How to play hidden built-in Google games available on your Android smartphone

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October 4, 2021

How many of you know there are some hidden built-in Google games buried somewhere there on your Android smartphone and the interesting thing is all these games are available for offline and perfect time killers. Most of these are classics and sure will bring back a lot of memories.

So how to access these free hidden built-in Google games?

First, make sure you have installed “Google Play Games” on your Android device. In most cases, the app is installed by default. If not, install it from Google Play.

In Google Play Games’ s main page, scroll down to find the list of games with the title “Google built-in games” to find the hidden games. Right now the list includes six games — Whirlybird, Minesweeper, Snake, Solitaire, Cricket, and PAC-MAN. All these games are available for free and can play them while you are offline.

In the app, you can also find an option called “Instant play”., which will let you try games without installing it to your device. But Instant play is totally different from the above-mentioned list, it will only let you play a small part of the game so that you save your data and only install the full version game if you like it.

Apart from hidden built-in Google games, Google Play Games let you create a gamer profile with custom Gamer ID and earn XP and level up as you master games across Google Play. The app will let you track the gaming progress in different online games and also recommends new and best games for Android. Google Play games also feature an in-built screen recorder that will help you to easily record and share your best gaming moments from your favorite mobile games.

Microsoft Reveals Pricing And New Features For Office 2021

By

Adwaith

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October 3, 2021

Microsoft announced a few days ago that the new version of its office suite will arrive on October 5 along with Windows 11. Now Microsoft have revealed the official pricing and some of the new features of Office 2021.

One point to keep in mind is that many of the features that will arrive with Office 2021 are already available in Microsoft 365, the subscription version of the suite of applications that offers advanced functions in the cloud and depends on a monthly or annual payment instead of a one-time purchase.

Office 2021 supports, among other things, co-authoring for documents and a backup in Onedrive — there is 5 GB of storage space as a basic capacity. Further innovations are a line focus, which works similarly to a reading mode and is intended to eliminate distractions. There is also the option of using a dynamic matrix in Excel or recording presentations in Powerpoint. Microsoft also mentions general performance improvements.

With the start of Windows 11, Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 will have a new app design that will also be automatically synchronized with Windows’ light or dark mode. Microsoft speaks of a neutral color scheme, rounded window corners, updated tabs in the ribbon and colored icons that should make it easy to see who is working on the same document.

Microsoft points out that Office 2013 is no longer supported under Windows 11 and promotes that now is the right time to upgrade to Microsoft 365 or Office 2021.

The Office Home and Student 2021 will cost $149.99. This is a one-time payment for a permanent license. This will include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams for PC and Mac. Those who want a complete version and for commercial purposes can opt for Office Home and Business 2021. Its cost will be $249.99 and will include everything in Office Home and Student 2021, plus Outlook for PC and Mac.

Google Says, Most Searched Word In Bing Is ‘Google’

By

Sabarinath

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October 2, 2021

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has revealed that the most searched word in Bing, Microsoft’s alternative is ‘Google’.

According to Google, this is a clear reference to the fact that the first thing users do when they end up in Bing is to search Google to find something else. However, the company has not done it just to mock its rival, but as part of a legal strategy.

According to Bloomberg, the plan of Moutain View company is to use this type of data to avoid paying a millionaire fine in Europe. This news comes after Alphabet has been defending itself against a European Union antitrust fine, arguing that the company had been putting pressure on Google and Android users to force the use of Mountain’s company’s apps and services.

According to a statistical compilation of Ahrefs, “Google” is effectively the most entered term globally in Bing, with 40.96 million monthly searches. This figure “represents 13.2% of the entire global search volume,” they explain. YouTube is in second place in the ranking, with 35.28 million.

The lawyer’s argument maintains that users seek to use Google as their alternative and that at no point do they force users to abandon Bing. In short, the idea is that users leave Bing on their own.

In addition, it is most likely that the search for this term is due to the fact that, when we first configure Windows and enter Microsoft Edge, it opens Bing by default. Many users search Google not only to use the search engine but to download Google Chrome.

Loihi 2: Intel Brings An Improved Version Of Its Neuromorphic Chip That Works Like A Brain

By

Sabarinath

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October 1, 2021

Recently we heard a new Samsung project aims to ‘copy and paste’ a human brain to neuromorphic chips. And now Intel has introduced the Loihi 2, a chip designed for neuromorphic computing.

Loihi 2 brings many improvements over the four-year-old first design Loihi. Almost every element in the chip has been revised, and the bottom line is that the performance should be ten times higher.

While the Loihi was still produced using the 14 nm process, the Loihi 2 is a pre-release version of the upcoming Intel 4 (formerly known as 7+ nm EUV). With 31 mm² instead of 60 mm², the new chip is only about half the size, but still has a million neurons instead of just 128,000.

The internal structure also includes 128 neuron cores in a two-dimensional 8×16 mesh, which, however, contains eight times the number of neurons. Each core has another 128 Kbytes of local SRAM available, but this can now be flexibly partitioned.

In addition, Loihi 2 has gained in flexibility, since it has more extensive microcode, which reinforces the functioning of impulse neurons. This new chip carries a new development framework, called Lava, which is developed in Java and has been released as open-source. Thus, developers can work on programs for Loihi 2 without having access to the hardware. It can be obtained for free from GitHub.

Among other things, Lava integrates a Python interface and can also be used on CPU/GPU platforms, which significantly simplifies development. Frameworks such as Nengo, Pytorch, Robotic Operating System (ROS), Tensorflow or Yarp should also be easy to integrate.

Neuromorphic computing is very different from anything that has been around before, so it is still many years away from series production. The focus is on a very low energy requirement and at the same time high power, microwatt energy levels and millisecond response times are the goal — just like a brain does. Intel did not disclose new performance information for Loihi 2.

GriftHorse Android Malware Distributed Through Play Store Infected Over 10 Million Devices

By

Bhasker Das

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October 1, 2021

The Zimperium zLabs security team has discovered a new dangerous Android malware, named GriftHorse, that has already affected 10 million devices in 70 countries around the world.

GriftHorse, a Trojan found in applications that appeared to be legitimate but silently subscribed victims to premium SMS services. According to the security experts, it has been active since November 2020, and GriftHorse operators are believed to “earn” between $1.5 million and $4 million a month. They even qualify GriftHorse as one of the most “widespread” malware campaigns of 2021.

This research has been made public on the Zimperium blog, with the collaboration of researchers Aazim Yaswant and Nipun Gupta. They have detailed the way that malware works.

The versions of GriftHorse noticed by experts were distributed through the official Google Play store and third-party application catalogs — disguised as other harmless applications. By installing itself on the victim’s phone, it fills the device with so-called popups that show forged advertisements and, above all, false notifications of prizes, offers, etc.

If the victim clicks on one of these notifications, they are redirected to a page where they are asked to verify their phone number, ostensibly to access the offer. In fact, here, users subscribe to paid SMS services, the cost of which sometimes exceeds $35 per month. This money ends up going into the pockets of the GriftHorse operators.

The campaign uses at least 200 trojanized mobile apps, making it one of the largest fraudulent transactions uncovered this year. Malicious apps fall into a variety of categories ranging from Tools and Entertainment to Personalization, Lifestyle and Dating, allowing attackers to scale up their attacks.

Like banking Trojans, GriftHorse does not exploit any vulnerabilities in the operating system but uses social engineering techniques to force users to subscribe to a premium service.

The researchers reported their discovery to Google, and the rogue apps were removed from the Play Store. However, they are still available in untrusted third-party repositories.

4 Reasons Why You Should Start Cryptocurrency Trading

By

Prabhul Kurup

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October 1, 2021

Cryptocurrency is becoming a hot topic, and more people are jumping on the bandwagon with the hopes of earning a high profit through trading. Many are aware of the dangers that cryptocurrency investing could bring, but most of them are taking a risk knowing how much they can gain from owning various digital coins. Regardless of these existing points, there are still plenty of people who are sceptical about involving themselves in this type of investment, given that cryptocurrency is relatively new.

On the other hand, the continuous technological advancements have convinced crypto enthusiasts and seasoned investors that cryptocurrency is going to be the future of investments. Consequently, there are still numerous factors that experts have to research as to why cryptos are currently becoming relevant. Some say it’s due to the innovations that Blockchain technology is providing the industry. With that in mind, here are four reasons why you should start cryptocurrency trading.

Contents

1 Convenience and Accessibility
2 Anonymous Trading
3 Cuts Out Mediators
4 High Liquidity Leading to Convenient Trading
5 Takeaway

Convenience and Accessibility

Time is of the essence when it comes to investing, and any type of investment will require you to put in plenty of time for you to grasp the most effective money-making opportunities. One problem that will hinder you from getting started easily in other investments is the expensive threshold entry to start trading. The benefit of investing and trading cryptocurrency is that the starting fee is affordable but not so cheap in a way that the crypto exchange has no credibility.

There are various crypto trading platforms with mobile apps that’ll allow you to trade 24/7 without the need to be at home. The only thing you need is mobile data. Further, reliable crypto trading platforms such as Bitcoin System can help you get through the best deals and make informed decisions.

Anonymous Trading

Keeping your identity hidden is the number one priority of crypto trading services that provides their users with the convenience and the safety of their well-being. No crypto exchange will ever jeopardise the safety of your crypto portfolio and your financial information, which also puts your mind at ease knowing you’ll be less exposed to cybersecurity risks.

Moreover, there are crypto trading platforms out there that employ additional security steps that’ll make it even harder for hackers to gain access to your information. The only drawback for anonymous trading is that you cannot engage in trading with high funds, as well as how many withdrawals you can do in a month or year.

Cuts Out Mediators

The best part about cryptocurrency is that the Government has completely nothing to do with it since crypto transactions can happen directly with another and don’t require the help of a third party. Since cryptocurrency is a digital asset, you can use them as your mode of payment, which also strays away from the traditional ways of payment such as credit cards, debit cards, and money.

Not relying on a financial institution to have access to your money is a problem that many people face due to the taxes they employ upon your earnings. Having no kind of mediators for trading cryptocurrency is like a dream come true for crypto investors since you can also directly transfer your assets to another storage, depending on the digital wallet you’re using.

High Liquidity Leading to Convenient Trading

The most important factor that you have to consider in an asset is liquidity. Fortunately, you can easily buy and sell cryptocurrencies due to the high demand and supply. The high demand for crypto assets would also lead other crypto industries, such as wallet developers, to purchase fees on the blockchain and provide various kinds of crypto wallets for investors.

You shouldn’t be worried about taking part in the digital market because the number of people taking an interest in all types of cryptocurrencies can lead to a smooth flow of buying and selling digital assets.

Takeaway

Cryptocurrency is becoming a trend and is also becoming a worthwhile investment if you know what you’re doing. So don’t be afraid to enter the realms of crypto trading because the more you research about it, the easier it will be for you to make informed decisions that will potentially lead you to greater crypto opportunities.

Thanks To MUM — Google Announces Major Improvements To Google Lens And Google Search

By

Adwaith

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September 30, 2021

On the occasion of the Search On 2021 event, Google has detailed the way in which the company incorporates the most advanced artificial intelligence in its products with the aim of offering “new, more natural ways and intuitive, to search and explore the information“.

At the Google I/O conference in May, the company announced that it had reached a critical milestone in understanding information with the Multitask Unified Model (MUM). Since then, they have been experimenting with their possibilities to find more practical products and develop entirely new search modalities.

Google wanted to bring the so-called MUM AI Algorithm to Google Lens and its search engine to offer a greater search experience.

Google highlights that its promising AI is capable of understanding information in a wide variety of formats, such as images or videos. MUM on Google Lens, therefore, makes a lot of sense. The image recognition platform will soon be able to get more accurate results thanks to the ability to include text in visual searches.

In this way, if a user wants to obtain, for example, information on how to repair a puncture, he will only have to focus the wheel with the camera and type the question “how to repair”. Lens automatically, with the help of Google MUM, will display related results.

Google also plans to include a Google Lens button in the Google app for iPhone. Specifically, this shortcut will allow images on a website to be recognized to obtain purchase information. This feature will be available only in the United States for now.

The image recognition service is also coming to Chrome. The integration will be available to users around the world and will allow you to select images, videos or text to search for related content without leaving the page.

Google MUM will also apply to videos, offering users the ability to obtain information related to the content that appears in the clip, even in the background.

On the other hand, Google is also working to make it easier to generalize within a topic to explore ideas further, with new features to refine searches or make them more general. For example, if a person searches for “photo frames”, they can get results on how to hang a photo frame, the most common sizes, and so on — all this, from the same page.

In the coming weeks, the first version of this function will be available and, in the coming months, visual improvements will be added.

Google has confirmed that they are also working to make it easier to buy from a variety of online stores, both large and small, whatever you are looking for. On the other hand, they want to help the public to better assess the credibility of the information that is available on the internet. Similarly, the company is looking for new ways to help people access information and knowledge when it matters most.

Facebook Open-Sourced A Tool To Spot Security And Privacy Bugs In Android And Java Applications

By

Sabarinath

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September 30, 2021

The Facebook engineering team has open-sourced Mariana Trench (MT) — a tool that automatically searches to spot and prevent security and privacy bugs in Android and Java applications.

This primarily refers to the mobile apps for Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, which comprise millions of lines of code and are subject to constant revision.

They writes, “To handle this volume of code, we build sophisticated systems that help our security engineers detect and review code for potential issues, rather than requiring them to rely on only manual code reviews.” In the first half of this year alone, 50 percent of the security gaps found by the team were due to this automatic system.

Mariana Trench is explicitly designed to scan the large code base and to identify possible problems before they are entered in the main branch of the code. The team in Mariana Trench implements the specific search for possible security gaps by controlling the flow of data. After all, many problems can be modelled in such a way that data goes where it should not go.

For the use of Mariana Trench, the source and destination can then simply be described, and rules can be created to find security-relevant data flows. In its own use of the tool, Facebook, does not focus on minimizing false-positive results. Rather, the team is initially interested in as many positive reports as possible. In this way, rather unusual data flows should also be noticed, which may only rarely occur in productive use, but can still be exploited.

The Facebook team has summarized further details and, above all, instructions on how to get started using Mariana Trench, including documentation on a separate website for the tool.

The open-source code is available for download on Github under MIT license, and the project is also available as a Python package in PyPI.