Samsung’s Super Bowl TV deals are live and if you’ve wanted to get your hands on the gorgeous but pricey Samsung The Frame TV – now is your chance. The retailer just dropped the 2022 65-inch The Frame TV to $1,599.99 (opens in new tab) (was $1,999.99) – the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
The 2022 Samsung The Frame TV delivers a stunning picture thanks to its QLED display and transforms into a beautiful work of art when you aren’t watching TV. The Samsung set features a dedicated Art Mode, allowing you to choose from various picture frame options to display classic artworks or photography. You’re also getting customizable bezels, so you can select a style and color to match your home decor, and smart capabilities with Amazon Alexa built-in for hands-free control.
Today’s deal on Samsung’s The Frame TV is a new record-low price and beats the recent Black Friday deal by $35. You’ll find more of today’s best Super Bowl TV deals from Samsung further down the page, which includes a range of sizes and features with prices starting at $679.99.
High-res audio. That has a nice ring to it, right? Yet most people are content to listen to regular-res audio on streaming services or via some physical format like CD or vinyl LPs. These folks are blissfully unaware that an opportunity exists to step things up to high-res.
Several of the best music streaming services offer high-resolution audio alongside their standard (uncompressed CD-quality) and compressed (reduced quality) streams. On some services, Tidal for instance, you’ll need to pay a higher price to access a high-res tier, while others like Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited bundle it into their standard-price plan. Yet others – we’re pointing our finger at you, Spotify – don’t offer high-res audio at all!
Accessing high-res audio isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it’s now become a bit easier. The new CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer from Canada-based NAD Electronics is a compact device that you can add to your stereo or home theater system to take advantage of the high-res audio offerings on music streaming services. Just plug it in, connect it to your receiver or integrated amp, link up to your home’s Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet network, and you’ll be ready to rock out.
The affordable (US$349 / £299 / CDN$499) CS1 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay for streaming. But what really sounds neat about it is that you can use Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect to stream directly and control playback using the Tidal and Spotify apps. MQA support is onboard to enable playback of high-res Master quality music from Tidal, and the CS1 is a Roon endpoint. You’ll also be able to use Chromecast to cue up music from compatible apps, and the CS1 will take it from there, streaming tracks in standard or high-res format to its 24-bit/192kHz-capable Texas Instruments’ PCM5141 DAC.
As for connections, the CS1 sports analog RCA and both optical and coaxial digital outputs. The analog jacks allow for hookup to a wide range of gear old and new, while the digital outputs permit connection to the latest generation of powered speakers, or even a soundbar system.
(Image credit: NAD)
Analysis: High-res audio doesn’t need to be expensive – or complicated
There are low-cost ways to get into high-res music, but many of those options are for listening with headphones. And while there’s nothing wrong with pursuing audio bliss via the best headphones route, some people – me, for instance – prefer listening to music using a good, old-fashioned stereo speakers-plus-amplifier setup.
The high-end audio marketplace is filled with integrated amplifiers that are capable of streaming high-resolution audio over a Wi-Fi network from compatible services like Tidal or Qobuz. But many of those components are pricey, and they also require use of a custom, brand-specific app to facilitate streaming, with some apps doing that job much better than others.
Music fans wanting to add both streaming and high-res audio capability to an existing stereo setup that lacks those features might find their choices to be limited. One good option is the Node streaming DAC from NAD’s sister company Bluesound. The Node offers all of the same features as the CS1, but adds on an analog input, an HDMI eARC output, and, most significantly, app-based control using the company’s excellent BluOS control app. But even though the Bluesound Node is very much worth the money given all it does, at $599 / £549 / CDN$699 it still costs more than many people will want to spend.
For such folks, the lower-cost CS1 will come across as a more approachable option for adding streaming and high-res audio capability to an existing system. It’s true that you won’t get to use the BluOS control app used in the company’s pricier streaming-capable products, but not everyone will need the high level of features that app provides (multiroom streaming to multiple components, for instance). With the CS1, you can just fire up Tidal on your phone, tap play, and you’re off and running in high-res.
The NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer will be available in March.
Less than a week before the Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event, new images have emerged for Samsung’s upcoming laptop line: the Galaxy Book 3; more specifically the Pro, 360, Pro 360, and Ultra models.
Keep in mind that these are leaked renders from MySmartPrice (opens in new tab) so it’s possible the final products will look a bit different. If these images are to be believed, the new devices won’t look all that different to the previous Galaxy Book 2 line – Samsung isn’t reinventing the wheel design-wise. Plus, all three will come with the same basic ports like a microSD card slot and headphone jack. The more important changes, it seems, will happen under the hood.
The Galaxy Book 3 Pro will reportedly launch in two screen sizes, a 14-inch and 16-inch option, both of which might boast a 3K resolution AMOLED display. According to the leaks, customers can also choose between two processors – either a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1340P or Core i7-1360P CPU.
Batteries will also differ depending on the model’s size. The 14-inch version may come with a 63W/hr (watt hour) battery while the 16-inch might sport a larger 76W/hr one. Rounding out the hardware, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro duo will come with 16GB DDR5 RAM, up to 1TB SSD, and an Iris XE GPU.
360 models
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Book 3 360 will have the ability to transform from a laptop to a tablet, hence the name. Leaks from earlier in the month (opens in new tab) show that this model could possibly launch with one screen size, 15 inches. That will make it a bit bigger than the Galaxy Book 2 360 laptop. Very little about this model is known other than it’ll come equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Evo i7 CPU and a stylus; speculated to be the S Pen. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 will also launch with the same accessory.
Speaking of which, the Book 3 Pro 360 may share similarities with its more rigid counterpart. For starters, it’s rumored to come in the same 14-inch and 16-inch screen sizes while also sporting a Super AMOLED display at 3K resolution. According to the leaks, that resolution comes out to 2880×1800 pixels, which means an aspect ratio of 16:10.
It’s not yet confirmed if the Book 3 Pro will have this same pixel amount, but it’s probably a safe bet to say that it will. The Pro 360 “will be available in two processor options” – a 13th Gen Intel Evo i5 1340p and i7-1360 integrated with an Iris Xe GPU. Next to that chipset will be up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1 TB SSD for storage.
The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is also getting Dolby Atmos support for high-quality audio. It’s unknown at this time if the other laptops will get this feature.
Galaxy Book 3 Ultra
Information on the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra (opens in new tab) leaked earlier on January 21, and it certainly lives up to its namesake. This model will reportedly launch with a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and the rumored NVIDIA RTX 4070 graphics card whose existence is a mystery. The Book 3 Ultra is slated to have a 16-inch, 3K AMOLED screen (2880×1880 pixels).
Take everything mentioned here with a grain of salt as things could change at the last minute, especially with the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra. Images and rumors of the RTX 4070 GPU are circulating on the internet, but there’s nothing official coming from NVIDIA.
Information on the base Galaxy Book 3 model somehow hasn’t leaked, but we’re not going to wait for too long to learn more. Samsung Unpacked 2023 is set for February 1. Be sure to check out TechRadar’s coverage of the event to stay up to date on what gets revealed.
Lexmark has urged its customers to update their printer’s firmware, following the publication of a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit allowing remote code execution (RCE).
The exploit in question, designated CVE-2023-23560, can give attackers access to print job queues, reveal Wi-Fi network credentials, and allow access to other devices on a network.
Lexmark wrote in a security advisory (opens in new tab) that while it doesn’t believe the exploit is being widely used, more than 100 printer models are at risk of compromise while running pre-patch firmware.
Lexmark firmware versions
Per BleepingComputer (opens in new tab), firmware versions across all devices numbered 081.233 and below are vulnerable to RCE attacks, while fixed versions are numbered 081.234 or higher. Firmware versions released on or after January 18, 2022 are considered safe.
To retrieve their current firmware version, Lexmark users can navigate to the “Device Information” section located on the ‘Menu Setting Page’ of the ‘Reports’ section of their device settings.
New firmware for affected printers can, as ever, be obtained from Lexmark’s driver download portal (opens in new tab) and, depending on the operating system of a user’s PC such as Windows or Linux, be installed either via USB or via network methods such as the File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
Those who, for whatever reason, can’t apply the firmware update are advised to disable the web services feature, blocking the exploit albeit at the expense of the device’s internet-connected functionality.
To do this, users should navigate to the “Network/Ports” section of the settings menu, then the “TCP/IP” option, followed by the “TCP/IP Port Access” menu, before disabling “TCP 65002 (WSD Print Service)”.
Whether it’s a printer, a phone, a fridge, or anything else, devices capable of being connected to the internet can pose a risk to network security and the identities of users, and should be updated regularly.
Businesses and prosumers alike are advised to use separate, randomly generated passwords, stored in a password manager, across all their devices to decrease the chances of attackers using RCE exploits to invade a network. In addition, they could avoid a wireless printer altogether.
In the face of climate change and the increase of the environmentally conscious business, we’re all responsible for doing our bit to help the planet.
Office life can be a significant burden to the environment, with large amounts of energy being used to keep us warm, keep the lights on, power equipment, and so on.
So, if you’re looking to help your business be that bit more eco-conscious, there are a number of steps you can take – some which you may never have considered before.
Sustainability challenges
Printing remains a key part of everyday business life for most of us, as even with mobile devices now being ubiquitous, it’s often good to have a physical piece of paper with all the information you need held in your hand.
However, the printing industry hasn’t exactly been a paradigm for eco-friendliness, with its heavy requirement for paper, chemical-based inks and low yield ink cartridges. Sustainable manufacturing, non-harmful inks and commonplace paper recycling have certainly offered environmental improvements for this technology, but the humble office printer still has a few ecological tricks up its sleeve.
Epson has long been one of the most innovative players in the printing space, constantly investing in developments to help businesses and consumers alike save on their energy, costs, and consumables.
The global manufacturer’s EcoTank offerings mark a significant benchmark for sustainable business printing, providing an eco-conscious proposition that is affordable and hassle-free to run, energy efficient, while offering high quality output when needed.
Available for both small and larger businesses alike, Epson EcoTank printers use heat-free inkjet technology, which generates minimal energy and subsequent CO2 emissions compared to traditional laser printers.
Epson EcoTank choices
Epson’s business portfolio includes the EcoTank ET-5800, a 4-in-1 (print, scan, copy and fax) A4 device that can print up to 7,500 pages in black and 6,000 in colour with one set of inks, offers a 500-sheet tray capacity, and a first page out time of just 5.5 seconds. Users can make the most from this device by interacting with the user-friendly 10.9cm LCD touchscreen interface, enjoy fast print of up to 25 pages per minute and scan speeds of up to 27.5 images per minute, meaning you aren’t hanging around waiting for your work.
As opposed to traditional ink cartridges, which can often be frustrating to source and replace – particularly if you need printing done urgently – EcoTank printers feature large ink tanks that you fill with the included ink bottles. It is thanks to this innovative technology from Epson that allows users to enjoy an ultra-low cost per page, with bottles that are more easily recyclable than conventional cartridges.
You can even break free from your desktop PC with the Epson iPrint app, which allows you to print from mobiles, tablets and laptops via Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct.
Make the right call
Sustainability shouldn’t be a compromise for cost, as businesses of all sizes are facing a wide range of financial issues in addition to the climate crisis. But if your company picks an Epson EcoTank printer, you can be sure that you’re siding with a technology designed with the interests of the customer and the environment in mind.
Russian internet giant Yandex has denied it suffered a cyberattack after some of its internal source code was posted online.
The leaker posted 44.7GB worth of files, which they say are “Yandex git sources”, as Torrent on a well-known hacker forum, with much of the company’s source code believed to be included.
The files are thought to date back to February 2022, and although the leak does contain some API keys, these are only thought to have been used for testing deployment.
Fake help desk emails
BleepingComputer reports that an initial analysis of the files (opens in new tab) by software engineer Arseniy Shestakov noted that technical data and code for many of Yandex’s top products appeared to be included.
Mail, Disk and Yandex Pay – the company’s email, cloud storage and payment processing services respectively – were among the platforms affected. Oddly enough, though, its anti-spam rules were not.
Yandex denied that its systems had been hacked, instead blaming a former employee for leaking the source code repository.
“Yandex was not hacked. Our security service found code fragments from an internal repository in the public domain, but the content differs from the current version of the repository used in Yandex services,” the company told BleepingComputer in a statement.
“We are conducting an internal investigation into the reasons for the release of source code fragments to the public, but we do not see any threat to user data or platform performance.”
The news comes shortly after the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued a warning over the continual cyberattacks perpetrated by Russian and Iranian hacker groups.
Although the two groups do not appear in be in collusion, they are separately attacking the same types of organizations, which last year included government bodies, NGOs, and those in the defense and education sectors, as well as individuals such politicians, journalists and activists.
Ubisoft is working on not one, but two new Far Cry games. The first is the somewhat predictable Far Cry 7, but the second is intriguing, a standalone multiplayer spin on the traditionally solo (and recently co-op) shooter. Kotaku claims Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot mentioned both these prospective games in an internal company meeting.
With Ubisoft positively churning out the Far Cry games over the years and Far Cry 6 releasing back at the end of 2021, you may have been expecting a new game to be right around the corner. However, the progress towards these new games could be further away than you may think. Kotaku reports in an article (opens in new tab) that Ubisoft is apparently switching from the Dunia engine to Snowdrop for the new games. Snowdrop is the tech powering The Division games and Ubisoft’s upcoming Star Wars game.
While Insider Gaming (opens in new tab) also reported that these two titles were initially born out of a single idea, this isn’t something we can confirm. While it’s not surprising that we’ll see a Far Cry 7 soon, considering its long-running success, having a dedicated multiplayer game would be a first for the series.
Warzone is that you?
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Similar to what Activision pulled off with Warzoneas a stand-alone multiplayer battle royale, it looks like Ubisoft may be going down the path of live service multiplayer games that are separate entities to its campaign story.
In my brief stint playing Far Cry 6, I could spot the clues of a battle royale. The vehicles left around the map, the island biomes, and the multitude of guns littering the landscape seemed aptly placed for hundreds of players to drop into and fight to the death. While there is no saying that this multiplayer Far Cry could be a battle royale, from what I’ve played in the past, I wouldn’t be surprised.
In terms of making Ubisoft’s spin on battle royale stand out from the competition, if the developer leans into Far Cry’s long history of vicious local wildlife and AI-populated camps, I can see that making for an exciting game. Maybe have the game’s final circle not be a radioactive cloud but a crowd of angry cassowaries looking to peck you to death.
One location to rule them all
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little tired of Far Cry games. The last time I was excited to sit down and wrestle with cults was with Far Cry 4. That being said, I could play this game again in the right location.
In 2015 a Ubisoft poll sent out to Far Cry fans was forwarded to Eurogamer (opens in new tab), who collated all the possible fan-favorite locations. While Ubisoft mentioned vampires and dinosaurs in this poll, the best suggestion I saw involved the next game in the series traveling to the remote corners of Alaska. This is a location I could get out of bed, turn my PC on, and fight angry cultists for.
While information is still thin for the next Far Cry games, a stand-alone multiplayer could be the exciting change the series needs to give it a facelift and revitalize fans like myself. If you couple that with a sick location like Alaska, then I may have no choice but to hop back into the psychedelic world of Far Cry.
It doesn’t matter if you work on a hit Nintendo RPG, that won’t get you special treatment. One of Fire Emblem Engage’s lead voice actors could not get his hands on a collector’s edition of the game despite having pre-ordered.
Brandon McInnis, who voices the male version of the Fire Emblem Engage’s protagonist, was disappointed to learn that GameStop was unable to fulfill his preorder of the game’s Divine Edition.
“GameStop just called to let me know that my preorder of the Divine Edition… sadly won’t be fulfilled because corporate had them selling preorders without guaranteed stock,” McInnes said in a tweet. “I voice the lead in the game.”
“When they originally told me it was delayed the night before release, I got a digital copy instead… but it irks me that people gave money to GameStop believing they’d get a copy of something special to them and were duped”, McInnis continued. “Just wanna let y’all know to save y’all some grief when a game that’s really important to you drops in the future.”
Lol @GameStop just called to let me know that my preorder of the Divine Edition of Fire Emblem Engage sadly won’t be fulfilled because corporate had them selling preorders without guaranteed stock. I voice the lead in the game.January 26, 2023
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Not-so-divine
(Image credit: Nintendo)
As a die-hard Fire Emblem fan myself, I sympathize with McInnis’ tale of woe. Had I ordered the Divine Edition only to find that my store of choice had sold me a preorder without guaranteeing stock, I, too, would be profoundly unimpressed. The Divine Edition doesn’t go above and beyond in terms of extra goodies, but the art book, poster, and art cards are certainly nice to look at.
Fire Emblem Engage is an excellent entry in the series, boasting intricate turn-based strategy gameplay combined with joyful anime melodrama. Though I felt it lacked some of the charms of its predecessor, Fire Emblem Three Houses, I still had an excellent time with it.
(Image credit: Future)
In fact, I think the combat in a Fire Emblem game has never been better. At high difficulty, the game is deliciously unforgiving and offers serious strategic challenges. Thanks to having permadeath enabled, I would sometimes have to choose to let a beloved character die to complete a mission. This process was often heart-breaking, thanks in no small part to the work of talented voice actors like McInnis, who helped breathe life into the game’s ensemble cast.
It’s saddening to think of folks who missed out on their preferred version of the game because of retailers promising pre-orders that they’re not in a position to deliver. Hopefully, McInnis’ tweets will raise awareness of the practice and make outlets like GameStop think twice before making promises to consumers that they cannot keep.
When it comes to Xbox Series X storage, you’ll want to know exactly what you’re dealing with before you can start thinking about diving into your favorite games. The Xbox Series X comes with ample storage to begin, but depending on how many games your library is compiled of, you may want to look into further storage later down the line.
Despite the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S being far more user-friendly than gaming PCs, the storage situation isn’t as straightforward as it should and could be for a first-time user. There are a few caveats to note, and with a decent amount of out-of-the-box storage, you’ll want to ensure you know exactly what you’re buying and why it can be so helpful.
We’ll cover everything from internal to external drives, the differences between HDD and SSD, and shed some light on what an NVMe SSD is. More importantly, you’ll know precisely how Xbox Series X storage works by the end of this guide. Of course, everything outlined here also relates to the Xbox Series S, which is worth remembering for gamers who went for the more budget-friendly console.
Xbox Series X storage: everything you need to know
Xbox Series X storage: how much do you get?
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The Xbox Series X comes with a 1TB NVMe SSD, while the Xbox Series S is equipped with a 512GB NVMe SSD. The Xbox Series X has 802GB storage, which means 198GB is reserved for system files and the Xbox operating system.
The Xbox Series S, meanwhile, only has 364GB of usable storage. Games should take up 30% less room than their Xbox Series X counterparts as file sizes are reduced due to developers not targeting a 4K resolution, but you’ll likely need to expand the system’s memory sooner rather than later.
What is an NVMe SSD?
(Image credit: Shutterstock/Jim1982)
NVMe SSDs (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a superior storage solution compared to standard hard drives and SSDs. Due to the fact NVMe SSDs use PCIe sockets for data transfer, they can send up to 25x more data than the slower SATA equivalent (which is the hard drive the Xbox One uses).
NVMe drives also cut out the middle man by communicating directly with a system’s CPU, and the end result is blazing fast performance. Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S rely on this new storage format to create a next-gen performance leap, so it’s crucial to understand the difference between the three types of drives.
Is an NVMe SSD the same as an SSD?
(Image credit: Samsung)
No, and that can often be confusing for many – particularly as Microsoft regularly refer to their storage as just “SSD”. Regular SSDs (solid-state drive) rely on SATA, which is a far slower way of transferring data within a system.
An SSD is still much faster than a regular mechanical hard drive (and less prone to failure due to the lack of moving parts), so it’s not all bad. However, its speeds pale in comparison to an NVMe drive.
How to expand Xbox Series X|S storage
(Image credit: Seagate)
Microsoft’s solution to expanding the Xbox Series X|S’s internal memory with more super-fast NVMe storage is rather elegant, albeit expensive. Microsoft has released 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models for the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card that slots into the back of both consoles, much like a memory card. Anything you store on the NVMe drives will benefit from the full suite of power that the Xbox Series X|S provide.
Microsoft has also revealed that more storage solutions will be on the way, so consumers won’t just be at the mercy of buying the proprietary drive. This is good news, as proprietary drives can often be more expensive than components from third-party manufacturers.
You can plug in an external HDD or SSD to play Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games on. You won’t benefit from the lightning-quick speeds that the NVMe drives provide, however, SSD drives are still considerably quicker than HDD, so if you do go for an external option, opt for an SSD. Any games optimized for Xbox Series X (like Gears 5 for example) will need moving to the internal NVMe drives to be played.
Xbox Series X|S optimized games can be stored on external drives, but they won’t be playable unless they’re transferred back to the main NVMe drives. Quick Resume, which is a feature that lets you suspend and resume multiple games at a time, will work no matter where games are installed.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Xbox Series X (XSX) and Xbox Series S (XSS) storage guide
Can you play XSX|XSS optimized games from it?
Can you play XSX|XSS optimized and back-compat games from it?
Can you play Xbox One/back compat games from it?
Can you store XSX|XSS/Xbox One/back compat on it?
Xbox Series X|S NVMe SSD
Yes
Yes (they will benefit from faster load times)
Yes (they will benefit from faster load times)
Yes
External HDD (USB 3.1)
No
No, only Xbox One/back-compat games
Yes
Yes, but XSX|XSS optimized games can only be played from the NVMe SSD
External SSD (USB 3.1)
No
No, only Xbox One/back-compat games
Yes (they will benefit from faster load times)
Yes, but XSX|XSS optimized games can only be played from the NVMe SSD
Following a three-month beta testing period, Canonical has announced the general availability of Ubuntu Pro which promises even better, timely CVE patches and compliance with a range of regimes like HIPAA and PCI-DSS.
It’s set to be available to a varied group of users and promises to be especially affordable (or, in some cases, free).
Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu OS, is keen to stress its history spanning almost two decades in which it has delivered timely security updates, and hopes to appeal to a more stringent market with its new Pro version.
Ubuntu Pro
Beyond the 10-year security coverage and optional technical support that Ubuntu users already get, subscribers of the Pro version will unlock an additional 23,000 packages. The coverage extends to “thousands” of applications and toolchains, including Node.js, Python, Rust, and WordPress.
Pro will be available to all LTS versions from 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus), which became available in April 2016.
Ubuntu Pro has already been in beta testing since October last year, and various prominent companies like Nvidia, Google, and VMWare have all taken part.
As part of the package, Pro users will be able to access FIPS-certified cryptographic packages, which are generally required for Federal Governments and other organizations subject to compliance regimes like FedRAMP, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
Pricing depends on your use case, ranging from $25 per year for workstation to $500 per year for server, with a 30-day free trial. It’s also available on public cloud marketplaces (like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) with an hourly pricing structure, which Ubuntu says is around 3.5% of the average underlying compute cost.
For personal and small-scale commercial users with up to five machines, like during the beta period, Ubuntu Pro remains free of charge, while official Ubuntu community members can use Pro on up to 50 machines.
