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In today's connected world, a truly reliable internet connection is crucial. Traditional speed tests often miss the full picture. Orb, from the creators of Speedtest and Downdetector, offers a new approach, focusing on your overall "Internet Experience" rather than just raw speed.  What is Orb? Orb is a free app from Orb Forge Inc. that continuously monitors your internet performance. Unlike typical speed tests, it runs lightweight, ongoing tests in the background. It's available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can even be used on devices like Raspberry Pis for dedicated monitoring. Key Features and Functionality Orb evaluates your internet with three main metrics, contributing to an "Orb Score" (out of 100):
Additional features include:
User Experience Orb's has an intuitive interface and clear scores, making it easy to understand complex network information. The multi-device monitoring is cool. Performance and Accuracy Orb's continuous, lightweight testing provides a more accurate view of real-world internet experience, especially for sensitive activities like gaming or video calls. Its focus on responsiveness metrics (latency, jitter, packet loss) and minimal data consumption (around 10MB for continuous tests) makes it less intrusive than repeated traditional speed tests. Cloudflare provides the underlying data. Pros and Cons Pros:
Cons:
Who is it for? Orb is ideal for:
Conclusion The Orb internet test app is a significant advancement in internet monitoring. By prioritizing responsiveness and reliability alongside speed, it offers a much more accurate reflection of your actual internet experience. Despite being relatively new, its continuous monitoring, multi-device support, and helpful insights make it a highly recommended tool for optimizing your online life. If traditional speed tests leave you wanting more answers, Orb is worth exploring. Ep337 Image Source: https://orb.net/
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This smart new feature, which has been making its way to Pixel phones and is expected in the upcoming Android 16, is designed to give you a much-needed break when your phone is bombarded with alerts. It's incredibly simple and, best of all, entirely automatic. What is this magic I hear you ask? Imagine this: your phone suddenly gets a flurry of messages, emails, or app updates all at once. Instead of each one blasting through with full volume and vibration, Notification Cooldown steps in. According to Google's description, if you receive "many notifications within a short time," your device will automatically lower its volume and minimize alerts for up to one minute. Think of it as an intelligent, temporary mute button that flips on and off without you lifting a finger. It doesn't block notifications from appearing on your screen; it simply quiets the storm of sounds and vibrations. Crucially, important alerts like phone calls, alarms, and messages from your priority contacts will still come through at their normal volume, ensuring you don't miss anything critical.
Ep337 Image created by AI
The latest tool in the hacker’s arsenal is the SVG file. We should all be wary of email attachments and really be sure of their legitimacy before attempting to open them. There's a new and sneaky way hackers are trying to trick people, and it involves something you might think is harmless: image files. Cybersecurity experts recently discovered a new wave of phishing emails that are using special image files called SVGs to sneak past your email security and steal your information. Think of an SVG file like a super-smart picture. Unlike regular photos you take with your phone, SVGs are actually based on text. This means they can do more than just show a picture; they can also contain hidden instructions, like tiny computer programs. This makes them great for websites because they can look good on any screen size and even be interactive. But now, bad guys are using this clever feature against us. Here's the trick: hackers are putting secret instructions inside these SVG image files. When you open the SVG file (which might look like a simple invoice or a document), those hidden instructions kick in. They tell your computer to automatically send you to a fake website that looks exactly like a real one, perhaps your bank or a well-known online service. Their goal? To get you to type in your usernames and passwords, which they then steal. What makes this so tricky is that many security tools are designed to spot typical dangerous files like Word documents with tricky macros or PDF files. But because SVGs are often seen as innocent image files, these tools might not look inside them for hidden dangers. Watch out for Phishy emails especially as specific events are nearing. Tax time is a good one.   Ep337 Image Source: Screenshot taken by MITE Radio
These are the chips used in mobile phones and other portable devices… The unveiling of the Xring 01 signals a bold shift in technological power dynamics, a testament to years of intense development and a substantial financial commitment from the company. Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder and CEO, lauded the processor as "the fruit of four years of development," emphasizing that this is just the beginning of a much larger semiconductor endeavor. The development of the Xring 01 was no small feat, involving over 2,500 engineers and an initial investment of around 3 billion $AU over four years. Xiaomi has also announced plans to inject an additional 10.5 billion $AU over the next decade, further solidifying its ambitious semiconductor strategy. Making their own chips is a big deal and although existing partnerships are currently stable, this may change as the USA changes things to be more inwardly facing. Ep337 Image created by AI
If you open a website in Chrome then you can tap in the URL banner to see the Google Lens icon. You can search from anywhere on the page.   Ep336 Image Source: Screenshot taken by MITE Radio
Your main email account with Google, Microsoft, Apple may be pretty robust, but what if you connect your email to other services like a calendar, to-do list, CRM system. These third party systems may provide hackers a back way into your accounts. So be aware of what's in your email and maybe file some things elsewhere as well as deleting them if they have served their purpose. Consider encrypted cloud storage (Google Drive) or perhaps Vaults Apps like OneDrive and Dropbox. Oh, don’t forget to empty the trash. Ep336 Image created by AI
So you clip this thing on the back of your phone so when your phone is on a tripod, you can use the rear facing camera and this display shows you what the rear camera can see. So, it basically mirrors your phone's screen instantly, allowing you to use your best camera while still seeing yourself. MagSafe Compatible: Attaches magnetically to iPhones or MagSafe-compatible cases. Crisp Display, Pocket-Size Design: Features a high-resolution screen in a lightweight, portable form factor. Adjustable Brightness: Includes 3 brightness settings controlled by a dedicated button. Reliable Connection: Maintains a stable connection from up to 100 feet (30 meters) away. No Apps, power on, pair, shoot! Use it with a remote BT shutter release and you’re set to move around. A tad of AU$100. Ep336 This image is used under the Fair Use provision for the purpose of review and commentary. Source: snaplylens.com
The first line of defense for your email, social media, and other online accounts is often woefully inadequate as we are generally not implementing good password hygiene. Make them long and strong… and… if there’s a MFA option, use it! Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond just your password. When you log in, in addition to entering your password, you'll need to provide a second piece of verification, such as a code sent to your phone via text message. This dramatically increases security, as even if a criminal manages to guess or steal your password, they still can't access your account without that second factor. 2FA works by providing a critical second layer of security before someone can access an account. This can be done through an authenticator app, SMS message, hardware security key or biometric verification (using facial scans, eye scans or fingerprints). These verification factors are often time-sensitive, ensuring they cannot be reused. By reducing reliance on passwords alone, 2FA effectively protects against phishing and other common cyber threats, making it a simple yet powerful tool for enhancing online security. How to Set Up 2FA Securely Most online platforms, including email and social media, offer the option to set up 2FA. Look for it in your account's "Settings," "Security," or "Privacy" sections. You can typically choose between receiving codes via email, SMS, or using a dedicated authenticator app. Pick an option that is easily accessible for you. When you attempt to log in, you'll either receive a text or email with a 2FA code, or an alert from your authenticator app requiring you to enter a code. This crucial step locks out attackers, even if they have access to your email, and significantly deters automated or mass attacks. Can You Still Be Hacked with 2FA? While 2FA makes it significantly harder for cybercriminals to breach your accounts, it's not entirely foolproof. Not all 2FA methods offer the same level of security. Text message codes, for instance, are considered less secure than other methods because criminals can sometimes intercept these codes or even trick phone network employees into creating a SIM card with your number. "While 2FA offers an important layer of protection against credential theft and breaches, not all 2FA methods are equally secure – SMS-based codes can be intercepted by bad actors, so authentication apps offer stronger protection," Using two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for hackers to get into your account. It’s still worth ensuring that all passwords are strong, secure and unique – particularly for your email account, as criminals can use this to reset other passwords. Use a password manager app to store passwords, making it easier to use unique passwords for each account. And even if you use 2FA, stay alert, "2FA alerts on a smartphone can serve as a critical warning sign that your account’s credentials have been compromised, providing an opportunity to update your password before the account is breached." Ep336 Image created by AI
We've all grappled with the limitations of the smartphone flashlight. That tiny, aggressive beam – perfect for locating rogue Tim Tams under the couch, but less ideal for, say, creating a romantic mood or reading without feeling like you're interrogating your book. Enter the Silicone Travelamp, a… well let’s say a mildly inventive device designed to liberate us from the tyranny of the tiny torch. This, my friends, is a light diffuser for your phone, a snug little silicone hug that transforms that harsh glare into something resembling, dare I say, ambiance.
Molded in silicone – which, let's be honest, is the duct tape of the 21st century – this lamp-ish thing fits most smartphones, especially the small and medium-sized ones. So, unless you're rocking a phone the size of a small brick, you should be good to go. Imagine: capturing photos with a light that doesn't make everyone look like they've just seen a ghost, or using it to navigate to the fridge for a midnight snack without blinding yourself (and potentially waking the kookaburras). Now, here's where it gets a touch… whimsical. You can choose between a model that vaguely resembles a "cozy home bedside lamp" (picture a very squishy, minimalist version) and one that aspires to be a "traditional oil lantern" (minus the actual fire hazard and, presumably, the smell of kerosene). Whether you can actually read by these ethereal glows is debatable. Maybe for a very short text message? But for serious literature? Probably stick to the bedside lamp, mate. However, for setting a mood, illuminating your nocturnal wanderings (within the confines of your home, ideally), or even as a surprisingly non-threatening night light for the little tackers, the Travelamp shines (pun intended!). And let's be honest, the darn thing looks kind of cute and goofy. It’s the kind of gadget that makes you chuckle slightly every time you use it. So, if you're tired of your phone's flashlight acting like a tiny spotlight in a dark theatre, the Silicone Travelamp offers a softer, sillier, and altogether more agreeable alternative. It brings a touch of cozy, almost absurdly gentle light wherever you need it – from your bedroom to your next camping trip (just don't expect it to ward off any actual drop bears). For those of us who just need a bit of extra, less intense glow, this could be the delightfully quirky answer. Ep335 This image is used under the Fair Use provision for the purpose of review and commentary. Source: Amazon.com.
You can look at online groups, google reviews and local review sites like TrustPilot in Australia for some help, but you really need to vet things for yourself. Local retailers often have reviews from customers that are largely unedited so there’s that I suppose. Youtube is another good one. Some red flags: 1. Manual Inspection: Your Best Tool for Spotting Red Flags This is your primary defense. By carefully reading and analyzing reviews, you can often spot inconsistencies:
2. Cross-Reference and Consult Independent Review Sites Don't just rely on reviews from the site you're buying from. Expand your search:
By combining these methods, you significantly increase your chances of making well-informed purchasing decisions, cutting through the noise to find genuinely useful feedback. Ep335 Image created by AI
So, the gist is you can download it now. Once you update, the app just works on your iPad screen, no matter if you've got a Mini, a Pro, or an Air. It’s not just a stretched-out iPhone app either, which was definitely a concern for a lot of us. They've really designed it for the tablet. One of the best bits is the two-column layout. It makes so much sense on that bigger screen, right? You've got your chats and contacts on the left, and your active conversation fills the right side. It's super intuitive, kind of like how Apple's own Messages app uses the space. And they've included proper multitasking support, which is fantastic. You can easily use Split View to have WhatsApp open next to another app, or even just pop it up as a floating window. That's a huge win for productivity. Plus, it even works with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, so you can type or even scribble out messages. The lead-up was pretty fun too. WhatsApp actually teased it on X with just a pair of 'looking eyes' emojis, and then boom, less than a day later, it's out, along with a blog post confirming everything. Considering how many other Meta apps still don't have proper iPad versions (looking at you, Instagram!), this feels like a significant step. What do you reckon this means for other apps? Do you think Instagram for iPad is finally on the horizon? And what are your first thoughts on WhatsApp on the iPad – anything you're particularly excited about or hoping they'll add next?" If you have an iPad and use WhatsApp, this will change your world. Ep335 Image created by AI
To sweeten the deal and make you a tad more comfortable, all the data is stored locally on your PC and you can search through it all with the help of CoPilot anytime, even if you are offline… but… Microsoft's "Recall" feature has sparked significant cybersecurity and privacy concerns. While Microsoft has implemented safeguards, the nature of the feature inherently introduces new risks. These include:
So if you’re in the market for a new PC and you buy one with Microsoft-Copilot, consider turning Recall OFF! Ep335 Image created by AI
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AuthorDelve into the world of MITE Radio through our captivating blogs. From music and tech to community news, our articles offer fresh perspectives and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Stay informed, connect with our community, and explore MITE Radio in a new way today! Archives
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