New Mac OS 15 Features, Chrome Threats, Amazon's Health Ring and CoPilot PC's

Join Greg Doig in this Tech Brewed episode as we explore the latest updates in the tech world. We dive into significant changes coming to Mac OS 15, including a revamped system settings application aimed at a better user experience. We also cover a critical security flaw in Google's Chrome browser and the necessary updates for users. Additionally, we discuss popular Chromium-based browsers, the introduction of Amazon's Amisfit Helio health ring, and Microsoft's Co-Pilot Plus PCs. Stay tuned for more exciting tech insights!

Transcript

Brit Man: 0:00

If you want the latest news and technology reviews of great new tech hardware and software, along with helpful tech tips, then Tech Brewed with Greg Doig is the podcast for you and everyone that loves tech.

Greg: 0:11

Welcome to another episode of Tech Brood where we delve into the latest happenings in the tech world and talk about the latest tech products. Today we'll discuss some exciting changes coming to Mac OS 15 as reported by Apple Insider. The system settings application is being overhauled. This is the most significant reorganization since its redesign. The settings within the app will be reorganized based on priority and overall importance. Tech For instance, the section for notifications and sound settings will be moved lower in the list. In contrast, the general settings will be positioned higher. This reorganization is aimed at improving user experience and making it easier to navigate through the settings. Display related settings are also getting a shake up. Instead of having a dedicated section, they will be grouped with other options. Privacy and security settings will be moved near related options such as preferences for the lock screen. Touch ID, Users, and Groups. Siri and Spotlight settings are also moving. They will be relocated to the section containing settings related to Internet Accounts and the Game Center. Speaking of Siri, it's expected to receive a new monochromatic menu bar icon to better blend in with existing icons. The system settings application will also reflect Apple's decision to rebrand its Apple ID into Apple Account. Apple is also developing a new printable account recovery summary feature in a separate iCloud preference pane. But it's not just the system settings that are getting the makeover. Apple is testing a new user interface for AirDrop and other system applications. macOS 15 will include visual changes to several core apps including Calculator, Notes, Safari, and Voice menus. Apple introduces new features and related UI elements with every major OS update. Major redesigns occur occasionally, with the most significant visual change happening with the release of iOS 7 and Mac OS 10. 10 Yosemite. The planned changes for Mac OS 15 aim to standardize the overall user interface across its platforms. While Apple plans these changes with the end user in mind, not all features may make it to the final release. The redesigned layout for system settings could be turned off within Apple's pre release operating systems. Now we will discuss the recent high severity security flaw in Google's Chrome browser. Google has recently addressed a critical vulnerability known as CVE. This is a type confusion bug in the V8 JavaScript and WebAssembly engine that can allow thread actors to perform out of bounds memory access, cause a crash, and execute arbitrary code. Members of Google's Threat Analysis Group and Chrome Security reported the flaw on May 20, 2024, underlining the importance of immediate action to protect your system. Interestingly, this is the fourth zero day that Google has patched since the start of the month, following three other critical vulnerability exploits. Google has not disclosed additional technical details about the flaw, but has acknowledged that this exploit exists in the wild. Since the start of the year, Google has resolved 8 zero days in Chrome. These include vulnerabilities such as out of bounds memory access in V8, use after free in WebCodecs, type confusion in WebAssembly, and use after free in Visuals. To mitigate potential threats, users should upgrade to Chrome version 125. 0. 6422. 112. 113 for Windows and Mac OS and version 112 for Linux. Users of Chromium based browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi are also advised to apply the fixes as and when they become available. Stay updated is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from cyber security threats, so keep your browsers and other software up to date. Speaking of Chromium based browsers, Chromium based browsers have gained popularity due to their fast and secure browsing capabilities. They are built on the open source Chromium project, which provides the core functionality of the browser. Here are some of the notable Chromium based browsers. Top of the list, Google Chrome, which we just spoke about. It's the world's leading web browser and is based on the Chromium codebase. Next up, Brave, which is an open source Chromium based web browser that prioritizes user security. And privacy by blocking ads and tracking. Number three, Vivaldi is a feature rich browser based on Chromium developed by Opera's former CEO. And number four, Opera, it's another well known browser based on Chromium code base and offers various features and functionalities. Five, Microsoft Edge is based on the Chromium code base to provide in a seamless browsing experience for Windows users. Number six we'll tell you about is Yandex Browser. It's a simple and easy to use internet browser based on the Chromium technology platform. It offers quick page loads and focuses on user needs. Number seven, Superbird. It's a Chromium based browser that offers the same functionality as Google Chrome while providing better speed rates and enhanced privacy. Number eight, Kiwi Browser is known for its ad free features. Not tracking users and being privacy focused, making it a privacy friendly alternative. Number nine, Epic is a user privacy centric browser based on Chromium. It runs by default in a mode similar to incognito mode or private browsing. And number 10 is a fairly new one, ARC, which is spelled A R C. It's a browser that offers great multitasking features such as tab splitting, tab pinning, and a sidebar for easily managing all open tabs. These browsers among others are based on the open source Chromium project and provide impressive features that prioritize speed, privacy, and customization. But if you ever see that a Chrome update is being given and you're using one of these other browsers, well, you're going to have to update those too. Then it doesn't take much time to do an update. Every time you open the browser. Now let's talk about a new product from Amazon. The Amisfit Helio ring is a health monitoring bright ring now available in the U S for. 299. 99. So why don't they just say 300? But anyways, it comes in two sizes, 10 and 12, and the company is offering a 150 discount if purchased with certain smartwatches, which are the T Rex Ultra, Falcon, or Cheetah Pro. As a bonus, buyers also receive three months of ZEPP Aura and six months of ZEPP Fitness free of charge. Let's talk about the features of this intelligent ring. The Helio Ring is made from a skin friendly titanium alloy and is lightweight, weighing less than 4 grams. It has a 10 ATM water resistance rating, making it suitable for swimming and other water related activities. In terms of health monitoring, the ring includes heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, stress tracking, sleep monitoring, and sports data tracking. It also features a long lasting battery, wireless charging, and compatibility with devices running Android 7. 0 and above or iOS 14. 0 and above for iPhones. The size 10 ring has a 18. 5 milliamp battery and the size 12 model has a 20. 5 milliamp battery. Both models take around 1 hour and 40 minutes to fully charge and promise up to 4 days of battery life. And yes, the ring supports wireless charging. Now let's talk about a new development from Microsoft, the introduction of Co Pilot Plus PCs. This is a significant move by Microsoft as it marks their entry into the Co Pilot market. The Co Pilot Plus PCs are designed to enhance productivity and collaboration, making them a valuable tool for professionals and teams. One of the standout features of these PCs is that they come with Co Pilot Plus PC experience pre installed. This means that users can access AI intensive processes right out of the box. The AI features, including the Co Pilot Voice Assistant, do not require an internet connection as the AI processing occurs directly on the device. The Copilot Plus PCs are optimized to run AI workloads locally with better performance. They feature high performance cores and efficiency optimized cores in the built in CPU within the X Elite. These PCs are expected to be available starting on June 18th, and a range of manufacturers, including Acer and Assetek Computer, will sell them. In addition to the hardware, Microsoft has integrated an AI assistant, Copilot, into Windows to enhance productivity and creativity. Users can access Copilot in Windows on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows logo key plus C for quick access. Devices with a Copilot key can also launch Copilot in Windows. That's all for today's Tech Brewed episode. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the tech world each week.

Anna: 9:50

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