The iSeq 100 device did not come with standard boot protections, allowing crooks to establish persistence.

Ivanti uncovers multiple flaws in its VPN appliances.

Lenovo ThinkVision P32UD-40 has a dozen ports and a KVM switch for managing multiple devices.

Elon Musk used his social network X to promote Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party, hosting a discussion with party leader Alice Weidel.

There are surely many reasons that the parents of tech icon Michael Dell did not name him Inspiron or XPS. For one, Dells parents arent Elon Musk. More generally, there is appeal to a commonplace name. Yes, you sacrifice originality. You risk being called a copycat by your cousin. But in return you get benefits like clarity and simplicity.This is why it makes sense that Dells eponymous company just announced an overhaul of the naming schema for its computers, replacing fairly distinctive brands (Inspiron, XPS, Latitude, Precision, OptiPlex) with branding architecture that has all the sparkling originality of a tape measure. The old names, hailing back to the 90s, will be phased out. In their place will be three more intuitive options: Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max.If youve got a nagging feeling this seems familiar, it may be because Apple has long used this tack (iPhone, iPhone Pro, iPhone Pro Max, etc.). But while Dells move is derivative, adopting this language also leverages the fact that others have already trained consumers to understand what these descriptors mean. If theres already a Big Mac, one hardly needs to explain what a Big King is. If theres already a Disney+, everyone is well broken-in for Paramount+.People love to hate a new name. Paramount+, for one, was greeted with some eye rolls; on its face, it admits to not being the main character. And critics have similarly come for Dell. The naming scheme is Apple-y and bland. Its an attempt to make currently uncool PCs cool again. Yet Nike had Max shoes back in the 1980s. Using pro to mean professional dates back to the 1850s. Many companies have used these qualifiers.Just how telegraphic a brand name should be is, in part, related to how complicated the sector and shopping experience are. Using an original and evocative name can be a powerful tool of differentiation, yielding engagement and memorability for consumers. A bold move may well make sense if youre naming a new startup in a crowded space (as when the branding firm I work for developed Asana circa 2008) or selling certain products (see: skincare company Drunk Elephant or canned water maker Liquid Death). But for individual lines of tech products from a big player today?In a realm where consumers are facing a firehose of confusing specs and debilitating hyperchoiceas well as feeling anxiety about trustmore straightforward product names can be the answer. This is especially true if the master brand already has a lot of equity. If the 40-year-old Dell brand has always really been the selling point, why not lean into it and focus the marketing attention there? And if the brands spirit has always been more about performance and value than creativity, why not reflect that?In explaining the change, company executives nodded to the immense confusion and overload among customers and a resultant desire to simplify things. What we want to doismakeiteasyfor ourcustomertofindtheright PC, VP Kevin Terwilliger said in a video interview. But then also find therightperipheral,therightheadset,therightdisplay,andeventherightservicesand support. If youre spending less time orienting buyers around brand names, there is, arguably, more time for customizing and selling.Dells Pro Plus [Photo: Dell]This is not to all say that Dell has eliminated the possibility for confusion. Just look at Terwilligers list of options that consumers must still consider: peripherals, headsets, displays, services. All the inputting and outputting can be off-putting. Plus, the revamp doesnt just include three names but ninebecause each new tier comes in three versions: Base, Premium, and Plus.The execution is imperfect and criticisms can be made. Might longtime, loyal users be confused or annoyed as brands rise and set? Could a consumer mistakenly think a Dell Premium is more powerful than a Dell Pro Base? Could the third tier have just been Max rather than Pro Max? Is there some overall potential for descriptor salad here, especially given that the products come with various screen sizes and more models will likely be added in years to come?The answer to all is yes. And the company is giving up smaller equity around each sub-brand by putting all the chips on Dell. But in streamlining and clarifying the decision process for shoppers, the overhaul is as sensible as it is uninspired.

Sony has unveiled a new gaming system that could allow PlayStation players to sniff their way through games like The Last of Us.Unveiled at CES 2025, the Future Immersive Entertainment Concept (FIEC) features a huge, room-size setup designed to push the boundaries of immersive gaming. A trailer for the concept shows a giant cube built from high-definition LED screens that enables players to step directly into their favorite games (unfortunately, this isnt something youll be setting up in your living room anytime soon).In the trailer, players experience the postapocalyptic world of The Last of Us with enhanced audio and the addition of smell-o-vision, delivering a completely new experience. One of the pillars of Sonys creative entertainment vision is the idea of narrative everywhere, where stories from Sony are transformed across new and exciting mediums, explains the video. This Future Immersive Entertainment Concept aims to explore these possibilities. This proof-of-concept project combines the latest location-based technologies, Sony Crystal LED panels, engaging audio, haptics, scent, and atmospherics to fully immerse you into the world of the story.While the infected world of The Last of Us may seem an odd choice to demonstrate what the FIEC can do, players could shoot clickers as they appeared around them and get a whiff of the games grim postapocalyptic world. I think I speak for everyone when I say nobody asked for this, one skeptical fan responded to the announcement. Cant think of a single game that will enhance my experience by smelling it, a second X user added, unimpressed.Can't think of a single game that will enhance my experience by smelling it. ' (@SoldierBoyLeon) January 8, 2025 While the use of scents in entertainment has been around since the 1960s, the FIEC builds on a PlayStation patent for scent-based gaming filed four years ago. Whether or not gamers will embrace this feature remains to be seen. Perhaps they should have led with the waft of pizza in the world of Cooking Mama to get gamers onside.

As devastating fires continue to rage in the Southern California area, an app that tracks wildfires with live maps and alerts has become the No. 1 free app in Apples App Store.Watch Duty, launched in 2021 and used by firefighters and first responders across the western United States, surpassed the ChatGPT app, Lemon8, and Threads for the top spot as of Wednesday morning. Across social media, concerned citizens and Los Angeles residents encouraged others to download the free app for updates about nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts. One X user posted, In 24 hours, I went from never having heard of Watch Duty to checking the app religiously.The app, which is run by the Santa Rosabased nonprofit Sherwood Forestry Service, has already added 600,000 new users in just the last 24 hours according to CEO John Mills. Watch Duty is powered by a team of volunteers and staff, including active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, and veteran storm watchers. The team uses automated alerts sent to its Slack platform whenever a 911 call is made regarding a fire. They actively monitor fire-related developments by listening to radio scanners, reviewing wildlife cameras and satellite data, and tracking official updates from law enforcement, fire services, and other public sources.The apps interface uses a color-coded system: dark red for active fires or burned areas, light red for mandatory evacuations, and yellow for evacuation warnings, signaling users to prepare for potential orders. However, its important to remember the app is not a replacement for official information.Whats happening right now in L.A. is the worst that Ive seen in the five years Ive been doing this . . . This is catastrophic, Mills told The Los Angeles Times. Its really hard to watch, but Id rather be doing this than not doing anything. It feels like we could at least do something to help, because otherwise were just sitting here watching the world burn.Mills was motivated to launch the app by his own experiences of wildfires after moving to Sonoma County in 2020. During the 2020 Walbridge Fire, which burned to the edge of his property, he relied on Facebook groups for updates and wondered if there was a better way to share information. Since its launch, Watch Dutys downloads have skyrocketed as climate-related weather events continue to impact communities. In December, the app said it increased its yearly active users to 7.2 million from 1.9 million in 2023.The Los Angeles fires, driven by dry conditions and strong winds, are currently causing widespread devastation beyond the immediate danger zones. As of Thursday morning, at least five people have died and over 130,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the fires continue to spread.

The latest edition of our weekly Dezeen Agenda newsletter features automotive brand Nissan's electric version of a 1980s sports car. Subscribe to Dezeen Agenda now.This week, Nissan revealed an electric iteration of its R32 Skyline GT-R sports car. Created in 1989, the R32 Skyline GT-R became popular in racing for its 2.6-litre twin-turbo engine and all-wheel-drive system. It has now been revived as a concept model with an electric motor.21st-Century Architecture: 25 Years 25 BuildingsThis week's newsletter also featured Dezeen's launch of its latest editorial series, BIG's completion of the first phase of the Toyota Woven City in Japan and a mechanical bike that transforms into an e-bike with the CLIP device.Dezeen AgendaDezeen Agenda is a curated newsletter sent every Thursday containing the most important news highlights from Dezeen. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Agenda or subscribe here.You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Debate is sent every Thursday and features the hottest reader comments and most-debated stories, Dezeen Dailyis our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours andDezeen In Depthis sent on the last Friday of every month anddelves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.The post Dezeen Agenda features an electric version of Nissan's 1980s Skyline car appeared first on Dezeen.

Honda has unveiled their new-age EVs under the Zero Series (paying homage to ASIMO robot) one being a mid-sized SUV and the other a wedged Saloon, at CES 2025. These electric cars are heavily emphasized with the theme thin, light, and wise. To this accord the interior cabin space has been increased, the outside view unrestricted, and the seating flexibility position opening up many use-case scenarios. The cars will have Level 3 autonomy promising a laidback travel experience for riders.Dubbed 0 SUV based on the in-house Space Hub Concept and 0 Saloon based on the Saloon concept, both these vehicles caught a lot of attention at CES 2025. They are all set for release for the North American market in 2026 and will come with the latest Asimo operating system, pushing the Honda vehicles into the next generation. The 0 Series has a peculiar Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake vibe which could indeed have some inspiration for the two concepts.Designer: HondaThe concept prototypes showcased at the event looked more design-focused without being too impractical. 0 Saloon, the flagship model, was revealed first, and impressed with the sporty styling and low ride height. Compared to the Saloon concept it comes minus the gull-winged doors, having just the normal ones. Those headlights blink open much like the Lamborghini Countach which adds a nostalgic touch to the design. When the doors open, the yoke steering automatically rotates to one side so that the driver has no problem sliding in. The dash-sized screen on both cars is similar to the Afeela concept revealed earlier at the event.0 SUV on the other hand looks more like a production-ready version and most probably will be the first one to roll off the production lines. The performance vehicle will rival Teslas big boy and itll be interesting to see how this market segment competes in the future. Itll make use of the companys inherent robotic technologies to enable dynamic riding tech to drive on any kind of road surface. On top of this, the vehicle will employ high-precision attitude estimation and stabilization control.The post Honda reveals futuristic Zero series SUV and Saloon at CES 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

The fate of TikTok now rests in the hands of the US Supreme Court. If a law banning the social video app this month is upheld, it wont disappear from your phonebut it will get messy fast.