Join Fox News for access to this content You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address. Welcome to Fox News Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.IN TODAYS NEWSLETTER:- AI developers discover 'Donald Trump neuron', expert says- Petition calls for Trump admin to appoint Musk as AI advisor- OpenAI touts AI infrastructure blueprint to outcompete China, bolster economy under incoming Trump admin. (Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP)'DONALD TRUMP NEURON': Artificial intelligence recognizes images and the name of President-elect Donald Trump so much that the phenomenon is referred to as a "Donald Trump neuron," expert Chris Olah says.MUSK PETITION: Anartificial intelligence (AI) advocacy group is urging President-elect Trump to make billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk a special adviser to the White House focused on AI. INDIA - 2024/05/17: In this photo illustration, the OpenAI logo is seen displayed on a mobile phone screen with ChatGPT logo in the background. (Photo Illustration by Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)HELP FROM SILICON VALLEY: OpenAI has assembled a "blueprint" for artificial intelligence infrastructure that the company hopes will be considered by the incoming Trump administration and Congress suggesting that the plan will help the United States maintain its lead in the field over competitors like China.WHOS RECORDING YOU: Remember when recording a phone call on your iPhone felt like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded? Well, those days are officially over. With the release of iOS 18.1, Apple has introduced a native call recording feature as part of Apple Intelligence. Native call recording feature on iPhone (Apple)FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIASIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERSDOWNLOAD OUR APPSWATCH FOX NEWS ONLINEFox News GoSTREAM FOX NATIONFox NationStay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox Newshere.

As the UKs Online Safety Act (OSA) approaches its first birthday, parents and teachers insist more must be done to protect young people and children from the various risks they are facing online.In particular, they cite the need for tighter measures around smartphone and social media use in schools, which led two parents to create the Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) group in February 2024.Since then, the group which characterises itself as a grassroots movement on a mission to challenge Big Techs colonisation of childhood has expanded massively, with 150,000 parent members across the UK at the time of publication.Their concerns cover a range of areas, including the increasing rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among children since smartphones were introduced, the pervasive effects of cyber bullying, the risk of children being exposed to harmful content via algorithms and messaging apps, and the intentionally addictive design choices of tech companies that are intended to harvest ever-increasing amounts of data for profit.While the UK is one of the first countries to attempt to regulate global social media platforms such as Meta, X, TikTok and YouTube which from the start of 2025 can be prosecuted by online harms regulator Ofcom for failing to address illegal content, which includes the possibility of million-pound fines and criminal sanctions against high-ranking social media platform employees parents and teachers say there is mounting evidence that, despite any good intentions, the online world continues to have a range of harmful effects on young people.An international study across 44 countries published last month, for example, revealed a growing rate of problematic internet use in children, revealing the dire need for safer platforms for young people. In the US, legal action against the biggest social media platforms is unfolding over their inaction on harmful content and failure to protect children. In 2023, 42 attorney generals sued Meta, alleging addictive features that target children. Although the Online Safety Act is an important first step, it will only partly address the harms currently being inflicted on children through smartphones and social media Clare Fernyhough, Smartphone Free ChildhoodAlthough the Online Safety Act is an important first step, it will only partly address the harms currently being inflicted on children through smartphones and social media, says Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of SFC. Its not clear the act will address the addictive by design nature of both smartphones and social media platforms, meaning tech companies will continue to make billions from keeping our children constantly online. With some children spending as much as nine hours a day on their phones, the opportunity cost these devices carry is enormous.Given the ongoing concerns over the spread of online harms, and the role of smartphones in particular, the inception of SFC has prompted many schools to attempt going smartphone-free.In May 2024, for example, 20 primary schools across St Albans announced plans to ditch smartphones, and in September, Ormiston academies announced the decision to go smartphone-free across its 44 state schools.We had a phone switched off and in your bag policy for years. It was completely ineffective, says Damien McBeath, head teacher at John Wallis Academy, which launched its own smartphone-free policy in January, shortly before the formation of SFC. Since Covid, we have seen a real decline in socially acceptable behaviour lots of TikTok trends, pupils bundling into toilet cubicles, incidents of online predators sapping pupils attention.In his 25 years as a head teacher, McBeath adds smartphones have been a tidal wave of issues and disruption.In October 2024, SFC also launched a formal Smartphone Free Schools campaign, which has already inspired a number of other schools to attempt the policy. SFC says the concerns McBeath has are echoed by other teachers, who have reached out to the group for guidance and support.We have been inundated with stories from teachers grappling with the effects of smartphones, from distraction in lessons to cyber bullying and sharing of inappropriate content. This is an urgent situation that needs immediate government support, says Fernyhough.Will Orr-Ewing, schools engagement lead for the Smartphone Free Schools campaign, adds: The average child gets hundreds of notifications on their phone throughout the school day a constant call on their attention, which leads them to check their phone whenever they are out of a teachers eyeline, especially in bathrooms and breaktimes. The average child gets hundreds of notifications on their phone throughout the school day a constant call on their attention Will Orr-Ewing, Smartphone Free Schools campaignThat is why we recommend that schools devise ways to take the phone off the childs person for the full seven hours of the school day either by use of pouches or lockers, or by prohibiting children from bringing in a smartphone at all, and recommending brick phones for travel instead.Since adopting the smartphone-free policy, John Wallis Academy claims it has seen immense benefits both for pupils and staff, including a 40% reduction in the number of detentions, an 80% reduction in the rate of in-school truancy, and a reduction in staff turnover from 30% to 17%.Campaigners and teachers believe broader support from the government could lead to nationwide change. Currently, just 11% of UK schools have effective smartphone restrictions in place. In an open letter to the Department for Education in October, head teachers, governing bodies and local councils urged the government to commit funding to support schools that aim to go smartphone-free.Aside from parents and teachers, the proposed implementation of the UKs Online Safety Act has also been met with discontent from civil society groups, which have argued during the acts ongoing consultation that there is a need for tougher laws around online safety.Digital safety charity 5Rights, for example, claims: Ofcoms proposals as currently drafted are light-touch and incomplete, and fail to meet the needs of children and the expectations of parliamentarians, civil society, parents and teachers.Digital secretary Peter Kyle similarly told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg that he was going to close loopholes in the Conservative government-led Online Safety Act, adding that the tech sector is the only sector ... that can release products into society without proving theyre safe before release.Support for more stringent legislation is also echoed by the public. Recent polling from the Molly Rose Foundation, for example, revealed overwhelming public and parental support for a new Online Safety Act, with 84% of parents and 80% of adults backing a new act to strengthen online safety measures.Labour MP Josh MacAlister has also recently launched a Private Members Bill, which could potentially lead to providing statutory guidance on smartphone use in schools, and increasing the age of internet adulthood from 13 to 16. The MP and former teacher was vocal on the importance of this policy for disadvantaged children in particular.The bill also aims to strengthen regulator Ofcoms powers so that it can enforce a code of conduct to tackle the addictive-by-design nature of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.Concerns around addictive design models were echoed in a joint agreement on online safety from the UK and US governments, stating: Both countries acknowledge that risk-based and safety, privacy and inclusivity-by-design approaches throughout design, development and deployment are fundamental to childrens safety and well-being online, alongside increased transparency and accountability from online platforms.Read more about online harmsOfcom issues online safety warning to firms in wake of UK riots: Ofcom has issued a warning reminding social media firms of their upcoming online safety obligations, after misinformation about the Southport stabbings sparked racist riots throughout the UK.UK and US pledge closer working on childrens online safety: In their first agreement on the subject of childrens online safety, the UK and US governments have said they will create a new working group to boost cooperation.Misinformation runs deeper than social media: While social media may contribute to the increasing rapid spread and reach of misinformation, the root causes of the problem go much deeper than the role of a particular company or way of using technology to communicate.

beebright - stock.adobe.comNewsChinas Volt Typhoon rebuilds botnet in wake of takedownNine months after its malicious botnet comprising legacy routers was disrupted by the Americans, Chinese APT Volt Typhoon is rebuilding and presents as persistent a threat as everByAlex Scroxton,Security EditorPublished: 13 Nov 2024 16:06 The Chinese state threat actor most famously known as Volt Typhoon is staging a significant comeback after its botnet infrastructure was disrupted in a US-led takedown at the beginning of February 2024.Volt Typhoons malicious botnet comprised hundreds of Cisco and Netgear small and home office (SOHO) routers that had reached end-of-life (EOL) status and thus were no longer receiving security updates.The threat actor infected these devices with KV Botnet malware and used them to obfuscate the origins of follow-on hacks targeting critical national infrastructure (CNI) operations in the US and elsewhere.Now, nine months on, threat analysts from SecurityScorecard say that they have observed signs that Volt Typhoon is not only back in business, but is more sophisticated and determined than ever.SecurityScorecards Strike team has been poring over millions of data points collected from the organisations wider risk management infrastructure, and has determined that it is now adapting and digging in after licking its wounds in the wake of the takedown.The Strike Teams discoveries highlight the expanding threat posed by Volt Typhoon. As the botnet spreads and its tactics deepen, governments and corporations must urgently address weaknesses in legacy systems, public cloud infrastructures, and third-party networks, said SecurityScorecard senior vice-president of threat research and intelligence, Ryan Sherstobitoff.Volt Typhoon is both a resilient botnet and a warning. Without decisive action, this silent threat could trigger a critical infrastructure crisis driven by vulnerabilities left unresolved.In recent months Volt Typhoon has stood up new command servers using hosting services such as Digital Ocean, Quadranet and Vultr, and registered fresh SSL certificates to evade the authorities.The group has continued to exploit legacy vulnerabilities in Cisco RV320/325 and Netgear ProSafe routers. Sherstobitoff revealed that the operation was able to compromise 30% of the worlds visible Cisco RV320/325s in the space of just one month.The Strike Teams deep investigation has exposed Volt Typhoons complex network built on compromised SOHO and EOL devices. This group has weaponised outdated routers on a global scale, weaving layers of obfuscation that mask their presence and make detection exceptionally difficult, said Sherstobitoff.These compromised routers act as digital chameleons, facilitating the covert movement of data while mimicking normal network traffic. Analysts have identified MIPS-based malware on these devices, similar to Mirai, engineered to establish covert connections and communicate via port forwarding over 8443. This method keeps Volt Typhoons command operations off the radar, even for seasoned cyber security teams.Webshells, such as fy.sh, are strategically implanted in routers, allowing Volt Typhoon to maintain persistent access and secure remote control. The attack doesnt just hide it integrates seamlessly into routine network operations. The result? A resilient foothold, particularly within governmental and critical infrastructure sectors, that camouflages malicious activities and complicates any clean-up efforts, he said.As of September 2024, its new botnet cluster was observed routing traffic worldwide, much of it transiting through a compromised virtual private network (VPN) device which is acting as a silent bridge between Asia-Pacific and the US.This device is determined to be located somewhere in New Caledonia, a French island in the South Pacific Ocean, about 750 miles northwest of Queensland, Australia. By placing its hub in a location considered to be part of France though New Caledonias legal status as a sui generis overseas territory is both complex and controversial Volt Typhoon may be able to avoid additional scrutiny and extend the reach of its botnet even further.Sherstobitoff warned that CNI operators still presented an attractive target for Chinese state-sponsored attackers thanks to their essential role in economic stability, while the sectors lingering dependence on legacy technology is creating a perfect storm for disruption.He added that many third-party tech suppliers themselves lack robust defences, offering advanced persistent threat (APT) actors such as Volt Typhoon easy entry points.Read more about Volt TyphoonLumen Technologies researchers have observed Volt Typhoon exploitation of CVE-2024-39717 against four US organisations in the ISP, MSP and IT sectors.A panel of experts at RSA Conference 2024 discussed Volt Typhoon and warned the Chinese nation-state threat group is still targeting and compromising organisations.GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler uses her first major public speech to warn that China poses a significant cyber security threat to the UK.In The Current Issue:Interview: Niall Robinson, head of product innovation, Met OfficeIAM: Enterprises face a long, hard road to improveDownload Current IssueHow enterprises can improve ROI on AI investments Data MattersHow To "Vawlt" Superclouds Networks GenerationView All Blogs

The highly-anticipated refresh to Apple's popular video-editing software is finally here. These are the biggest updates that you should start familiarizing yourself with.

Fitness trackers can come in all shapes and sizes. While the days of the pedometer are over, the form factor of smartwatches and smart rings have been leading the industry in health and fitness insights. New developments in technology make it easier than ever to become more aware of your health and/or to train for your next marathon. Luckily, they all can conveniently connect to your smartphone.Also: The best blood pressure watchesMany of these devices provide features like receiving wellness insights, tracking sleep habits, and even the ability to count calories. The good news is that you can pick and choose which tracker fits your lifestyle the best.While brands like Fitbit and Apple may dominate the space, plenty of other brands have more options to suit your needs. Features like the tracker's form factor, convenience, and functions can influence your choice, as can the price. To make the selection easier, here is a list of the best fitness trackers with unique features tailored to your specific needs.What is the best fitness tracker right now?At ZDNET, we've spent weeks, and even months, testing out the best fitness trackers on performance, battery life, and unique features. Our pick for the best overall fitness tracker is the Fitbit Charge 6for its accommodation of different fitness needs. We also like its simple form factor, impressive battery life, and multitude of functions. Read on to learn about the rest of our favorite picks. Show less View now at Amazon Pros Simple form factor Comfortable Impressive battery life Cons GPS performance can be inconsistent Fitbit Premium requires a monthly fee Workout data isn't the most detailed Fitbit Charge 6 Best fitness tracker overall Fitbit has been one of the pioneers of smart fitness trackers, making some of the best devices in the game. In the last iteration of this list, the Fitbit Charge 5 was our best overall pick. It would be no surprise to expect its newest version, the Fitbit Charge 6, to resume that spot. With a charge that lasts seven days, it is hard to beat.According to ZDNET contributor Matthew Miller, the Fitbit Charge 6 is, "one of the best fitness trackers."Review: Fitbit Charge 6The Charge 6 has the same features as the Charge 5 but better. The optical heart rate monitor has dramatically improved, with Fitbit stating it is 60% more accurate. Like its predecessor, it is equipped with SpO2 monitoring, a skin temperature sensor, and a comfortable form factor while slightly larger than the 5. "Compared to the Charge 5, I am very pleased to see the return of the floors climbed metric, improved heart rate sensor performance, side haptic button, and the Google goodies... The Fitbit Charge 6 is much better to sleep with than my larger smartwatches. Using the Charge 6 definitely has me considering if I really need a full-size watch mounted on my wrist all the time," said Miller in his review.One of the only downsides is the smaller display, which makes some actions slightly tedious on the touchscreen. The GPS is not as accurate as other watches, as the 6 only supports one navigation system, GLONASS, as opposed to other watches, which typically use five. Some features require a Fitbit Premium membership, but Google offers a free six-month subscription when you purchase the watch. The Fitbit Charge 6 is our best overall fitness tracker with its plethora of functions and reasonable price.Fitbit Charge 6 Specs: Display:1.4-inch full-color AMOLED |Battery Life:Up to seven days |Dimensions:38 x 18.5 x 11.6mm |Weight:37.64 g |Water/dust resistance:Up to 50 meters |Connectivity:Bluetooth, iOS 15 or higher and Android 9 or higher |Sleep tracking:Yes, with Fitbit Premium Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Target Pros Sleep-tracking Quick charging and long battery life Sleek form factor Cons Monthly membership Price Oura Ring Gen 3 Best smart ring fitness tracker If you're looking for a fitness tracker without the bulk of a smartwatch, consider the convenience of the smart ring. In 2024, ZDNET tested multiple rings for their functions, convenience, and battery life. The Oura Ring Gen 3 overwhelmingly takes the cake for its specific insights and detailed reports on fitness and well-being. ZDNET has the Oura Ring Gen 3 as the best smart ring and sleep tracker of 2024 so far, making it highly regarded among editors. ZDNET's Nina Raemont went hands-on with the ring and was impressed by how accurate and insightful tacked data was, "Oura presents my sleep, activity, and recovery data to me right as I check the home page on the app, and I'm pleased with how it's helped me further understand myself through health data. It even captured my higher stress levels on one tear-filled night." Review:Oura Ring 3A ZDNET contributor, Sherin Shibu,also tested the ring to see how it would perform, concluding it is the best ring of 2024 so far. She liked the ring for its ability to track sleep cycles and give detailed insights on workouts, all in a small form factor using a user-friendly app. However, Shibu writes, "It would be helpful if the ring had an anti-scratch coating or if Oura experiments with different materials to ensure maximum durability."Users on Reddit say a downside is the mandatory $6 monthly subscription to track your wellness fully. However, the ring shines where other fitness trackers fall short. For starters, it is easier to sleep with than the unwavering buzzing of an Apple Watch and provides better insights. If you want a convenient fitness tracker with a small form factor that provides detailed insights, the Oura Ring Gen 3 is your product. Oura Ring Gen3 tech specs: Material: Lightweight titanium with non-allergenic, non-metallic inner molding | Battery life: 4 to 7 days | Charging: Full charge in 20 to 80 minutes | Compatibility: iOS and Android | Durability: Water-resistant up to 328 feet | Sizing: Free sizing kit with purchase on their site Show Expert Take Show less Show less Pros Sleep coach Strong battery life Great for athletes Cons Sleep tracker significantly drains battery, users report Garmin Venu 3s The best fitness tracker for sleep The Garmin Venu 3s is the perfect sleep tracker for athletes and fitness junkies. Garmin watches are a usual go-to for athletes thanks to their wide variety of features catered to an active audience. The notable aspect of the Venu 3s is how it combines your physical activity with sleep insights, helping you maximize your workout regimen and energy levels.The watch is equipped with a sleep tracker that provides a sleep score, tracks your stages of sleep, and monitors heart rate and temperature during sleep. Its body battery feature allows users to visualize the amount of sleep they get and how it affects their energy levels.Review:Garmin Venu 3s"If you are looking for a health and wellness watch that lasts longer than one or two days, then the Garmin Venu 3S is an outstanding option Add in the vast Garmin support for collecting and helping you use the data captured every day and night, and then you have a watch that is tough to beat," said ZDNET contributor Matthew Millerin his review.However, this watch is the most expensive on this list at $450. And the sleep tracking features can drain the battery. Regardless, the combination of sleep tracking and fitness features makes this watch a great fitness tracker for those who want to factor sleep into their health journey.Garmin Venu 3s Specs:Battery: Up to 10 days battery life |Sleep-tracking:Sleep score and insights Connectivity:Bluetooth, iOS, and Android compatible |Display:41mm or 45mm |Water Resistant:5 ATM water resistant Show Expert Take Show less Show less Pros Child friendly Security features Daily benchmarks Parental monitoring features Cons No phone number with data plan Monthly subscription Fitbit Ace LTE The best fitness tracker for children Let's face it: children want to participate in technology just as much as adults do. Instead of leaping to buy them a phone, try starting with the Fitbit Ace LTE. This watch and fitness tracker encourages physical activity to combat a generation stuck online and provides engaging games and safety features for six to fourteen-year-olds. (Or, at least, a child capable of navigating a touch screen.)"I'm not ready to get my second-grader a phone. I just know she'll forget it somewhere, or one of us will forget to charge it, rendering it useless. The Fitbit Ace LTE is the perfect device to give kids control over their day, connect them to approved contacts, and track their location when needed," says ZDNET writer Maria Diazin her review.Review:Fitbit Ace LTEThe main features of this fitness tracker include a heart rate sensor, a pedometer, and a data plan to contact approved individuals. The arcade games preloaded with the watch require specific activity benchmarks to unlock. These arcade games encourage physical activity, like a "fishing" game, where the user reenacts a reeling motion to catch fish in different locations. There are progress rings similar to Apple Watches called 'Noodles.' These Noodles are customizable and offer a whimsical way to track your children's activity goals.The watch requires a monthly data plan to access its features, totaling about $10. This subscription allows you to connect an app to the watch to monitor your child's activity and contact it. The data plan does not include a phone number; only approved app users can contact the watch. It also includes features like school mode, where distractions are muted to help the child focus on their education.There are a few downsides, though. It does not include a sleep-tracking feature, which could provide valuable insights for a parent. The watch does not support receiving images or voice messages, although it can send voice messages. However, with all of its great features, it can outweigh the cons.Fitbit Ace LTE Specs:Display:1.6/1.8 inches, OLED |Battery Life:16 hours |Dimensions:41.04 x 44.89 x 13.34 mm |Weight:28.03 g |Water resistant:Up to 50 m |Scratch-resistant:Yes |Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.0, iOS 15 or newer and Android 11.0 or newer |Sleep tracking:No Show Expert Take Show less Show less Pros Brighter Display iPhone compatibility Improved processor Cons Short battery life Larger watch face Apple Watch Series 9 The best Apple Watch fitness tracker The newest addition to the Apple Watch family is the series 9, released in September 2023. It features a few updates from its predecessor, the series 8. The faster processor, new gestures, and brighter display equal a better user experienceespecially for those who prefer Apple products or compatibility with their iPhone.The watch has many features, including tracking heart rate, steps, respiratory rate, oxygen, temperature, and even sound levels. A Reddit user says it revolutionized their mornings with a haptic alarm: "Ever since I got an Apple Watch, I haven't woken up to a normal alarm sound. The feeling of just the subtle vibrations feels like tapping you awake, and it feels so much better than just hearing an annoying sound every morning!"Review: Apple Watch Series 9ZDNET Editor-in-chief Jason Hiner ranks the Apple Watch Series 9 as the best Apple Watch overall. He praises it for its upgraded display, plethora of features, and improved battery life over other models."Inside the Apple Watch Series 9 is the S9 chip, which makes the popular smartwatch faster, smarter, and better at reading your body signals. That makes the 2023 Apple Watch Series 9 a generational step up. So, if you're in the market for an Apple Watch right now, I'd specifically recommend getting the Series 9 because the health tracking is such an improvement from previous models," he said in his review.However, it still ranks as the fitness tracker with the most minuscule battery capabilities on this list, besides the Fitbit Ace LTE, and has a less convenient form factor than the others. Despite a few flaws, the Apple Watch Series 9 remains the best Apple Watch for fitness tracking.Apple Watch Series 9 specs: Display size: 41mm or 45mm | Battery life: Up to 36 hours | Storage capacity: 64GB | Water Resistant: Up to 50 m | Safety: Emergency SOS | Connectivity: Bluetooth Show Expert Take Show less Show less Amazfit T-Rex 3 Best rugged fitness tracker Amazfit is known to produce more affordable and basic wearables; however, the T-Rex 3 does not act as basic. It comes equipped with tons of sensors to give you accurate performance metrics, but also has a 140 hour battery life. This makes it perfect for long-haul trips and not having to worry about plugging it in.ZDNET contributor Matthew Miller tested the T-Rex, and was impressed by the sum of all its parts, "With the, Amazfit continues to impress thanks to a brilliant large display, durable materials, powerful sensors, and helpful insights powered by AI. Having a smartwatch that lasts for weeks rather than days is a breath of fresh air."Review: Amazfit T-RexThe rugged wearable can also be used underwater and even has a night mode with different colors to choose from. If you are looking for a longer-lasting fitness tracker, make sure to check out the Amazfit T-Rex. Show Expert Take Show less Show less Pros Long battery life Stacked with features for affordable price Cons No GPS Applications can be buggy Amazfit Band 7 The best budget fitness tracker Just like a Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch, the Amazfit can track general fitness, such as steps and heart rate, but it also has higher-end features, such as sleep cycle tracking and stress level detection. If you want the most bang for your buck, the Amazfit Band 7 doesn't hurt your pocket too much but offers similar features a more expensive fitness tracker would have.Still, this affordable tracker features a 1.47-inch AMOLED display, a marathon battery life, and Alexa integration. Despite the Band 7 lacking some premium fitness tracking features, you can still gain insight into your heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress levels. Additionally, the Band 7 has more comprehensive sleep tracking than Apple's watches, considering the Band 7 tracks daytime naps, while Apple Watches only track sleep if your iPhone is in Sleep Focus.This product is most praised on Reddit, where users say it's their holy grail fitness tracker because of its price and functions: " For the price, features, and reliability, it has exceeded my expectations."However, some users point out that the watch is not the most durable and tends to be buggy with some features.Just like a Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch, the Amazfit can track general fitness, such as steps and heart rate, but it also has higher-end features, such as sleep cycle tracking and stress level detection. If you want the most bang for your buck, the Amazfit Band 7 doesn't hurt your pocket too much but offers similar features a more expensive fitness tracker would have.Amazfit Band 7 Specs: Display Size: 1.47in AMOLED | Battery Life: Up to 12 days with heavy usage | Charging time: 2 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Water resistant: Up to 50 m Show Expert Take Show less What is the best fitness tracker? The Fitbit Charge 6 stands as the best fitness tracker for its battery life, multiple tracking functions, and overall durability.Here is an overview of the best fitness trackers to see how the Fitbit Charge 6 stacks up against the other picks on my list.Fitness trackerZDNET's takeBattery lifeiOS and AndroidSubscriptionThe Fitbit Charge 5The best fitness tracker overallUp to seven daysFor premium, yes.The Oura Ring Gen 3The best smart ring fitness trackerFour to seven daysYesGarmin Venu 3sBest fitness tracker for sleepUp to ten daysNoFitbit Ace LTEThe best fitness tracker for childrenSixteen hoursYesApple Watch Series 9Best Apple Watch fitness trackerUp to thirty-six hoursiOS onlyNoAmazfit T-Rex 3Best rugged fitness trackerUp to 140 hoursNoAmazfit BandThe best budget fitness trackerUp to twelve daysNo Which is the right fitness tracker for you? These are my recommendations to help you find the best fitness tracker.Choose this fitness trackerIf youFitbit Charge 6Want the best fitness tracker overall, equipped with well-rounded features and the Fitbit ecosystem. The convenient form factor and long battery life makes it the best overall value.The Oura Ring Gen 3Want the best fitness tracker with the smallest size and wide array of metrics and features.Garmin Venu 3sWant the best fitness tracker for tracking sleep. This Garmin watch also factors sleep into the other features, like visualizing energy levels.Fitbit Ace LTEWant a fitness tracker for your children that encourages physical activity and acts as a safety crutch for emergency contact and tracking.Apple Watch Series 9Want a fitness tracker that is most compatible with your iPhone, but also has a variety of new and improved features, and worth the upgrade from a Series 8.Amazfit T-Rex 3Are someone who needs a more durable fitness tracker. The T-Rex is great for the most rugged occasions.Amazfit Band 7Want a fitness tracker with all the functions of a more expensive one for half the price. How did I choose these fitness trackers? As someone who grew up as a three-sport athlete, I found fitness trackers to be a mandatory part of my life. These picks come from my personal experience, as well as ZDNET's extensive web of testing and reviews. Most, if not all, products ZDNET recommends are expert-tested for long periods of time to ensure good quality.The best fitness trackers are chosen for their battery life, features, convenience, form factor, and price. This list offers different picks for different audiences. Which fitness tracker is the most accurate? In most cases, accuracy comes with price. The Garmin brand boasts the status of the most accurate trackers but with a price tag of $400+. However, with constantly evolving technology, the quality of cheaper options only increases. The Amazfit Band 7 will do the trick in a pinch, although a tracker like a Fitbit or a Garmin will be more accurate and precise. What is a fitness tracker? A fitness tracker is a device you wear to track activity, whether walking around the house, going for a hike, or even sleeping. They can report on your health to help you improve your overall fitness and activity. The devices vary greatly, from a pedometer to an extensive sleep cycle tracker. Is Fitbit still a good buy? Yes, absolutely. Fitbit makes some of the best fitness trackers in the market. It is ranked number one on this list for a reason! Fitbits are reliable and are tailored for the function of tracking fitness, therefore acting as perfect devices for casual athletes or work-out fanatics. How much does a fitness tracker cost? Fitness trackers can range from $20 to $1,000+, depending on what functions you are best for your needs. Are there alternative fitness trackers worth considering? In our search for the best fitness trackers, we also found these excellent options. For other ideas to improve your fitness, consider our picks for the best fitness rings, the best home gym equipment, and thebest workout apps.ZDNET Recommends

MacBook Pro, late 2024.Apple NewsroomFollowing the announcement of three new MacBook Pro laptops, Apple has not only confirmed that trade-in offers can help bring the purchase cost of a MacBook Pro down, its also heavily promoting the offer on social media.But theres a catch. The trade-in offers are limited to current Apple owners.Who Is Eligible For A MacBook Pro Discount?Apple has gated the specific value of the trade-in. Current Mac owners are asked to input their serial number before the offer is confirmed, although Apples default trade-in page suggests offers of up to $875 for a MacBook Pro and $445 for a MacBook Air. To get the highest value, your trade-in must be one of the most recent laptops with high specifications.While there is a box for other manufacturers laptops when opting to trade in during the purchasing process, this doesnt lead to an offer page. Instead, it leads you to a note about recycling your old hardware and the gracious offer from Apple to take it off your hands so it can be recycled responsibly.Of the three new MacBook Pro laptops, the two professionally-focused laptops feel worthy of the investment of a trade-in. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models come with a choice of either the M4 Pro or m4 Max Apple Silicon chipset, along with various storage and memory options. These are workstation-level laptops suitable for heavy-duty use, especially in the creative industry.The third MacBook Pro is a different matter. Its more in line with consumer expectations than with professionals' expectations; the biggest giveaway is the use of the vanilla M4 chipset rather than anything more advanced. Yet, it is priced in line with this generation's more advanced MacBook Pro laptops.Read More: Apples Ambitious iPhone 17 Plans Face Difficult Design ChallengesIs There A Better MacBook Option?The best value for consumers would be a trade-in coupled with an M4-powered MacBook Air except that Apple isnt currently offering the M4 MacBook Air and may not do so until March 2025. At which point well see just how many of the M4 MacBook Pro upgrades will be brought over to the M4 MacBook Air and how much more consumer-focused the base MacBook will be.And therell probably be a trade-in on that laptop that will make for a far more attractive offer.Now read more about Apples balancing act between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro...

InnovationRx is your weekly digest of healthcare news. To get it in your inbox, subscribe here. Insilico Medicine CEO Alex ZhavoronkovInsilico MedicineInsilico Medicine announced results from a clinical trial of ISM001-055, which the company designed using generative AI in order to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease affecting around 100,000 Americans that makes breathing increasingly difficult as it progresses.The phase IIa study, conducted in China, involved 71 patients who were randomized to either receive a placebo, a daily 30mg pill, a twice-daily dose of a 30mg pill, or a daily 60 mg pill. Across all patients, the majority of side effects were mild or moderate, the company said. Those who received the highest dose law improvement in lung function compared to the placebo group. The 60mg group also saw improvements in their quality of life.The Cambridge-based company was founded in 2014 by CEO Alex Zhavoronkov, and in 2019 first published results about designing and testing drugs with its AI platform. Earlier this year, the company published its methodology for developing ISM001-055 in Nature Biotechnology. The company is currently enrolling patients in a U.S.-based clinical trial.These results highlight the potential of generative AI and robotics to facilitate the discovery, design, and development of innovative therapies, Zhavoronkov said in the announcement.Enveda Begins Clinical Trial For Drug Derived From Nature Using AIEnveda CEO Viswa ColluruEnvedaColorado-based Enveda announced that its begun clinical trials of ENV-294, an oral inflammatory agent for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This is the first clinical trial for the startup, which raised its first seed round less than four years ago. The companys approach is relatively unique: its AI models are trained on biological data, which it searches for compounds that are potentially therapeutic. The company then refines those molecules to produce drugs.The concept essentially takes medicine back to its roots, CEO and cofounder Viswa Colluru told Forbes. Our first medicines just came from substances that worked in people, he said. Morphine came from poppy seeds, he noted, just as we got aspirin from willow bark.Enveda takes advantage of modern computational biology to supercharge this effort, he explained. The company uses mass spectrometry to identify the chemical fingerprints of substances in biological samples, which enables them to process samples quickly without having to purify them. Then it trained transformer models to interpret those spectra and predict molecular structures. Think of it like Alphafold, but for chemistry, Colluru said, enabling his company to find natural product drug leads without any of the historical bottlenecks.ENV-294 was derived from a molecule that plants use to handle inflammation, Colluru said, but with a very different molecular pathway than that employed by existing anti-inflammatories used for dermatitis or other inflammatory conditions, which can have rough side effects. The next step for the company is to complete its first clinical trial, which he said should happen by the beginning of the second quarter next year.Pipeline & Deal UpdatesHeart Disease: The FDA approved Johnson & Johnsons Varipulse system for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes irregular heartbeats and other issues.Allergies: ARS pharmaceuticals has entered into an agreement with Danish company ALK-Abell for an exclusive licensing agreement for ARS nasal spray neffy, which can be used to treat anaphylaxis, in Europe, Canada and other countries. ARS will receive a $145 million upfront payment and is eligible for $320 million in milestone payments, plus royalties.AI For Drug Discovery: Genesis Therapeutics, which is developing an AI platform for drug discovery, announced that Nvidias venture capital arm made an equity investment in the company and will also collaborate with Nvidia in the development of its AI platform.Oncology: Alentis Therapeutics, which is developing treatments for certain cancers, announced it has raised a $181.4 million series D round led by Orbimed, Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital.Obesity: Metsera, which is developing new treatments for obesity and metabolic diseases, announced it has closed a $215 million series B round. The company is currently conducting phase 2 trials of its GLP-1 drug, which requires only monthly injections.Parkinsons Disease: Discovery platform company Vesalius has entered into a collaboration deal with GSK to develop treatments of Parkinsons disease. Under the deal, Vesalius will get an $80 million upfront payment and will be eligible for milestone payments up to $570 million, plus royalties.Computational Discovery: Novartis has entered into a collaboration with Schrdinger to use the latters computational discovery platform to develop multiple drugs. Schrdinger will receive a $150 million upfront payment and be eligible for $2.3 billion in milestone payments, plus royalties.Ozempic, Wegovy Linked To Lower Hospitalizations In Alcohol Addicts, Research ShowsCorbis via Getty ImagesScientists in Finland and Sweden on Wednesday published the results of a study using 17 years of data that observed more than 220,000 people who were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder and either had obesity or Type 2 diabetes, conditions most commonly treated by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) medications.The study found those taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and liraglutide, the ingredient in Victoza, experienced reduced alcohol consumption and were less likely to be hospitalized for alcohol-related issues than their peers. Researchers warned the results of the study should be interpreted "cautiously" and that clinical trials will be needed to find if the improved outcomes were actually caused by the use of GLP-1 medications.Read more here.Other Healthcare NewsWhy Cigna Deal With Humana Made Little Sense To Begin WithCVS Health Path Forward Becomes Clearer And Breakup Is UnlikelyMany Bird Flu Infections Among Dairy Workers Go UndetectedRebate Game Played By PBMs And Drug Makers Limits Biosimilar CompetitionAcross ForbesWhat Else We are ReadingHow Lincare Became a Multibillion-Dollar Medicare Scofflaw (ProPublica)Incoming Senate Majority Leader Thune hails from a state that relies on rural hospitals, telehealth (Stat)How much power do Trump and Kennedy have to reshape health agencies? (Science)

FAST FACTSPepe Unchained ($PEPU) has raised $28M in the largest meme coin presale to date. There are only 30 days left before the sale closes.Major investors, including a whale with over 100 $ETH invested, are demonstrating strong confidence in $PEPUs potential for massive returns.Pepe Unchained introduces a unique Layer2 (L2) blockchain designed specifically for meme coins. It features a DEX, staking, and a coin creation tool.Early buyers can earn up to 89% APY through staking while awaiting expected tier-1 exchange listings. Experts predict the token could achieve 100x returns.The much-anticipatedPepe Unchained ($PEPU) is making waves. Its already raised an impressive $28M in the largest meme coin presale to date.As the crypto sector surpasses the $100B valuation mark and Bitcoin eyes the $100K milestone, investors are flocking to secure their share in this potential game-changer.In the past 24 hours alone, Pepe Unchained has raised $500K, with contributors rushing to get in on the action.With just 30 days remaining before the presale concludes, crypto enthusiasts are eager to seize what could be a golden opportunity to replicate the phenomenal returns seen with $PEPE.Currently priced at $0.01269, $PEPU offers early adopters a chance to buy at what could be its lowest price point, as the next price increase is imminent.https://twitter.com/pepe_unchained/status/1856661613618823349Investors are voting for the project with their wallets, accelerating the ICO.Theyre also realizing that $PEPU has every chance of being the next Pepe and delivering life-changing gains for early buyers.Pepe has returned 46,166% for its early investors since launching in 2023, according to CoinMarketCap data. Even with launching in a bear market, $PEPE excelled, making its performance even more remarkable. And highlighting the potential for the new unchained version of Pepe.One Whale Has Poured $300K+ Into $PEPUInvestor confidence in $PEPUs potential is on the rise, reflected in the surge of substantial contributions. Notably, a single whale recently invested over 19.99 $ETH, valued at approximately $65,491, into the project.In another significant transaction, a dedicated Pepe enthusiast purchased $48.5K worth of $PEPU tokens and staked them. The move brought their cumulative investment to over 100 $ETH ($320K). You can view the $48k transaction here.Money Pours Into Pepe Unchained As Binance and Other Tier-1 Exchange Listings LoomWith substantial funds backing Pepe Unchained, expectations are high that it will soon secure listings on tier-1 exchanges. Savvy investors see this as a last chance to buy in before the token becomes widely accessible on platforms like Binance.The original Pepe coin saw its price soar to an all-time high of $0.00001718 after listing on Binance. Now, the market is buzzing with anticipation that Pepe Unchained could follow a similar trajectory.Leveraging its viral appeal and enhanced feature set, $PEPU aims to join the ranks of top meme coins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Bonk.https://twitter.com/pepe_unchained/status/1839304995465998825Pepe Unchained is setting itself apart as the first L2 blockchain specifically designed for meme coins. The platform features its own decentralized exchange (DEX), block explorer, development grants, staking options, and a bridging system for seamless blockchain interoperability.Further enhancing its ecosystem, the project recently announced the upcoming launch of Pepes Pump Pad. Its a tool allowing users to easily create meme coins on Ethereum using Pepe Unchaineds L2 technology.For developers eager to bring their ideas to life, the application process for development grants is now open.In recognition of its rapid growth, Best Wallet has named Pepe Unchained the Token of the Week, a post that has already garnered 48K views on X.Meanwhile, in another sign of the rising FOMO associated with the project, Google Trends shows Pepe Unchained climbing across both web and news searches.Early $PEPU investors are capitalizing on the platforms staking mechanism. Currently, token holders can earn rewards at an impressive 89% annual rate while waiting for exchange listings.These rewards will be distributed over two years, concluding in May 2026.Pepe Unchained Is the Next Pepe Turn $1K Into $100KCrypto influencer Jacob Crypto Bury is affiliated with the respected Bitcoin education, news, and data site 99Bitcoins. He has predicted that Pepe Unchained may become the next Pepe.Highlighting its strong market positioning and utility, he believes that $PEPU could achieve a 100x return, potentially turning a $1K investment into $100K in a matter of weeks.Watch his latest video analysis on $PEPU here.A second video on Pepe Unchained from Jacob has just dropped. You can view it here: PEPE UNCHAINED New 10X Potential Meme Coin (Honest Review!!!)This Is How Easy It Is To Buy Pepe UnchainedBuying $PEPU is straightforward. Simply visit the projects official website, connect your wallet, and purchase your tokens using $ETH, $USDT, or $BNB. Card payments are also supported for added convenience.For the smoothest experience, the Best Wallet app offers an Upcoming Tokens feature to streamline contributions to the presale.With comprehensive audits from two top security companies, Coinsult and SolidProof, buyers can be assured that the projects code is free of critical issues.Join Pepe Unchaineds community on X and Telegram for all the latest news from the project as it makes its way to the $30M milestone and beyond.Visit Pepe Unchained today.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Aaron covers crypto topics with an emphasis on providing accessible, informative perspectives. His background includes over a decade in higher education and 5+ years as a freelance writer in crypto & SEO.When he's not writing professionally, Aaron enjoys writing for fun, volunteering for a local charity, and boxing. View all articles by Aaron Walker Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

KEY TAKEAWAYSThe DOJ is actively pursuing the seizure of $17.9M in crypto assets linked to Sam Bankman-Frieds alleged bribe to Chinese officials.FTXs creditors may see some relief, with a reorganization plan promising to repay 98% of claims at 118% in cash.Lawsuits abound, with FTX suing Binance for $1.76B in alleged fraudulent transfers during its financial struggles in 2021.Sam Bankman-Fried is behind bars.But that doesnt mean the US Department of Justice (DOJ) isnt still after him.In this case, theyre intensifying their efforts to seize cryptocurrency assets still linked to Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the former CEO of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX.The urgency couldnt be due to the fact that, amid the ongoing crypto renaissance, those assets have doubled in value since they were last touched, could it?Lets take a look.A Bribe Gone BadIn November 2021, Sam Bankman-Fried allegedly authorized a $40M bribe to Chinese officials to unfreeze approximately $1B in crypto assets on two Chinese exchanges.Following the unfreezing, additional cryptocurrency payments were reportedly made to complete the bribe.About $8.6M of that alleged bribe eventually wound up in a Binance exchange account. The same account contains various cryptocurrencies, including Solana ($SOL), Cardano ($ADA), Ripple ($XRP), Internet Computer ($IC), and Avalanche ($AVAX).Fast forward to the present, and these assets have appreciated from ~$8.6M in December 2023 to ~$17.9M at the time of the filing.Nearly $9M of that total comes from 43,137 $SOL held in the account, highlighting Solanas very good 2024.Now, the DOJ wants it and the fact that the assets in the account have doubled might be adding fuel to their fire.DOJ, FTX, and Binance All Involved in LawsuitsFTX, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2022, has been working under new leadership to repay its creditors.A reorganization plan (approved in October 2024) aims to repay 98% of creditors at least 118% of their claim value in cash.Additionally, FTX has initiated multiple lawsuits to recover funds lost during its collapse. This includes a recent lawsuit against Binance and its former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, seeking $1.76B for alleged fraudulent transfers.FTX alleges that Binance and Zhao sold shares of FTXs international division back to SBF despite FTX being balance-sheet insolvent at the time.Because of its insolvency, the Debtor Plaintiffs July 2021 transfer of at least $1.76 billion worth of cryptocurrency to its equity holder Binance and certain Binance executives, in the form of a share repurchase, was a constructive fraudulent transferUS District Court, Southern District of New YorkIt seems unlikely that FTX will get $1.7B out of Binance but Delaware bankruptcy court filings are part of FTXs plan to resolve its debts.Meanwhile, the FTX Fallout ContinuesEven with Sam Bankman-Fried behind bars for the next 25 years (supposedly), the FTX fallout will take years to work out.Cryptos total market cap currently sits at $2.9T, above the all-time highs set back in 2021.That increase, coupled with a crypto economy offering increasingly sophisticated investment tools like ETFs, raises the stakes for all parties involved in the FTX fallout.And it underscores the ongoing legal and financial repercussions stemming from FTXs collapse.ReferencesAdd Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Aaron covers crypto topics with an emphasis on providing accessible, informative perspectives. His background includes over a decade in higher education and 5+ years as a freelance writer in crypto & SEO.When he's not writing professionally, Aaron enjoys writing for fun, volunteering for a local charity, and boxing. View all articles by Aaron Walker Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

Why it matters: The rise of video game unions signals a shift as industry workers push for better conditions in response to long hours and job instability. Unions like ZeniMax Workers United now challenge major companies on issues like remote work and outsourcing, highlighting the growing demand for fair treatment in the gaming industry. Hundreds of Bethesda employees in Texas and Maryland walked off their jobs Wednesday morning to protest Microsoft's unwillingness to budge at the bargaining table. ZeniMax Workers United, one of the largest video game unions in the US, confirmed on X that workers are officially on strike.Formed and recognized in January 2023 by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), ZeniMax Worker United consists of about 300 quality assurance workers who have worked on games in the Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Doom franchises. At the time, it was the largest union in the industry until Activision Quality Assurance United came along with 600 members a few months later.Negotiation details have been primarily private, but ZeniMax confirmed that Microsoft came to the bargaining table. Microsoft also confirmed the talks."We respect our employees' rights to express their point of view as they have done today," Microsoft spokesperson Becca Dougherty told Inverse via email. "We will continue to listen and address their concerns at the bargaining table."Despite the company's insistence that it is willing to negotiate, ZeniMax says the parent company has not answered any of the union's requests. Employees claim Microsoft is stonewalling them on remote work and outsourcing."They have continually given us their first proposal again and again, and it's become obvious that our different mobilization tactics have not worked," said union member Rhyanna Eichner, ZeniMax's quality assurance test lead. // Related StoriesThe union's specific grievances are that Microsoft's mandate requiring workers to spend at least two days at the office is not flexible enough. The Redmond giant has allegedly denied remote work requests, even when a doctor has recommended it. Eichner said the union has submitted an alternative remote work proposal but says Microsoft has not budged on its policy.The other core issue is that Microsoft has allegedly started outsourcing QA positions without a union agreement. ZeniMax Workers United is looking for a fair ratio of outsourced to full-time workers in its bargaining unit. Neither Microsoft nor the union has identified the outsourcing partners.Union members have agreed that the strike is necessary but shared differing optimism regarding the situation. Eichner said she was looking forward to the walkout, seeing it as a time to "come together" and bond. However, ZeniMax senior quality assurance tester Juniper Dowell does not feel as positive about striking."Striking isn't fun or ideal, but there's a satisfaction in having a concrete physical action we can do to fight for better work conditions," Dowell told Inverse. "Hopefully, we can convince them to stop dragging their feet and meet us at the table."The strike appears to be a shot across Microsoft's bow as it is scheduled to only last until 6:00 pm Central and Eastern times basically one workday. It will be interesting to see how Redmond executives respond to the surprise action.