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Malicious VSCode extension in Cursor IDE led to $500K crypto theft

A fake extension for the Cursor AI IDE code editor infected devices with remote access tools and infostealers, which, in one case, led to the theft of $500,000 in cryptocurrency from a Russian crypto developer. Cursor AI IDE is an AI-powered development environment based on Microsoft's Visual Studio Code. It includes support for Open VSX, an alternative to the Visual Studio Marketplace, that allows you to install VSCode-compatible extensions to expand the software's functionality. Kaspersky re

I've tested dozens of cheap portable power stations and this EcoFlow is my favorite

The EcoFlow River 2. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Power banks have given way to power stations. And while I really like the colossal capacity offered by those behemoths, sometimes I want something I can grab quickly to take with me on a job or in an emergency. The EcoFlow River 2 fits the bill. EcoFlow River 2 specs Capacity : 256Wh : 256Wh Net Weight : Approximately 7.7lbs : Approximately 7.7lbs Dimensions : 9.6 x 8.5 x 5.7inches : 9.6 x 8.5 x 5.7inches AC Input : 100-120V 50Hz/60Hz, 36

I made the switch to a smart litter box, and my cat love its

Whisker Litter-Robot 4 4.5 / 5 Very good ZDNET's key takeaways The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 retails for $700 and comes in black or white This self-cleaning litter box lets you keep tabs on your cat's health through the helpful app However, it is an expensive buy, and the app frequently experiences glitches. View now at Amazon You're either a cat person or a dog person, and this writer is a cat person. My cat, Norbert, is a loud, orange boy and is the cutest thing ever. He's easy to take care of

I replaced my Ring doorbell with this subscription-free option - with one concern

ZDNET's key takeaways The Lorex 2K Wi-Fi video doorbell is available for $189. The doorbell comes in wired and wireless installations, communicates reliably, and includes a preinstalled 32GB microSD card for local storage to bypass subscription fees. Although it has a 2K resolution, the image is so wide angle that objects look distorted. $199.99 at Amazon Video doorbells are among the best ways to start your smart home journey. They are easy to use and often easy to install, and provide much-

This Sony Bravia is my pick for best TV for the money (especially while on sale)

ZDNET's key takeaways What the Sony Bravia X90L lacks in eye-popping specs, it more than makes up for in real-world picture performance and Sony upscaling technology, which delivers great video for movies, sports, cable, and streaming. Regarding the features you'll love for daily use, the X90L has an excellent remote that feels premium, is just the right size, includes backlighting, and has a good balance of just the right number of buttons The X90L also has Google TV built-in. The closest ri

Topics: sony tcl tv tvs x90l

I found the perfect portable power station for off-grid adventures

EcoFlow River 2 Max. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET I love power stations. They're the off-grid adventurer's answer to the power bank. They're a huge box of batteries that can charge USB devices and run gadgets that need AC power. But power stations can be big, weighty things. That's fine if you have a vehicle to haul your gear to your destination, but if you're going on foot, most power stations are just too heavy to lug about. Also: The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert tested

I found an E Ink tablet worthy of replacing my Remarkable

ZDNET's key takeaways The Boox Note Max comes bundled with the pen and case for $649. It's thin and light, has a high-contrast display, and has a long list of features that make it a very versatile device. Theres no backlight, it's monochromatic, and there's a bit of a learning curve to use it to its fullest. View now at Amazon View now at B&H Photo and Video more buying choices I went hands-on with the Remarkable Paper Pro last year and thought that was a big tablet. The latest Boox Note Max

My top-rated laptop power bank works with almost any model - and has a useful display

ZDNET's key takeaways The Bluetti X20 has a massive capacity designed for high-draw devices, available now for $199. It's kitted out with a DC port, and it comes with a dozen adapters covering most laptops on the market. There's no carry handle, so the unit can be a bit cumbersome to carry. View now at Walmart Most of us think of power banks as small, smartphone-sized battery packs that can be slipped into a pocket or clamped onto the back of a smartphone. But there's a category of power bank

The hybrid Windows laptop I recommend most for work travel also has an OLED display

ZDNET's key takeaways HP's 16-inch Envy x360 2-in-1 (2024) comes in a variety of configurations, but the version with 1TB of storage and an OLED display starts at $1,599. It sports one of the most gorgeous displays I've seen on a convertible laptop in this price range. It's a little on the heavy side, and swapping configurations can be buggy. View now at HP We saw a host of great 2-in-1 laptops in 2024, forcing more and more laptop diehards (myself included) who were previously unwilling to c

Topics: envy hp inch laptop x360

Embedding User-Defined Indexes in Apache Parquet

Embedding User-Defined Indexes in Apache Parquet Files Posted on: Mon 14 July 2025 by Qi Zhu, Jigao Luo, and Andrew Lamb It’s a common misconception that Apache Parquet files are limited to basic Min/Max/Null Count statistics and Bloom filters, and that adding more advanced indexes requires changing the specification or creating a new file format. In fact, footer metadata and offset-based addressing already provide everything needed to embed user-defined index structures within Parquet files w

Texas Governor Says ‘Intimate and Embarrassing’ Emails With Elon Musk Must Remain Secret

This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doesn’t want to reveal months of communications with Elon Musk or representatives from the tech mogul’s companies, arguing in part that they are of a private nature, not of public interest and potentially embarrassing. Musk had an eventful legislative session in Texas this y

Xbox Ally X and Ally leaked prices make the Steam Deck sound like a steal

TL;DR The prices for Xbox’s upcoming handhelds may have leaked. The most expensive model may cost €899, while the cheaper model is said to be €599. While the metadata was scraped from ASUS’ website, these prices could just be place holders. Earlier this year, leaks suggested Xbox was partnering with ASUS to release a handheld under the Xbox brand. A month ago, the company finally confirmed the collaboration during its summer showcase, unveiling two models: the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbo

I tried Perplexity's Comet AI browser, and I like where it's going (but it's not there yet)

solarseven/Getty Images Perplexity Comet isn't the first AI-powered web browser to arrive. That honor goes to Dia, but thanks to the popularity of Perplexity as an AI-enabled search engine and chatbot, it's getting a lot of attention. It deserves it. An agentic browser, Comet isn't just a web browser with AI glued to it, as are Chrome with Gemini and Edge with Copilot. It's designed from the ground up to use AI to automate tasks and improve your workflow. What Comet is aiming for Its archite

This portable battery station powered my home for two weeks

ZDNET's key takeaways The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus expands up to 24,000 Wh, powering a home for two weeks. Built-in wheels and handle make the Explorer 2000 Plus easy to move. The Explorer 2000 Plus delivers 3,000W power, fast charging, and rugged durability. View now at Amazon If you see the sun regularly, solar generators are the way forward. They allow you to capture and store the free energy that's beaming down from the sun, convert it into electricity, and store it in batteries. Solar

One of the most versatile cameras I've used is not from Sony or Canon and it's on sale

Ant Pruitt/ZDNET At Best Buy, the Insta360 X4 Action Camera is $150 off right now. ZDNET's key takeaways The Insta360 X4 Its accommodating accessories, including the Invisible Selfie Stick and Utility Frame, make it a fantastic camera for most environments. Just be aware of scratching the lens as both sides protrude out. Most talk in tech today revolves around AI in some shape or form, but not too long ago, VR and 360-degree video were the hot topic. When it comes to 360-degree video, the

This hidden Pixel camera setting makes my photos absolutely pop - here's how

Kerry Wan/ZDNET One reason why the Pixel phones are so popular is the camera. There's a depth, a level of clarity, and brilliant/accurate colors that most phone cameras cannot match. Also: I changed 10 settings on my Pixel phone to significantly improve the user experience Google is always trying to one-up itself by improving the Pixel camera with every iteration. Back with the Pixel 8, Google introduced the P3 wide gamut capture feature that came along with the Ultra HDR format of Android 14

NetBox Labs secures $35M as demand for network infrastructure management surges

The platform’s technical foundation centers on modeling infrastructure relationships in detail. The NetBox model encodes realistic relationships, such as an IP address’s provision on an interface, where the interface is on the switch, and where the switch sits in a rack. In addition, NetBox Labs has expanded the core platform with complementary products that address operational pain points while leveraging the central data repository. NetBox Discovery provides automated network device and serv

Google TV on Android begins its Material 3 Expressive revamp in latest update

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR The latest Google TV app update brings some Material 3 Expressive design elements to users. The release introduces updates for the movie/TV show details page, including a larger banner, center-aligned header, updated buttons, and more. The update doesn’t include all the Material 3 Expressive changes we’ve seen in the past, which could roll out with a subsequent release. Google has started rolling out the Material 3 Expressive revamp for several of it

Survey reveals this is everyone’s favorite weather app, by far

One of the staple apps ever since smartphones came into existence are weather apps. While weather apps have existed for decades, user preferences have changed over the years. The weather apps that we once loved have shuttered, and their place has been taken by newer competitors with their own advantages. In our quest to find the current best weather app, we asked you what weather app you prefer on your phone, and the answer has been overwhelmingly in Pixel Weather‘s favor. With over 47% of the

Pricing May Doom Asus’ Xbox Ally Handheld Before It Even Gets a Fair Shot

There hasn’t been any truly new Xbox console hardware in five years. Instead, the first real novel Xbox device isn’t made by Microsoft at all. Asus is designing a new handheld that looks like an Xbox controller split in half with an added screen. While Microsoft has reportedly delayed its own first-party handheld PC, it will need to rely on hardware partners like Asus to push its grand new vision for Xbox hardware. If Microsoft wants it to be a success, it needs to ensure people can actually aff

Samsung Cares About Competing Again. Tri-Fold Phone Coming by End of Year

Despite various rumors and even an alleged leak, there was no “one more thing” teasing a tri-folding phone at Samsung’s Unpacked event last week, where the tech company announced the impressively thin Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 with an edge-to-edge cover screen, and two stylish Galaxy Watch 8 smartwatches. But the tri-fold phone is real and it’s coming soon. See Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Samsung.com See Galaxy Z Flip 7 at Samsung.com Speaking to the Korea Times, Roh-Tae-moon aka TM Roh, Samsung’s act

Texas governor says his emails with Elon Musk are too ‘intimate or embarrassing’ to release

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is refusing to release months’ worth of emails sent to Elon Musk and his companies under public records laws, according to a joint report from ProPublica, The Texas Newsroom, and The Texas Tribune. After initially agreeing to an information request, the governor’s office argued that the emails are covered by a law that pre

Musk says he does not support a merger between Tesla and xAI but backs investment

Elon Musk on Monday said he does not support a merger between xAI and Tesla, as questions swirl over the future relationship of the electric automaker and artificial intelligence company. X account @BullStreetBets_ posted an open question to Tesla investors on the social media site asking if they support a merger between Tesla and xAI. Musk responded with "No." The statement comes as the tech billionaire contemplates the future relationship and possible integration between his multiple busines

I've used a color E Ink for months, and here's how it boosted my productivity

ZDNET's key takeaways The Boox Note Air 4C is a color ePaper tablet for notes and reading, available for $500. The tablet's display is crisp and paper-like, and the included pen is accurate and sensitive, making it easy to create highly detailed sketches. The Note Air 4C isn't cheap, at $530, and the included pen is much thicker than the tablet, so it falls off easily. $509.99 at Amazon For months now, I've used the Boox Note Air 4C tablet as my go-to digital notebook. This tablet is the perf

Topics: 4c air boox note tablet

Lossless Float Image Compression

Back in 2021 I looked at OpenEXR lossless compression options (and I think my findings led a change of the default zip compression level, as well as change of the compression library from zlib to libdeflate. Yay blogging about things!). Then in 2023 I looked at losslessly compressing a bunch of floating point data, some of which might be image-shaped. Well, now a discussion somewhere else has nerd-sniped me to look into lossless compression of floating point images, and especially the ones that

The Ridiculously Thin Galaxy Z Flip 7 Is Sturdy AF. Ask Me How I Know

If you're concerned about how durable Samsung's foldable phones are, I'm here to tell you not to worry. And that's especially true when it comes to the new Galaxy Z Flip 7, which holds its own among today's best smartphones. After less than six hours with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I accidentally performed my own informal drop test. At a catered affair in Brooklyn, I walked outside to get a view of the waterfront, and when I pulled the Z Flip 7 out of my pocket, I fumbled it. I watched helplessly as

Samsung Galaxy S26 series leak hints at an Edge future (again)

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will reportedly gain a 200MP main camera and a 50MP tele camera. Samsung’s middle Galaxy S26 model apparently has a 50MP ultrawide camera, much like the Galaxy S25 Edge. This ultrawide camera potentially hints at the Galaxy S26 Plus being swapped out for an S26 Edge. We already know that Samsung is hard at work on the Galaxy S26 series, and we’ve seen a few leaks already. Now, a trusted outlet has revealed some more details

Here’s the truth behind Samsung Auto DeX, and why it’s not an Android Auto alternative (Updated)

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung Auto already exists as an Android Auto alternative in China but requires specific regional software and hardware to function. “Samsung Auto DeX” refers to an unofficial workaround enabling Samsung Auto functionality on non-support head units via desktop mode casting. Despite ongoing speculation, we could not locate confirmed evidence that suggests Samsung is officially developing “Auto DeX” as a distinct feature. Update, July 14, 2025 (06:50 A

This Galaxy S26 leak is bad news for small-phone lovers

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR A Korean outlet reports that Samsung is working on the Galaxy S26 Edge instead of the S26 Plus. The outlet also revealed screen sizes for all three models, and the base model might get a small size bump. The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is still roughly six months away from launch, but that hasn’t stopped the steady stream of leaks. It now looks like we’ve got screen-related details for all three phones. The Elec reports (h/t: Jukanlosreve on Twitter) th

Show HN: Built a desktop app to organize photos locally with duplicate detection

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