TECH

NBA 2K25 For 57% Off Is A Slam Dunk, So Is An 85" TV For Under $900 And More BF Deals

The closer we get to this year's actual Black Friday (November 29), the more early deals and bargains retailers are serving up. We're already seeing some big discounts, too, and not just minor price cuts. Whether you're a gamer or in need of an appliance upgrade for your kitchen, there's a good chance you can score a great deal ahead of Black Friday.

To kick things off, how about NBA 2K25 for $29.99 at Amazon? That's more than half off the MSRP (57% off, to be exact), and this being a 2K game, you could apply the savings towards virtual currency to upgrade your character or buy in-game swag.

I can hear you groaning through my monitor, and fair enough—I come from an era long before microtransactions and don't care for the trend either. However, I can say that I'm having fun with the 2K25 release so far. I picked it up in digital form just before the price dropped on the physical media (do'h!) and am working my way through the MyCareer mode. Criticisms over VC aside, I'm a longtime fan of the NBA 2K series, and so far, this one is easily worth the discounted asking price.

It's also available for a reduced price on multiple platforms...

• NBA 2K25 (Xbox Series X): $29.99 (57% off)
• NBA 2K25 (PlayStation 5): $29.99 (57% off)
• NBA 2K25 (Nintendo Switch): $29.99 (50% off)

There's being able to play NBA 2K25, and then there's being able to play it on a ginormous TV. It's cheaper than you might think, or at least it is with this deal for an 85-inch Samsung 4K Smart TV (DU7200)—it's on sale for $897.99 at Amazon (18% off). That's a $200 savings, and perhaps just as importantly, it brings the cost of this massive TV to below $900 (before tax, of course).

Sure, you're not getting 85 inches of mini LED or OLED bliss at this price, or a whole bunch of bells and whistles. But if you want to go big above all else, it's certainly a serviceable option. And while it's only 60Hz, it does offer up "incredibly low input lag" and a "very good response time" for gaming, according to the folks at Rtings. And it features VRR (variable refresh rate) support.

Here are some more early Black Friday deals...

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Mixer: $329.95 (save 27%)
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (Newest Model): $21.99 (save 56%)
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (Newest Model): $32.99 (save $27)
• Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB: $474.99 (save 27%)
• JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless Earbuds: $24.95 (save 50%)
• Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Drill + Impact Driver Combo: $129 (save 46%)
• Keurig K-Express Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker: $59.99 (save 33%)
  
• Bluetooth QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: $329 (save 23%)
• Cuisinart 17-Piece Cookware Set: $143.99 (save 42%)

mundophone

 

TECH

Android 16 Arrives Early For These Phones, How To Install The Developer Preview

The paint on the fresh new Android 15 hasn't even dried yet, yet that hasn't stopped Google from dropping an early holiday gift in the form of an Android 16 Developer Preview build. If you're an app developer or a brave enough to try this very early (and presumably bug laden) build, then have at it. Also, we have a simple guide below on how to get this latest Android onto your devices.

It seems like just yesterday that Google's Pixel 9 devices received Android 15, but Google is keeping the ball rolling with the Developer Preview for Android 16. For those keeping count, this year-end release is rather ahead of the norm for Google, but Mountain View has indicated that it plans for Android 16 to have an initial launch in Q2 2025 (for Google I/O 2025, perhaps). This should help bake the OS in for late summer product releases, such as the Pixel 10 (or X) series.

In terms of new features, don't expect much out of the Android DP—but persistent rumors have mentioned how the OS will give users greater DND control, more robust security features, and a new means of accessing Quick Settings. Google had said that the OS will now allow users to permit apps piecemeal access over a select number of photos and video, rather than all or nothing.

Android 16 DP is available right now for Tensor-powered Pixels, although it's interesting to see the Pixel 6 as the outlier here. With the Pixel 6 lineup having five years of OS support, Android 16 might be the last OS upgrade they'll see. Also, we probably don't have to reiterate that installing this DP is at your own risk. If you'd like to take it out for a test run, here's how you'd do it:

Unlock your device's bootloader. Can be easily enabled under Settings > System > Developer Options > OEM Unlocking. 

Download the Android 16 Developer Preview 1.

From here there are two ways to install the DP. There's an OTA file, which will install over your current Android version without a wipe (even if it's recommended to reset whenever you play with DPs). You can also manually grab the file via a factory image and install it yourself; if you're not comfortable with sideloading onto devices, then we advise you to stop right here.

Turn on ADB sideloading in Developer Options, the boot into Recovery mode by turning off your device, then hold down Power + Volume down simultaneously until you see the Bootloader screen. Scroll to and select Recovery Mode. When you see the Android figure with an exclamation mark over it appear, press Power + Volume up for about a second to enter Recovery Mode again. Next, release Volume up to enter into Recovery.

Scroll down to Apply update from ADB, select it with the Power button. There will be instructions at the bottom of the screen with directions on how to sideload an OTA.

Connect your device to a computer with ADB and Fastboot tools already installed. You can find the tools here.

Initiate the Sideload command. On Windows, use Command Prompt (directed at the ADB tools folder, of course) to enter adb sideload. On Linux/macOS, use Terminal to enter ./adb sideload. Enter the file name of the .zip folder you downloaded from Google, then press Enter.

Upon successful install, the device will enter Recovery mode again. Select Reboot now and enjoy the fruits of your effort.

Note, only the following Pixel devices are supported: Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

mundophone

 

APPLE

iPhone 17 Air Could Be The Thinnest iPhone Ever, But What About The Galaxy S25 Slim?

It looks like we have a new smartphone trend in the works, folks. Not only have rumors of some kind of Samsung Galaxy S25 "Slim" model been rolling around, now it seems like Apple is seriously in on the act with an iPhone 17 "Air" that's purported to be only 6 millimeters thick. That's thinner than even the already thin 6.9mm iPhone 6. If either or both of these phones do come to fruition, it'll be interesting to see how each company markets these svelte devices. Samsung intends on packing tons of tech in the Slim, while traditionally, Apple Air models have been lite version of their Pro siblings.

According to research notes by Apple analyst Jeff Pu, there's strong proof that a "Slim" or "Air" version of the iPhone 17 is pending. In it, Pu writes, "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model." Assuming this is true, the new phone will be significantly thinner than the iPhone 16 series plus overtake the iPhone 6 (6.9mm) as the thinnest iPhone ever. 

While details on the iPhone 17 Air are scant, some believe that it will have a 6.6-inch display nestled within an aluminum chassis, possibly have an A19 SoC supporting Apple Intelligence, 8GB RAM, a Dynamic Island, a single 48MP rear camera, a 24MP front cam with Face ID support, and an Apple-designed 5G modem. 

Comparatively, Samsung's rumored Galaxy S25 Slim is thought to be 5.6mm thick (or thin). That's coincidentally the thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 when unfolded. There have been reports that Samsung intends on stuffing three ALoP (All Lens on Prism) cameras into the thin profiled phone. We might be seeing a 200MP HP5 ISOCELL main shooter paired with a 50MP JN5 ISOCELL ultra-wide, and another 50MP JN5 serving as the 3.5x telephoto.

Curiously, both Apple and Samsung have been frequently criticized for not moving the needle in terms of the look and design of their phones and instead kept things boring and staid from model to model. Perhaps these slim phones may be a shift we've all been waiting for.

mundophone

 

TECH

Buy An iPhone Online? Thieves Could Be Tracking Your Delivery To Steal It

Thieves appear to be getting more sophisticated as they look to steal items that have been left unattended on porches, as online shopping picks up for the holiday season. These porch pirates seem to be acquiring tracking information that allows them to time the theft for shortly after an item is delivered.

This problem has seemingly hit folks who have ordered iPhones from AT&T particularly hard, with the majority of the theft happening in states located in the Eastern part of the country, according to a report in CNET. This suggests the possibility that someone with access to delivery information is selling this data to thieves. However, there still hasn’t been a definitive root source found.

Thieves appear to be getting more sophisticated as they look to steal items that have been left unattended on porches, as online shopping picks up for the holiday season. These porch pirates seem to be acquiring tracking information that allows them to time the theft for shortly after an item is delivered.

This problem has seemingly hit folks who have ordered iPhones from AT&T particularly hard, with the majority of the theft happening in states located in the Eastern part of the country, according to a report in CNET. This suggests the possibility that someone with access to delivery information is selling this data to thieves. However, there still hasn’t been a definitive root source found.

mundophone

 

DIGITAL LIFE

1 Million Websites Vulnerable To Dangerous Sitting Duck Cyber Attacks

A cybersecurity threat known as a sitting duck exploit is thought to be putting more than one million websites at risk of attack, according to threat intelligence analysts. The fact that the attack methodology remains underreported could be the reason why Infoblox security researchers called the discovery of multiple hackers using the vulnerability across widespread cyber attacks eye-opening. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Sitting Duck Cyber Attacks?...The hijacking of internet domains is a threat vector that has been around almost as long as domain names became a commercial asset. Hands up if you are old enough to remember the lengthy court battle over the .sex domain which ended with a $65 million damages award? A new Infoblox report(https://blogs.infoblox.com/threat-intelligence/dns-predators-hijack-domains-to-supply-their-attack-infrastructure/), however, has revealed how the threat has evolved into an ongoing attack methodology, the sitting duck vulnerability, and the risks it brings to organizations and consumers alike.

The sitting duck cyber attacks are, Infoblox said, “easy to execute for actors, hard to detect for security teams.” To understand why you need to look at what vulnerability such an attack exploits. “The attack takes advantage of misconfigurations in the Domain Name System settings for an internet domain,” the threat intelligence analysts said, “specifically when the domain server points to the wrong authoritative name server.” I called this a vulnerability, as did the security researchers and threat intel experts at Infoblox, yet lame delegation, to give it a formal name, is not considered an official one by the common vulnerabilities and exposures rating system, nor by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This lack of official attention, Infoblox moots, could be why hackers and other threat actors are consistently flying under the radar as far as sitting duck cyber attacks are concerned. During the attack, the threat actor can grab full control over the domain in question, be that a well-known brand, a government agency or just your bog-standard website that can then be used for nefarious purposes. There have also been recent warnings about cyber attacks using hijacked email domains from the FBI, as another way in which domains can be seen as a valuable exploit tool.

The Impact Of Falling Victim To Sitting Duck Cyber Attacks...Once a hacker has gained control over the now compromised domain, the fun really starts. Well, I say fun, but I mean the malicious intent and harm that is wrought upon innocent victims. The threat actors, as observed by the Infoblox threat intelligence analysts, will often establish an attack infrastructure that is capable of evading detection. “The positive reputation of the hijacked domains enables them to be seen by security controls as safe or benign,” they said, “which then allows users to connect to the compromised and weaponized site.” Because there is a relatively low entry barrier to the execution of these sitting duck cyber attacks, and coupled with the obfuscation techniques that can be applied to exploit steps taken following the compromise, many cybercrime groups are being attracted to the threat vector and so the inevitable upwards spiral of attacks continue.

Mitigating Sitting Duck Cyber Attacks...The good news, if any is to be found here, is that while sitting duck cyber attacks are easy to exploit they are also easy to mitigate successfully. “They are also entirely preventable with correct configurations at the domain registrar and DNS providers,” the Infoblox report said, “the domain holder owns their domain configurations, and both registrars and DNS providers can make these types of hijacks harder to perform or easier to remediate.”

Davey Winder

 

TECH

Infosys founder defends call for 70-hour workweeks, says he "doesn't believe in a work/life balance"

Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy is once again facing criticism for talking about the benefits of working every hour that you're awake. The Indian entrepreneur, who previously called for young people to work 70-hour weeks, has doubled down on this comment by stating he does not "believe in work-life balance."

In October 2023, Murthy suggested that young people work twelve-hour days for the "next 20 years, 50 years, whatever it is," out of a sense of duty to the nation and to support future generations. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can work 100 hours per week, as do his cabinet ministers; therefore, citizens should show their appreciation by doing the same.

Murthy's appeal comes despite the fact that working 70-hour weeks violates Indian labor laws and is considered illegal in the country.

Murthy doubled down on his views in January. At the recent CNBC Global Leadership Summit, he was asked if he still stood by his 70-hour-week proposal. "Absolutely," he said. "I don't believe in work-life balance […] I have not changed my view; I will take this with me to my grave," he told CNBC-TV18.

Murthy seems to have an equal amount of hatred for taking weekends off as he does for spending a day not working until you pass out. He expressed his lament when companies moved from a six-day work week to a five-day work week in 1986.

"I was not very happy with that. I think in this country, we have to work very hard because there is no substitute for hard work even if you're the most intelligent guy," he said.

Murthy, who is the father-in-law of former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, highlighted post-WW2 Japan and Germany as shining examples of hard work and high productivity. "We owe it to the poor people to work hard and make the quality of their life a little bit better," he said.

Murthy said that he used to go into the office at 6.20 a.m. every day and go home at 8.30 p.m. – 14 hours each day – for six and a half days a week until he retired.

When asked if he regretted not spending more time with his children instead of working, he said quality was more important than quantity, and that the hour and a half to two hours he spent with the children at dinner when he returned home were "lots of fun."

There have been plenty of studies that show working excessive amounts of hours can harm productivity rather than increase it. In Japan, there have been cases of people dying from overwork, leading the country to introduce measures to prevent this practice.

In August, Infosys made headlines for allegedly stringing along thousands of recent engineering graduates for years after extending job offers and making them go through weeks of unpaid training. The company was also criticized for forcing employees back to the office in April.

mundophone

 

TECH

Samsung TVs Hit Ground-Breaking Security Standard With New Encryption Certification

Perhaps because watching TV has traditionally been seen as such a laid back, passive activity for so long, many viewers never spare a thought for the potential security hazard their trusty ‘gogglebox’ represents. In reality, though, most TVs these days are pretty much permanently online (either delivering advanced control and content recommendation systems, or actively streaming TV shows and movies from today’s many video streaming services) without being able to benefit from the sort of sophisticated hardware or software security “barriers” associated with PCs, mobile phones and other more processor-heavy devices.

Samsung, though, has just struck a substantial blow against the criminals out to hack their way into your life via the payment and personal details now stored on many TVs by earning FIPS 140-3 Certification from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for its CryptoCore encryption model.

CryptoCore is essentially a software library that encrypts and decrypts data during both transmission and storage, and from 2025 it will become part of Samsung’s long-running (since 2015) Knox security system. According to Samsung, CryptoCore will be embedded into Samsung TVs (and other key devices such as monitors and digital signage products) via the brand’s proprietary Tizen OS, ensuring that personal data linked to Samsung accounts sill be securely encrypted, SmartThings authentication information will be protected from external hacking threats, and content viewed on TVs will benefit from enhanced copyright protection.

Achieving the FIPS 140-3 Certification means that CryptoCore has passed NIST’s comprehensive battery of tests to ensure its security, integrity and reliability. The certification is recognised as a key security feature by governments in 10 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany and Australia, and builds on the Common Criteria (CC) certification Samsung has achieved for 10 years now to ensure that users can have unprecedented confidence in the safety of their key information when using their increasingly permanently online Samsung devices.

“As home entertainment systems become more connected, it becomes critical for technology companies to safeguard the personal data that enables the seamless connectivity enjoyed by so many,” said Yongjae Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the R&D Team, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “By integrating the FIPS 140-3-certified CryptoCore into our Smart TVs, Samsung is taking our commitment to secure home entertainment a step further and ensuring that our users can freely experience the value of our products.”

Note that while the FIPS 140-3 Certified CryptoCore system will be a feature of Samsung products equipped with the latest, ninth generation of Tizen OS from next year, it currently seems unlikely that it will be possible to roll it out to previous Samsung TV generations via a firmware update. Even the strongest version of Samsung’s current Knox security platform, after all, incorporating a Knox Vault on-chip element, is only available on the brand’s top-end QN900D and QN800D 8K TVs due to its hardware as well as software requirement.

John Archer(https://www.twitter.com/bigjohnnyarcher)