitchBack’ technology, although this functionality is currently pending patent approval.

Initially, these smart earrings were mainly aimed at assisting those with chronic ailments such as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and Long COVID, but Lumia has now declared that these earrings will be accessible to the general public.

Google Calendar’s Latest Task Functionality Boosts Efficiency

Google Calendar has finally started acknowledging your to-do list.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

Essential information

  • You are now able to reserve time for tasks in your Google Calendar, thus removing the requirement to create misleading “focus time” events.
  • You can directly place a task into an available calendar time slot, adjust its length, and maintain its connection to your Tasks list with existing reminders.
  • Updated controls allow you to hide the event, enable Do Not Disturb mode, and automatically decline meeting invitations during your task periods.

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Apple Adopts 3D Printing Technology for Manufacturing Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3: A Summary

### Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3: A Breakthrough in 3D Printing Innovation

In a recent press announcement, Apple disclosed its integration of 3D printing into the production of the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, a notable step forward in eco-friendly manufacturing practices. For the first time ever, both variants are produced from 100 percent recycled aerospace-grade titanium powder, a scenario that Apple asserts was previously regarded as unfeasible on a large scale.

#### The Influence of 3D Printing on Production

Apple’s pioneering strategy in 3D printing has resulted in significant improvements in the ecological impact of its watch manufacturing. The company underscores the importance of harmonizing the robustness and visual aesthetics of the Apple Watch with the adoption of this contemporary production technique.

As stated by Apple, “This year, all Apple Watch Ultra 3 and titanium Apple Watch Series 11 cases are 3D-printed with 100 percent recycled aerospace-grade titanium powder.” This technique enables a glossy mirror finish on the Series 11 and ensures that the Ultra 3 preserves its lightweight and sturdy qualities, addressing the requirements of active users.

The additive process of 3D printing starkly contrasts traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques, which frequently result in substantial material waste. By layering titanium powder to form the final design, Apple has diminished the volume of raw material required by 50% relative to earlier models. This transition has led to an astounding saving of over 400 metric tons of raw titanium in 2025 alone.

#### Environmental Targets and Accomplishments

Sarah Chandler, Apple’s vice president of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation, pointed out the importance of this reduction, remarking, “A 50 percent decrease is a monumental success — you’re obtaining two watches from the same volume of material utilized for one.” This development is in line with Apple’s greater commitment to achieving carbon neutrality throughout its entire supply chain by 2030. At present, all electricity utilized in the production of the Apple Watch is derived from renewable sources.

The 3D printing innovation has also improved the waterproof features of the antenna housing in wireless models of the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3. This enhancement illustrates the adaptability and possibilities of 3D printing beyond merely watch cases.

#### Wider Uses of 3D Printing

Apple’s investigation into 3D printing goes beyond the Apple Watch. The company has successfully developed a USB-C port for the new iPhone Air, employing the same recycled titanium powder. This advancement has allowed the creation of an extremely slim yet robust port, showcasing the versatility and benefits of 3D printing in contemporary electronics.

#### Conclusion

Apple’s adoption of 3D printing in the production of the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 signifies a notable advancement in sustainable technology. The utilization of 100 percent recycled materials not only diminishes waste but also boosts product performance. As Apple persists in its innovative endeavors, it sets a benchmark for the technology sector, demonstrating how cutting-edge manufacturing methods can yield both environmental and functional gains. For further information, the complete press release can be found on Apple’s website.

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WhatsApp Security Flaw Exposes 3.5 Billion Phone Numbers, Possibly Including Yours

### WhatsApp Security Vulnerability Exposes Billions of Phone Numbers

A major security flaw in WhatsApp has been uncovered, indicating that the phone numbers of nearly all users worldwide were compromised. This issue, initially reported to parent company Meta in 2017, went unresolved for years, leading to a potential data exposure of unparalleled magnitude.

#### The Nature of the Exploit

Security experts discovered a simple exploit that permitted them to extract around 3.5 billion phone numbers from the messaging service. The experts observed that had malicious actors taken advantage of this same technique, it could have resulted in “the largest data breach in history.” The exploit leverages WhatsApp’s feature that enables users to verify if a phone number is registered on the platform, which unintentionally aids in the large-scale collection of user information.

#### Historical Context and Oversight

The vulnerability was first highlighted by another security researcher in 2017, who noted that WhatsApp did not set any restrictions on the number of phone number checks that could be executed. Despite this early alert, Meta did not implement necessary safeguards over the years. Recently, researchers from the University of Vienna managed to exploit the same vulnerability, successfully compiling the phone numbers of nearly all WhatsApp users in a brief period.

#### The Scale of the Exposure

The researchers reported that they were able to capture the first 30 million US phone numbers in just thirty minutes, continuing their efforts to amass data on a grand scale. Aljosha Judmayer, one of the researchers involved, remarked, “To the best of our knowledge, this signifies the most extensive exposure of phone numbers and associated user information ever recorded.”

#### Responsible Disclosure and Response

Upon discovering the breach, the researchers responsibly deleted the database of phone numbers and alerted Meta. Nonetheless, Meta took around six months to enforce a rate-limiting measure intended to curb such widespread exploitation in the future. WhatsApp has asserted that it was in the process of developing a solution and stated there is no record of malicious exploitation of the vulnerability before the researchers’ intervention.

#### Conclusion

This event highlights the critical necessity for prompt actions in response to security vulnerabilities, particularly in popular platforms like WhatsApp. The exposure of billions of phone numbers not only raises concerns about privacy but also emphasizes the need for strong security protocols to safeguard user information. As the digital environment continues to change, companies must emphasize user security to avert similar occurrences in the future.

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Gemini Can Substitute Siri on iPhone with Specific Restrictions

the iOS 26.4 update coming next spring is expected to finally introduce the AI voice assistant concept that Apple showcased at WWDC 2024 last year. This information is based on current reports, although nothing is assured. Apple has the option to postpone the new Siri AI features, similar to its actions earlier this year. Nonetheless, MacRumors indicates that select iPhone users will have the opportunity to switch Siri for another voice assistant, including Gemini, a more advanced AI tool than Siri, once iOS 26.2 is released. While this may seem like positive news for iPhone users, the feature will not be globally accessible, due to two significant conditions.

Firstly, you can change Siri for another assistant only in Japan, where Apple must comply with new legislation mandating smartphone manufacturers to allow competing services on their devices. Secondly, iPhone users in Japan looking to replace Siri with Gemini or another voice assistant cannot simply choose a different option in Settings. App developers must activate this functionality. For Gemini, Google would need to integrate the new feature into one of its existing applications. That is the sole method to set a voice assistant like Gemini as the default on the iPhone.

How the iPhone’s new assistants will operate

Google Improves Search, Gemini, and Pixel Weather with WeatherNext 2 Forecasting Model Enhancements

It’s the organization’s “most sophisticated and effective forecasting model.”

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Essential information

  • Google has introduced a new WeatherNext 2 forecasting model that employs AI to anticipate weather occurrences.
  • WeatherNext 2 is now accessible for developers and researchers, and it exceeds WeatherNext in 99.9% of metrics.
  • This new weather model additionally facilitates user-oriented services such as Google Search, Gemini, and the Pixel Weather app.

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