EPSON

Epson's first collaborative robot arrives in Japan with Python support and a 900 mm reach

Epson's first collaborative robot has arrived on the Japanese market, bringing a 900 mm reach, 6 kg payload and Python programming to the factory floor. The AX6-A901S also features a lightweight carbon-fibre arm and a compact controller designed for integration with mobile robotic systems.

Epson might be best known for the printer sitting in the corner of the office, but the Japanese manufacturer has considerably bigger ambitions for moving things around. Its first collaborative robot, the AX6-A901S, is now available to order in Japan, complete with a carbon-fibre arm, Python programming and a compact controller that can be mounted on mobile robotic platforms.

According to Epson's Japanese announcement, orders opened on 29 October 2026. The robot originally made its debut in June 2025, so this is a commercial rollout rather than a brand-new unveiling.

The six-axis AX6-A901S offers a 900 mm reach and a maximum payload of 6 kg, with a repeatability rating of ±0.03 mm. Its carbon-fibre construction helps keep the robot's weight to approximately 18 kg. That is quite a lot of precision for a machine that weighs less than some suitcases.

As a collaborative robot, or cobot, the AX6-A901S is designed for applications where people and machines can work in closer proximity than in many traditional industrial installations. That doesn't give it an automatic invitation to join the workforce without supervision, however. Appropriate risk assessments and safety measures remain essential.

Programming the AX6-A901S needn't mean writing every instruction from scratch. Epson's AX Portal software supports Python alongside visual block-based programming, allowing users to build sequences through a graphical interface or work directly with code.

Epson's Japanese specifications put the RC-A101 controller at 5.5 kg, with support for both AC power and 48 V DC operation. That makes it suitable for integration with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). So, rather than spending its working life rooted to one spot, the robotic arm could potentially travel between workstations as part of a suitably configured mobile system.

Mobility is only part of the picture. Epson lists ISO Class 5 cleanroom compatibility and IP54 protection, although it notes that both ratings are based on design evaluations rather than guaranteed performance at shipment. Its smooth exterior is designed to make cleaning easier, a useful consideration in pharmaceutical and medical-device manufacturing or laboratory automation.

Epson is no stranger to industrial robotics, having spent decades developing automation equipment. The AX6-A901S is Epson's first collaborative robot, bringing the company into a category designed around more flexible installations and closer working arrangements between people and machines.

The company has not published a fixed retail price, with prospective buyers directed to its sales channels for a quotation.

For now, the AX6-A901S is unlikely to be making an appearance beside anyone's home printer. Epson has found its first cobot a rather more interesting job than feeding paper through a tray.

Transform the possibilities within your manufacturing process with the AX6, part of the AX series of 6-axis collaborative robots. Built on four decades of experience implementing automation in our own production facilities, the AX series is designed to enhance worker interaction through power and force-limiting features—which, subject to an appropriate risk assessment, allow for operation without safety enclosures. Featuring a compact, lightweight carbon-fiber structure, the AX6 is ideal for collaborative applications where space is limited.

The AX6 provides a seamless operating environment for users of all experience levels, featuring user-friendly, no-code software and an intuitive user interface. Furthermore, the robot offers versatility and quality control, with benefits including a customizable Python development environment, industrial-grade kinematics, and a 3D simulator. Equipped with end-of-arm features—such as customizable multi-function user buttons, a multi-colored LED status ring, and simple connectors for tooling—this robot is perfectly suited for applications that require quick, easy setup and redeployment.

Power and force limiting: With an appropriate risk assessment, this feature facilitates greater worker interaction without the need for safety barriers.

User-friendly, no-code software: Program the robot using an intuitive interface that requires no prior programming experience.

Compact, lightweight, and robust design: The carbon-fiber structure enables a lightweight, space-efficient work cell, ideal for a wide range of collaborative applications. IP54 and ISO 5 cleanroom rating1

Customizable Python development environment: load your own libraries and modules to easily develop work cells for more complex robotic applications

Industrial kinematics: easily generate linear, curved, or joint-based movements in a no-code or Python-based environment

Multifunctional user buttons at the arm's end: includes three customizable buttons and two dedicated buttons; easily teach positions by manually moving the robot in free space and using the "Teach" buttons

Ethernet port and pneumatic connections at the arm's end: simplifies end-of-arm tooling for grippers, dispensers, and more

Compatible with various power sources: supports 100 V to 230 V AC and 48 V DC

Multicolor LED status ring at the arm's end: quickly assess the robot's status via color-coded indicator lights located at the end of the arm

3D simulator: test programs in a simulation environment before running them in the actual work cell

No-code software and development tools...Epson states that it designed the AX6 to provide a seamless operating environment for users of all skill levels, combining no-code software with an intuitive user interface. Together with the AX Portal—the company’s collaborative robot software—the robot offers a range of development tools designed to meet diverse automation needs.

For more advanced applications, a customizable Python development environment allows users to upload custom libraries and modules to develop more complex robotic work cells. Industrial-grade kinematics enable linear, curved, or jointed motion, whether controlled via the no-code environment or through Python-based programming.

The end-of-arm interface includes both dedicated and customizable buttons; operators can teach positions by manually moving the robot through free space and using these "teach" buttons. A 3D simulator allows users to test programs in a virtual environment before deploying them within an actual work cell.

Hardware design, ratings, and connections...The AX6 is built around a compact, lightweight carbon-fiber structure, which Epson notes helps create a space-efficient and low-weight work cell. The robot carries an IP54 rating and complies with ISO Class 5 cleanroom standards (ISO 14644-1). Epson highlights that this combination makes the AX6 well-suited for collaborative applications where space constraints and controlled environments are critical.

An Ethernet port and pneumatic connections at the end of the arm simplify the integration of end-of-arm tooling, such as grippers or dispensers. A multi-colored LED ring at the end of the arm provides visual feedback, allowing users to assess the robot's status through specific color-coded light signals. The AX6 supports multiple power sources, ranging from 100 V–240 V AC to 48 V DC. 

The robot described in that development announcement featured a 6 kg payload capacity and a 900 mm arm reach, weighing in at 17 kg—a design that Epson noted would allow for easy relocation and reconfiguration. Its controller measured 440 × 205 × 135 mm and weighed less than 6 kg; it was designed to be installed on mobile robotic platforms, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

The design incorporated cleanroom-compatible transfer capabilities (meeting ISO 14644-1 Class 5 standards) and provided IP54-rated protection against dust and water splashes—though Epson noted at the time that this compliance was based on design evaluation and was not guaranteed at the time of shipment. Its smooth chassis, free of screw holes or sharp edges, was engineered to minimize dust accumulation and reduce the risk of contamination in cleanroom environments. The robot under development supported Python programming and was compatible with both 100–230 V AC and 48 V DC power sources.

by mundophone

 

DIGITAL LIFE

AI enters the dating game

Online dating applications offer a land of opportunity to fraudsters and scam artists, with platforms such as Tinder, Hinge and Match becoming conventional ways to establish relationships, short-term connections, and hook-ups. These platforms, including social media sites, allow users to date multiple users at once, 24/7 (Lamphere & Lucas, 2019). On top of this, disclosure about oneself on social media is pervasive (Luo & Hancock, 2020). The ever-increasing popularity of dating applications and social media sites mean that cyber-criminals have easy access to a pool of potential victims, making the potential for deceit, fraud, and technological-facilitated violence significant concerns for public protection (Zhou, 2023). This is further exacerbated by the introduction of artificial intelligence, which despite its benefits, may offer perpetrators new and advanced ways to exploit and manipulate others (Hayward & Maas, 2021; Blauth, Gstrein & Zwitter, 2022).

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems with the capabilities to perform tasks and make decisions which typically require human intelligence. From sophisticated chatbots designed to engage in conversations and extract personal data, to deepfake technology used to create convincing false personas, evidence suggests that criminologists must prime themselves for the dark side of this technology, and how artificial intelligence will influence online safety. The aim of this article is to summarise the current and potential future risks arising in the media and empirical literature, surrounding AI-related safety concerns on dating applications.

Dating apps and artificial intelligence chatbots are changing how people flirt, choose partners, and prepare for dates. Technology is now being used to evaluate potential partners, draft messages, spot red flags, and even provide guidance on one’s love life.

One example is 27-year-old Sam. As he told *The Guardian*, after his ex-girlfriend joked that her sister thought he was unattractive, he turned to artificial intelligence. Google Gemini analyzed his photo and politely disagreed with that assessment. Since then, AI has become his "dating partner," offering encouragement and reviewing the messages he intends to send.

He is not alone in relying on AI to help find a relationship. A survey of 3,000 British singles, released this month by Match Group—the owner of platforms like Tinder and Hinge—revealed that 39% have used artificial intelligence in their love lives. This figure is even higher among younger generations: it reaches 66% for Gen Z (those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s) and 53% for millennials (those born from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s).

According to the Match survey, the most common uses for AI across all age groups include seeking advice about someone they are talking to, brainstorming date ideas, practicing conversations, drafting profile bios or messages, and verifying the authenticity of profiles or photos. Conversely, the survey indicates that most singles disapprove of using AI to alter photos. A single mother from New Zealand, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Guardian that she has used AI as a supportive dating mentor. "I didn’t really date before I met my ex-husband. With ChatGPT, I set the tool up to guide me toward becoming more emotionally secure—so I wouldn’t panic if there was a delay in a reply, or rush into anything," she says.

A 51-year-old man from Australia, who began dating again after his 20-year marriage ended, says that AI helped him find his current partner more quickly by evaluating his matches and testing out potential responses. "It was starting to become a lot of work, with all those conversations and profiles. So I thought, 'How can I use AI to speed this process up a bit?'" he explains.

He notes that the chatbot even encouraged him to reconsider profiles he had previously dismissed. "In the case of my current partner, the tool kept insisting: 'No, she’s your type—she just takes really bad photos.' Then I met her at a café, and she was absolutely stunning," he says.

When he told his partner that he had used AI during their exchanges, she admitted that she, too, had turned to a chatbot—Anthropic’s Claude—to analyze his messages. He recalls her joking that "the two Claudes were probably talking to each other behind the scenes."

This revelation, however, carries a risk: about a third of single people in the UK said they would end a date if they discovered that AI had been used to write the messages sent by the person they were seeing.

Furthermore, while some singles enjoy discussing a date with a chatbot (7%), far more prefer to share the experience within a group chat (29%) or with their parents (20%), according to research by Match. "Perhaps our friends are becoming more distant because of technology—a bit less present compared to the previous generation, who would gather in an apartment or at a bar and simply share every single detail," says 31-year-old Dec, from London, who uses ChatGPT as a sort of "sounding board" to talk through his interactions with single men.

Dec explains that he has fed his dating app conversations into ChatGPT, giving prompts like, "What do you think the red flags are here?" and "How would you describe this connection?"

Although using the chatbot as a dating advisor has led to several dates, Dec worries that his "brain is rotting because everything is now being delegated to AI." He adds, "We all know that, at times, it will just agree with whatever you say."

Research by Match points to a more robotic romantic future, in which autonomous AI systems would handle the task of finding partners on behalf of individuals. More than a quarter of those surveyed liked the idea of ​​two people’s virtual assistants talking to each other and providing a report before the individuals themselves began to interact—though the majority deemed the proposal "unacceptable."

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing modern dating, with 26% of single daters and nearly half of Gen Z users reporting they now use AI tools in their romantic pursuits.

How people are using AI in dating:

• Profile building: 43% of users turn to tools like ChatGPT or Claude to draft, edit, or polish their dating app profiles.

• Icebreakers and messaging: 37% of users rely on AI to brainstorm opening lines, write responses, or help carry text conversations. In some instances, two users have unknowingly had their AI chatbots chat with each other in the background.

• Dating strategy and analysis: Some daters use spreadsheets connected to chat histories or ask AI to analyze their romantic patterns, troubleshoot dating habits, or act as an "AI concierge" to scout compatible people.

• AI companionship: A growing number of people form direct, intimate relationships or romantic attachments with AI chatbots rather than human partners.

Risks and criticisms:

• Loss of authenticity and vulnerability: Sociologist Sherry Turkle and relationship experts warn that delegating intimate messages to a script bypasses real emotional vulnerability, which is essential for building human connection.

• Over-reliance and missed deal-breakers: Letting AI handle conversations can cause users to stop paying attention to subtle cues, red flags, or personal incompatibility.

• Misrepresented personas: If an AI builds a witty or smooth persona that a user cannot maintain face-to-face, it frequently leads to disappointment and broken trust on a real date.

• Fraud and safety threats: Experts highlight rising concerns over deepfake catfishing, AI-manipulated blackmail/sextortion, and fraudulent dating apps using fake chatbot profiles to extract money.

 

mundophone

 

TECH

Ubiquiti brings Power over Ethernet to 800 meters with extreme caveats

Power over Ethernet has a limited range, and available bandwidth can also decrease over distance. But Ubiquiti wants to at least overcome the range limitations for PoE with the new USW-LR-Switch-8-PoE switch. However, the extended range comes at a cost of both power and bandwidth.

Ubiquiti has announced a new switch called USW-LR-Switch-8-PoE (630W). Its specialty is offering Power over Ethernet (PoE up to PoE++) beyond 100 meters. The new switch offers an interesting alternative for temporary installations or situations where running another power cable through the ground or walls is difficult.

But the 8-port switch requires special cables and an endpoint that passes PoE through to the PoE powered device, which can be, for example, a PoE camera or a PoE switch.

One additional port is just for the uplink. Users can choose either the RJ45 port or the SFP port, with a maximum speed of 1 Gbit/s. However, this switch is not intended for data-intensive use cases. The switching capacity is limited to a very low 3.6 Gbit/s and all long-range ports are limited to 100 Mbit/s.

90 watts becomes 13 watts at 800 meters...Using long-range mode comes with some serious caveats. According to Ubiquiti, Power over Ethernet will degrade significantly at higher ranges. Using the official outdoor cable, a PoE sink cannot consume more than 13 watts at the maximum range of 800 meters. That is sufficient for many smaller devices. However, the electricity bill will be significantly higher than with a local PoE switch.

If a device consumes more energy, like UniFi's AI PTZ cameras, the range will be limited. This device requires 51 watts and can be used with a distance of up to 200 meters. Connecting a device with high bandwidth requirements is also out of the question. Ubiquiti says in long-range mode with a compatible long-range endpoint, the switch usually negotiates 100 Mbit/s for up to 400 meters. Beyond 400 meters, the speed is further reduced to 10 Mbit/s. 

Ubiquiti's USW-LR-Switch-8-PoE (630W) is already available for 274 USD. The long-range endpoint UACC-LR-Endpoint costs 99 USD per unit. So, a full setup comes in at 1,066 USD since Ubiquiti does not offer discounts  for ordering multiple endpoints. That does not include the cables. A single TP cable, UACC-Cable-C5e-Outdoor-Pro-305M-W, with a length of 305 meters costs another 149 USD.

PoE and connectivity, now available far beyond the building. Introducing Long-Range Switching by Ubiquiti, delivering power and data over a single Ethernet cable up to 800 meters.

Extend beyond standard Ethernet...Standard copper Ethernet reaches 100 meters. Beyond that, connecting remote cameras, access devices, and IoT sensors often requires fiber and a separate electrical supply. Long-range switching brings both power and data to locations where local power is unavailable, with a familiar PoE interface.

Reach remote devices up to 800 meters away

Deliver power and data through one Ethernet cable

Simplify deployments beyond the building

Extend Ethernet connectivity and PoE up to 800 meters over a single cable.

Power remote deployments...With eight long-range ports and up to 90W of PoE output per port, the long-range switch brings connectivity and power to remote physical security and IoT deployments.

Eight ports for long-range connectivity

Up to 90W of PoE output per port

Built for remote cameras, access devices, and IoT sensors

Eight long-range ports bring high-power PoE to remote infrastructure.

Built for exposed installations...A dedicated outdoor endpoint enables extended reach while providing surge protection for exposed installations. Use these endpoints for the best performance and the longest range runs to the edge of your site.

Dedicated outdoor endpoint

Extended reach for remote installations

Integrated surge protection

Extend your network outdoors with surge protection at the endpoint.

Unified with UniFi...Manage your network and physical security through UniFi, whether your endpoints are wired or wireless. Long-range switching brings remote infrastructure into one building operating system, completely license-free.

Unified network and physical security management

Remote connectivity within the UniFi ecosystem

Completely license-free operation

One building operating system unifies networking and physical security.

Bring power and wired connectivity further than ever before with UniFi long-range switching.

 

mundophone

 

TECH

Why the Pentagon pushed AI to the limit during the war with Iran?

The Pentagon has used artificial intelligence in the war with Iran on a scale that has virtually stretched the classified computing capacity available in the United States to the limit. The Maven system, developed by Palantir, gathered information from satellites, sensors and other intelligence sources to support target identification and speed up military decisions. The operation represented a breakthrough in integrating AI into the U.S. military. Technologies that, a few years ago, still presented difficulties in reliably identifying military objectives have become integrated into the planning and execution of real operations. The experience is now serving as a reference for the adoption of similar systems by allied countries. According to an analysis published by Reuters on October 30, Cameron Stanley, head of digital and artificial intelligence at the Pentagon, confirmed that the operation against Iran marked the first full use of Maven's analysis and target identification capabilities. Demand for classified computing resources quickly reached the limit of available capacity. reuters.com Maven made AI part of military operations...Maven combines information from different surveillance and reconnaissance systems. The platform allows you to analyze images, cross-reference sensor data and identify potential targets, tasks that previously required a longer intervention from military analysts. Palantir's technology integrates into an ecosystem that includes artificial intelligence models from companies such as Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Microsoft. SpaceX also supplies technology used in U.S. military operations, although the roles and levels of integration of these suppliers are not necessarily equivalent. The change is significant because AI is no longer limited to experiences or administrative tasks. He became directly involved in the processing of the information that underpins operational decisions. This evolution does not mean, however, that systems can autonomously decide all attacks. Palantir says decisions about the use of lethal force remain human responsibility. In March, the Pentagon decided to institutionalize Maven as one of the main artificial intelligence systems of the Armed Forces. The decision sought to secure funding and accelerate the adoption of the platform by the different military structures. Analysis errors expose military AI risks..The speed of processing does not eliminate the problems associated with the quality of the data or the interpretation of the results. One of the most relevant episodes occurred when an incorrect analysis, produced using artificial intelligence, led the US military to consider the approach of a Chinese merchant ship. The vessel was suspected of carrying components related to nuclear weapons, but the information turned out to be wrong. According to the report cited by Reuters, the mistake was identified before US forces advanced with the intervention. The episode demonstrates how an incorrect conclusion can trigger operational decisions with diplomatic and military consequences. It is not demonstrated that the analysis was produced specifically by Maven. Another case that raised questions was the bombing of a school in Iran during the first day of the offensive. The US authorities attributed the incident to the use of outdated maps and information, without identifying the analysis produced by AI as the cause of the error. The two episodes illustrate distinct problems. A model can misinterpret available information, but it can also produce technically coherent results from data that is already wrong. In military operations, the combination of these factors increases the importance of human verification, especially when an assessment may lead to the use of weaponry. Technological dependence worries allies of the United States...The military's use of artificial intelligence is also creating new dependencies between governments and tech companies. The United States is seeking to help European, Asian and Middle Eastern allies adopt tools similar to those used during the war with Iran. However, some countries fear losing autonomy if access to these platforms depends on decisions made in Washington or by private providers. The issue became particularly relevant after the conflict between the Pentagon and Anthropic over the limits imposed on the military use of their models. TecheNet had already addressed this dispute in an article on the Pentagon'S new AI agreements that excluded Anthropic, published in May 2026. Palantir sought to address similar concerns about Maven. Louis Mosley, the company's head of UK and Europe, told Reuters that customers who have purchased the platform retain operational control and that there is no mechanism that would allow the company or the US government to remotely disable the system. NATO acquired Maven in 2025 and declared that the platform achieved full technical operational capability in June 2026. Countries such as Germany and France, however, have expressed reservations about national adoption of the technology, not least for reasons of security and sovereignty. reuters.com More analysis capacity does not guarantee better results...The US experience shows that artificial intelligence can speed up the analysis of military information, but it does not necessarily solve the strategic problems of a conflict. Faster identification of potential targets can increase the pace of operations and the consumption of weaponry. It can also reduce the time available to verify information if human oversight procedures do not keep up with the speed of systems. The challenge goes beyond the technical capacity of the models. The Armed Forces will have to define how to validate recommendations, identify errors and assign responsibility when a decision supported by artificial intelligence causes unforeseen consequences. The use of Maven during the war with Iran thus represents a shift in the operational scale of military AI. Technology has come to occupy a central place in information processing and decision support, but experience has also exposed limitations that do not disappear with increasing computational capacity.

The Pentagon pushed AI to its limits during the conflict with Iran to drastically accelerate targeting decisions and scale up remote strike operations without deploying ground troops.

Key drivers behind the AI push: • Machine-speed target generation: The U.S. military used Palantir's Maven Smart System integrated with generative AI models (like Anthropic’s Claude) to aggregate massive streams of classified surveillance data. This reduced the time needed to process intelligence and build target lists from tens of thousands of human-hours down to seconds. • Massive strike scale: In the first 24 hours of the campaign starting February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel struck roughly 1,000 targets—double the initial shock-and-awe scale of the 2003 Iraq War. • Avoiding ground troops: Operating under strategic directives to minimize American boots on the ground, the administration relied on remote, AI-assisted air and missile power to project force rapidly. • The "AI-First" doctrine: Under the "AI Acceleration Strategy" and leadership pushing to eliminate internal technological constraints or "ideological guardrails," the Pentagon sought unconstrained use of commercial tech to maintain a perceived dominance over global adversaries like China. Controversies and limits: • Clashes with tech providers: The push triggered acute friction with tech companies like Anthropic, which attempted to restrict its models from powering autonomous lethal weapons or mass domestic surveillance, leading to temporary government supply-chain risk designations and pivots toward alternative defense contractors. • Battlefield errors and oversight: Rapid deployment raised intense legal and ethical debates regarding accountability in the "kill chain," highlighted by reported targeting errors—including strikes impacting civilian structures like an Iranian elementary school

mundophone

 

DIGITAL LIFE

Invisible SMS can drop calls on Android phones

A vulnerability in Android allows phone calls to be interrupted via an "invisible" SMS—a specially crafted text message that requires no user interaction, such as opening the message or receiving a notification. The flaw, dubbed "SMS of Death," affects how WAP Push messages are processed and can terminate ongoing calls, including those made to emergency services.

Security researcher Mark Blaszczyk disclosed the technical details of the issue following a communication process with Google that began in May 2026. The vulnerability was reproduced on a Google Pixel 9 and several Samsung Galaxy devices. Although Google has developed a fix, questions remain regarding its distribution across various manufacturers.

An invisible SMS crashes Android phones, cuts off calls, including to emergency services, and can trap users in a reboot loop, a researcher warns. The “SMS of Death” exploit code is now public, and the fix is underway.

Simply invisible SMS messages can make Android phones unusable, requiring a factory reset or an involved recovery procedure, a new security advisory warns.

“A single malformed WAP Push SMS crashes com.android.phone on Android, dropping active calls (including emergency calls), with zero interaction from the victim,” Mark Blaszczyk, a security researcher (@sourone), said in a report.

And attackers can already leverage SMSes to target victims using a proof-of-concept “SMS of Death” app, made available on GitHub – it remotely and silently sends a crafted 8-byte WAP Push PDU over SMS to a target handset.

The bug requires no user interaction, the exploit works remotely, and often bricks the device – recovery requires connecting to the phone using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), according to the researcher. The attack is completely invisible, and the SMS messages don’t appear in the inbox.

The author disclosed the bug responsibly in May, 2026. Google committed a fix on June 15 and pushed the patch to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), but the fix has yet to reach all supported devices.

The critical vulnerability affects Android 12 through 16, meaning that many phones will never receive a fix.

GrapheneOS said the bug will be included in the upcoming November security bulletin. The critical flaw is patched in Android 14–17 with the October 2026 update. It has been assigned CVE-2026-58882.

How does the bug work? The entire payload is just eight bytes sent via SMS, and five of those bytes represent a single number – the header’s length.

When the phone receives the SMS and starts processing it automatically, it sees a valid value: 2,147,483,648, in a format known as long (0x80000000), which is used for large numbers.

However, Android then converts it to a smaller data type, a 32-bit integer (int), without checking the range, causing overflow. The number flips to a negative value (-2,147,483,648) after conversion, which makes no sense as a header length.

The negative value triggers a fatal error, killing com.android.phone, a component that handles calls.

WAP Push is a legacy system that lets mobile carriers send hidden instructions to phones without the user taking any action, such as prompting devices to download MMS or apply carrier settings.

The attack exploits a flaw in the processing of WAP Push messages—a mechanism used by mobile networks to transmit specific types of information to mobile phones.

According to security researcher Mark Blaszczyk, a specially crafted message can cause a failure in the `com.android.phone` process, which handles essential telephony functions on Android.

The issue stems from an incorrect interpretation of a message header's length. When the system receives certain malformed values, an exception can occur, causing the telephony process to crash.

A unique aspect of this vulnerability is that the attack requires no interaction from the victim. The message is processed automatically, without ever appearing in the user's inbox or triggering a visible notification.

In tests conducted by the researcher, the flaw caused a temporary disruption to telephony services—enough to terminate an active call. The issue could even affect calls to the European emergency number 112 if a malicious message is received while the call is in progress.

Repeated messages can prolong the disruption; the consequences are not necessarily limited to the interruption of a single call. An analysis published by eSecurity Planet outlines the risks associated with the repeated transmission of malicious messages, which can trigger further failures in telephone service.

Blaszczyk documented instances where repeated attacks rendered equipment temporarily unable to perform standard telephony functions. The researcher also noted that certain message-resending mechanisms can exacerbate the issue.

The extent of these consequences, however, depends on the specific hardware, the version of Android, and the conditions under which the attack occurs. The tests presented do not indicate that all Android phones exhibit the same behavior.

The vulnerability constitutes a denial-of-service attack. The findings provide no evidence that it allows for access to personal data, the installation of applications, or the complete takeover of a device.

The timeline of the vulnerability reveals discrepancies between the initial assessment of the issue and Google’s technical response.

Blaszczyk reported the flaw in May 2026. According to the researcher, the incident was initially categorized within Google’s vulnerability identification program as an issue with no security implications.

Despite this classification, development records indicate that a fix intended to address the vulnerable behavior had already been prepared by June.

The fix modifies how malformed messages are handled, preventing specific errors from causing an interruption to telephone service.

However, the existence of a fix within the Android codebase does not guarantee that it has reached all devices.

Android Authority examined the status of the fix and found conflicting information regarding the rollout schedule. While some references point to the October updates, others link the resolution to the November security cycle.

The GrapheneOS project also included a fix for this vulnerability in its early security releases, as documented in its official update history.

The distribution of the fix to Android devices depends on the manufacturers, the operating system versions, and their respective update schedules. What Android users should do...The primary protective measure is to keep the operating system up to date and install the security patches provided by the manufacturer.

Users can check their security update level in their phone's settings, though the exact location of this information varies depending on the manufacturer and the version of Android.

Security updates are particularly important because some vulnerabilities can be exploited without any user intervention. Even so, the presence of a recent update does not, by itself, guarantee that a specific patch has been installed.

The rollout of these updates may also vary between different models. As previously reported by TecheNet, some Google Pixel devices experienced issues following the September update—an incident that is separate and has no known connection to the vulnerability now being disclosed.

To date, the available information describes security tests and technical demonstrations. There has been no confirmation of an active exploitation campaign targeting Android users via this flaw.

However, the release of technical details underscores the importance of deploying the fixes, especially since the issue could affect a critical mobile phone function and disrupt emergency communications.

mundophone

 

TECH

DRAM crisis: Canon warns of more expensive cameras

After laptops, smartphones and game consoles, cameras are now also set to become significantly more expensive. Canon is warning of the effects of the ongoing DRAM crisis and plans to pass the higher costs on to consumers in the form of more expensive cameras.

The DRAM crisis, triggered by immense demand for RAM, SSDs and semiconductors for AI data centers, has already led to some extreme price increases for products such as graphics cards, gaming consoles and laptops over the past twelve months, with even the Nintendo Switch 2  already becoming more expensive. Next year, the crisis is also expected to hit cameras.

The global memory crisis, which has already impacted the market for computers, graphics cards, and other electronics, is now reaching the camera industry. Canon has warned that its equipment could become more expensive in 2027 due to rising production costs and difficulties in sourcing electronic components.

This warning was issued in an official Q&A document, released following the presentation of the company’s third-quarter 2026 financial results on October 27. In it, the Japanese manufacturer acknowledged that price pressure on memory components is expected to persist throughout the coming year.

This situation marks a shift in the company’s outlook. Previously, Canon had anticipated that memory costs would begin to decline in the second half of 2027; however, the manufacturer now expects no such reduction throughout the entire year.

Canon intends to pass these costs on to consumers. According to the company, a shortage of printed circuit boards and other electronic components is hindering the supply chain for its factories. To maintain production, Canon states that it is utilizing every available means to secure the necessary materials, even if it incurs additional expenses. The manufacturer explained that its strategy is to offset these higher costs through price increases starting in 2027, while carefully considering the potential impact on sales and profitability.

The effects are already visible in the company’s financial results. Canon revealed that the rising cost of memory, combined with other expenses linked to the situation in the Middle East, has reduced the expected operating margin for its imaging division in the fourth quarter by approximately five percentage points. The company also acknowledged that it has not yet been able to fully pass these additional costs on to its customers.

Artificial intelligence is driving the pressure on memory supplies. The issue is directly linked to the expansion of data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence, which are consuming increasingly large quantities of memory. Although cameras primarily use DRAM as temporary memory for processing images, videos, and sequences of photographs, its production relies on a supply chain that also serves computers, servers, and other equipment.

With semiconductor manufacturers prioritizing products intended for servers, the availability of components for mainstream devices remains limited. A study by TrendForce, published in September, estimated that contract prices for mainstream DRAM would increase by 10% to 15% in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The consultancy also forecasts that DRAM supply will remain under pressure in 2027, as the expansion of production capacity is not expected to keep pace with growing demand. These figures, however, pertain to the memory market and do not represent a price adjustment specifically announced for cameras.

Shortages are already affecting Canon’s camera production...The situation is also hindering the availability of certain equipment. In its financial report, Canon stated that demand for compact cameras remains high, but an insufficient supply of components is preventing production from keeping pace as expected. Despite this, revenue from compact cameras grew by more than 50% in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, sales of interchangeable-lens cameras totaled approximately 620,000 units—a 16% decline compared to the same period in 2025. The company has not yet disclosed which models will be subject to further price adjustments, nor the specific percentages or the markets that will be affected. Consequently, there is no confirmation yet as to how much more Canon cameras might cost in Brazil in 2027.

This warning, however, indicates that the effects of the memory crisis are spreading beyond the computer market, now impacting both professional and consumer photographic equipment.

These supply shortages typically raise costs, as seen across the flash memory space amid increased demand from AI data centers. Companies are bidding for a shrinking supply, driving prices up. Fujifilm alluded to this months ago, and now Canon is discussing it.

“For components that are in short supply, we are using every possible means to secure the quantities we need for next year. As a result, we expect higher procurement costs, but our policy is to offset those increases through price increases from next year onward,” Canon says.

“We have already been making pricing adjustments in response to cost increases as they occur, and we will continue to make decisions on passing on costs from a long-term perspective, while considering the potential impact on sales volumes and balancing that against profitability.”

So there are two really important things to pull out of this quote. First, Canon expects its costs to increase next year. And second, Canon’s modus operandi is to offset increased costs by passing them to the consumer, ergo, increasing product prices. It’s shrewd business, if the market will support it.

It’s not always possible to fully offset increased costs by raising prices. Sometimes markets won’t tolerate the necessary price increases, or a company may be willing to absorb some costs for its long-term prospects. For example, selling more cameras is good for Canon long-term, as it maintains more market share, sells more lenses, etc.

Canon says it will be a balancing act, but, notably, the company is coming right out and telling investors that yes, its policy is to pass increased costs to consumers. This makes perfect sense, but photographers need to hear the news and prepare accordingly.

Canon adds, in response to another question, that it doesn’t expect memory and raw material prices to decline in 2027, so this may be a long-term problem in the photography industry. Much like SSD and memory card prices have continued to increase, cameras may be the next victim.

Canon projects a significantly lower operating profit ratio in its Imaging business in Q4, which the company says is primarily due to higher memory costs and cost increases following the geopolitical strife in the Middle East.

“At this point, we have not been able to fully pass these higher costs on through pricing,” Canon says. “If these higher costs persist next year, we will absorb them through price increases.”

Canon is now warning of this in a Q&A document published alongside the announcement of its financial results for the third quarter of 2026. According to the document, it is becoming increasingly difficult to source electronic components such as mainboards in sufficient quantities, while the costs of sensors and DRAM, which is used as buffer memory in cameras, continue to rise. Canon says it is using "every possible means" to procure enough components for its cameras, but this entails higher costs than usual.

These higher costs are to be passed on to customers through higher prices, although Canon intends to take into account the impact of price increases on sales volumes and thus on profit. In simple terms, Canon is therefore considering absorbing some of the higher production costs itself, but price increases of varying magnitude are to be expected next year in any case. It is also worth noting that Canon had previously assumed that costs would fall again in the second half of  2027, but now believes that costs will continue to rise throughout 2027.

Memory costs have come up at every one of Canon’s earnings calls this year, so the topic itself isn’t new. What is new is the outlook: earlier this year, Canon said it expected memory prices to begin easing in the second half of 2027. Now, according to Canon’s Q3 Q&A summary, it doesn’t expect them to fall next year at all. The company says it has already secured the memory it needs for 2026, but expects to pay more for components in 2027, and that its policy is to offset those higher costs through price increases.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t entirely hypothetical. Canon told investors in July that it had already raised some prices in response to rising costs, including memory, though it didn’t say which products or markets were affected. It says it will continue to weigh further increases against their effect on sales.

Memory is central to how modern digital cameras work. High-speed continuous shooting, pre-capture modes, subject-tracking algorithms and more all lean on fast, plentiful memory. As AI-related demand has driven memory prices up across the industry, camera makers have found themselves competing for the same production capacity as data center operators, which are effectively the 800-pound gorillas in this market.

As a strategy, securing its memory supply early bought Canon time. But it isn’t a long-term solution if the underlying costs persist.

The wider picture...One company warning about costs is one thing. Several camera makers dealing with the same problem at once is another. Other manufacturers have also flagged rising memory costs to investors this year, and some have already started raising prices. That includes the US, where Blackmagic Design has raised prices on some of its cinema cameras and storage products, citing memory costs, and US buyers have already absorbed multiple rounds of tariff-driven price increases since last year.

When multiple camera makers are facing the same cost pressure, the probability that any one of them absorbs it entirely, rather than sharing it with buyers, drops considerably. Ultimately, this isn’t a Canon-specific story but an industry pricing story that happens to be told clearly through Canon’s investor relations disclosures.

Canon reports its full-year 2026 results early next year, and that call will be a useful checkpoint. By then, the company should have a clearer read on what it expects to pay for memory in 2027, and how much of that it plans to pass on to buyers. And because Canon sells more interchangeable-lens cameras than any other manufacturer, its pricing decisions are likely to be closely watched by the rest of the industry.

A Canon alert warns that camera prices could increase in 2027 if high memory costs and component shortages persist.

Key details from canon's warning:

• Cause of the crisis: High global demand for RAM, SSDs, and semiconductors from AI data centers has driven up the cost of DRAM—which cameras use as buffer memory—and mainboards.

• Timeline shift: Canon previously expected memory prices to drop, but now states elevated costs will likely continue into 2027.

• Pricing strategy: Because early stockpiling has run out, Canon told investors it will look to pass persistent production and component costs onto buyers if the squeeze continues.

• Industry-wide impact: Canon is not alone; other manufacturers like Sony and Nikon have also pointed to rising memory costs impacting their imaging divisions, and Blackmagic Design has already raised prices on certain cinema cameras and storage units.

by mundophone