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Tuesday, 12 May 2020

LG CNS develops USB detector for X-rays

The company's AI software can detect USB memory sticks in bags and coats from X-ray images.

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Where's my mailed stimulus check? Here's how to track through the USPS - CNET

if the IRS is sending your payment in the mail, the US Postal Service can notify you when your check will arrive.

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Will we get a second round of coronavirus stimulus checks? Here's what we're hearing - CNET

Some in the federal government have started discussing a second economic impact payment, even as US residents are still receiving their first 2020 stimulus checks.

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No, iPhone SE doesn't have a headphone jack either - CNET

Sorry, wired headphone users.

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Australian telco networks to get AU$37 million disaster resiliency boost

Commonwealth to fund improvements to base station batteries, satellite links at fire depots, and portable temporary connectivity.

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The Yield scores AU$11 million in funding from Yamaha Motor Ventures

The company's major shareholder Bosch Group has also converted its existing loan into equity.

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Southeast Asian lending platform Validus raises $20 million for its Series B+ round

Small- to medium-sized businesses are one of the most important parts of Southeast Asia’s economy, but many have trouble securing growth capital from traditional financial institutions. Validus wants to fix the financing gap with its peer-to-peer lending platform, which connects accredited lenders with SMEs. The Singapore-based startup announced today that it has raised $20 million for its ongoing Series B+ round.

The funding was co-led by Vertex Growth fund and Kuok Group’s Orion Fund, which is managed by K3 Venture Partners. Returning investors in the round include FMO, the international development bank of the Netherlands; Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India; Openspace Ventures; AddVentures; and VinaCapital Ventures.

This brings Validus’ total raised to about $40 million since it was founded in 2015, including a $15.2 million Series B round announced last year.

After getting its capital markets services license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore in December 2017, Validus launched services in Indonesia and Vietnam and says it has lent over $315 million to businesses so far. Its plans for its Series B+ round include expanding into Thailand during the last quarter of this year. Validus’ credit risk model analyzes information from invoices, contracts and cash flow.

Co-founder and COO Nikhilesh Goel says that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has seen more demand for short-term financing, with a 50% year-over-year increase for credit-approved unsecured loans over the past few months.

Despite the impact of the pandemic on small businesses, loan performance has held steady, he added, because Validus focuses on corporate vendor financing for SMEs whose end-buyers are large corporations or government-linked entities.

Validus also plans to provide financing to SMEs that are on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19, including working capital for SMEs in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, and logistics and cleaning services.

“Through working closely with corporate partners and investors on the platform, we also aim to support SMEs who are pivoting their businesses to adapt to services and products that are required in this time,” Goel said. “In the last month, we have disbursed multiple such loans averaging $250,000 to $500,000, to support SMEs’ efforts in meeting the demand for face masks and other protective gear in short supply.”

In a press statement, MX Kuok of K3 Ventures said, “We are highly impressed by the leadership and depth of credit management experience at Validus. The team has demonstrated the unique ability to capture critical data points, combined with comprehensive machine learning capabilities, to identify high-potential SMEs that may have fallen through the gaps of the traditional banking model.”



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Techommendation of the week: Games in Houseparty


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Galaxy Fold 2 rumors: Cheaper Fold E and a feature the original couldn't have - CNET

Samsung is definitely lining up a new foldable phone, but what will the cameras, features and price be? Here's what we've heard so far about the Galaxy Fold 2.

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That old Android phone might not be safe to use: 6 things to consider - CNET

If your Android phone isn't running the latest software OS, your security and privacy might be in jeopardy.

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Coronavirus lockdown is beginning to end. Here's how lifting quarantine will work - CNET

As restrictions ease everywhere, here's what you can and can't do, and what it will take to return to normal social and economic activities.

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iFixit reveals how the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro works

Take a look under the hood of the Magic Keyboard trackpad.

What you need to know

  • iFixit has down a teardown of the Magic Keyboard trackpad.
  • The trackpad appears to operate using a lever system.
  • It is apparently the only part you can take apart without damaging the accessory.

Last week, iFixit took an X-Ray of Apple's new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro and showed how there was a lot going on under the hood of the accessory. Now, the outlet has gotten to take apart the new trackpad and see how it works.

One of the most surprising things about the trackpad, according to iFixit, is that it is actually easy to take apart.

"Believe it or not, the trackpad was easy to disassemble! A little bit of heat and an opening pick got us past the adhesive holding it down, and now we can answer the question on everyone's mind: how does this thing work?"

Once they were able to take the top of the trackpad off, they were able to confirm how the button system works. Instead of multiple buttons spaced around each other, there is only "one button and a simple, elegant lever system". If you click near the center of the trackpad, you click the actual button. However, clicking anywhere else on the trackpad activates the lever system.

"What looks like multiple buttons in the X-ray is actually just one button and a simple, elegant lever system. The single button is at the center of the trackpad, where the mechanism is rigid. When you apply pressure near the center, whether top, middle, or bottom-center, you are directly pressing the button. Press near the top, bottom, or one of the corners, however, and the lever system comes into play, forcing the contact plate in the center upward to make a click happen. You can see it happen in this animation below. Note how the lever mechanism covers not only the diagonal corner areas, but the perimeter of the trackpad, too."

According to iFixit, the trackpad appears to be the only part of the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro that you will be able to disassemble without causing major damage to the accessory.

"This trackpad is the only part of the Magic Keyboard that comes apart without major destruction to the device. It's likely the last bit of disassembly we can show you, at least until we get full repair guides ready."

You can check out the full report from iFixit, featuring X-Rays and the trackpad disassembly, on their blog post.



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Display analyst refutes claim that the iPhone 12 will have a 120Hz display

The possibility of a 120Hz display on the iPhone 12 is getting a little murky.

What you need to know

  • Display analyst Ross Young believes LTPO tech is not coming to iPhone in 2020.
  • The technology is thought to be critical in bringing ProMotion to the iPhone.
  • It is unclear if Apple will introduce ProMotion to the iPhone without the technology.

Over the weekend, EverythingApplePro released a video, courtesy of leaks from Max Weinbach, that claimed Apple's iPhone 12 would be getting a 120Hz ProMotion display.

"According to Max Weinbach and EverythingApplePro, the 120Hz ProMotion display will be reserved for the iPhone 12 Pro models, whereas the regular iPhone 12 models will retain the 60Hz display. The iPhone 12 Pro will be able to switch between 120Hz and 60Hz, a feature that will help extend battery life performance as 120Hz is taxing on a smartphone battery, especially if it is running at that refresh rate all of the time."

A ProMotion display on the iPhone is currently thought to be possible because Apple would adopt its LTPO technology from the Apple Watch. As reported back in 2019, Apple would be partnering with Samsung Display to bring ProMotion to the iPhone

"Apple, meanwhile, is moving to more widely apply LTPO panels to its iPhones. This means it needs to find ways to work together with Samsung Display, which is holding its own in terms of both technological prowess and production capacity in the small and mid-sized OLED sector."

Display analyst Ross Young, however, disagrees with Weinbach and says that the only flagship phone in 2020 to feature an LTPO display will be the rumored Samsung Galaxy Note20+.

According to Young, Apple will not feature LTPO in its iPhone until 2021, a technology that is thought to be crucial in order to bring the 120Hz ProMotion display to the iPhone.

The iPad Pro has featured a ProMotion display without LTPO technology since its redesign in 2018, so it is possible Apple could bring ProMotion to the iPhone 12, but even more features, like an always-on display, to future iPhones once LTPO technology is introduced.



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New rumor claims that the 14-inch MacBook Pro will launch next year

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro is coming in 2021.

What you need to know

  • The 14-inch MacBook Pro may be coming next year.
  • Mysterious Twitter account L0vetodream tweeted out the rumor today.
  • The new laptop is expected to feature a slimmer bezel display.

When Apple released the 16-inch MacBook Pro with its slimmer bezels, the first thing that almost everyone said was, "please do that with the 13-inch MacBook Pro". Many were disappointed when, as Apple announced the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, it was missing that new display design.

According to the mysterious Twitter account L0vetodream, which has correctly predicted a number of Apple releases, a new 14-inch MacBook Pro will be launching next year.

"In my dream MBP14 next year."

It is this laptop that will most likely feature the new slimmer bezel display. Apple increased the screen size from 15 inches to 16 inches when it introduced the slimmer bezel design on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, so it would stand to reason that the company will make the same move for the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

There aren't any further details as to what other features the 14-inch MacBook Pro could also have, such as a Mini-LED display. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro has already received the new Magic Keyboard, double the base storage, and Intel's 10th-generation chips, so all of those will likely move to the 14-inch MacBook Pro as well.

The new pro laptop will most likely not feature an ARM processor yet, as Apple plans to introduce those first to its more "consumer" laptops like the rumored revive of the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Air.



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NBN lines up AU$6.1 billion in bank credit

Although it initially wanted AU$2 billion, Australia's broadband wholesaler walked away with a AU$6.1 billion line of credit.

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Elon Musk defies local county order by reopening Tesla factory

Musk added that if anyone is to be arrested for ignoring the county's order, it should only be him.

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"AirPods Studio" could feature neck/ear detection and custom EQ settings

The details of Apple's new headphones just keep coming.

What you need to know

  • Apple's "AirPods Studio" headphones will feature "neck detection".
  • It will also detect the left and right ears and route audio automatically.
  • Custom equalizer settings will also be available when connected to an iOS device or Mac.

Over the weekend, it was reported that Apple's rumored over-the-ear headphones would be sticking to the AirPods branding and be called "AirPods Studio". Now, it appears that more details have leaked about some of the features of the new headphones.

Reported by 9to5Mac, the headphones will feature "neck detection", meaning that the headphones will understand when you take them off and put them around your neck. When detected, the music, podcast, or video you are watching will automatically pause.

"One of the key features of regular AirPods is ear detection, which automatically pauses the song when you take the earphones off. We've learned that AirPods Studio will have a similar feature, but it will work in a different way. Instead of ear detection, Apple is working to include sensors that can detect whether the headphones are on your head or neck."

You'll also apparently be able to use the headphones without searching for which side is left or right. They will detect left or right ear and route the audio accordingly.

"Another new sensor will be able to detect left and right ears to automatically route the audio channels. That means there's likely no right or wrong side to use AirPods Studio, whereas current headphones have fixed left and right channels."

You'll also be able to adjust custom equalizer settings when the headphones are paired to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

"As AirPods Studio are expected to be mainly focused on professional users, pairing the earphones with a Mac or iOS device will unlock custom equalizer settings, with low, medium, and high frequency adjustments available, sources told us."

The "AirPods Studio" headphones, according to Ming-Chi Kuo and other reports, will be released later this year for $349 and feature interchangeable parts.



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Phones under $200: Top picks and new budget phones - CNET

If you're looking for a phone for $200 or less, check out the ones we've reviewed and several new ones we're excited about.

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iPhone SE 2020 vs. iPhone 8: One of these $400 iPhones is a better buy - CNET

Some retailers are still selling the iPhone 8 despite Apple discontinuing the device. But you should just get the new iPhone SE instead.

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iPhone SE 2020 vs. iPhone X comparison: Is a cheaper, refurbished iPhone X better? - CNET

Apple sells the iPhone X refurbished for $600. But is its 2017 flagship still better than its new budget iPhone SE?

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Nintendo Switch Lite is in stock at GameStop: Latest inventory update - CNET

Just updated: Here's where you can find the $200 portable version of Nintendo's hot gaming console.

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AirPods Studio rumors: Everything we think we know about Apple’s high-end headphones

Apple has been said to be working on a pair of high-end, over-the-ear, noise-cancelling headphones. Rumors began circulating last year, and have recently begun picking up steam, with more specific details. Perhaps a release is imminant?

While Apple will maintain its Beats products, these over-the-ear headphones will be Apple-branded products and carry the AirPods name. Here’s what we’ve heard about them so far.

Name and price

Apple tipster Jon Prosser, who has been on fire with the Apple leaks lately, recently tweeted that Apple will call its headphones “AirPods Studio” and price them at $349.

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Slack’s new iPhone app hits the App Store ahead of official launch

Illustration by Alex Castro / Th

Slack announced a redesigned iPhone app with a new navigation bar at the bottom of the app in update notes today. However, it seems the redesign is still rolling out, even if you’ve updated to the latest version of the app — myself and another Verge colleague don’t have it yet, for example.

The new look appears to bring the iPhone app in line with the Android redesign that rolled out on May 5th. “Previously, it was complicated to get to the four main things people do on mobile,” Slack said in the App Store update notes. “We’ve fixed this with a new nifty navigation bar at the bottom of the app containing: a Home view for your sidebar, DMs, (still listed most recent first), Mentions (for quickly catching up), and You (because you’re...

Continue reading…



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