1. Airbnb:

Airbnb has revolutionized the way people travel and find unique accommodations around the world. With this app, you can find anything from a rustic countryside cottage to a modern city apartment. Additionally, you can arrange unique local experiences, making your travels even more memorable.

2. Houzz:

Houzz is the ideal app for anyone decorating or renovating their home. With a vast collection of interior and exterior photos, along with decoration ideas and expert tips, Houzz offers inspiration for any home project.

3. MyFitnessPal:

While primarily known as a diet and exercise tracking app, MyFitnessPal also offers useful features for time and sleep management, crucial elements for balancing work and leisure.

4. Google Home:

Google Home is the essential app for anyone with smart devices at home. With it, you can control your lights, thermostats, security cameras, and more, all from your smartphone.

5. Duolingo:

Learning a new language can be a fun way to spend leisure time, and Duolingo makes that process easy and accessible. With short lessons and interactive games, you can learn a variety of languages at your own pace.

6. Spotify:

Spotify is the world’s most popular music streaming app, offering millions of songs from every imaginable genre. With features like personalized playlists and radio stations, Spotify is perfect for livening up a party or relaxing at home.

7. Netflix:

There’s no doubt that Netflix has revolutionized the way we watch TV and movies. With a constantly expanding library of original TV shows and movies, as well as classic cinema, Netflix offers entertainment for every taste.

8. Calm:

If you need to relax and reduce stress, Calm is the ideal app. With a variety of guided meditations, sleep stories, and relaxing music, Calm can help you find peace and tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life.

9. Amazon Prime Video:

Amazon Prime Video offers a wide selection of movies and TV shows, including exclusive original productions. Additionally, with the added benefit of free shipping on Amazon purchases, a Prime Video subscription offers added value for anyone.

10. Todoist:

Last but not least, Todoist is the ultimate task management app. With features like task lists, reminders, and integration with other apps, Todoist can help you keep your home organized and your mind at ease.

In summary, these 10 apps are just a small sample of the vast world of apps available on Google Play to make your life easier, more fun, and more productive. Whether you’re organizing your home, finding inspiration for decoration projects, or simply relaxing with music or movies, there’s something for everyone’s tastes and needs. So go ahead, download them, and make the most of these amazing apps!

Indie film darling A24 has come under fire for using AI-generated imagery in the marketing of its latest release, Civil War. 

On April 17th, the company shared six posters on its official Instagram page showing different war-torn American cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. However, people soon noticed that the images appear to be AI-generated.

For example, a shot of wreckage in Miami contains a car with three doors, while the two Marina Towers buildings in Chicago are improperly placed in the poster versus where they should be in real life. Elsewhere, in the Los Angeles poster, an actual giant swan is featured in a lake instead of what one would assume should be a swan-shaped paddleboat. These are all the sorts of mistakes that AI-generated imagery tend to make.

Some people have also taken issue with the subject matter of the poster, calling them misleading for focusing on cities that aren’t even featured in the film. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, an unnamed source close to the movie confirmed these images were generated by AI but are simply meant to be “inspired” by the film and present “powerful imagery of iconic landmarks with that dystopian realism.”

There’s a particular irony at play here with A24 being the one using AI-generated imagery. For one, the company has widely been praised for supporting the unique creative visions of filmmakers, having supported the likes of Moonlight, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Uncut Gems and Hereditary. Clearly, using AI images goes against that artist-first mentality. What’s more, Ex Machina, A24’s first film with Civil War writer-director Alex Garland, was all about the dangers of AI, making the use of AI imagery in their latest collaboration especially noteworthy.

Civil War is now playing in theatres. The film follows a group of photojournalists as they navigate a war-torn America.

Image credit: A24

With how important the internet has become in the digital age for communication, work, and entertainment, it’s critical that cybersecurity is included among our daily habits. This guide illuminates various aspects of cybersecurity, giving you practical solutions that will create that digital fortress around your online identity. From how to recognize and stop malware that changes your browser’s settings, to identifying phishing attempts and best practices for password use and security, consider the following: your cybersecurity 101.

Understanding the Threats: Malware, Phishing, and More

The first step to creating a digital fortress around your online identity is to face a few of the threats that can reside in the recesses of The Matrix.

Malware is short for malicious software and includes a number of harmful software types that are designed to invade or damage a computer system without the user’s informed consent. One breed of malware unsuspecting individuals often fall prey to is the variety that changes your browser’s settings, directing all searches to unwanted and/or malicious websites. This impacts user privacy, and can potentially lead to further malware infections or a data breach.

Additionally, we can all agree that phishing scams are not only a threat to a person’s online identity, but also to reputable businesses. Phishing is defined as the attempt to secure personal details, user names, passwords, financial details, etc. by using a device disguised as a confidence to trust an electronic communication. In most cases, these emails encourage users to click on a link, or download an attachment designed to steal information.

Building Your Digital Fortress: Best Practices for Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a comprehensive endeavor that needs a proactive approach. Here are some of the best practices you can follow to build your digital fortress:

Be smart about passwordsThe first line of defense in online security is a password. Combine letters (both upper and lower case), numbers and special characters in passwords, and do not use commonly guessable information like birthdays and dictionary words. A password manager can help you generate and store these securely.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)Two-factor authentication (2FA) offers an extra layer of security by requiring an additional form of identification beyond just a password. This could be a text message code, an email, or an authentication app. Enabling 2FA makes it significantly harder for unauthorized users to access your accounts.
Regularly update software and systemsA key step in protecting against malware and other cyber threats is to keep your operating system, applications and security software up to date by installing the latest updates and patches. Software developers regularly put out releases that fix bugs and vulnerabilities which could be used to gain unauthorized access to your system.
Don’t fall for phishing attemptsKeep your eyes on your emails and messages. Never click on a link or download an email attachment from unknown or suspicious sources, and don’t use the attachments in a junk or spam email. If you get a message from a company requesting personal information, do not respond. Instead, contact the company using a telephone number or website from an official source. When filing your flat, be sure to check the ends of the web for the lock icon, which shows that your data is encrypted while traveling between your computer and the website.
Secure your networksDon’t use public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions–such as transferring financial or personal data–as it is open to compromise by hackers. If you must use public Wi-Fi, you may be able to protect yourself by using a virtual private network (VPN) which encrypts your internet connection so others can’t see your data traffic.
Check the webRegularly check your bank statements, credit report and online accounts for any unauthorised activity. The sooner you are aware of any break-in, the sooner you can limit access and reduce the effects of identity theft or fraud.
Educate yourself and othersStay informed on the latest cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats. Educating yourself and those around you on best security practices can help build a collective defense against cyber threats.
Be an advocateEncourage companies and governments to protect your data from cyber threats. Talk to your friends and family about the importance of protecting personal, financial and other sensitive data.

Stay safe online!

The journey to securing your digital identity is far from over. It is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a journey that requires perpetual learning and vigilance, and a constant process of evolving your defenses. To win it, you must stay informed, understand threats and best practices, and continue to implement robust security measures that can turn your digital lifestyle into an indomitable fortress that will make the endless deluge of cyberthreats won’t know what hit them.

Unlike a Shell or Chevron station, EV charging spots can sometimes be tricky to find. They can be situated in hotel parking lots in the sub basement of a garage or even tucked behind restaurants where you definitely wouldn’t want to order the chicken strips. Point is, Google Maps wants to make finding these chargers more easily, and soon, it will utilize AI to do just that.

Google announced this week that in the coming months, it will use AI to comb public reviews to help pinpoint exactly where our country’s EV charging stations are. You can see an example of this in the header above, but it states, “Enter the underground parking lot and follow the signs towards the exit. Just before exiting, turn right.” This information was drafted by AI using an actual person’s review, which in a lot of cases, is necessary for the location of these chargers.

Google also says that to help make these more useful, reviews about EV charging locations now prompt the reviewer for additional details about the experience, such as what type of plug was used and how long the wait was. Every EV owner knows how incredibly valuable that information can be in certain circumstances.

Google has other EV-focused changes planned in the coming months, all of which you can read about by following the link below.

// Google

Bell has overhauled its MyBell mobile app with a suite of new features and UI changes.

First, the app now has a reimagined home screen containing a summary view of accounts and services with customer-specific alerts and reminders. There’s also a new dedicated area so customers can manage their subscribed services.

Across the board, meanwhile, the app now includes an improved navigation system to offer streamlined pathways to common actions like accessing support and shopping for services and producers. Bell says the main landing pages also have a more “modern” visual design and more improvements are coming “throughout” the app down the line.

The MyBell app is available on iOS and Android.

Additionally, following its partnership with No Frills on No Name data plans, Bell has teamed up with Sobeys and Freshco on prepaid Lucky Mobile and Virgin Plus plans. You can read more on that here.

Samsung officially announced the Exynos 5400 5G modem, with notable upgrades like support for two-way satellite connectivity and up to 14.7Gbps data throughput.

The unveiling comes after recent rumours revealed Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 series would likely sport Samsung’s newest modem. While we don’t yet know for sure whether the 5400 will end up in the Pixel 9 series, we do now know it’s real. Plus, many of the details about the 5400 align with expectations about the forthcoming Pixels.

First up, the Exynos 5400 will support ‘3GPP Release 17,’ which means it’ll work with 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Thus, satellite connectivity.

The 5400 also boasts 11.2Gbps throughput with the FR1 frequency band, which aggregates up to five carriers (three of 100MHz and two of 40MHz) as a single, complete frequency. Plus, Samsung says that FR1 has “fewer signal attenuation issues compared to FR2,” allowing the 5400 to offer “more reliable and efficient” connections.

Samsung also highlighted the use of 4nm extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and its “optimized design” that improves efficiency compared to the previous generation Exynos modem.

It’s also worth noting that Samsung confirmed to Android Authority that the Exynos 5400 was used in Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus devices that used the company’s Exynos 2400 processor. Typically, the Galaxy S devices sold in Canada usually sport Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8-series chips.

Samsung also hasn’t shared any details about satellite connectivity on the Galaxy S24 series, even though the 5400 supports it.

Image credit: Samsung

Distributed also on: Samsung Via: Android Authority

The process of creating a web application is quite time-consuming and multi-stage. That is why a whole team of specialists with relevant skills is working on it. Each of them performs an important mission and has their own responsibilities.

However, among all these specialists, it is worth highlighting a senior backend developer – a specialist who takes care of creating a functional and reliable technical basis. In this article, we offer to learn in more detail what exactly such a specialist does and to understand their role in the process.

The Foundation of a New Web Application

To understand how valuable these specialists are in the development process, it is enough to analyze the specifics of their activity. Backend developers are those people who deal with all components of the internal part of the software solution. That is, their responsibilities include maintaining the operation of data processing mechanisms, creating a basis for security and signaling (interface interaction), and running various functions on the server side.

All this cannot be seen by the users, but they can evaluate the responsiveness of the buttons, the specifics of performing certain actions in the web application, and other points related to the internal functionality. It is worth noting that the responsibilities of backend developers also include processing and managing large amounts of data. For this, experts create effective solutions for searching and storing data.

Cooperation and Integration

In the process of work, backend specialists actively interact with the teams that develop the interface. They create certain technological solutions that serve as points for data exchange between parties. This is the key to the harmonious development of a software product with minimal risks of errors and bugs. In addition, such points are the basis for real-time updates and smooth interaction.

Protection of Databases

The responsibility of establishing a system for reliable protection of confidential information of users and owners is also assumed by the backend developer. They implement special authorization and authentication mechanisms that allow you to control visits to the web application and protect it from hacking.

Access levels are also implemented. For example, only authorized users can interact with certain components. Another important step towards this is the implementation of special encryption protocols. They guarantee additional protection against unauthorized use of data.

Traffic Scaling and Handling

During the use of each software product, certain waves of activity are observed. There may be peak loads at some hours, and no traffic at all at others. Such fluctuations are harmful to the web application, so there is a need for load regulation. This is also the responsibility of the backend developer.

For this, the specialist usually uses different methods of distributing the load between several servers. In particular, thanks to the introduction of caching mechanisms, as well as balancing technology. In this way, the risks of failures in the web application are significantly minimized, which allows you to avoid large losses from minor failures.

Conclusions

The backend developer is one of the key figures in the process of creating a web application. This is due to the specifics of the work of such a specialist. They handle all internal processes: code creation, security, and functionality setup, creating channels for interaction with frontend developers, as well as scaling and data processing. This means that their skills and knowledge contribute not only to the functionality but also to the efficiency and security of the software solution.

When we asked everyone a week ago if the April Google Pixel update was treating them well, we did so because we also wanted to check to make sure that everyone had received it. There were dozens of reports at the time suggesting that Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 owners with AT&T service were not seeing the update at all, but Google hadn’t said a word. It’s now April 17 and a new build for those devices has arrived and we hope it’s for those who have been checking for the past couple of weeks without success.

The new Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro build is listed as AP1A.240405.002.B1. Google once again did not specify who this build is for and only posted it to their factory image and OTA pages today without comment.

So, because we need your help, can you grab your Pixel 7 or Pixel 8 phone and check for the update? Let us know if the update is finally here. Here’s also to hoping that it fixes the network issues so many have had since March’s update.

UPDATE 4/18: This new build from Google is still a mystery and does not appear to be the missing April update for many Pixel owners. Google hasn’t said a word about the new build nor has the update rolled out to those waiting (im)patiently. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes.

Sony’s November 2023-released PlayStation Portal is currently in stock at three Canadian retailers.

The streaming handheld, which is hard to come across, is currently in stock at Amazon, GameStop, Walmart and BestBuy, with the latter offering a solid open-box deal.

Amazon: $269.96

GameStop: $269.99

Walmart: $269.96

Best Buy (open-box): $249.99

The PlayStation Portal features an 8-inch LCD display with a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. It sports all the functionalities of a DualSense controller, including adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. It uses the PS5’s Remote Play to control your console with a DualSense-like controller with a screen, making playing PlayStation 5 games on the go easy; hence, it is always out of stock.

If this batch of PlayStation Portal sells out, we will update this story to reflect it.

You can learn more about the handheld console below:

PlayStation Portal: This controller with a screen is surprisingly awesome

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links, helping fund the journalism provided free on our website.

These days, it seems like every popular online game has its own virtual currency that players are constantly chasing. For the massive Roblox community, that coveted in-game cash is called Robux – and players are always hunting for new ways to stock up without opening their real wallets. That’s where services like RBX Demon come into play, promising easy Robux just for completing simple tasks online. But is it truly a legitimate way to earn on Roblox or just another sketchy scheme?

How RBX Demon Works

On the surface, RBX Demon’s core concept seems pretty straightforward. The website hosts an assortment of “offers” that users can complete to earn varying amounts of points. This includes things like:

Downloading and running mobile apps/games
Watching videos or advertisements
Signing up for free trial subscriptions
Taking surveys or filling out forms with your info

As you knock out these tedious but easy gigs one by one, the points accumulate. Once you’ve racked up enough, RBX Demon allows you to cash those points in and have the equivalent amount of Robux deposited straight into your Roblox account. No paid membership fees or anything – just trade your time and efforts for free Robux!

What’s The Catch?

Of course, if it were truly as simple as clicking a few buttons and watching the Robux just pile up, every Roblox player would be doing it. The reality is that earning any substantial amount takes a fair bit of grinding.

Many of the videos and surveys only reward 10-30 points a pop, meaning you’d need to complete a huge quantity just to hit the minimum 1000 points required for a Robux payout. The bigger-ticket app install offers tend to pay better but are more of a commitment. Then there’s the often aggravating factor of offer wall companies failing to properly track and credit your efforts.

It’s a process that demands a ton of patience and persistence. Still, for a devoted Roblox player who realistically isn’t going to drop real money on micro-transactions, it arguably beats not earning anything at all.

User Testimonies

With its too-good-to-be-true premise, it’s no surprise RBX Demon has plenty of skeptics decrying it as an outright scam across Roblox forums and social media. However, the site also has plenty of users vouching for it as 100% legitimate based on their own experiences.

On Twitter, one player claimed: “Thanks to @RBXDemon, I’ve earned over 12,000 free Robux so far just by messing around on my phone! Took some time, but way better than paying for that junk.”

Another Redditor shared, “RBX Demon is legit and has regularly paid out my Robux. The key is sticking to the higher-paying offers and filtering out all the garbage 15-pointer tasks that just waste your time.”

Of course, those are balanced out by just as many complaints from users who never received their earned Robux at all despite grinding hard. Inconsistency seems to be a major issue based on the mixed bag of testimonies out there. Your mileage may vary significantly.

Potential Risks to Consider

Beyond the coreRBX Demon experience simply being hit-or-miss for many, there are some bigger potential risks to consider before going through the hassle:

Roblox’s Terms of Service technically prohibit buying or earning Robux through any unauthorized third-party services. If you’re detected earning currency this way, there’s a chance Roblox could freeze or terminate your account. Many suggest using a spare “burner” account if trying RBX Demon to avoid jeopardizing your main.
Some of the offers can potentially put your personal data or device security at risk if you aren’t very careful. You may need to adjust security settings, download shady software, or enter sensitive info for Pay-to-Install campaigns that could lead to malware exposure.
Most of the high-paying offers require spending money upfront on subscription services and paid mobile apps, which you’ll then need to attempt to get refunded after RBX Demon credits you. This risk vs. reward factor makes it a non-starter for some.

Final Thoughts

Frugal Roblox players have to weigh those potential downsides against how much they personally value free Robux. Suppose you take all the right precautionary steps (Burner accounts, premium mobile security, separate payment methods, etc).

In that case, RBX Demon may scratch that itch for some bonus in-game currency without completely breaking the bank. Just don’t expect earning Robux this way to be a cakewalk and keep an eye out on the rbx demon website, third-party websites, and its discord server for rbx demon codes, private server codes, and more such information.