ITy Bytes 18 July – Optus craptus; more 5G hype; EA Origin gaming hit; OPPO’s under-glass selfie; Brother goes ZINC; Sony Alpha Awards open.

ITy Bytes 7 August

ITy Bytes 18 July – in this edition

  • Is 5G just marketing hype?
  • Check Point finds a major vulnerability in EA Origin Gaming
  • Sony Alpha Awards open to 31 August
  • OPPO exposes under glass selfie camera
  • OPTUS craptus over NBN disconnection claims
  • Brother goes ZINC (Zero-ink) for its new colour label printer

ITy Bytes 18 July is brief curated bews

ITy Bytes 19 July

Is 5G just marketing hype?

GadgetGuy thinks so as we have not been able to get a reliable 5G signal yet – and we have tried.

Respected Australian analyst firm Telsyte’s Alvin Lee says “Australia is at the very beginning of 5G, but when 5G becomes the standard, consumers won’t be able to look back.”

Although as we have said 5Gs real impact is a) not about a 5G smartphone but b) what wonderful new tech it enables.

Telstye says four years from now that 5G will be standard replacing 4G handsets entirely. We agree as we have already had a hint of the 2020 models from many brands that will have 5G models at almost the same prices as 2019 4G ones.

ITy Bytes 18 July

At present 5G access needs a Telstra account/sim to use it.

Check Point finds a major vulnerability in EA Origin Gaming

Check Point Software, a global cybersecurity solutions provider and CyberInt, a leading cybersecurity provider of managed threat detection and mitigation have identified a chain of vulnerabilities in the Origin gaming client developed by Electronic Arts (EA). Once exploited, the vulnerabilities could have exposed more than 300 million EA gamers globally to account takeover and identity theft.

The vulnerability, now closed, could have allowed a threat actor to hijack a player’s session, resulting in account compromise and takeover. “Protecting our players is our priority,” said Adrian Stone, Senior Director, Game and Platform Security at Electronic Arts.

The vulnerabilities found in EA’s platform did not require the user to hand over any login details whatsoever.

Instead, it took advantage of abandoned subdomains and EA Games’ use of authentication tokens in conjunction with the OAuth Single Sign-On (SSO) and TRUST mechanism built into EA Game’s user login process.

Check Point and CyberInt strongly advise users to enable two-factor authentication and only use the official website when downloading or purchasing games. Parents should create awareness among their children around the threat of online fraud, that cybercriminals will do anything to gain access to personal and financial details, which may be held as part of a gamer’s online account. Check Point and CyberInt encourage gamers always to be vigilant when receiving links sent from unknown sources.

Sony Alpha Awards open to 31 August

The Sony Alpha Awards bring together the greatest images from across Australia and New Zealand, captured on Sony Alpha cameras and lenses. The Awards help drive creativity, reward professionals and enthusiasts alike and provide a platform to showcase the very best Alpha Photography work.

ITy Bytes 18 July

 Key dates

●      31st August 2019 – entries for the Alpha Awards close

●      16th September 2019 – finalists contacted (except Youth)

●      5th September 2019 – shortlisted Youth applicants contacted

●      9th September 2019 – two Youth finalists contacted

●      25th September 2019 – Sydney photography challenge for Youth finalists

●      26th September 2019 – winners announced

●      Grand Prize: $10,000 of Sony digital imaging gear (Youth category ineligible)

●      Category Prize Winners: $2,000 of Sony digital imaging gear per category

●      Youth Award: $2,000 of Sony digital imaging gear

Details here.

OPPO shows off under glass selfie camera

OPPO is the first to demonstrate an under-screen camera (USC) selfie that can get rid of unsightly notches or O-holes.

By integrating the front camera and the screen, USC provides users with a complete view, an immersive screen and an integrated body. It also enables users to see and capture the entire screen, take photos, use face unlock and make video calls.

USC features a customised camera module that captures more light; zoning control on the screen, together with “highly-transparent” material that enhances transmittance of light through the screen. 

Through OPPO’s customised algorithm, haze removal algorithm and white balance algorithm, USC can enable a complete photography experience and support features like smart beauty mode and photo filters. 

“As smartphones offer more functionalities than ever before, consumers have a higher demand for technologies that provide enhanced user experience,” said Michael Tran, Managing Director of OPPO Australia.

ITy Bytes 18 July

OPTUS craptus over NBN disconnection claims

The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Optus Internet Pty Limited and Optus Mobile Pty Limited (Optus), alleging Optus misled consumers about the need to move to the NBN or risk disconnection.

On 24 May 2018, Optus sent an email offering its NBN broadband services to 138,988 of its mobile customers and advising them that their broadband service would be ‘disconnected very soon’ and encouraging them to ‘make the switch before it’s too late.’

This is not the first time Optus has been craptus.

ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said

“Moving to the NBN is an important decision for consumers, and it can also be a confusing process. The ACCC has had to take action about Optus’ advertising on several previous occasions, and it is concerning that we again have to take it to court for alleged misleading statements about this issue,” Ms Court said.

ITy Bytes 18 July

Andrew Sheridan, Vice President, Regulatory and Public Affairs, Optus  said:

Optus acknowledges the ACCC’s action and its mistake. Optus has apologised to customers who received the mistaken communication and offered a costless exit for those who took out the offer.

Brother goes ZINC (Zero-ink) for its new colour label printer

GadgetGuy has a review unit, but it may be few more weeks before we finish. Brother has released a VC-500W colour label printer using full-colour ZINC label rolls.

Colour crystals are inside the ZINK Paper and heat creates a quality, full-colour print. As the printer uses continuous length rolls that come in a choice of 5 widths (9, 12, 19, 25 and 50mm), users have the flexibility to design, print, and cut labels up to 430mm long.

From small gift personalisation or message tags, through to printing colour images, the range in size and length ensures that every label has that personal touch. 

ITy Bytes 18 July

It costs $329 and will be at Officeworks. It works with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Website here

ITY Bytes 18 July is curated news. Vendors and PR may submit to news@gadgetguy.com.au