Online Business Scams Decline as Consumer COVID Fraud Rises
Online bandits are decreasing their schemes against businesses but increasing COVID-19 scams aimed at consumers, according to a report released Tuesday by TransUnion. Suspected fraudulent digital transactions against businesses worldwide dropped nine percent from the lockdown phase of the pandemic to the reopening phase.
Pandemic Gooses Stolen Credentials Prices on Dark Web
After crashing in 2019, Dark Web markets for stolen credentials rebounded during the first half of 2020, largely due to major shifts in consumer behavior caused by the global pandemic. Hacked accounts for delivery services and physical fitness brands are some of the highest priced items on the market, according to a recent report.
OpenEEW Formed to Expedite Earthquake Warning Systems
A new coalition is building a low-cost solution to save lives in earthquake-threatened regions, rather than garnishing a profit from a new early-warning system. OpenEEW is an open-source IoT project with the goal to save lives by reducing the cost of earthquake early-warning systems and accelerating their deployments globally.
One of the enormous changes coming to us that has accelerated significantly of late is drone delivery, which promises to provide more speedy fulfillment of online orders. First for small items like meals and medicines, and eventually for larger items -- and even people. Still, drone delivery has some challenges to overcome.
Health and Fitness App Exercises AI for Competitive Advantage
In-person workout sessions these days might seem like a thing of the past, while solitary workouts at home replace gym visits as an ongoing result of the pandemic. The use of artificial intelligence is not yet a common feature in fitness apps, but it is a main component in a popular India-based app now focused on growing users in the U.S. and Canada.
With hurricane season in full bloom and the additional prospect of natural disasters, the importance for companies to have disaster data plans in place is paramount. TechNewsWorld discussed disaster preparedness with a panel of IT experts. Check out their recommendations -- and make sure that you have not forgotten that one key thing that many companies forget to protect but regret afterward.
Return of Remote Workers Brings New Challenges to IT Heads
For those business that got it right reopening their workplaces the first time around, they should be in pretty good shape for round two. But others that struggled to get a handle on operations will likely find themselves again in chaos.
The power and promise of holographic technology have been depicted in science fiction stories for years. Today, several companies are at work to bring immersive transportation to the real world.
Women in Tech: 20 Trailblazers Share Their Journeys
Successful women in the tech trenches share their insights and tackle subjects ranging from how to search out a strong mentor to how to be one -- from how to advance in a large company to how to start your own firm.
This book is an excellent guide for students considering STEM courses, graduates pondering job choices, and career changers at any stage in life. It's also a useful tool for school and career counselors, recruiters, and HR pros eager to diversify their workplaces.
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Despite the launch of several dual-screen devices over the last year and change, we're still not sure the form factor makes sense. That won't stop manufacturers from rolling them out, though, and a pair of leaks show what we can expect to see in the future.
Elon Musk teases 'working Neuralink device' reveal on August 28th at 6PM ET
You'll never have to log off again.
Musk said the technology shown on Friday would be "awesome" compared to what we've seen so far. "Don't want to get too excited, but the potential is truly transformational for restoring brain & motor functions," he tweeted earlier this year. Continue reading.
The Level Touch is a smart lock in disguise
The design can add some extra privacy.
Most smart locks look visibly like they're, well, smart locks. Not so with the Level Home, which takes on an unassuming look while still cramming in plenty of tech features. You can open it with the touch of a finger, a vocal command or a programmable keycard. You can also give others access to your home through the Level app, and approved guests can gain entry using their phone as a key.
The battery can hold a charge for up to one year, according to the company, while Level Lock's accompanying app, HomeKit, can connect with both iOS and Android devices. The price for such subtlety is $329 — that's over double the price of some rival smart locks. Continue reading.
Fitbit's new Sense watch has lots of Apple Watch features
The $329 wearable arrives in September.
Fitbit is focusing on its smartwatches again. Say hello to the Fitbit Sense, an "advanced health" wearable that includes new hardware, like an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor, and new features, like electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements.
The EDA sensor looks for electrical changes in your skin that may be caused by stress — to use it, you'll navigate to the EDA app on the smartwatch, place your palm over the Sense's display and breathe while it takes a measurement.
This then feeds into Fitbit's features that track and manage stress, which, thankfully in 2020, go beyond simple breathing exercises. The EDA sensor records and shows data on a graph in the Fitbit mobile app alongside the new Stress Management Score, which is yet another all-encompassing number that takes into account heart rate, sleep and activity data — a higher number is better. Continue reading.
How to talk to people who believe in QAnon
The way you approach someone is just as important as what you say.
While conspiracy theory experts agree there is no easy way to "get someone back" from the group, there are ways to better your odds at getting through to someone. Karissa Bell explains. Continue reading.
In 'Outriders,' powers and teamwork beat guns
But keep those guns handy, you'll still need them.
Engadget
Alongside Destiny 2, Anthem and even Marvel's Avengers, to an extent, Outriders is about killing lots of enemies with gunplay, sci-fi powers and old-fashioned teamwork. Does the world need another game that demands repeat playthroughs, loot farming and bosses with untold levels of health? Maybe? Our preview, by Mat Smith, suggests Outriders is an awful lot of fun. Continue reading.
This cardboard Wolfenstein 3D setup invites you to punch Nazis remotely
'Smartistein 3D' only needs a smartphone and a few motors to make magic.
Telepresence robots, cardboard cut-outs of fascists and gaming magic. Continue reading.
Vue Lite smart glasses are cheap, but they aren't that smart
It might be easier to just wear earbuds.
These $179 glasses are a lighter, cheaper version of the Vue Pro but without the more notable features of its predecessor. Instead of bone conduction, they deliver audio to the wearer via directional speakers for "open ear listening," similar to the Bose Frames and Amazon's Echo Frames. Unfortunately, the audio is just okay, and the missing features compared to higher end models make these even harder to recommend. Continue reading.
Harvard and Sony built a tiny surgery robot inspired by origami
The mini-RCM is about the size of a tennis ball and weighs the same as a penny.
Researchers from Harvard's Wyss Institute and Sony have created a surgical robot that's much smaller than many other such devices. They took inspiration from origami to build the mini-RCM, which is around the size of a tennis ball yet weighs about the same as a penny.
Materials layered on top of each other are cut with a laser to form a 3D shape — kinda like a kids' pop-up book. Three linear actuators control the mini-RCM's movements in multiple directions.
In a microscopic tracing test, the researchers found the mini-RCM was 68 percent more accurate than a hand-controlled tool. The robot also successfully completed a mock version of a precise procedure in which a surgeon inserts a needle through an eye. Yes, that made me shudder, too. Continue reading.
