Samsung is known for pushing smartphone photography forward, but one area where it’s starting to lag relative to the competition is sensor size, with a few phones – such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra – now having a massive 1-inch camera sensor, while Samsung sticks to much smaller ones.

A recent report even suggested that the upcoming iPhone 15 Ultra would sport a sensor of almost one inch, but now it seems Samsung might one-up Apple with a true 1-inch sensor of its own.

This is according to SamLover, a site which claims to have learned that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will feature a 1-inch sensor.

A sensor of this size would be able to capture more light than we’re used to from Samsung’s phones, allowing for a greater dynamic range (the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of the image), and proving particularly beneficial in low-light scenarios.

It could have a noticeable impact on overall image quality, and there's some evidence to suggest the Galaxy S24 Ultra might really get this component.

Fewer, better cameras

As SamLover notes, previous reports have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will have just three rear lenses, down from four on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Supposedly, one of the telephoto lenses will be removed, but the remaining one will be able to optically zoom to multiple distances, likely making it as good as or better than two separate lenses.

Why is that relevant? Well, a larger sensor inevitably means the camera that uses this will take up more space on the phone – space that Samsung might have made available by removing a lens.

All that said, we’d actually say this is unlikely to happen. SamLover doesn’t have much of a track record for leaks, and so far no other leakers have corroborated this claim.

Indeed, we’ve elsewhere heard that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will have the same 200MP sensor for its main camera as the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and if it was going to have a 1-inch sensor, it would almost certainly be used for the main camera.

Samsung could still maintain its lead

While we’re sadly skeptical of this 1-inch sensor claim, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is sure to still be a fantastic camera phone.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra currently sits at the top of our best camera phones list, and if rumors of a new variable-zoom lens are true, then we could see some notable improvements to telephoto photography.

Samsung is already ahead of most rivals on that front, and this change would just push it even further into the lead.

Still, with talk of the iPhone 15 Ultra having not just an almost 1-inch sensor but a variable zoom lens of its own, Samsung could face more photographic competition than it does most years.

Rumors of iOS 17 allowing app sideloading continue to rumble on, but in the latest round of unconfirmed chatter there's a caveat: the feature will apparently only be available in Europe, and won't be coming to the US.

This comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a reliable authority on advance Apple information. Speaking to the MacRumors podcast, Gurman said that he thinks app sideloading will be only available in Europe.

If you've not got a clue what we're talking about, app sideloading means installing apps from outside of an official app store – as you can on macOS, for example. It's also fairly easy to do on Android, but Apple has long cited security and reliability concerns for wanting iPhones and iPads to be restricted to approved apps only.

Extra fees

This Europe exclusivity makes sense: Apple doesn't really want to add sideloading, and is only doing so because of regulatory pressure from the EU. Gurman says Apple won't "shoot themselves in the foot" by adding it everywhere, and will probably introduce the feature quietly and without fanfare.

In addition, developers may have to pay extra if they want their apps to be available outside of the iOS App Store, Gurman says. Don't be surprised if the feature is mentioned at the bottom of a press release rather than in the WWDC 2023 keynote.

The Worldwide Developers Conference starts on June 5, and will be a showcase for all the software Apple is pushing out this year, including iOS 17. Gurman also adds that upgrades are expected for the Wallet and Find My apps.

Analysis: Apple bows to EU pressure

If you're wondering what app sideloading has to do with EU lawmakers, the previous history here is that Apple has been coming under pressure from regulators in Europe over the issue of the App Store being perceived as a monopoly run by Apple.

The EU's Digital Markets Act coming into force this summer aims to limit the control of digital "gatekeepers". The EU would argue that Apple can't force iOS apps to go through its own App Store, whereas Apple would say that it needs that control to keep users safe and to maintain a quality experience.

Apple has previously had to fight a costly legal battle against Epic over the issue of controlling in-app payments, and it will want to avoid another protracted case – which is why it now seems likely that iOS and iPadOS are going to allow apps to be installed from other sources, even if it is only in Europe.

At the same time, the iPhone 15 is expected to make the switch from Lighting to USB-C. Again, this is in response to EU regulations – though it's much easier to make region-specific changes to software than to hardware, so the USB-C iPhone is going to appear in all of Apple's markets.

• iOS 17 rumored to bring major changes to the Control Center

After years of rumors, all signs point to the Google Pixel Fold being officially unveiled in the next month or two – and  in the meantime we've got a short leaked video showing the folding mechanism in action.

This comes from well-known tipster Kuba Wojciechowski on Twitter (via 9to5Google). It's interesting to see the fold in action, but it's fair to say we don't get much of a look at anything else in this particular snippet.

The software interface is blurred out, but we can see the rounded edges of the foldable phone's frame, as well as an outer display. The foldable hinge looks robust enough, though the video is too short to draw too many conclusions from.

A leak-filled week

Earlier this week we heard that the Pixel Fold would beat the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 in terms of durability: considering the Samsung device is good for 200,000 folds, it sounds as though Google's version will push that figure even higher.

As for the actual specs of the device, a huge leak from yesterday revealed that the Pixel Fold would come running a Google Tensor G2 chip, with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. White or black are said to be the color options.

The same source suggested the foldable would be teased on April 26 (next Wednesday), before a grand unveiling at the Google IO 2023 event that gets underway on May 10. It may not go on sale until June or July, however.

Analysis: Google's biggest hardware year yet

It's going to be a major year for Google's hardware department. Besides the Pixel Fold, we're also expecting to see the Google Pixel 7a make an appearance at Google IO, while further down the line there's the Google Pixel 8 to look forward to.

The previously announced Google Pixel Tablet is going to be launching soon as well, and on top of that might we also see a Pixel Watch 2? The first Pixel smartwatch seems to have gone down well with consumers so a follow-up is surely on the way.

However, those are all successors to existing devices – though admittedly it's a long time since Google made a tablet. With the Pixel Fold, the company is pushing into uncharted territory, and it's still relatively early days for foldables in general.

Apple is holding off with foldables for now so it's going to be interesting to see how well the Pixel Fold does, and if there's a market for it. Price will of course be a crucial factor – and we don't think it's going to be cheap.

• Everything we know about the Pixel Fold so far

After years of rumors, all signs point to the Google Pixel Fold being officially unveiled in the next month or two – and  in the meantime we've got a short leaked video showing the folding mechanism in action.

This comes from well-known tipster Kuba Wojciechowski on Twitter (via 9to5Google). It's interesting to see the fold in action, but it's fair to say we don't get much of a look at anything else in this particular snippet.

The software interface is blurred out, but we can see the rounded edges of the foldable phone's frame, as well as an outer display. The foldable hinge looks robust enough, though the video is too short to draw too many conclusions from.

A leak-filled week

Earlier this week we heard that the Pixel Fold would beat the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 in terms of durability: considering the Samsung device is good for 200,000 folds, it sounds as though Google's version will push that figure even higher.

As for the actual specs of the device, a huge leak from yesterday revealed that the Pixel Fold would come running a Google Tensor G2 chip, with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. White or black are said to be the color options.

The same source suggested the foldable would be teased on April 26 (next Wednesday), before a grand unveiling at the Google IO 2023 event that gets underway on May 10. It may not go on sale until June or July, however.

Analysis: Google's biggest hardware year yet

It's going to be a major year for Google's hardware department. Besides the Pixel Fold, we're also expecting to see the Google Pixel 7a make an appearance at Google IO, while further down the line there's the Google Pixel 8 to look forward to.

The previously announced Google Pixel Tablet is going to be launching soon as well, and on top of that might we also see a Pixel Watch 2? The first Pixel smartwatch seems to have gone down well with consumers so a follow-up is surely on the way.

However, those are all successors to existing devices – though admittedly it's a long time since Google made a tablet. With the Pixel Fold, the company is pushing into uncharted territory, and it's still relatively early days for foldables in general.

Apple is holding off with foldables for now so it's going to be interesting to see how well the Pixel Fold does, and if there's a market for it. Price will of course be a crucial factor – and we don't think it's going to be cheap.

• Everything we know about the Pixel Fold so far

While there's been little left to wonder about when it comes to Google's forthcoming debut foldable, a new series of apparent leaks leaves nothing to the imagination; filling in and all but confirming everything from the release timeline to official colorways, storage options, key features, and price.

Jon Prosser of FrontPageTech has time and again brought robust leaks to his YouTube channel and despite having already served as one of the main sources of unofficial Google Pixel Fold information in the past, he's back with everything that he hadn't covered previously.

Google Pixel Fold possible availability

In Prosser's seven-minute video, we learn that (at the time of writing, at least) Google apparently plans to formally tease the Pixel Fold first, on April 26; ahead of its expected unveiling at its Google IO 2023 developer conference, scheduled for May 10.

Pre-orders will then kick off immediately after it's unveiled at IO, although this will exclusively take place through Google's own web stores; until May 30 that is, when carrier pre-orders will then become available (all according to Prosser's sources). It's assumed that with Prosser being Stateside, he's referring to US carriers specifically, with dates likely to vary by market, beyond Google's in-house Google Store pre-order programme. Availability is then slated for a fair while later, on July 27.

Google Pixel Fold possible price, storage and colors

Beyond dates, Prosser also doubled down on the colorways the Pixel Fold is expected to come in, with two: Chalk (white) and Obsidian (black), and yes, these finishes are tied to specific storage configurations.

What most would consider an eye-wateringly expensive starting price of $1,799 (approximately £1,450 / AU$2,685) appears to hold true in this latest batch of leaks; with the baseline Pixel Fold arriving with 256GB of internal storage and up for grabs in either finish. A beefier 512GB version, meanwhile, will also purportedly be made available, sold exclusively in Obsidian. The price? $1,919 (approximately £1,545 / AU$2,865).

Google Pixel Fold possible specs

As well as offering up new insights into the potential release plans of the Pixel Fold, Prosser spent the rest of the video retreading and reinforcing existing leaks on hardware details, as well as dipping into some of the key features and software experiences the marketing around the Fold will apparently highlight.

Here's the rumored spec sheet, based solely on the details of this latest video:

If correct, a big selling point of the camera experience will be how fast it can boot up, while the system is also said to sport an LDAF (laser-based autofocus) system and familiar Pixel photography software features, like Rear Camera Selfie, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Long Exposure and Real Tone.

Video capture supposedly tops out at 4K at 30fps or Full HD at 60fps from the Pixel Fold's primary camera, while the body of this hotly-anticipated foldable also plays host to a USB-C port and a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor.

All that's left now is to see whether the information Prosser's sources have provided him holds water, with our next expected glimpse likely taking place next Wednesday, before the phone's full reveal on May 10.

Bad news, folks: iPhone thefts are on the rise. Not only that but a new report from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) suggests thieves are exploiting Apple’s recovery key system to lock users out of their Apple accounts for good. 

Specifically, eagle-eyed criminals are generating new 28-character recovery codes – having accessed stolen iPhones through spying on lock screen passwords – to commandeer users' Apple IDs. Per Apple’s security guidelines, generating a new recovery key means “you could be locked out of your account permanently,” and thieves are using this loophole to rack up purchases on stolen iPhones while users scramble to cancel their bank cards.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to better protect yourself from the consequences of iPhone thievery, and in this article, we highlight three simple settings you should consider activating now (as first explained by the WSJ). 

1. Set up a custom alphanumeric code 

First thing’s first: you should always be using Face ID if your iPhone is compatible with this biometric security feature (for those not in-the-know, every iPhone released after the iPhone X – aside from the iPhone SE entries – has Face ID capabilities). Try as they might, thieves can’t copy your facial identity, and using Face ID as your primary unlocking method means they won’t be able to spy on your passcode, either.

If and when you do need to punch in a passcode, though, make sure you opt for an alphanumeric one. Four- and even six-digit numeric passcodes are easy to remember, but alphanumeric codes combine numbers and letters to really test thieves’ memory.

iPhone passcodes are numeric by default, so to enable an alphanumeric passcode, head into Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, enter your current passcode and scroll down to Change Passcode. Here, you’ll be asked to verify your old passcode once more, then tap Passcode Options to access the Custom Alphanumeric Code keypad. 

2. Use a Screen Time Password to limit Apple ID access 

Okay, we’ll admit: this next trick is likely to prove a headache in the short-term, but the long-term payoff could be the protection of your Apple ID. 

As the WSJ notes, you can use a Screen Time Password to add one additional layer of security to your Apple ID. Annoyingly, doing so means you’ll have to enter your Screen Time Password any time you want to make innocent changes to your Apple ID, but that’s a worthy sacrifice for such a helpful stopgap feature, in our book. 

To enable a Screen Time password for your Apple ID, head to Settings and tap Screen Time, then tap Use Screen Time Passcode. Set a passcode of your choice, then enter your Apple ID credentials so you can recover the Screen Time Password if you forget it. 

Next, head to Content & Privacy Restrictions, then toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions on. Scroll down to the Allow Changes menu, and switch the Account Changes slider to Don’t Allow. For one more layer of security, you can also block Passcode Changes at this step, which removes the Face ID and Passcode menu from the Settings app. 

3. Disable Control Center access on the lock screen 

Again, this change may take some getting used to if you’re someone who regularly accesses the Control Center without jumping into your iPhone proper, but disabling Control Center access on the lock screen will stop thieves from activating Airplane mode.

Why is this important? Well, in the event that someone steals your phone but doesn’t know your passcode, you can use Find My iPhone to track its location from another iOS device (see our dedicated guide on how to use Find My iPhone if you haven’t yet set up Apple’s tracking software on your device). If the thief in question activates Airplane mode, though, your iPhone can’t be tracked using Find My iPhone. 

Disabling Control Center access on the Lock Screen, then, means you may be able to quite literally track the movements of your unsuspecting looter – and more importantly, the location of your stolen iPhone. 

To make this change, head to Settings and tap the Face ID & Passcode menu. Enter your iPhone’s passcode, then scroll down to the Allow Access When Locked menu. Here, toggle Control Center off (it’s on by default).  

We've heard a lot about the forthcoming Google Pixel 7a: when it's likely to launch, potential pricing and release dates, its design, key hardware and what software it'll run. With so much already on the table, new rumors and leaks are now giving us more detailed insights into what to expect; with this latest one touching on a key security feature that would signal a notable upgrade for the series.

In a quartet of leaked screenshots shared by established Twitter tipster SnoopyTech – attributed to the Pixel 7a – it looks like the Google's next affordable phone will boast Face Unlock functionality; a first for the Pixel A-series.

Face Unlock is a pretty commonplace security feature on most phones nowadays, usually accompanied by fingerprint unlocking as a secondary biometric unlock method. In the case of the Pixel family, however, after debuting on the Pixel 4 series in 2019, Face Unlock was then noticeably absent from every entry after that; including the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, 5a, 6a and even a pair of the best Pixel phones around – the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

While Google never formally addressed the feature's removal and subsequent absence, the main school of thought seems to be that the company decided it was too big of a power drain to implement against the battery life targets they wanted to hit (something that was, undoubtedly, at the fore of the Pixel 5 team's mind after the famously-abysmal battery life of the Pixel 4).

Why is Face Unlock returning now?

While fingerprint unlock (initially capacitive and subsequently in-screen optical – starting with the Pixel 6 series) exclusively was enough to tide Pixel users over for a few generations, it appears Google was always planning on reinstating Face Unlock, which it managed with the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

The improved power efficiency of the company's Tensor G2 chipset is presumably the reason behind the feature's return within this current generation of Pixels, and, if true, that adds weight the the legitimacy of this latest Pixel 7a leak.

We're still a few weeks away from the Google Pixel 7a's expected debut at Google IO 2023 on May 10, but if the picture that's currently been painted holds true, we should be in for a capable new camera-centric mid-ranger from Google.

If we were guessing, we’d have said the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 would probably be land in August 2023. After all, the last two models of the former and three models of the latter were announced in August of their respective release years. But a new leak suggests this year's Galaxy foldable phones might actually arrive sooner than expected, in July.

This comes from leaker @Tech_Reve, who – posting on Twitter – claimed that Samsung usually starts mass-producing hinges for its upcoming foldable phones at the end of June, but that this year it’s going to start at the beginning of month, instead.

They suggest that, as a result, it’s possible the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 will be announced in July rather than August.

That said, this release date claim sounds like speculation, and there could be other reasons for Samsung’s early start on hinge mass-production (if Tech_Reve's claims are indeed true).

SamMobile – which spotted the leak – makes the point that we’ve elsewhere heard Samsung is using a new hinge design for these phones, so it could simply be that the company wants more time to manufacture these more modern hinges. That would make sense, as it might be a more involved process or be more open to issues than with the current hinge design found in the Flip and Fold 4.

In which case, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 might still land in August, as previously expected.

What else is coming?

Of course, that too is just speculation, but if Samsung does launch these phones early then it raises the question of what significant launches the company would have throughout the rest of the year.

If there’s nothing else then the company could have a long empty stretch before the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24, which we might not see until February 2024. There will likely be a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE at some point, but that’s not much to hang half a year on.

Moving beyond phones, there’s also the expected Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series to consider, but this line of wearables has often landed alongside Samsung’s foldables, in recent years. So that begs the question of whether the Galaxy Watch 6 would also have an early July launch, or land separately in August (or later).

With all that in mind, for now we still reckon August is the most likely release month for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. That gives the Samsung Galaxy S23 series more breathing room and more evenly spreads out Samsung’s flagship phone launches than a July launch would.

But we can’t rule out July either, especially as with increased competition this year from new rivals – like the upcoming Google Pixel Fold – Samsung might want to get its own foldables out the door early.

Just in time for Earth Day 2023, Samsung has announced that it will sell the Samsung Galaxy S22 through its refurbished store – and at a bargain price.

From April 21, you’ll be able to buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 for $619, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus for $769, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra for $919 at Samsung's US Store (there's no word yet on a launch in the UK or Australia). All the phones are the base 128GB models, though if you pay extra you get the S22 Ultra with 256GB. 

These aren’t quite the best prices we’ve ever seen for the Samsung handset, but they’re not far off – with the S22 regular model being the best bargain of the lot. 

In our four-star Samsung Galaxy S22 review we called it a “solid Android device” and a handset that “will quickly become a trusted companion” thanks to its handy 50MP main camera, well-performing chipset, and decent 12 hours of battery life based on our tests.

Why buy a refurbished phone over a brand new model? 

There are some pretty convincing reasons why you’d want to opt for a refurbished model over a new phone. 

For one, refurbished phones are typically cheaper than their brand-new counterparts. For another, they're more environmentally friendly – as the new parts are being reused rather than sent to landfill, and new materials and energy haven’t had to be harvested for the phone to work.

You’ll also find that, in terms of the product you get your hands on, there are very few differences between new and refurbished tech (at least when it comes to Samsung’s official store). That’s because, many of the parts are brand new, even if the whole refurbed phone isn't overall. 

According to Samsung’s official page, the handset is given a brand new battery, new unique identifiers, and (if needed) it’ll also have its screen, camera and speakers replaced. If that wasn’t enough, every certified refurbished smartphone will have passed a load of tests to ensure it functions “like-new”. Lastly, it’ll come in a brand-new box with a user manual, a one-year warranty card, and a charging cable.

That said, there are some clear disadvantages of going with a refurbished gadget. The main one is that you’ll be stuck with older hardware as brands rarely sell their latest hardware through refurbished programs as soon as it launches.

The Galaxy S22 is far from ancient, but it’s over a year old and has been supplanted by the Samsung Galaxy S23 earlier this year. Don’t get us wrong, the S22 is still a very solid gadget – and is a great pick up at this budget-friendly refurbished price – but if you like having the latest and greatest tech you might find that buying refurbished isn’t for you.

Additionally, not all refurbished phones are created equally. Samsung’s store will likely serve you up a solid product but third-party refurbished stores can be less consistent with their testing and refurbishing process. So you might want to make sure there’s a good length warranty and comprehensive returns process before you buy a second-hand smartphone.

You can also check out all the latest Samsung promo codes for ways to save even more money on your next purchase at the manufacturer's official store.

Motorola is reportedly launching a new stylus-packing budget phone – the Moto G Stylus – in a matter of days, and new leaks shed light on the possible color options.

Leaked renders show off the G Stylus in blue and pink – or ‘Glam Pink’ as Motorola is apparently calling the shade, along with the titular stylus.

The leaks come from reliable Twitter tipster Snoopy Tech,  Based on the renders, this is a typical Motorola phone with a large, mostly unbroken display, slightly squared-off sides, and a dimple on the rear for the Motorola logo.

Moto G-series handsets have, in the past, been some of the best cheap phones you can buy, and their specs tend to reflect their pricing. The Moto G Stylus is expected to be powered by the modest MediaTek Helio G88 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM. 64GB of expandable storage should suffice for all your media, and there’s said to be a 6.5-inch 720p display with a 120Hz refresh rate to consume all that media on (and use the stylus with).

The images show a dual-camera setup, with at least one of the sensors according to Snoopy Tech – being a 50MP unit. All of this will apparently be kept chugging along by a 5,000mAh battery – which you’d better hope lasts through the day, as charging is rumored to be capped at a measly 10W. Lastly, the phone is said to come running Android 13, which we hope is the case, as Google has already started rolling out Android 14 beta previews.

 Hitting a niche 

Stylii have always been sought-after productivity tools, even if no one could figure out how to use them to drive a phone brand till Samsung introduced the world to the Galaxy Note. Motorola dipped its toes in the water with the original Moto G Stylus, and has apparently found enough success to continue pushing product out year after year (with 2021's Moto G Stylus 5G). The Moto G Stylus isn‘t going to rival the S23 Ultra; Motorola uses its premium branded phones like the Edge 40 Pro for that. Instead, what the G Stylus line does is provide a cheap, inexpensive, accessible stylus option to those who want it.

We compared Motorola’s stylus with Samsung’s S Pen when the G Stylus line debuted a few years ago, and there’s no reason to expect our conclusions to change just yet. It would be nice to see a premium Motorola Edge or Razr with a stylus option, though. Maybe next year.

Worldwide law enforcements have urged Meta to rectify its decision of making encryption as a default feature across all its platforms, citing online child safety concerns.

The FBI, Interpol and the UK’s National Crime Agency are some of the 15 bodies making up the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), which has called the plan "a purposeful design choice that degrades safety systems" against child sex abuses.

The news comes as the UK is reviewing the controversial Online Safety Bill, seeking to regulate encrypted messaging apps in the name of online safety. Meta's company WhatsApp was also one of the signatories of an open letter published on April 17 urging the government to rethink its position.    

Encryption to "blindfold" child sex abuse online 

"The VGT is calling for all industry partners to fully appreciate the impact of implementing system design decisions that result in blindfolding themselves to child sexual abuse (CSA) occurring on their platforms, or reduces their capacity to identify CSA and keep children safe," reads an official statement.  

End-to-end encryption (E2E) refers to the practice of scrambling data into an unreadable form so that no one, even the provider itself, can see what users send to each other. This is, for example, the basis of how many security software work, including VPN services. 

While WhatsApp has always protected users' conversations with E2E by default, Facebook and Instagram users currently have to decide whether or not to activate the security option. To boost people's privacy, Meta's plan is to expand default-encrypted DMs to all its platforms - on Facebook by the end of 2023, on Instagram on a later date.

"We don't think people want us reading their private messages, so have developed safety measures that prevent, detect and allow us to take action against this heinous abuse, while maintaining online privacy and security," a Meta spokesperson told Ars Technica.

The company also said it is looking to ensure its plan is still on track to be completed on time.

Finding a better way to protect children online is an especially pressing matter right now. Child sex abuses are on the rise, with the majority of reports coming from electronic service providers - the VGT argues. 

"The abuse will not stop just because companies decide to stop looking," the law enforcement taskforce wrote, adding that Meta is currently "the leading reporter of detected child sexual abuse."

The statement also goes on, citing the case of UK sexual predator David Wilson and how police managed to successfully prosecute the offenders by accessing over 250,000 messages through Facebook. 

Tensions between tech companies looking to secure their users' data and law enforcement seeking to better monitor conversations to catch bad guys have been growing over the years. Encryption is under attack everywhere now, with proposed laws specifically targeting the practice being reviewed by both EU and UK lawmakers.

Tech companies and experts keep pointing out, though, that weakening encryption and undermining users' privacy would result in more harm than good in the long run. After all, criminals are likely to turn to illegal apps to keep evading the law - whether E2E on Facebook will be on or not. 

Even if you’re an avid gamer on one of the best Android phones, there’s a good chance you aren’t taking advantage of the Play Store’s best feature. You probably have a mountain of Play Points ready to help you earn discounts and goodies in your favorite apps, and (as of recently) real-world items too.

Play Points are the Google Play Store’s reward scheme. Ignoring any promotions which net you bonus points, for every $1 / £1 / AU$1 you spend you get 1 Point. Save up enough Play Points and you can spend them on various items within the Play Store. However the feature is tucked away inside the Play Store, and we often forget to check it to take advantage of the deals it offers – but you definitely don’t want to forget about it. 

The easiest way to spend your Points is to convert them into Play Store Credit, with 100 netting you $1 / £1 / AU$1. You can then spend this credit however you want in the Play Store (you can buy apps, in-game purchases movies, or a range of digital items) – though it will expire after one year if you forget to use the credit.

That said, credit might not be your best pick. If you have something you specifically want to use your credit on – say an in-app purchase in one of the best Android games – you might instead want to pick up a coupon instead. While coupons are tied to specific apps – and typically come with spending restrictions that limit how easy they are to use – they can be a great pick as you typically get a little more bang for your buck. Typically you’ll only need to spend 50 points per $1 / £1 / AU$1, but you can also find some bundles that are an even better value if you have the points to spare.

To earn Play Points you’ll have to join the scheme, and you can do this from your Android smartphone by opening the Play Store app, tapping on your profile icon in the top right of the screen, then tapping Play Points in the menu that appears and finally join on the next screen.

If you’re already part of the scheme, when you tap Play Points you’ll see how many you’ve earned, a list of ways to earn bonus Play Points, and various apps you can spend them in. The list of options is pretty long, so we’d recommend using filters at the top of the page to only show coupons for games you have installed or offers that you can afford.

DoorDash deals and Dino-tastic socks 

Your Play Points won’t just net you virtual goodies, you can get physical benefits too following an announcement in a recent Google blog post– if you live in the US at least.

For 1,000 Play Points you can bag a coupon for  $10-off your next DoorDash order – though you have to get the coupon before June 30, use it before September 30, and the order has to cost over $25.

You can also nab coupons for Instacart to get discounts on your grocery deliveries. 500 Points net you $5-ooff your next order over $35, while 1,000 Points will save you $10. You can also spend 1,000 Play Points to get two months free grocery delivery, or 1,750 ponts to get $15-off an order and two months free delivery. Just like with Doordash, this offer is only usable until September 30.

Alternatively, you can pay full price for your next takeout and instead get a hold of some exclusive Google merch – though expect supplies to run out swiftly. There are some pretty generic branded sunglasses (900 points), water bottles (1,400), and sweatshirts (5,000 points) up for grabs, but by far the best item of the lot is the Chrome Dino socks (2,100). 

Featuring the pseudo-Chrome mascot running through its desert home we expect these socks will disappear quickly – so head to the Play Store ASAP to be in with a chance of snagging a pair for yourself. Alternatively, you can go to the official Google Merch store and pick up a pair for $18 – though at the time of writing, there are only 145 available.

Hopefully, those more tangible deals will launch outside the US in the future, but even if you’re stuck with virtual-only offers it’s worth seeing what savings are out there – your Play Points won’t last forever so make sure you use them in some way before you lose them.

Mobile network operators are predicted to miss out on billions of dollars of revenue due to undetected “flash calling”, a new report has claimed.

Findings from Juniper Research claim operators could lose out on around $1.3 billion between 2023 and 2027 as the alternative calling method becomes more widely used.

Flash calling leverages voice networks to verify customers,  automatically by using the last few digits of an originating phone number instead of asking them to enter a code received by SMS.

 Flash calling issues

 The report notes that more and more businesses are switching to this extremely profitable channel, rather than depending on conventional SMS authentication techniques. However the inability of operators to detect flash calling traffic is set to result in a decline in SMS business revenue for carriers. 

Juniper notes that network operators won’t be able to notice more than 90% of flash calling traffic in 2023 alone, however due to the expanding use of detection services provided by third-party firewall providers, this number is predicted to fall dramatically to 45% by 2026

It suggests operators use voice firewall technologies that can distinguish between flash calling traffic and current P2P voice calls to solve the problem. This strategy would enable operators to monetize flash calling traffic while reducing SMS business messaging revenue losses.

Operators must choose whether to ban or monetize the identified traffic as firewalls identify more flash calling activity, and so to prevent customer annoyance and lower the value of voice channels, the research advises operators to put monetizing traffic first.

The report estimates that as voice firewalls become more extensively used, operators' losses from undetected flash calling will begin to drop year over year as more traffic is discovered and monetized by operators. By 2027, it predicts flash calling revenues will reach $450 million globally, surpassing losses from unidentified flash calling traffic for the first time.

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There are a fair few reasons why I love my Google Pixel 6, but one of my absolute favorite features is Now Playing – and I’m so excited to hear it’s getting a major upgrade soon.

Now Playing is basically an automatic version of the Shazam music detector app. Whenever your Google Pixel hears a song it’ll cross reference the lyrics and melody with its massive database of tunes; if it finds a match you’ll get a note in the notification menu telling you what the song is and who it’s by – and it’ll be logged in your phone’s Now Playing History.

The feature is about to get an upgrade too, with a Summary tab set to be added to the Now Playing menu soon (via 9to5Google) to give you an overview of the tracks that have orchestrated your life. 

In other words, the update is sort of monthly Spotify Wrapped for the music your phone has heard. As shown in leaked screenshots, your Now Playing Summary will show you stats about the music the Pixel has detected; it’ll tell you how many songs you’ve heard, which individual tracks and artists you’ve been subjected to the most, and even the most common times of day that your Google Pixel picks up music. 

What's more, the summary page will let you explore artists to find out what songs of theirs you've heard – tap on the tracks and you should be able to easily find them in your go-to music streaming service.

How to turn on Now Playing on your Google Pixel

I rely heavily on Now Playing to help keep my Apple Music playlists fresh. Thanks to the feature I can easily find out what a song I've just heard is – be it something playing on BBC Radio 1, in a bar, or an advert that's playing before my next YouTube video – and then add it to my digital collection. 

Even better, I don't have to remember to do it in the moment as Now Playing History will keep a log that I can scroll back through days later when it's time to update my music library.

If you want to take advantage of the feature too (and you have a Google smartphone like the Google Pixel 7) it's pretty simple to switch on.

Start by opening up the Settings app on your Pixel phone, then in the "Search Settings" bar at the top type in Now Playing. You should see the Now Playing option appear on the screen, tap on it and you'll see a toggle to turn on and off the ability for your Pixel phone to "Identify songs playing nearby." 

Turn it on and Now Playing will start helping you identify songs that your phone hears automatically (with the details appearing on your lock screen, in the notifications bar, and in the Now Playing History menu that you can find in your phone's Settings app by searching for it).

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Apple's recently released Lockdown Mode privacy tool has apparently being working well in real world scenarios, with the company revealing it recently stopped a major threat against vulnerable targets.

Useful for iPhone users who are high-level targets, such as journalists and human rights activists, Apple's Lockdown Mode has been found by researchers to have helped block attacks from the notorious Israeli cyber-intelligence firm, the NSO Group, using its Pegasus spyware.

The Citizen Lab, based at the University of Toronto, yesterday published its report where it analyzed three zero-day exploits - i.e. ones that Apple were unaware of - affecting iOS 15 and 16 systems that were used by the NSO Group to target Mexican human rights campaigners, among potential others. 

Last line of defense

Thankfully, however, Lockdown Mode came to the rescue, blocking one of the exploits used, according to the researchers, becoming the first documented case of the feature preventing an attack.

Revelaed in July 2022, Lockdown Mode works by reducing the amount of exposed system code to an attack. The researchers also said that when the targets' phones blocked the attack, they received a notification saying that Lockdown Mode had prevented unauthorized access to the Home app. 

The researchers noted, however, that it may be quite easy for hackers to determine who has and who hasn't got Lockdown Mode turned on, thus helping them to launch more successful attacks. Despite this, they were still buoyed by the fact that the feature worked.

“The fact that Lockdown Mode seems to have thwarted, and even notified targets of a real-world zero-click attack shows that it is a powerful mitigation, and is a cause for great optimism," Bill Marczak, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, told TechCrunch.

Marczak did add a further caution, however, noting: “As with any optional feature, the devil is always in the details. How many people will opt to turn on Lockdown Mode? Will attackers simply move away from exploiting Apple apps and target third-party apps, which are harder for Lockdown Mode to secure?”

Apple spokesperson Scott Radcliffe said in a statement: “We are pleased to see that Lockdown Mode disrupted this sophisticated attack and alerted users immediately, even before the specific threat was known to Apple and security researchers. Our security teams around the world will continue to work tirelessly to advance Lockdown Mode and strengthen the security and privacy protections in iOS.”

On the other side, in a statement from the NSO Group, spokesperson Liron Bruck said: “Citizen Lab has repeatedly produced reports that are unable to determine the technology in use and they refuse to share their underlying data. NSO adheres to strict regulation and its technology is used by its governmental customers to fight terror and crime around the world.” 

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