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Apple Codec Vulnerability In Qualcomm And Mediatek SoCs Risks Millions Of Android Devices

Android malware and adware news

Check Point security researchers discovered a flaw in devices equipped with Qualcomm and MediaTek chipsets that may have allowed hackers to take control of millions of Android smartphones.

According to Check Point Research team, this is a vulnerability in the ALAC format — Apple Lossless Audio Codec — which was introduced by Apple in 2004 for the purpose of distributing lossless audio files. Apple has updated its proprietary ALAC decoder over time, whereas Qualcomm and MediaTek utilise an open-source version that hasn’t been updated since 2011.

The ALAC issues our researchers found could be used by an attacker for remote code execution attack (RCE) on a mobile device through a malformed audio file.” — Checkpoint explained. Android apps could also have extended their rights via the vulnerability.

The vulnerabilities were easily exploitable. A hacker could have broadcast a song (or any media file) and, when played by a victim, injected code into the privileged media service,” said Slava Makkaveev, reverse engineering & security researcher at Checkpoint.

According to Check Point, at least two-thirds of all smartphones sold in 2021 may be vulnerable to attack unless they have been patched. And in this regard, after Checkpoint informed Mediatek and Qualcomm about the vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-0674, CVE-2021-0675, CVE-2021-30351), they were closed in December 2021, and their patches were submitted to the device manufacturers and Google, which in turn made them available to users during the month of December.

The discovery of the vulnerability raises concerns not only about Qualcomm and MediaTek’s failure to keep open-source ALAC decoders up to date but also about other open-source code libraries could suffer from similar problems.

Android 13 Hasn’t Been Released Yet, But Google Already Has A Codename For Android 14

Android 14 codename UpsideDownCake

As Android 13 is currently in its early developer preview phase, Google has just revealed the official codename for Android 14 to show that it is already working on its development. The operating system of 2023 will be called internally “Upside Down Cake.”

Google is officially clarifying the codename of Android U in some recent notes added to AOSP (discovered by 9to5Google). Recall that Android 13 is called Tiramisu inside Google, and Android 12 is Snow Cone.

Android 14 Upside Down Cake

The reason why the big G has used this cake is that it starts with the letter U, and it seems that it has not been easy to find a name for a dessert starting with this letter.

There is currently no information available about Android 14, yet the introduction of the codename suggests that work on the platform has already begun at Google. However, we are unlikely to hear anything official about this until at least 2023.

In terms of what we’d like to see in Android 14, it’s difficult to see how Android and iOS can improve on what we already have. Android 13 will offer minor updates to phone customization choices and eSIM support, but they are unlikely to impact the way you use your phone.

Why is Pricing Intelligence Important for eCommerce Businesses?

eCommerce Website Development

There is no doubt that proper pricing can affect the demand for products and services. Pricing is one of the crucial criteria for online shoppers while making the final buying decision. The majority of shoppers say that pricing is a critical point in purchasing decision-making, sometimes even more important than the quality. Most of them compare the price of the alternate products/substitutes before to evaluate the money they could save, and some even search for the same product on different shopping websites for a better deal. This is where the eCommerce pricing intelligence comes to play. 

This article will explain all about the pricing game, eCommerce pricing, and how it influences the buyers. And what can the business do to attract more customers to their online marketplace?

Before that, you must understand what is pricing intelligence and how it affects the sales of products and services? 

Pricing intelligence

The amount of data generated by the retail sector is increasing rapidly, and this data is used for several purposes, and pricing optimization is just one of those things. Big retail players and other eCommerce businesses reprice the top-selling products up to twelve times a day. The top players in this sector also react to their competitors’ prices (eCommerce price monitoring) by changing their own product prices within hours or minutes. This is only possible if they have the right eCommerce price monitoring tool.

The pricing is everything right now, and the correct pricing can make or break your business—the retailer making the right pricing decision will be the only one succeeding the most. This makes eCommerce business intelligence a vital part of business decision-making.

What are the significant benefits of pricing intelligence?

The benefits of pricing intelligence can be given as below:

Boosts sales

It is true that when customers see the correct/right price or a better deal at a place and the product is comparatively affordable, they will make the purchase immediately. Having the right price gives you an edge over your competitors and helps you sell more.

Enhances product search performance

The search results in the browser/market portal are based on the content, page optimization, keyword identification, navigation, etc. Still, the price plays the final and vital role in increasing visibility in the online search. 

Better margins

When you have competitive price monitoring tools, you can sell your products for a lower price than your competitors, immediately gaining a better margin. The faster you decide, the more you can sell—staying ahead of your competitors in pricing will help you make more profit.

Customer satisfaction at its best

Customers get the most joy out of shopping when they spend as little as possible to buy the things they love. When there is an opportunity to offer discounts or lower the selling price, you must immediately reduce the cost of that product across all platforms, making it sell like hotcakes. Nothing can make the customers happier than a great deal.

You can avoid piling up old stocks

When the stocks are piling up, and a new and upgraded product is about to be launched by the brand, you need to sell the stocks immediately. The retailers usually sell these products at a lower price, but if you use the eCommerce pricing intelligence tools, you can sell them at the price where you will make a profit. The tool will also help you price to the exact level where the competitors will feel the heat.

These are the benefits of pricing intelligence. 

YouTube Rival: Spotify Is Expanding The Ability To Upload Video Podcasts To More Countries

Spotify Video Podcasts

Spotify is expanding its video podcast upload feature outside the United States. Now all content creators in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand will also be able to upload video podcasts to Spotify.

The video can be uploaded via Anchor, a podcast creation tool that Spotify purchased in 2019. Video podcasts are compatible with Spotify’s podcast subscriptions feature. The company is also offering video-specific analytics for creators.

Spotify has been gradually integrating support for video podcasts since at least mid-2020 when it acquired the Joe Rogan podcast, which had been available on YouTube as a video for some time.

Spotify’s decision to provide video podcasts is an attempt to wrest some of its audience away from YouTube, which has emerged as the primary venue for podcasting in recent years. According to Spotify, the introduction of the video format will allow “creators to connect with their audiences in a much deeper way.” The company is likely to use the option as a marketing tool.

Spotify also announced its integration with Riverside, a podcast and video recording service that aids in the quality of remotely captured content. More than 70,000 podcasters, media companies and online content creators use this platform.

Spotify makes it clear that “later this year” they will expand the feature to other countries.

5 Best Alternatives To Google Photos To Backup Your Photos And Videos

Alternatives to google photos

Google Photos has confirmed that from June 2021, unlimited storage will no longer be free for users. However, there are a number of alternatives to Google Photos to save your videos and photos.

The Mountain View company’s photo storage service is one of the most used by users, and it even comes pre-installed on the vast majority of Android phones. A tool that automatically offers a cloud backup of the videos and photos that are saved in the phone’s gallery.

Starting June 1, 2021, Google Photos will start counting all new photos uploaded from then on toward the 15GB free limit — regardless of file quality. To get more space, you will have to pay a subscription to Google One. So, if you do not want to pay for extra storage, you can always go to these alternatives to Google Photos to store your photos and videos.

Alternatives To Google Photos:

1. Amazon Photos

Amazon Photos — Online shopping giant Amazon has its own unique alternative to Google Photos. It an exclusive service for Amazon Prime customers, which has an annual subscription price of Rs. 999. Amazon Photos offers unlimited and secure storage for photos and videos, respecting the resolution of these files. It also offers the ability to organize your photos and free up space on your mobile phone’s internal memory.

2. iCloud

Apple’s cloud storage service, iCloud, is another interesting alternative, especially for those who own an iPhone. With just registering, iCloud offers 5 GB of free storage, although you can also expand the storage plan if you need more space or go for Apple One subscription.

3. OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive is one of the most classic alternatives to Google Photos. Like Google Photos, it allows you to save all photos and videos in the cloud and offers the possibility of organizing and accessing them from any device. Available from the browser, Windows 10 and on Android and iOS devices, OneDrive offers a free basic plan with access to 5 GB, a monthly subscription of $1.99 with a limit of 100 GB, another subscription of $69.99 per month with access to 1 TB and a family plan of $99.99 per month and access to 6 TB of storage.

4. Dropbox

Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage services. It offers free space to save photos and videos in the cloud. Service available from any web browser, computer and Android and iOS device. The free version offers storage of up to 2 GB. Dropbox also has a monthly subscription of $9.99 that offers up to 2 TB of storage and a family subscription of $16.99 per month, with the possibility of sharing 2 TB.

5. Mega

Mega is another of the most popular cloud storage services, making it a good alternative to Google Photos. A service that offers up to 50 GB of free storage and the possibility of organizing and accessing photos at any time.

If you know any other alternatives to Google Photos, do feel free to comment below.

EyeMU: New Technology To Use Your Smartphone With Your Eyes

EyeMU-Use Your Smartphone With Your Eyes

Nowadays, smartphone manufacturers adhere to the “bigger is always better” mentality — with each passing year, smartphones get bigger and bigger. However, this has some drawbacks, one of which is that using a smartphone with only one hand has become a near-impossible task on many occasions.

This group of researchers appears to have discovered a solution or a sort of technology to ease maneuvering “big screen” smartphones. According to TechCrunch, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Future Interfaces Group have discovered a new technology that involves using our smartphones solely with our eyes.

In contrast to many accessibility projects, this experiment began with the intention of making smartphone control easier for everyone. This is confirmed by the researchers in a press release.

EyeMU is the name given to this new invention. Its goal is also quite simple — they want to improve the comfort of controlling today’s excessively large smartphones. EyeMU works with the device’s front camera, so no additional accessories or external elements are required to use its accessibility technology.

The big tech companies like Google and Apple have gotten pretty close with gaze prediction, but just staring at something alone doesn’t get you there. The real innovation in this project is the addition of a second modality, such as flicking the phone left or right, combined with gaze prediction. That’s what makes it powerful. It seems so obvious in retrospect, but it’s a clever idea that makes EyeMU much more intuitive.” — aid Chris Harrison, an associate professor in the HCII and director of the Future Interfaces Group. 

The team posted a video of it in operation on the Future Interfaces Group’s YouTube channel.

Although the technology heavily relies on sight to control the phone, it will not be the only method. However, we can see in the video uploaded by the researchers that the mobile can be used to a large extent with nothing more than a look, in conjunction with some gestures. In this way, the technology appears to be far more useful than it appears.

Of course, this project is still in its early stages. However, EyeMU promises a bright future for the world of technology, not just for people who require greater accessibility on their mobile devices but for everyone else in the world as well.

Google Will Block Call Recording Apps On Android From May 11

Google Will Block Call Recording Apps On Android

The days of call recording apps on Android are numbered. Due to Google’s blockade, third-party apps that record calls will have a difficult time starting May 11.

With recent changes, Google is focusing more and more on the privacy of usersAndroid 13 is more aggressive than ever with permissions, and the current version 12 is also focused on privacy improvements. Now Google is removing any apps that request permission to record phone calls from the Play Store as Google intends to close the final loophole used by developers to create such applications.

Google stated in a developer webinar that a new Play Store policy that prohibits apps from using the Accessibility API for call recording would be implemented soon.

Google prohibits apps from using the Accessibility API for call recording

Google has disabled APIs that allow for call recording beginning with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. As a result, developers began to use workarounds, and some of them were blocked in Android 9 Pie, and this option was completely blocked in Android 10. As a result, developers were forced to rely on Android’s Accessibility API. And now, this loophole will be closed soon as well. The change will go into effect on May 11 of this year.

Google has also stated that this change will have no effect on the native call recording features built into smartphones from companies such as Xiaomi, Samsung, and OnePlus. Of course, Google’s restrictions apply only to apps downloaded from Google Play. It will continue to work if we download the APK from an external source.

Why Auto Dialer Tools Are Still Relevant In 2022

Autodialer tools

Some business owners have always considered setting up their own call center centers instead of hiring third-party companies for the last few years. This is because of the reduced cost of the online-based auto dialer software. You can also follow suit and enhance your business communication with customers. 

This article explains why auto dialer tools are still relevant in 2022 and beyond. You’ll also learn some crucial tips for finding the best software. But before that, it’d be good first to get an overview of auto dialer software. Read on.  

Overview Of Auto Dialer Software 

Auto dialer software is a computer application or program that allows you to dial customers’ contact numbers automatically. The primary purpose of auto dialer tools is to eliminate the need for workers to dial phone numbers when they want to call customers manually.  

You might think that auto dialer technology is a recent invention. But that isn’t the case. These tools were first introduced to the market in the 19th century as semi-automated tools. Since then, technology has advanced, and today, almost all auto dialer systems available in the market are fully automated.  

If you want to include an auto dialer tool in your business call center, you need to have an internet connection and a digital device like a laptop, desktop computer, smartphone, tablet, iPhone, iPad, etc. At the same time, it’d be a good idea to work with a reliable service provider like the Drop Cowboy or any other similar company in the market.  

Why Auto Dialer Tools Still Remain Relevant 

As noted earlier, auto dialer tools have been used for several years. And even today, they form an integral part of call centers. All signs indicate that businesses will continue using auto dialer systems for the foreseeable future.  

Some of the reasons you need an auto dialer system in your call center include.  

1. Minimizes Idle Time

Time is an essential resource for growing your business. For that reason, you may want to maximize any available time. In other words, make sure you eliminate any idle time.  

Manual dialing of customers’ contact numbers can lead to idle time. This is because your workers have to wait for the call to connect. And sometimes, customers might fail to answer calls for one reason or the other. That’s where auto dialer software comes in.  

An auto dialer system helps eliminate the need to dial customers’ numbers manually. Besides, most of these tools can detect any time-wasting signal like busy tones. This allows you to skip such calls and jump on to another customer. Therefore, including auto dialer software in your call center is one of the best strategies to minimize idle time for workers or agents.  

2. Reduces Costs

Increased costs may harm your business. This is because they’re to raise the break-even point or reduce the profits. For that reason, you might be forced to sell more to break even or make profits. Make sure you find ways to reduce your business costs.  

Paying workers or agents is one of the areas that can attract a lot of costs to your business. This is especially true when you decide to remain analog. For instance, you might be forced to employ more workers to manage customers’ calls with a manual dialing system. This increases your labor expenses.  

On the other hand, auto dialer tools were designed to streamline processes in the call centers. They eliminate the need to employ many workers. Automating is the best way to reduce labor costs.  

3. Improves Operational Efficiency 

You must promote the efficiency of your call center to grow your business faster. Some of the major problems associated with manual dialing include misdialing and call drops. This may affect your call center’s operational efficiency. You could have avoided this by installing an auto dialer tool in your call center. 

As noted earlier, an auto dialer system can detect any busy signal like voicemails. This ensures that only connected calls are directed to workers or agents to enhance call center efficiency.  

4. Extends Agent Talk Time

Reaching a wider audience is the best way to generate more leads or customers. However, such customers may not remain connected to you if you’re not engaging with them.  

With manual dialing, your call center agents might fail to connect with many customers in a day. In other words, it reduces their talk time. You need to have auto dialer software in your business system. It’ll help minimize idle time to promote the call connect ratio. For that reason, your agents will likely spend more time connecting and engaging with customers.  

5. Enhances Agents Morale

Call center agents are essential to the success of any online business. They help customers engage with your brand 24/7. However, your agents must be motivated to promote their morale. You can achieve this by having an auto dialer tool in your business call center.  

Auto dialer software lets your contact center agents or workers achieve their objectives faster. And if such individuals get pain on commission, an auto dialer tool helps them earn more. This enhances your morale to be more productive.  

6. Boosts Customer Service

Improving customer service is a must if you want your business to remain relevant and competitive for the foreseeable future. This involves how you interact and engage with customers throughout their shopping journey. No customer will want to shop for products or seek services from a company with poor customer service.  

Manually dialing customers’ telephone numbers can harm your business customer service. With manual dialing, agents will likely dial the wrong contacts from time to time. This might irritate the customers contacted and respond harshly to your call center agents.  

At the same time, depending on how harsh the wrongly contacted customers will be, your agents might get frustrated. And therefore, they might fail to provide excellent customer service when calling the next customer.  

Your call center agents will likely provide quality customer service with an auto dialer system. It increases the probability of agents contacting the right customers on the first attempt. For that reason, both your agents and customers won’t get irritated. This helps promote your overall business customer service.  

7. Increases Sales

Maximizing sales is one of the primary objectives of any business enterprise whether big or small. Sales help pay for operating and other expenses. Any business will barely survive without making or increasing sales.  

You can do many things to increase your business sales. One of them is by connecting with several customers. You can achieve that by using auto dialer software.  

With an automatic dialer system, your workers or agents will likely connect with thousands of customers within no time. For that reason, they can sell your services or products to many buyers. This enables your business to generate more sales.  

Besides, agents can focus on or solve customers’ queries and concerns with an auto dialer system to improve their experience. Only through improved customer experience can you be guaranteed returned customers. This also may help boost your sales.  

customer support 1

Tips To Find The Best Auto Dialer Tool In The Market 

As explained in the previous section, there are many reasons you need to include auto dialer software in your call center. However, you must ensure you install the best tool on the market. 

With too many auto dialer systems out there, sometimes finding the best one for your business might be stressful. Fortunately, you can consider the following tips to ensure you identify the best one in the market.  

  • Select A Compatible Tool With Other Business Applications

The invention of eCommerce has led to the introduction and installation of different software in business systems. Each tool is designed to help streamline and complete a specific task.  

That’s to say that, apart from the auto-dialer software, you probably have other computer programs on your business website. All the systems you’ve installed must work in harmony with each other. That’s why you need to find a compatible auto dialer software.  

Compatibility is the ability of the selected auto dialer tool to work well with all your other existing computer applications. In other words, it should fit into your business system without any hassle.  

  • Choose A System With the Right Features 

There are several auto dialer systems out there. However, all of them come with distinct features. Purchasing and installing a tool with the wrong features might not add much value to your business.  

One of the best strategies to select an auto dialer tool with the right features is to determine its function or what you want to achieve. Make sure you select a system that best fits your business call center requirement.  

  • Consider The Price Versus Quality

Most business owners only consider the price when buying an auto dialer system. Little did they know that quality is equally important.  

Many auto dialer tools in the market may provide almost identical services. However, their prices may differ significantly. Some are expensive, and others are cheap.  

You might think that a cheap system always reflects the best deal in the market. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Some cheap auto dialer systems are of poor quality and might not serve your business for longer.  

It’s also good to note that a high price isn’t always a reflection of the best quality. Some sellers may attach high prices to substandard auto dialer tools to make customers believe they’re of the highest quality. For that reason, you may want to find high-quality auto dialer software at a reasonable price.  

  • Buy A Scalable Auto Dialer Software

Today you might be running a start-up or a small business. However, your company might grow in the future. You’ll be forced to replace your existing tools to serve your growing business when that time comes. This attracts extra costs. Avoid this by selecting scalable tools from the start.  

Finding scalable software, for instance, auto dialer, ensures you’re not spending any extra cash on replacing your existing system. The tool you already have will serve your business even when it becomes big in some days to come. This helps minimize future costs to enhance your business profits.  

  • Find Auto Dialer Tool From A Credible Vendor

In most cases, how best the selected auto dialer software will serve you depends on the service provider. Some provide more high-quality tools and services than others. It’s therefore essential to purchase your software from a credible company. 

One of the best ways to know a vendor’s credibility is by asking to see their operating license. This shows that the company in question is registered and allowed to provide auto dial services.  

You can also know the credibility of a service provider by reading online reviews. These are comments left by other business owners after seeking auto-dialing services from a particular firm. Strive to buy your software from a company with more positive feedback from other customers. Such a company is likely to be credible and might provide quality services.  

You can also ensure you’re installing the best auto dialer software by working with a vendor who will allow you to try it before fully installing it into your business systems. This helps save money and time. 

You might spend a lot of money when you later realize that the installed auto dialer software isn’t working for your business. You’ll be forced to return to the market to shop for another tool and incur installation costs for the second time. 

And if your vendor provides a warranty, you might waste a lot of time waiting for them to come and replace the system. This may harm your business productivity. Avoid that by ensuring your vendor will allow you first to test the system before fully paying and installing it.  

Takeaway 

Developing a call center for your business is one of the best ways to engage with your customers. It ensures your workers or agents engage with customers with ease. It’s one of the best ways to promote customer experience and satisfaction.  

An auto dialer tool is one of the many components you need to include in your call center system. It’ll allow you to dial customer telephone numbers instead of automatically keying them. Make sure you find the best tool in the market from a reliable service provider.