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    Is your iPhone rebooting after being inactive? It’s a feature, not a bug

    Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETApple has added a new security feature to the iPhone, apparently designed to thwart criminals. But it’s also been thwarting police.Introduced with iOS 18, the new feature automatically reboots an iPhone if it’s been asleep and in lock mode for an extended period of time. After a reboot, an iPhone becomes more difficult to crack since either the passcode or biometric verification is needed to unlock it. The apparent goal is to prevent a thief (or police officer) from trying to hack into your phone and potentially access your personal data.Also: The 10 most popular passwords of 2024 are also the worst: 5 easy ways to do betterThe feature seems to have come to light based on the findings of law enforcement officials in Detroit, Michigan, as reported by 404 Media. Officers examining iPhones for forensic purposes discovered that the devices would mysteriously reboot themselves, making it more difficult to unlock and access them. Initially, the working theory was that the phones would reboot when disconnected from a cellular network for a period of time. However, the explanation is actually much simpler. Referring to the feature as an “inactivity reboot,” AppleInsider says that this reboot timer isn’t based on network connectivity or the phone’s charge. Rather, the reboot simply occurs after a specific length of time — around 96 hours. This timer is similar to the Mac’s hibernation mode, which puts the computer to sleep as a precaution in case the power goes out or the battery charge is depleted.Also: Did your Apple Notes vanish from your iPhone? Here’s how to find themSecurity experts have also weighed in, seemingly confirming the new capability.”We have identified code within iOS 18 and higher that is an inactivity timer,” said Christopher Vance, a forensic specialist at Magnet Forensics, as noted by AppleInsider. “This timer will cause devices in an AFU state to reboot to a BFU state after a set period of time, which we have also identified.” More

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    I found the best smartwatch for kids, and it’s not an Apple Watch or Garmin

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Fitbit Ace LTE is a kids’ smartwatch and fitness tracker that costs $230, with a proprietary Ace Pass LTE data plan costing $10 a month or $120 annually The Fitbit Ace LTE features a rich, kid-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, and the monthly fee is inexpensive However, the […] More

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    OpenAI is working on a AI agent that can do tasks for you, like booking flights

    Getty Images/akinbostanci The rise of generative AI (gen AI) has allowed people to implement the technology into their everyday workflow to replace menial, repetitive tasks. However, what if the AI could do all the tasks for you? OpenAI is reportedly working on new models that can do just that.  Also: Businesses must reinvent themselves in the age […] More

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    Building complex gen AI models? This data platform wants to be your one-stop shop

    oxygen/Getty Images Data development platform Encord is going beyond business analysis to become “the world’s only multimodal AI data development platform.” On Thursday, the company announced new multi-modal data annotation capabilities for classifying audio and documents — all in one interface. The update expands on Encord’s existing support for medical, computer vision, and video data.  […] More

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    I’ve tested a lot of AI tools for work. These 4 actually help me get more done every day

    akinbostanci/Getty images The generative AI boom might have started with the launch of ChatGPT, but the technology has now been integrated into all kinds of productivity platforms designed to make our everyday workflows easier. A fear many people have when they hear about AI use in the workplace is that the technology will replace them. However, […] More

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    The best power banks you can buy in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

    The clock strikes 4 PM, and the tedious monotony of your office day is beginning to hit. Your smartphone, that trusty sidekick you rely on for keeping you organized and productive, is gasping for life at a perilous 15% battery. Panic? That’s not your style. You recall your secret weapon – you have a power bank. With a swift move, you reach into your bag, pull out your trusty power bank, and hook it up to your device, turning the tide and keeping your productivity on point.A good power bank is a total game changer in the modern tech arsenal. New portable chargers can fuel everything from tiny earbuds all the way up to a high-end Apple MacBook Pro. Yet, the journey to find a top-notch, dependable one amidst the multitude of subpar knock-offs can be treacherous. Fear not, for I am here to be your guide, navigating you through the tech wilderness to uncover the perfect power bank that stands tall in quality, safety, and reliability.More: Best MagSafe battery packs of 2024: Expert testedWhat is the best power bank right now? I’ve rigorously tested hundreds — yes, literally hundreds — of power banks in recent years, putting me in the perfect position to identify which ones truly deserve your hard-earned money. My pick for the best power bank overall goes to the Anker Nano 10,000 mAh More

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    Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 for PC or Mac for 36% off

    Need Microsoft Office, but don’t want to pay a yearly subscription to Office 365? Consider this deal on the latest Office Home & Business 2024 suite for Mac or PC from Stack Social for $160 (reg. $250) — that’s 36% off. The suite includes lifetime access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Office 2024 features several improvements over the 2021 version, including AI integration, better performance and speed (particularly in Excel), more advanced content creation tools, and an improved user interface and accessibility features. One caveat: While Stack Social is an authorized Microsoft partner and offers “lifetime” access to Office, it is possible that Microsoft could end the license. But the site has been running these Microsoft deals for years, and I can personally vouch for them — I purchased an Office license from Stack Social about two years ago, and it’s still working on my personal MacBook today. This deal won’t give you the benefits of the latest Microsoft Office 365 subscription, either — but you won’t have to pay a $70 yearly fee to access Office apps, either. Windows users must have their OS updated to Windows 10 or 11, while Mac users should have at least MacOS Ventura or newer to download the software. You’ll need to redeem your code within 7 days of purchase to access your license.Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 for Windows or Mac with this deal today. More