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  Highlights   ·         Check Point Research discovered vulnerabilities in MediaTek’s chips, embedded in 37% of all smartphones globally ·         CPR discovered several vulnerabilities in the audio processor that are accessible from the Android user space ·         If exploited, attacker can potentially eavesdrop on the user from an unprivileged Android app Introduction Taiwan’s MediaTek has been the global smartphone chip leader since Q3 2020. MediaTek Systems on a chip (SoCs) are embedded in approximately  37%  of all smartphones and IoT devices in the world, including high-end phones from Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme, Vivo and more.   Modern MediaTek SoCs, including the latest Dimensity series, contain a special AI processing unit (APU) and audio Digital signal processor (DSP) to improve media performance and reduce CPU usage. Both the APU and the audio DSP have...

For those who may not have noticed yet, there is a massive shift happening in the world of personal computers. Since Chromebooks were first introduced in 2011, their Chrome OS has quickly risen ahead of Apple's macOS to become the second-most popular end-user-oriented operating system with an impressive market share of   10.8% in 2020   – second only to Microsoft's Windows. Chromebooks have also become a preferred choice for modern classroom environments and are used by more than   40 million students   worldwide. So, what exactly is it about these laptops that make them so unique? While the most popular operating systems haven’t really changed much in recent years, Chromebooks have stepped into the spotlight for making many things about traditional computers feel out of date. They boot up in less than five seconds, have no disruptive updates, require no additional antivirus software, and never slow down after being used for a few months. Chrome OS is an ultra-light ...

Anyone else feeling a little melty? South African summers are hot. And, while we love the balmy, warm weather, we also like being able to come home to a cool sanctuary.  Somewhere we can kick off our shoes and relax in a moderate climate. Because what we don’t want is for tempers to rise along with temperatures. These simple hacks should help in your quest to keep cool this summer, turning your home into a breezy breakaway. Keep calm and declutter In cooler weather, it’s great to accent a room with cosy additions like cushions, throws, and carpets. But, when the summer heat rolls in, take the opportunity to declutter and clear out. Not only do extra accessories take up space in the room, but they’re also physically warm when you want to be cool and collected. Pack away winter blankets and clear those plush scatter cushions from the couch. You might have a simpler aesthetic, but you’ll be grateful for the calm atmosphere come mid-December. Create an indoor plant jungle  Did you...

Multinational tech company Acer is well on its way to establishing itself as an eco-friendly pioneer with its expanded line-up of green PCs and accessories. The Acer Vero series has been thoughtfully built to safeguard our natural environment, without compromising on performance and features. The series, which includes the Acer Aspire Vero laptop for personal use and the Acer TravelMate Vero laptop for businesses, was designed within green guidelines. The products use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and specially sourced recyclable packaging. The green product range is also more sustainable in the sense that the devices last longer. They have been built to be easier to dissemble, upgrade, and repair, improving their lifespan and preventing plastic from ending up in landfills. The chassis of the Acer Aspire Vero laptop is comprised of 30% PCR plastic, reducing CO 2  emissions by up to 21% during production. The keycaps also contain 50% PCR plastic, and the 15.6-inch FHD IPS dis...

Canon celebrates the 10 th  anniversary of its renowned Cinema EOS line-up, praised by filmmakers including Jimmy Chin, Director and Producer of the Academy Award winning documentary Free Solo, the Cinema EOS range is celebrated in a special  Shutter Stories  episode. The podcast includes discussion around Canon’s renowned colour science and high picture quality, with Jimmy speaking about how the range has supported his professional journey. Looking back to 2011, Canon broke new ground with the launch of the Cinema EOS System bringing to market its first Full HD digital cinema camera and dedicated camera lenses.  Building on the accolades the EOS 5D Mark II received for filming Hollywood films and hit TV programmes , the EOS C300 became Canon’s first dedicated cinema camera. With a CMOS sensor that achieved video reproduction comparable to 35mm film, it was awarded a Technology and Engineering Emmy in 2012. This paved the way for the rest of Canon’s Cinema range, giv...

Today SYSPRO, a global provider of ERP software, announced new research into the CFO 4.0, which reveals that the manufacturing CFO will play a critical strategic, innovative and financial role in the business moving forward.  The study, which was conducted in July to September 2021 and led by SYSPRO, assessed the sentiment amongst senior level Chief Financial Officers within manufacturing sectors across the Americas, APAC and EMEA. The participants encompassed financial leaders across both SMEs and larger enterprises, indicating that these results reflect the insights of a wide range of players in the Manufacturing and Distribution space. The diversification of business operations The study revealed that the disruptions caused by the pandemic played a catalytic role in the diversification of manufacturing businesses. In order to thrive, 65% of CFO respondents surveyed indicated that they have shifted expenditure into new markets, product lines and technologies.  Drilling down ...

If you think ERP software is too expensive for a SME, think again. Heinrich de Leeuw, Managing Director, Seidor South Africa  points out that ERP technology enables SME owners and directors to have a real time dashboard of important data in the business. “In our current context, can you afford not to have a digitally intelligent business?” he says. A comprehensive ERP, like SAP Business One, links all components of the business centrally and gives SME owners a 360-degree view of the company, unifying flow of information and business transactions in real-time. The business benefits far outweigh the upfront costs because robust ERP delivers measurable value and can have a major positive impact on a business. “The costs of an ERP system depend on many elements, including the rental and/or licence fees, business analysis, data analysis, customisation, infrastructure, testing, training and change management,” says de Leeuw. “Keep in mind that ERP reduces costs by streamlining processes ...