manufacturing Archives

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Intel is making another round of layoffs

Intel is reducing its workforce, with approximately 107 employees affected at its Santa Clara headquarters, as indicated by a WARN notice. The company plans to cut 15 to 20 percent of its workforce in the chip manufacturing division. This decision is part of a broader strategy for future growth, aiming to become a leaner and more efficient company. Intel has set goals to cut operating costs by billion in the 2025 financial year and an additional billion in 2026.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

How PC makers exploited BIOS copyright strings to unlock trial software during the Windows 95 era

Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen recounted issues during the development of Windows 9x, particularly regarding software copyright violations among PC manufacturers. The Windows 95 team aimed to ensure compatibility with various PCs, discovering a BIOS string "Not Copyright Fabrikam Computer" while examining firmware. In the early 1990s, branded PCs often had preinstalled software that unlocked premium features based on specific BIOS strings. Some manufacturers, like the fictional "Contoso," manipulated these strings to bypass licensing fees, which was likely illegal. The developers faced challenges retrofitting Plug and Play technology onto older systems while navigating these deceptive practices.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Microsoft releases patch after Surface Hubs v1 bricked

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update to fix an issue with Surface Hub v1 devices that arose from the June Patch Tuesday updates, specifically related to KB5060533 for Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 22H2. This issue caused some Surface Hub v1 units to become inoperable, displaying a "Secure Boot Violation: Invalid signature detected" error message. Microsoft paused the update on June 11 and issued a patch a week later. The problem does not affect Surface Hub 2S and 3 models. Users have reported inconsistent success using a disk re-imaging tool, and the Surface team is investigating potential recovery methods. Microsoft is working on a solution for the affected devices and will provide updates as they become available.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

Microsoft accused of ‘tech extortion’ over Windows 10 support ending in campaign to get people to upgrade to Linux

KDE has launched a campaign called ‘KDE for Windows 10 Exiles’ to encourage Windows 10 users to switch to Linux as support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14. The campaign warns that without updates, users will face increased security risks and be pressured to buy new hardware for Windows 11, which has stringent requirements that may render older PCs incompatible. The initiative also highlights environmental concerns related to electronic waste from discarded functioning machines. While Linux can extend the life of older hardware, transitioning to it may be challenging for less tech-savvy users. Some KDE contributors are involved in the existing ‘End of 10’ initiative, indicating a shared goal to attract users dissatisfied with Microsoft’s practices.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Vulnerabilities in Preinstalled Android Apps Expose PIN Codes and Allow Command Injection

Significant vulnerabilities have been identified in pre-installed applications on Ulefone and Krüger&Matz Android smartphones, disclosed on May 30, 2025. Three vulnerabilities affect these devices, including CVE-2024-13915, which targets the com.pri.factorytest application, allowing unauthorized factory resets. CVE-2024-13916 and CVE-2024-13917 affect the com.pri.applock application on Krüger&Matz smartphones, enabling malicious apps to extract user PIN codes and inject arbitrary intents. These vulnerabilities stem from improper export of Android application components, allowing malicious applications to bypass Android’s permission model. Users are advised to check for updates and consider disabling vulnerable applications.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Microsoft says 394,000 Windows computers infected by Lumma malware

Microsoft announced the dismantling of the Lumma Stealer malware project in collaboration with global law enforcement. Over 394,000 Windows computers were identified as infected by Lumma between March 16 and May 16. The malware is known for stealing sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details. Microsoft, with a court order, dismantled the web domains supporting Lumma's infrastructure, while the U.S. Department of Justice took control of its central command structure. More than 1,300 domains were seized or transferred to Microsoft, with 300 acted upon by law enforcement and Europol. Other tech firms like Cloudflare and Lumen assisted in this effort. Since 2022, hackers have been acquiring Lumma through underground forums, and it has been used in phishing campaigns and attacks on various sectors, including gaming, education, and critical infrastructure.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

Huawei’s Kirin X90 may be the company’s ‘Apple Silicon’ moment — Matebook Pro 2025 features in-house hardware and software

Huawei introduced its Matebook Pro 2025 laptops, powered by the Kirin X90 system-on-chip (SoC) developed by its HiSilicon subsidiary. The Kirin X90 features a 10-core layout (4+4+2) with 20 threads and is expected to utilize a combination of Taishan V121 architecture for prime cores, Taishan V120 for performance cores, and a standard Cortex design for efficiency cores. The Matebook Pro operates on HarmonyOS, a new operating system independent of Linux and Android, allowing Huawei to reduce reliance on Microsoft. The Kirin X90 is anticipated to be manufactured using SMIC's 7nm process node, which may limit its performance. The success of HarmonyOS will depend on developers transitioning existing applications to the platform. The Matebook Pro is set to be released on May 19.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

The “End of 10” project wants to save aging PCs with Linux instead of Windows 11

As Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life status in October, approximately 240 million PCs will become obsolete, prompting Microsoft to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, particularly on devices with Copilot+ technology. The "End of 10" initiative aims to introduce users to Linux, providing a website with instructions for installation and highlighting the benefits of Linux over Windows. Windows 11 requires Intel's 8th-generation processors or AMD's Ryzen 2000 series or newer, leaving many functional PCs, especially those made before 2017, unable to upgrade. The "End of 10" campaign promotes Linux as a viable alternative, emphasizing its compatibility with older hardware, cost-effectiveness, reduced emissions, privacy advantages, and lower susceptibility to malware. The website includes a directory of repair shops for support and offers a DIY installation guide. Despite over half of Windows devices still running Windows 10, the adoption rate of Windows 11 is increasing, indicating a potential shift in user migration.

BetaBeacon

April 18, 2025

Order a Retroid Pocket Mini? We’ve got bad news

Due to the tariff and trade war between the U.S. and China, Retroid's Pocket Flip 2 and Pocket Classic shipments to the U.S. have been affected, with some colors not arriving in time to be shipped.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

How to remove a work profile from an Android device

A work profile on Android devices helps users separate personal and professional data, allowing IT administrators to manage corporate data remotely without affecting personal information. When an Android device is enrolled in an organization's Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform, a work profile is created, enabling IT to control data usage, notifications, applications, and security. Upon an employee's departure, the work profile is typically removed to protect corporate data, while personal data remains intact. Users can remove the work profile through the device's Settings or the MDM application. IT administrators can also delete a work profile via the MDM system to safeguard corporate information without wiping the entire device. Troubleshooting steps are available if difficulties arise during the removal process.