NPI Tech Guys

   In this podcast we explore the surprising intersections of technology and daily life. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the statistics and meet the individuals whose quiet contributions keep our digital and real-world landscapes thriving. Whether it's a deep dive into the realm of sports fans or a thrilling recount of a cybersecurity save that almost went unnoticed, this podcast connects the dots in a world wired with endless complexities.

   In this episode, we delve into Tesla's recent recall of nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks, stemming from an accelerator pedal issue where a lubricant (soap) used during assembly may cause the pedal to stick, risking entrapment above the pedal. This problem affects all Model Year 2024 Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13, 2023, and April 4, 2024, and notably, cannot be corrected with Tesla's typical over-the-air updates, requiring physical servicing instead. Alongside this, we explore the rapid advancements in AI, highlighting a new report that positions AI as surpassing human performance in most benchmarks, suggesting the need for new ways to measure AI capabilities as it continues to evolve at an astonishing pace.

  We delve into the realm of cybersecurity through the lens of penetration testing, a critical and intriguing field that addresses the security vulnerabilities of computer systems by simulating cyberattacks. Penetration testing, often referred to as "pen testing," involves skilled professionals known as penetration testers or ethical hackers, who use their expertise in hacking tools and techniques not to cause harm, but to identify and rectify security weaknesses. Companies engage these specialists to perform simulated attacks on their networks, applications, and other digital assets, enabling them to discover and mitigate potential security risks effectively. This practice not only helps in safeguarding against actual cyber threats but also significantly enhances a company's overall security posture. Additionally, the podcast will touch on the broader field of ethical hacking, which encompasses various services beyond penetration testing, such as malware analysis and risk assessment, highlighting the essential role these activities play in strengthening network security.

  We also explore the significant consumer dissatisfaction surrounding Tesla's Cybertruck. Owners have reported a range of issues from basic operational failures like the vehicle not turning on or charging, to more alarming concerns about visibility problems that pose safety risks. Critics, including those found on platforms such as Jalopnik, point to rushed production and cost-cutting measures as potential causes for these defects. The complaints have been so severe that some have been removed from forums only to resurface elsewhere due to their critical nature. 

Explore the essential protections of Cyber Insurance in this episode of NPI Tech Guys / TechWatch Radio. As cyber threats like ransomware and DDoS attacks grow more sophisticated, understanding and securing the right insurance is crucial for any business. We'll discuss what cyber insurance covers, its necessity in the face of increasing digital risks, and how it should complement robust cybersecurity measures. Learn about the role of personalized coverage options and the importance of a strong cybersecurity posture in securing effective insurance. Join us as we navigate the complexities of cyber risk insurance to safeguard your business assets.

In this thrilling episode, we're venturing into the future where Earth time meets Moon time, as the White House tasks NASA with developing a unified lunar standard to streamline future celestial missions. Imagine the complexity of coordinating operations and communications between two celestial bodies without syncing clocks! Meanwhile, back on Earth, Microsoft responds to years of critique and regulatory scrutiny by separating Teams from its Office 365 suite, a move sparking debates on its impact on the tech giant's trajectory. Tune in as we explore these pivotal moments in space exploration and tech industry dynamics.

This podcast episode delves into the critical issue of cybersecurity, emphasizing that 81% of breaches last year involved weak or stolen passwords, and provides guidelines for creating strong passwords to enhance security. Additionally, the episode explores the technological advancements and setbacks of Amazon's 'Just Walk Out' checkout technology. Initially heralded as a futuristic shopping solution, Amazon is scaling back on this approach due to its high operational costs and inefficiencies, opting instead for Dash Carts and self-checkout counters in its Fresh stores, while retaining the original technology in smaller outlets.

* Google Podcasts is shutting down soon, users urged to move to YouTube Music - Sarah Perez.

* I Stopped Using Passwords. It's Great—and a Total Mess.

* Bitwarden’s Passkey Feature for Businesses.

* Robinhood’s new credit card goes after Apple Card with ability to invest cash-back perks - TechCrunch.com

Eight months after acquiring credit card startup X1 for $95 million, Robinhood announced today the launch of its new Gold Card, with a list of features that could even give Apple Card users envy.

Robinhood, better known for its brokerage app aimed at the everyday investor, is touting all sorts of benefits with its new card in an attempt to attract users. The card has no annual or foreign transaction fees. However, it will only be available for Robinhood Gold members, which costs $5 a month, or $50 annually. (Gold is a program that offers other benefits like 5% APY on an account’s uninvested brokerage cash.) 

Gold Card users can earn 3% cash back on all categories, including restaurants and groceries, and 5% cash bank when booking travel at Robinhood’s new travel portal. That cash back can be transferred to brokerage accounts, which can go toward making investments like stock purchases, the company says. The ability to invest using cash back is the big innovation that X1 developed prior to getting acquired.

Another interesting feature of the Gold Card includes the ability to provide cards for family members. This is the first time that Robinhood has introduced a family-oriented financial product, Robinhood Money General Manager Deepak Rao told TechCrunch. Rao was the founder and CEO of X1 before joining Robinhood in the acquisition. 

Users will have the ability to add up to five family members as cardholders to their account with every cardholder receiving their own card. Additional cardholders can be any age, giving parents a way to help teens build credit and monitor spending. The ability to provide cards to family members will extend even to those visiting from other countries.

“A user can provide cards to parents, children or caregivers and set the right kind of controls and protection, while also helping them build their credit,” Rao said. “They don’t have to provide any other information than their name and date of birth and Social Security number if they have one. If you’re worried about spending limits, you can put a dollar amount limit and also a child-safe mode for kids.”

The Card also allows users to create and delete virtual cards for one-time purchases and will have an APR of 20.24% – 29.99%, which Robinhood said will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.

* AT&T Says Data From 73 Million Current and Former Account Holders Leaked on Dark Web - Tom Ozimek.

Data from roughly 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders were released on the dark web, AT&T said.

AT&T said it had reset passcodes for 7.6 million current account holders affected by the leak.

“We will be reaching out to individuals with compromised sensitive personal information separately and offering complimentary identity theft and credit monitoring services,” the company said in a statement.

AT&T said it hasn’t found any evidence of unauthorized access to its systems that resulted in data being stolen and that it has launched a “robust” investigation into the incident with the help of outside cybersecurity experts.

* 37 million T-Mobile customers were hacked | CNN Business - Jan 19, 2023.

* Twitter’s Data Leak Exposes Over 5.4 Million Users.

* Earlier this year, Twitter confirmed that an API vulnerability had caused a massive data leak containing non-public information for over 5.4 million Twitter users - Used with permission from Article Aggregator.

Twitter denied claims that hackers had leaked the private information priorly. However, Pompompurin, the owner of the hacking forum Breached, stated they were responsible for exploiting the API bug and platforming the data after another hacker shared the vulnerability with them.

The stolen data includes public information like Twitter IDs, account names, logins, locations, and verified status. In addition, private information like phone numbers and email addresses have also been exposed. Fraudulent activities such as phishing could be carried out using this information.

In addition to the breach of the 5.4 million active accounts, private information for roughly 1.4 million suspended Twitter profiles were also shared using the same API bug. While the extent of the data breach is not fully known, security expert Chad Loder stated that information for "tens of millions" of Twitter users might have been collected using the same API bug.

To keep yourself safe, disregard emails claiming to be from Twitter that state your account is suspended. In addition, be skeptical of emails about issues logging in or the account is about to lose its verified status. These emails are probably attempting to phish for your private information to use in fraudulent activities.

* HaveIBeenPwned.com

* Hackers Behind the Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack Just Received a $22 Million Payment!

The transaction, visible on Bitcoin's blockchain, suggests the victim of one of the worst ransomware attacks in years may have paid a very large ransom.

On March 1, a Bitcoin address connected to AlphV received 350 bitcoins in a single transaction, or close to $22 million based on exchange rates at the time.

* Instagram is working on a feature that would allow you to let others put a ‘Spin’ on your Reel - Aisha Malik.

* Instagram is working on a “Spins” feature for Reels, its short-form video TikTok clone, the company confirmed to TechCrunch.

* Suspect Your Computer Has Been Hacked? Do These 5 Things Now!

* The Apple iPhone antitrust lawsuit from the DOJ - TechCrunch.com

* The DOJ’s case against Apple adds to a growing pile of antitrust problems for Cupertino.

* DOJ’s Apple antitrust case neatly aligns with EU on one key point: NFC and mobile payments.

* Bitcoin hits new high!

* Is A TikTok ban looking more and more like reality?

* Elon Musk: AI will run out of electricity and transformers in 2025 - NewAtlas.com

* Gemini, a Merger of a Chatbot and an Assistant, Enters the Arena - Cade Metz.

When will the standard digital assistant such as Seri and Alexa ETC. be replaced by the next gen chatbot?

* Brave’s Leo AI assistant is now available to Android users - Aisha Malik.

* Robocalls Created by AI Outlawed.

The move by the agency follows a phony call last month that was made to sound like President Biden telling New Hampshire voters to stay home.

* The FBI's takedown of the LockBit ransomware group last week came as LockBit was preparing to release sensitive data stolen from government computer systems in Fulton County, Ga - KrebsonSecurity.com

* SpaceX will de-orbit 100 Starlink satellites with unidentified flaw - Devin Coldewey, TechCrunch.com

The descents will be triggered “in the coming weeks and months,” but these satellites aren’t capable of big moves, so this is more of a nudge in the downward direction. The de-orbit process will actually take about six months, during which they will also “take maneuver responsibility for any high-risk conjunctions,” meaning if they happen to cross paths with other satellites, the Starlink ones will politely move out of the way.

They will fall one by one, not all together, so don’t bother watching the skies.

Users of Starlink need not fear, however, since there are still thousands of functioning satellites up there. Nearly 6,000 have been launched to date, and 406 have been de-orbited, and others may not be operational, but there are more than enough of them to serve customers.

* Range Woes Dim Luster Of F-150 EV

Some buyers said the electric Lightning did not meet expectations, and Ford has slashed its production plans for the pickup because sales are lagging.

Still, the industry is forging ahead. Analysts estimate that 1.5 million electric vehicles will be sold this year, up from almost 1.2 million in 2023. The Biden administration is expected to complete new emissions rules next month. Its proposal would, in effect, require battery-powered cars to make up two-thirds of all light-vehicle sales by 2032.

* Walmart announced it will purchase smart television maker Vizio and its operating system for $2.3B.

* Unfortunately, most people think they know cyber security but then find out the hard way they don’t - We don’t want that to be you!

People overlook #10, but it’s arguably one of the most important.

* Massive Ransomware Attack Takes Over 100 Hospitals In Romania Offline.

* Reddit Agrees To $60M Deal That Allows Google To Train AI Models On Its Posts.

* Lucid Motors plans to build just 9,000 electric vehicles in 2024, only 500 to 1,000 more than it made in 2023, as it struggles with demand for its luxury sedans. If it sticks to that number, that means Lucid will wind up building around 10% of the 90,000 EVs it predicted it could make - TechCrunch.com

* Mercedes-Benz on Thursday walked back plans to have an all-electric line-up by 2030 as consumers decline to adopt electric vehicles (EV) at the rate automakers expected.

The company has changed its expectations to have only 50% of its sales be EVs by 2030, announcing that it will be updating its current line-up featuring the internal combustion engine into the next decade, according to Mercedes-Benz in its fourth quarter report.

* A slowdown in the growth of electric vehicle (EV) demand has led to entire mines being shut down as the supply of rare earth minerals essential for EV components exceeds demand, according to The Wall Street Journal.

* Car insurance prices soar even as inflation eases. Which states have the highest rates? - USA Today.

How good is your computer use policy?

What constitutes a good computer use policy for your business?

How often should a compliance policy be reviewed and updated?

What role does employee training play in maintaining compliance?

Can technology automate compliance policy enforcement?

What are the common pitfalls in compliance policies that businesses should avoid?

How can businesses ensure their compliance policies are aligned with international standards?

What happens if I just trust the employees?

Identity theft at work who is liable?

How do I get a truly compliant computer use policy?

Compliance: Could You Pass an Audit Today?

* Sam and Neuman CSO of Network Providers, Inc. Discuss Company Wide Security.

NPI offers a free consult and plan for IT Compliance.

What is a table top discussion

Can you explain the basics of compliance and why it's critical for businesses?

What is the compliance that I am looking for in my line of business

What are the most common compliance standards that businesses need to be aware of?

How can a company determine if it's currently compliant with relevant regulations?

What steps should a company take to prepare for a compliance audit?

What Are the types of things you see in an audit

Can you share a success story of a business that improved its compliance processes?

What are the risks of non-compliance for businesses in today's digital landscape?

How can MSPs assist businesses in staying compliant?

It seems overwhelming but line up on line, along with guidance from the right people around you, makes all the difference.

What types of administraters are there?

* Even Retailers Are Fed Up With Self-Checkout Automated kiosks double theft rates, among other issues - Gina Carey.

Self-checkout machines aren't only annoying customers, Quartz reports, as a growing number of large retailers have begun rethinking the costly tech.

Last year, companies like Target, Walmart, Dollar General, and British grocer Booths have pared down (and in some cases eliminated) how the automated systems work in their chains, largely due to theft.

Shoppers are 21 times more likely to slip purchases past scanners than they are human cashiers, doubling theft rates in stores.

* Tipping Etiquette: When You Must Tip, When Its OK Not to Tip?

* Have you installed the December 2023 Windows 11 update? You should know about how the Windows 11 update breaks Wi-Fi networks.

The Windows 11 update breaks Wi-Fi networks by affecting your adapter's ability to connect with the network. The connectivity issues in the Windows 11 update aren't always consistent across all networks. While you might easily connect to your home network, your adapter might struggle to connect to others.

You'll most likely experience problems if you use an enterprise, education, or public Wi-Fi network using 802.1x authentication to connect to an enterprise, public, or education Wi-Fi network.

You can fix in two ways:

Disabling 802.11r.

You can solve the problem by using the Known Issues Rollback feature. Microsoft developed this feature to deal with non-security bugs that occur from updates.

* Apple Vision Pro available in the U.S. on February 2.

* Apple Vision Pro: 7 Things to Know Before You Buy - Will Greenwald, PCMag.com

* ICANN proposes creating .INTERNAL domain to do the same job as 192.168.x.x! - The plan is to keep the world at bay by never recording it in the DNS root – like many already do with a subdomain for an intranet - Simon Sharwood.

ICANN's board still has to sign off the creation of .INTERNAL. But if you want to get ahead of the pack, there's nothing stopping you. Indeed, some outfits already use ad hoc TLDs. Open source Wi-Fi firmware project WRT has used .LAN, and networking vendor D-Link has employed .dlink. There's nothing stopping you doing likewise.

* Krebs on Security: Google continues to struggle with cybercriminals running malicious ads on its search platform to trick people into downloading booby-trapped copies of popular free software applications.

The malicious ads, which appear above organic search results and often precede links to legitimate sources of the same software, can make searching for software on Google a dicey affair.

* We Suggest Using: VirusTotal.com

* Water from Air - CES 2024 - GenesisSystems.

* Microsoft Joins Peers by Cutting 1,900 Jobs From Activision Blizzard and Xbox - NYT.

The reductions come three months after the tech giant completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

This month, thousands of employees across the video game industry have been told they are facing layoffs, as the pandemic boom in playing continues to recede.

Riot Games, which makes League of Legends, said it would lay off about 11 percent of its work force.

Twitch, a video streaming platform owned by Amazon that is used heavily by gamers, announced that it would cut 35 percent of its staff.

Discord, a social platform beloved by gamers, is cutting 18 percent of its ranks.

Unity Software, which provides software for game developers, said it was cutting a quarter of its staff, or roughly 1,800 jobs.

They all had layoffs last year as well.

In the meantime, companies are shedding workers and cutting costs to stay competitive.

* Sam undergoes Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery On His Neck. We discussed the Incredible Advancements in Tech in the Medical Field.

* SpaceX launches first batch of direct-to-cell Starlink satellites for testing this year.

T-Mobile Jumps in The Game as Well!

The company launched six Starlink satellites with this capability with a batch of 15 other Starlink birds aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

The approval, which was granted by the US Federal Communications Commission, was for a 180-day period.

SpaceX said the tests would eventually involve 840 satellites transmitting 4G connectivity to around 2,000 unmodified smartphones. The satellites will act as “cell phone towers in space,” according to Starlink’s website.

* Amazon brings its AI-powered image generator to Fire TV - Lauren Forristal.

Amazon is officially rolling out the ability to create AI-generated images on Fire TV devices.

the feature is available in the U.S. for users with a second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Omni QLED Series.

* INCOGNITO BUT NOT VERY PRIVATE — Chrome updates Incognito warning to admit Google tracks users in “private” mode - Jon Brodkin

Google is updating the warning on Chrome's Incognito mode to make it clear that Google and websites run by other companies can still collect your data in the web browser's semi-private mode.

The change is being made as Google prepares to settle a class-action lawsuit that accuses the firm of privacy violations related to Chrome's Incognito mode.

Many tech-savvy people already know that while private modes in web browsers prevent some data from being stored on your device, they don't prevent tracking by websites or Internet service providers. But many other people may not understand exactly what Incognito mode does, so the more specific warning could help educate users.

* Facebook Scams, All the Rage!

* YouTube to eliminate 100 employees as layoffs at Google continue - Lauren Forristal, TechCrunch.com

Last week, Google laid off more than 1,000 workers across several divisions, including engineering, services, and voice-activated product Google Assistant.

We’re only three weeks into the new year and already have seen dozens of companies across the tech industry face job reductions, including Discord, Twitch, Prime Video and MGM Studios, as well as Audible, Duolingo, Instagram, Pixar and Unity, among others.

* Tandem gives ‘modern couples’ app to manage finances together and separately, Christine Hall.

Tandem, fintech app for modern couples

“It gives you the experience of a joint account without actually having to have one”

* How to Be More Anonymous Online - Being fully anonymous is next to impossible—but you can significantly limit what the internet knows - Matt Burgess.

* Google Launches Plan to Kill (Non-Edible) Cookies Initiative to eliminate third-party trackers online begins with test of 1% of Chrome users - John Johnson.

If you are a Chrome user who gets a pop-up from Google on Thursday, it's likely a sign that you're part of the first phase of the company's plan to eliminate cookies.

1% of Chrome users, or about 30 million people, to be included in the first roll out.

The company aims to eliminate them for all users by the end of the year. How to tell if you're in the 1%? Affected users will get a pop-up announcement from Google telling them so, reports Gizmodo (which describes cookies as the "original sin of the internet"). They'll also see an eyeball logo in the URL bar. If cookie-blocking interferes with the ability to call up certain websites, Google will prompt you on how to override the setting, the company says in a blog post. The Wall Street Journal reports that this is a major change for advertisers, who don't appear to be ready for it.

* What It Is Like to Use Apple’s Lockdown Mode.

* American teenager named Willis Gibson, aka BlueScuti - Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the Kid Who Beat 'Tetris' - Angela Watercutter.

How do you Actually Win Tetris? By forcing the more than three-decade-old classic Nintendo video game into a "kill screen."

* Microsoft wants to add a Copilot key to your PC keyboard.

Microsoft Copilot - Microsoft would like 2024 to be the “year of the AI PC,”

MS announced a new key for Copilot — that is, a physical key that will soon make its way to your keyboard and join the Windows key, together with its friends the Control key, Alt and that Insert key you’ve never purposely used. Based on the image Microsoft sent over, it looks like the new Copilot key will replace the right Control key on the standard PC keyboard, where it will slot in between the Alt key and the left arrow key.

“The introduction of the Copilot key marks the first notable change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades.

In regions where Copilot is not available, the Copilot key will launch Windows Search. The first keyboards with the new key will launch at this year’s CES in Las Vegas and will likely start shipping in late February.

* Sam's Tech Goals for 2024 - 'Operation Tech Simplify'!

* New And Urgent Bank Account Fraud Alert!

The infamous Xenomorph Android malware, known for targeting 56 European banks in 2022, is back and in full force targeting US banks, financial institutions and cryptocurrency wallets.

Besides being alert to this scam (and you should let your spouse, partners and family know as well), you should be aware of a few ways to protect yourself.

Remember, bank fraud can manifest itself in several forms.

To protect yourself, use strong, unique passwords for your online banking accounts and never store them in your browser.

Always turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) so you’re notified if anyone tries to log into your accounts without your knowledge.

* The Race to Put Brain Implants in People Is Heating Up - Emily Mullin. - Thanks in part to Elon Musk, the field of brain-computer interfaces has captured both public and investor interest, with a cadre of companies now developing implantable devices.

* LITIGATION Apple Can Resume Selling Watches, a Court Allows. Apple can, for now, resume sales of its flagship smartwatches, after a US appeals court on Wednesday paused a government commission's import ban on the devices imposed in a patent dispute over its medical monitoring technology.

* CES 2024: What we’re expecting - TechCrunch.

CES runs January 9-12 in Las Vegas.

Health tech will continue to be a big piece of the puzzle.

AI Hardware?

Anticipate more companies will be leaning into the automated processes they utilize on the back end.

TV will continue to be a major focus.

Car makers generally make a big splash at the event. a big part of CES’s evolution over the past few years has been its positioning as a major automotive show.

* macOS Update 17.2.1 - update your Apple computer.

* The big security flaw is a Screen Sharing flaw that lets a person connected to your computer see the screen when they should not.

* As a practice Apple does not disclose security exploits - Call it security through obscurity – it’s a garbage idea and doesn't work.

* Consider Bitdefender. Grab a copy from Amazon.

* Also, you should probably dump Safari At all the security hacking conferences, Safari is the first browser to be compromised. It’s too easy a target and it unlocks the rest of the system. For web browsers, I really like Brave, I also enjoy Opera. DuckDuckGo has a cool browser too.

* Out With The Old: Debunking 5 Common Cybersecurity Myths To Get Ready For The New Year - NetworkProvidersInc.com

* In today’s hyperconnected world, cybersecurity is a critical concern for individuals and organizations alike. However, as the digital landscape evolves, so do the myths and misconceptions surrounding cybersecurity. If you want to be protected, you have to understand what the real threats are and how you could be unknowingly overlooking them every single day.

* When Your Facebook or Other Online Account Gets Hacked, Who’s Responsible for The Losses?

* Undersea-Aged Champagne Is Starting to Surface.

* Facebook Marketplace Is Being Ruined by Zelle Scammers - Amanda Hoover.

* Hackers Offering Fake Free Kindle eBooks To Hack Amazon Accounts.

* Several companies are putting data centers underwater. Are these submerged data centers just a novelty -- or is data management really better down where it’s wetter? - Richard Pallardy.

* Microsoft staged the first large-scale underwater data center experiment beginning in 2015 Called Project Natick initiative.

The inert gases and liquids used to fill underwater data centers are less corrosive than ambient air.

* Would you live in this self-sufficient pod in the ocean? These white, spherical SeaPods are designed to help people live in luxury with rising seas.

* Here’s hoping Google Maps new colors are a sign of more changes to come.

* Sam just hopes Maps Continue to Improve with AI!

* Gift card scams 2023: What to know about 'card draining' and other schemes to be aware of - Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today.

Don't get duped out of your gift-buying money this holiday season.

Even the most tech and street-savvy of us can easily fall victim to these schemes if we aren't paying close attention.

Card draining "Card draining" is a popular scam that leaves gift card purchasers with an empty balance despite having paid for the card.

* Is the Future of Data Centers Under the Sea? Is the Future of Data Centers Under the Sea?

* Cyber Security Tip: What is the “dark web” anyway?

The “dark web” or “deep web” is a part of the World Wide Web we know and love that is accessible only via a special software that allows users and website operators to remain completely anonymous and untraceable. That’s why it’s the playground for hackers, cybercriminals, drug deals, human trafficking and more.

Because hacking is a for-profit business, there are criminal entities that steal, combine, and sell personal information on the dark web, like passwords, social security numbers, bank account information and credit cards.

If your network or one of the people in your company has been breached, your password and other credentials will show up on the dark web.

* Find out what data you have on the dark web before someone uses it to gain more access to your systems – but be careful! Some websites offering this are scams designed to con you into giving private credentials.

* If you want to know what’s out there on the dark web about you, your company, and your employees, join our mailing list, contact us and we’ll do a free dark web scan for you.

* Is Google’s Gemini the Real Start of the Generative AI Boom? - Early impressions of Google’s Gemini aren’t great.

* NotebookLM, originally called Project Tailwind, starts by creating a data set of your source * Google’s NotebookLM Aims to Be the Ultimate Writing Assistant - Steven Johnson.

“NotebookLM is an experimental AI-powered note taking tool that helps you learn faster by reading and understanding your documents, generating summaries, answering your questions, and even helping you brainstorm new ideas.”

* Amazon will no longer accept Venmo as a payment option starting next month - However, Will still accept Venmo debit and credit cards.

* Sam and Jay discuss Credit Cards, High Tech Payment Methods and More!

* Police Issue Warning to Parents About New iPhone Feature - Jack Davis.

Police agencies around the country are issuing warnings to parents about the new NameDrop feature in iOS 17 and the potential that a new iPhone software feature could compromise the safety of their children.

“To shut this off go to Settings, General, AirDrop, Bringing Devices Together. Change to OFF,” - “PARENTS: Don’t forget to change these settings after the update on your children’s phones as well,” the post read.

“To cancel, move the two devices away from each other or lock your iPhone before the NameDrop transfer completes,” the Apple post said.

* Sam Has An Idea? - Imagine that!

* Genetic testing company 23andMe announced that hackers accessed around 14,000 customer accounts in the company’s recent data breach - In a new filing with the US SEC.

* Most Common Passwords Take a Second to Crack.

* Best streaming device overall: Roku Express 4K Plus.

* Tesla’s cheapest Cybertruck won’t drop until 2025! - The automaker now estimates it’ll charge $60,990 — or $53,490 after $7,500 in federal tax credits. That’s more than the starting price for a Ford Lightning or Silverado EV (both around $50,000).

* Federal judge blocks Montana's TikTok ban before it takes effect.

* Your favorite, bittersweet tunes may help relieve pain better than unfamiliar, relaxing music.

Participants in a small study said that pain less unpleasant by about nine points on a 100 point scale when they were listening to their preferred music.

Research has long suggested that music can help lower pain perception without medication and could even help babies tolerate heel-prick blood tests.

Emerging research has also found that music might change our experience of certain types of discomfort.

They are exploring new dimensions of the psychology of music listening that have not been well-studied, especially in the context of pain relief. As a result, the data we have available is limited, although the preliminary results are fairly strong.

* Feds Want To Install Speed-Limiting Devices On All New Cars - MSN.

The ISA tech utilizes a car's GPS, a database of speed limits, and onboard cameras to ensure compliance with legal speeds.

Sam Advocates for the slow down of (not only cars) but, life in General.

Jay advocates for speeding things up via using technology and high tech coordination to improve efficiency.

* US Harbors Prolific Malicious Link Shortening Service.

The top-level domain for the United States, .US is home to thousands of newly-registered domains tied to a malicious link shortening service that facilitates malware and phishing scams, The findings come close on the heels of a report that identified. US domains as among the most prevalent in phishing attacks.

* Iphone 15 Features.

* Is the App Store still a source for new technology innovations or has AI development become the hotter new tech to build for these days?

* Apple unveiled This Week in Apps: Apple’s iPhone app of the year finalists - Sarah Perez.

* Apple’s Pledge to Support RCS Messaging Could Finally Kill SMS - Apple to finally bring RCS to iPhones.

* Toku’s AI platform predicts heart conditions by scanning inside your eye.

* Elon Musk says we dug our own grave with Cybertruck ahead of its November release.

* Will Law Install 'Kill Switches' In All New Cars?

* Beware: Black Friday Deals 2023?

* Sam Reports Live From Vegas At The Boxabl.com HQ!

VIDEO!: https://youtu.be/jgf2e1ekF68

* Intuit: Shutting Down Mint, A personal finance and Budgeting App.

Intuit, which acquired Mint in 2009, is encouraging users to switch to Credit Karma, its money management and credit score service.

Credit Karma does not offer a budgeting tool that allows users to set a monthly budget and budgets by category, a favorite feature of Mint users. Mint allowed users to link their spending accounts to the service, so purchases could be automatically categorized as restaurants, groceries or bills, making it easier to track spending.

* Plex Media software startup and streamer is expanding its service to become more of a social network, not just a way to organize your home media or stream free content.

Plex Discover Together Lets You See Your Friends' Streaming Activity.

* Is It Really Sam Or Just An Electronic Replica?

* True or False, When your phone rings and you hear the familiar sound of your spouse’s voice on the other end, you can be 100% confident it’s really them right? - Maybe not.

Criminals have found a new, terrifying way to use AI to scam people, and it starts by cloning your voice.

* The Cybertruck is set to finally arrive after a nearly two-year delay. Tesla First officially unveiled back in 2019, Teslas electric Cybertruck impressed and amused the public with its angular, Blade Runner -inspired design and purported features including reinforced glass, stainless steel body, and a lack of door handles.

* Jay hopes for a Christmas Present!

* X, formerly known as Twitter, is introducing two new tiers for its subscription offering in order to bring in additional revenue.

The social media giant is adding a new Premium+ tier that costs $16 per month and offers the “largest reply boost” and removes ads from the For You and Following feeds. The tier also comes with revenue-sharing, along with access to other creator tools.

The second tier launching today is called “Basic” and costs $3 per month. The tier doesn’t come with a blue checkmark, but includes basic features like the ability to edit posts and post longer text and videos. It also offers a “small reply boost.”

* Tech layoffs are back with a vengeance

* Introducing: Raspberry Pi 5! - It isn't just a progression; it's a transformation.

It's up to three times faster and packed with new features, it's an exciting upgrade.

* Pi 5 is no longer a toy or single task system, it's fast becoming a real full featured machine.

* Girls at Westfield High School in New Jersey were left shocked when they discovered boys were circulating fake nude photos of them, according to a Thursday report from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

* at least one student had used online tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake nude photos of their female classmates using pictures of them that were already on the internet.

* Digitally altered or deepfake photos and videos have exploded in recent years. Briefly searching online will lead users to dozens of tools that offer face-swapping and "clothes-removing" capabilities. Pornographic material makes up the majority of deepfakes created on the internet.

* TikTok, is now the home to a steady stream of deepfake videos.

* Because there is no law against deepfake porn creation, victims may not have a clear legal avenue to press charges against the creators of the deepfakes.

* The incident has made the girls rethink what they post online, and some decided to delete social media altogether.

* What Is Your Fav Social Media Service And Why?

* Despite usage declines, X remains ‘stickier’ than first thought

* A year after Musk’s takeover, X says an average user spends 32 minutes per day on the platform

* Meta’s X rival, Threads isn’t dead and it now has polls and GIFs.

* Jay's Fav Social media Services is Telegram, followed by TikTok

* Sam's Fav Social Media Service was Twitter, now is Pinterest

* Tata to start manufacturing iPhones in India

* AI is going to make Big Tech even bigger, and richer

* Let The AI Wars Begin

* Spam is about to get even more terrible - Will AI Make Things Worse?

* X to take on newswire services with new product, XWire

* OpenAI forms team to study ‘catastrophic’ AI risks, including nuclear threats

* Amazon’s virtual health clinic can now treat patients for a cough, cold or flu

* Apple software update for radiation

* Peek Oil has passed for China?

* the Apple Watch 9

* TikTok & Billboard new chart

* Extended support for Chromebooks

* Spotify allows songwriters to promote

* Can EVs go the distanct?

* eBikes as an alternative

* iPhone 15 is out

* Apple products for 2023

* No more iphone mini

* The SE is a good deal

* USB-C - 1 cable to rule them all

* Lightning cable to [slowly] phase out

* Tesla charger standard, open to all

* Gaming on the iPhone

* Get the right cable!

* Youtube to support RSS?

* Private feeds for Youtube music

* AI writes South Park episode(s)

* Network Intruders give themselves away by their actions.

* MoveIt Hack and Ramifications

* Why you should still use a Hotspot.

* Why cyber security training fails

* Shocking truth about Bank Fraud

* Voice isolation in iOS

* And blurring on live video

* Microsoft email gets hacked!

* Cyber Cold War

* Aducity updates 

* GIMP & Open Source software