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Google Discloses Hackers’ Employment of AI as a Potent Tool

prompts to enhance ChatGPT’s efficiency, cybercriminals have been leveraging AI to pilfer passwords and financial data.

Recently, the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) released a blog post outlining how nefarious individuals are exploiting various AI systems, including Google’s own Gemini, to target people and either abscond with essential data or deceive victims into divulging it. GTIG reports that AI is being employed for the theft of intellectual property, monitoring, and the development of new types of malware programs, prompting the group to compile a roster of “threat actors” who attempted to misuse Gemini for harmful purposes. Google intervened and halted these offenders, but it still aimed to illustrate what these individuals were doing, as their programming misdeeds could significantly affect the future of cybersecurity.

AI enables hackers to swiftly identify targets and modify tactics

Comparative Review of 7 Leading Music Streaming Platforms: Ranked from Least to Most Preferred

**Ranking 7 Major Music Streaming Services From Worst To Best**

Before streaming became prevalent, music fans depended on buying albums on CDs or via platforms like iTunes. This method involved acquiring one album at a time without any guarantee of its quality. The emergence of streaming services such as Spotify transformed this experience by providing limitless music for a small fee, drawing many users in due to its affordability compared to purchasing single albums. Furthermore, artists obtained the liberty to create music independently, avoiding conventional record labels.

By 2026, streaming accounts for roughly 80% of the music industry’s revenue, aided by the multitude of platforms accessible. While trailblazers like Spotify foster a social and engaging environment, others like Apple Music and Tidal focus on offering high-resolution and spatial audio experiences. With an array of choices and increasing subscription fees, selecting the ideal service can be overwhelming. To help in finding the right platform, we have assessed and ranked the major music streaming services from worst to best.

**Deezer**

Deezer, one of the earliest platforms, serves as a practical alternative to Spotify, offering features such as collaborative playlists and music quizzes. It has a free tier supported by ads and streams at 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, which is satisfactory for Bluetooth headphone users. Nonetheless, its absence of Dolby Atmos support and limited recognition outside of France are disadvantages. At a cost of $11.99 per month, users have experienced sporadic crashes and glitches.

**Qobuz**

Qobuz is tailored for audiophiles with its outstanding audio quality, providing 24-bit, 192 kHz streams. It permits music purchases without needing a subscription and offers discounts via its Sublime tier. Qobuz places emphasis on human-curated content and editorial features. However, despite its advantages, it lacks some significant albums and Dolby Atmos support, making its starting price of $12.99 a tough sell for non-audiophiles.

**Amazon Music Unlimited**

Included as part of Prime, Amazon Music features over 100 million tracks, yet offline and on-demand listening is restricted to 15 playlists. Music Unlimited, available at $11.99 ($10.99 for Prime subscribers), supports Hi-Fi audio and spatial content. It presents various subscription options for Amazon devices, although the app can sometimes act up, impacting the user experience.

**YouTube Music**

Though initially lacking, YouTube Music now provides great value with YouTube Premium and Music for $13.99. Google’s AI improves playlist suggestions, yet the absence of lossless or spatial audio is a drawback. The app does not offer human-curated playlists and can run into glitches.

**Spotify**

Spotify, a frontrunner in streaming, features a free tier and an excellent algorithm. With a monthly fee of $13, it unveiled lossless streaming in 2025, but it still falls short on surround sound. Spotify’s usability, Discover Weekly feature, and exclusive podcasts stand out, although audiobook listening remains limited.

**Tidal**

Tidal provides high-resolution audio at a competitive monthly fee of $10.99. Its attributes include personalized playlists and Universal Links for song sharing. Tidal’s sound quality is unparalleled, and it supports artists by allocating a portion of subscriptions directly to them. Nevertheless, its accessibility is confined to 61 countries.

**Apple Music**

Apple Music shines with its sound quality, providing Dolby Atmos and high-resolution options. Its discovery features and human-curated radio stations are exceptional. At $10.99 per month, Apple Music’s global compatibility and extensive feature set establish it as the best option for most users.

**Methodology**

Evaluating music streaming services is complex due to their varying qualities. We prioritized sound quality, catalog size, discovery systems, and user-friendliness. Additional features such as app availability and curated content were also taken into account to ascertain the best value for listeners.

The Unmade 1960s Batman vs. Godzilla Movie Idea Uncovered as Strikingly Unorthodox

“Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s” animated figures that caused Bob Hoskins to see things), some unapologetically silly yet enjoyable ones (“Freddy vs. Jason”), and some budget, deliberately absurd mockbusters that functioned as a bad joke (“Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus”) in the past few decades, for sure. Yet, this unrealized 1966 venture called “Batman vs. Godzilla” probably takes the prize, even if it never materialized.

According to Grantland, a proposed follow-up to the Adam West-starring “Batman: The Movie” (which premiered after the completion of season 1 of the live-action series) actually had a script (“Batman Meets Godzilla,” ordered from writer Shinichi Sekizawa) that merged the iconic kaiju with the exaggerated slapstick humor of William Dozier’s beloved “Batman” series that aired in the mid-’60s.

Located in Japan, the narrative would have featured Batman, Robin, and Batgirl teaming up to rescue the nation from a sinister German meteorologist, Klaus Finster. Finster asserts he can “control the weather,” which, it seems, serves as a euphemism for having dominion over Godzilla. Regardless, his preliminary threat is to obliterate the entire nation unless he receives $20 million in gold from… anyone. But when he discovers that the caped heroes have been notified to thwart him, he initially dispatches a robotic replica of Count Draidl (a companion of Batman and Robin) equipped with “gun eyes” to deal with them so he can execute his clever master plan. After taking down the android, Batman deduces that the kaiju may be a component of Finster’s nefarious scheme, total destruction and all, and the genuine circus featuring Kabuki performances, samurai swords, Batcopter, espionage robots, a Japanese bathhouse, and Godzilla falling in love is just around the corner.

However absurd this storyline appears, you must concede this movie would have been a spectacle, probably yielding meme material for ages.

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“Recently Introduced Features for Samsung Galaxy Phones”

The year 2025 proved to be remarkably lively for Galaxy users. Within just six months, Samsung rolled out two significant updates to its One UI platform. One UI 7 debuted in early April, while One UI 8 followed in mid-September. These consecutive updates brought a wealth of new features to explore. Among the standout additions were call captions, reminder templates, and a lock screen clock that changes shape according to the background. The Now Bar, the Galaxy S25’s counterpart to the Dynamic Island found on iPhones, is yet another prominent feature that provides quick access to your active applications.

If you find these features impressive, just wait—Samsung is only beginning. For those who participated in the One UI Beta Program, Samsung recently introduced a new array of features to your Galaxy device through the latest One UI 8.5 update. This update is presently in beta testing, meaning it isn’t officially available to the public yet. However, you can sign up for the program whenever you wish. After enrollment, here are five new Galaxy features you’ll want to explore.

**Record only a portion of your screen**

Whenever you’re screen recording a tutorial on your Galaxy device, you typically have to crop out the status and navigation bars later. This keeps your privacy intact and provides a cleaner recording. You might also want to crop a screen recording if your focus is on a specific section—perhaps a GIF a friend sent or an error message from a website.

With One UI 8.5, you can skip the hassle of file editing. Your Galaxy phone now allows partial screen recording, enabling you to select which parts to record manually. Using partial screen recording on One UI 8.5 is as straightforward as the previous screen recorder. Here’s the process:

1. Navigate to your Quick Settings.
2. Add the Screen Recorder control if it’s not already visible.
3. Tap Screen Recorder.
4. In the panel that appears, select Partial screen.
5. You can also set your preferred audio recording option—media, media and microphone, or none—and decide whether to include taps and touches.
6. Click Start recording.
7. Adjust the rectangle as necessary. A magnifier will appear in the upper-left for precise corner adjustments.
8. Grab the white circular handle in the center-top of the rectangle to reposition it.
9. Press Record.

Continue with the screen recording as normal. If you wish to pause, simply tap the pause icon at the bottom of the rectangle. Once finished, click the stop icon. Your screen recording will be instantly saved in your Gallery.

**Customize your Quick Settings panel**

The Quick Settings panel on your Galaxy device is likely something you access several times daily. While it is already somewhat customizable, One UI 8.5 allows you even greater flexibility in how it appears, enhancing the optimization of your Samsung Galaxy phone. This update lets you resize the tiles, drag them freely on the screen, and add or remove tiles beyond the standard Quick Toggles group.

When resizing tiles, most controls are limited to two options: icon-only and pill-shaped (icon with label). However, there are a few exceptions. For example, the brightness and volume sliders can be elongated and oriented either horizontally or vertically. The music player and Quick Toggles group can also be expanded significantly, covering almost half the panel. To adjust your Quick Settings panel’s appearance, follow these steps:

1. Swipe down from the top of the display to access the Quick Settings panel.
2. Tap the pencil icon at the top.
3. To modify a tile’s size, drag its resize handle located on the right or bottom.
4. To reposition a tile, drag and drop it to your preferred location.
5. To eliminate a tile, click the minus icon in the top-left corner.
6. To add a new tile, select “Add a control” at the bottom, long-press the setting you desire, and drop it on the panel.
7. When satisfied with the arrangement of items, simply hit Done in the upper-right corner and you’re set.

**Edit images with the enhanced Photo Assist menu**

Samsung Galaxy’s Gallery app has incorporated AI photo editing capabilities for some time. However, these features became much more user-friendly with One UI 8.5. This update has launched a more streamlined design and an accessible history feature to maximize your editing experience.

To access the new Photo Assist on your Galaxy phone, open an image you wish to edit in the Gallery app and tap the sparkle icon at the bottom. This action will take you to the Photo Assist screen featuring options at the bottom. You

Consumer Reports: 3 Best Wi-Fi Extenders to Consider and 2 to Steer Clear Of

methods to enhance Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the residence. An extender acts as an auxiliary unit that captures the signal from your primary router and retransmits it. The top models will uphold robust functionality even at a considerable distance from the router.

Netgear and TP-Link lead the Wi-Fi extender industry, yet these brands do not produce all their offerings with the same quality. Some are outstanding devices that significantly enhance your home network, while others barely justify occupying an outlet. Therefore, it’s crucial not to merely purchase the first extender you encounter, even if it belongs to one of these well-known manufacturers. We examined Consumer Reports’ ratings on Wi-Fi extenders and investigated their product evaluations to create a shortlist of three that are worthy investments, and two that should be completely avoided.

Purchase Netgear AX1800 EAX15

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Improving Visual Cognition: The Argument for Incorporating Alerts within Apple’s Environment

# Boosting Efficiency with Visual Intelligence in iOS 26 and Beyond

Apple’s Visual Intelligence has undergone substantial advancements, especially with the rollout of iOS 26. Originally confined to Camera Control, this functionality now encompasses screenshots, offering users improved capabilities that facilitate daily activities. Recent updates have rolled out three primary features: the capacity to swiftly create Calendar events, search for akin images, and engage with ChatGPT concerning screenshot content. These upgrades have already shown to be advantageous, yet the opportunity for additional enhancements exists, especially with the incorporation of Reminders.

## Fresh Features in iOS 26

With the introduction of iOS 26, Apple has made considerable progress in Visual Intelligence, particularly regarding how users manipulate screenshots. The capability to generate Calendar events straight from a screenshot has revolutionized the scheduling and appointment management for many users. Furthermore, the function allowing users to search for similar images is especially beneficial for shopping, aiding in the quick and efficient discovery of products. The addition of ChatGPT facilitates a conversational method to comprehend and utilize screenshot content, adding a dimension of interactivity that enriches user experience.

## The Argument for Reminders Integration

As we look towards iOS 27, there is a compelling argument for the integration of Reminders within Visual Intelligence. This feature could radically change how users handle tasks and information. For example, during research, users could capture a screenshot of pertinent information and transform it into a Reminder, acting as a digital bookmarking system. This would simplify the task of tracking crucial details and deadlines.

Additionally, users frequently receive text messages asking for reminders regarding various tasks. The capacity to screenshot these discussions and convert them into Reminders would reduce the burden of memorizing every detail, thereby making the process more streamlined. Nevertheless, the execution of this feature would necessitate advanced analytical abilities to accurately discern the context and content of the requested reminders.

## Possible Applications

The merging of Reminders with Visual Intelligence could also expand into Camera Control. Users could snap pictures of items or notes and create reminders based on these images. This capability would not only boost productivity but also provide a harmonious way to visually manage tasks and information.

## Summary

Apple’s Visual Intelligence has already achieved notable enhancements with iOS 26, and the prospects for future growth are vast. By embedding Reminders into this feature, Apple could offer users a robust tool for more effectively managing their daily tasks and information. As technology continues to advance, the opportunities for enhancing productivity through intelligent functionalities like Visual Intelligence are limitless.

Budget-Friendly Audiophile Headphones to Keep in Mind

The top audiophile headphones can cost you several hundred dollars, but there are also various budget-friendly entry-level choices available at much lower prices. Nevertheless, it can be quite daunting to sift through all the options that advertise themselves as tailor-made for audiophiles. Fortunately, you don’t have to embark on this journey by yourself, and we have compiled a selection of the highest-rated audiophile headphones that you can acquire for under $350.

Although that might still seem like a considerable amount, $350 is truly seen as very inexpensive when you start examining what are regarded as the finest audiophile headphones available currently, such as the Sennheiser HD 800 S, which are priced at $1,999 at the time this article is written. If $350 is still somewhat too steep, you will discover other selections on this list that are regarded as even more budget-friendly, priced below $200.

FiiO FT1

With a price of just $165 without any promotions, it’s clear why the FiiO FT1 has become a favored suggestion for those seeking a solid, entry-level, and economical option to explore the realm of audiophile-grade headphones. Equipped with 60 mm dynamic drivers, the FIIO FT1 has received numerous accolades from Amazon reviewers, many of whom commend the headphone quality.

These closed-back, over-the-ear headphones also incorporate sturdy wooden cups, which contribute to the design that the company has crafted to deliver “balanced tuning” and “crystal-clear sound.” This performance is made achievable through the use of a nano wood fiber composite diaphragm.