Alibaba released a new artificial intelligence (AI) model on Thursday, which is known as Qwen with Questions (QwQ), and serves as the latest open source competitor to OpenAI o1 reasoning model.
Launched in preview, the QwQ-32B large language model (LLM) is said to outperform GPT-o1-preview in several mathematical and logical reasoning-related benchmarks. The new AI model is available to download on Hugging Face, however it is not fully open-sourced.
What is Qwen with Questions (QwQ)?
Like other large reasoning models (LRMs), QwQ uses extra compute cycles during inference to review its answers and correct its mistakes, making it more suitable for tasks that require logical reasoning and planning like math and coding.
In a blog post, Alibaba detailed its new reasoning-focused LLM and highlighted its capabilities and limitations. The QwQ-32B,as the name suggests, it is built on 32 billion parameters and has a context window of 32,000 tokens. The model has completed both pre-training and post-training stages.The model is currently in preview, which means a higher-performing version is likely to follow.
Coming to its architecture, the Chinese tech giant revealed that the AI model is based on transformer technology. For positional encoding, QwQ uses Rotary Position Embeddings (RoPE), along with Switched Gated Linear Unit (SwiGLU) and Root Mean Square Normalization (RMSNorm) functions, as well as Attention Query-Key-Value Bias (Attention QKV) bias.
According to Alibaba’s tests, QwQ beats o1-preview on the AIME and MATH benchmarks, which evaluate mathematical problem-solving abilities. It also outperforms o1-mini on GPQA, a benchmark for scientific reasoning. QwQ is inferior to o1 on the LiveCodeBench coding benchmarks but still outperforms other frontier models such as GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
QwQ does not come with an accompanying paper that describes the data or the process used to train the model, which makes it difficult to reproduce the model’s results. However, since the model is open, unlike OpenAI o1, its “thinking process” is not hidden and can be used to make sense of how the model reasons when solving problems.
Notably, Alibaba has made the AI model available via a Hugging Face listing and both individuals and enterprises can download it for personal, academic, and commercial purposes under the Apache 2.0 licence.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S10+ and S10 Ultra this year,these tablets come as successors to the Galaxy Tab S9 lineup. Now the highly anticipated Galaxy Tab S10 FE series appears to be on the horizon, as the company has officially listed these tablets on its US website.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE series launch could be soon
While Samsung hasn’t disclosed specific details about the devices yet, there’s a notable promotion on the website that offers US customers free one-year access to Goodnotes, a popular note-taking app for Android, for those who purchase and activate any Galaxy Tab S10 or Tab S10 FE models by July 31, 2025. This further confirms that the FE series launch is imminent.
What to expect from the Galaxy Tab S10 FE?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE lineup is expected to follow the strategy of its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series, which included two models: the regular Tab S9 FE and the slightly more expensive Tab S9 FE+. It’s likely that the upcoming Tab S10 FE series will follow a similar approach, offering at least two models to cater to different price points.
Tab S10 FE models will likely continue to use the Exynos chipset, with speculations pointing toward the Exynos 1580, which is also expected to power the upcoming Galaxy A56. This would be an upgrade from the Exynos 1380 used in the Tab S9 FE series, suggesting improved performance and efficiency.
There are also rumors that the Tab S10 FE series could feature a 12MP primary camera, a significant upgrade from the 8MP lens found in the Tab S9 FE models. This would likely improve the overall camera experience, making it more suitable for casual photography and video calls.
A new cyber-attack technique leveraging the Godot Gaming Engine to execute undetectable malware has been reported by Check Point Research.
Check Point says since late June 2024, crooks have been building malicious code written in GDscript (Godot’s Python-like scripting language) calling on some 200 GitHub repositories and more than 220 Stargazer Ghost accounts, which were hosting a piece of malware called GodLoader.
In a statement, the Godot security team said, “Based on the report, affected users thought they were downloading and executing cracks for paid software, but instead executed the malware loader.”
Infostealers and cryptojackers
The Godot Engine, widely known for creating 2D and 3D games, is recognized for its versatility and cross-platform capabilities. It allows game developers to bundle assets and executable scripts into .pck files. Threat actors exploited this functionality by embedding malicious GDscript code in these files, enabling malware execution when loaded.
The distribution of GodLoader occurred through the Stargazers Ghost Network, a malware-as-a-service platform. Between September and October 2024, 200 GitHub repositories were used to deliver infected files, targeting gamers, developers and general users.
The repositories mimicked legitimate software repositories, leveraging GitHub actions to appear frequently updated and gain credibility.
Notably, the GodLoader payloads were hosted on Bitbucket.org and distributed across four attack waves.
Each campaign involved malicious archives downloaded thousands of times. Initial payloads included RedLine Stealer and XMRig cryptocurrency miners, with threat actors continuously evolving their tactics for greater evasion.
Godot’s security team said that the Gaming Engine does not register a file handler for .pck files. This means that a malicious actor always has to ship the Godot runtime (.exe file) together with a .pck file.
There is no way for a malicious actor to create a “one-click exploit”, barring other OS-level vulnerabilities.
Potential Risks and Mitigation Strategies
By replacing original .pck files or sections within executables, attackers could target a vast player base. While not yet observed, this scenario underscores the need for robust encryption and asymmetric key methods to secure game data.
Since GodLoader is yet to be flagged by most antivirus programs, it is essential to remain vigilant at this time, and careful when dealing with Godot-related content.
To reduce risks, developers should also ensure software and systems are up to date, exercise caution with unfamiliar repositories and downloads, and increase cybersecurity awareness within organizations.
In a statement, the Godot security team said, “Users who merely have a Godot game or editor installed on their system are not specifically at risk. We encourage people to only execute software from trusted sources – whether it’s written using Godot or any other programming system.”
They added, “We thank Check Point Research for following the security guidelines of responsible disclosure, which let us confirm that this attack vector, while unfortunate, is not specific to Godot and does not expose a vulnerability in the engine or for its users.”
Google likes to experiment with artificial intelligence. We’ve had live DJ tools, podcast creators and a way to create custom lettering. Now Google has just released a free chess game called GenChess that brings something new to the table. GenChess is unique because it allows you to design the chess pieces you play with, using AI.
To play GenChess, simply go to the GenChess website in your browser and start designing your chess set. You can choose either a classic or creative set and then type in an AI prompt to describe the type of set you want to see.
You’ll see the prompt ‘Make a classic chess set inspired by’ at the top of the screen, and you can complete the sentence with whatever you like. GenChess will then think for a few seconds as the AI generates some sample chess pieces for your approval. If you don’t like what you see, hit the ‘Regenerate Set’ button, and it will have another go. If however you do like what you see then hit the ‘Generate opponent’ button to progress to the next stage.
The computer then picks a prompt to design the opponent’s piece that it thinks will go well with what you’ve chosen already, and generates the opposing chess pieces to play against you.
How does GenChess work?
GenChess is built on top of the Imagen 3 artificial intelligence image generation model from Google DeepMind,and which rolled out in October. Imagen 3 has a range of features that are worth exploring. For example, you can ask it to create photorealistic landscapes, richly textured oil paintings, or even claymation scenes.
This also powers the ImageFX experiment and image creation in the Gemini chatbot. It is a very impressive model that can create everything from photorealism to design.
That Apple is currently working on ways to measure blood pressure is no secret. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has been reporting on the possible addition of a blood pressure monitor for Apple Watch going back at least to April 2022.Gurman predicted that Apple would introduce this feature in 2024, but that didn’t materialize.
Now the U.S. Patent Office published a patent application of Apple’s relating to an Apple Watch with Blood Pressure monitoring.
Apple notes that it can be difficult to precisely determine conventional blood pressure parameters, such as systolic and diastolic blood pressures, using oscillometry measurement techniques. It may be desirable to more precisely determine events associated with a blood pressure measurement, including the closing and/or opening of a blood vessel during a compression measurement.
Apple’s patent covers a blood pressure measurement device that uses a liquid filled sensing chamber to measure blood pressure of a user.
An inflatable chamber is first filled, which, together with a sensing chamber and a pressure sensor, work to detect the resulting ‘vibrations’ that occur in the user’s blood flow. In simple terms: Blood pressure is the externally applied pressure required to stop blood flow. Korotkoff sounds, the sounds or ‘vibrations’ that are emitted when pressure is applied to blood flow via a non-invasive procedure, can then be measured.
The patent mentions that the chamber is filled with liquid – what advantages liquid offers instead of air is not immediately clear, as liquids, unlike gases (and ultimately air) are considered incompressible.
The patent was created by Apple hardware engineer Caleb Han, an 11-year veteran.But as always, just because Apple is patenting a particular technology doesn’t necessarily mean it will be implemented in the next Apple Watch, or even at all.
Are you tired of the sluggish charging speed of your iPhone? Well, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, anxiously staring at our devices, hoping they will charge faster. This is especially frustrating when we’re pressed for time and need a fully charged phone.
How long does it take an iPhone to charge?
Normally, an iPhone can power up from zero to 50% in roughly 30 minutes using a fast charger and achieve a full charge within1-3 hours. However, if your iPhone is slow to charge or fails to top up completely, this could indicate a problem.
There are several common reasons your iPhone may be charging more slowly than you’d like. They include:
The outlet you’re using is faulty.
You need to replace your charging cable.
Your charging port is clogged or damaged.
Your device is too hot.
You’re overdue for a software update.
How to make your iPhone charge faster
Charging your iPhone might seem straightforward, but a few tweaks can significantly speed up the process. When your phone is charging slowly, try these strategies to help your iPhone power up quicker and troubleshoot the most common iPhone charging issues.
Use a Wall Plug
When charging your iPhone, it is always best to opt for a wall plug instead of USB ports on computers or laptops. Wall plugs provide a direct and consistent power supply, enabling your device to charge at its optimal speed. On the other hand, USB ports typically deliver a lower charging current, resulting in longer charge times.
Try a Fast Charger
If you’re serious about reducing your charging time, it might be worth considering investing in a fast charger. Faster chargers are specifically made to deliver a higher power output, powering your device at a much faster rate compared to standard chargers. With a fast charger, you can bid farewell to those never-ending charging sessions.
Restart your iPhone
The first thing to try if your iPhone is charging slowly is turning it off and back on. Then try charging your iPhone again. If your device doesn’t respond, tryforcing it to restart.
Check your charging cable for damage
Look at your charging cable to see if it’s loose, unplugged, or damaged. If it’s frayed or the connector is bent, this could be the reason your iPhone is charging slowly.
To know for sure, try charging your phone with a friend’s cable. If the borrowed cord works better, it’s time to replace your cable.
Try a different outlet and charger
If the cable isn’t the issue, it could be your charger or the outlet. Plug your charger into a different outlet to see if your device will charge more quickly.If that doesn’t work, use another charger—and make sure it’s approved by Apple®.
If you’ve been charging your iPhone wirelessly (iPhone 8 or later versions support wireless charging), try plugging your device into a power source with your cable and see if it will charge faster. If you’re using a wireless charging case for an older model, remove your device from the case and use a charger and cable plugged into a wall outlet.
Clean your charging port
If your device’s port is clogged with dirt and debris, it may make your iPhone charge very slowly. If the port is dusty, check out our charging port cleaning guide to clear it out in a few simple steps. If the charging port appears to be damaged, contact an expert for help.
Turn on Airplane Mode or charge your phone while it’s off
One way to make your iPhone charge faster is to turn on Airplane Mode before plugging in your device. This setting helps your phone charge more quickly by turning off your device’s connection to mobile and Wi-Fi networks, which burn energy and drain the battery.
Turning off your iPhone completely before charging it should speed up the process even more.
Let your phone cool down
If your device has been sitting in direct sunlight or feels hot to the touch, try removing the case and placing it in a cool area before you charge it. Heat can damage your battery and hinder its ability to charge. If your phone stops charging at 80%, for instance, your device is likely protecting itself and will resume charging once it’s cooled down.
Check for iOS updates
Updating your iOS® operating system will keep your iPhone charging quickly and working properly.
Open Settings.
Go to General > Software Update.
Tap Automatic Updates.
Turn on both Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates to start the update automatically when it’s available.
Slow charging speed can be a frustrating issue. Fortunately, you can employ the methods mentioned above to make your iPhone charge faster. Next time you are anxiously waiting for your iPhone to charge, try out these suggestions and see the difference for yourself. Remember, not all solutions work for everyone. Try different combinations and find what works best for you.
The idea of a folding iPhone has circulated the web for quite a while now,given where we’re at with the smartphone market now,it seems inevitable that Apple will eventually launch a foldable iPhone.Now, new information from a trusted source suggests that it appears that the device is now another step closer to launching.
According to well-known tipster Yeux1122 (via @Jukanlosreve), Apple has recently entered the “formal development process with display manufacturers”. The leaker alleges this information came from a “supply chain source.”
In other words: Apple officially wants to make a foldable iPhone, if this leak is to be believed.That means that Apple is working with display makers to turn a conceptual product into a real one. It means that prototypes will be created, testing and refinement will take place and towards the latter half of the phase, prepping the device for release on the production line and marketing.
If Apple is only just entering a developmental phase for the foldable iPhone, the earliest we expect to see a new device is two to three years. This aligns with previous leaks suggesting that we might see an iPhone Flip in 2026 or 2027.
As for exactly what form this phone might take, your guess is as good as ours. Some have dubbed it the iPhone Flip, but there’s a chance it might more closely resemble the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.
Huawei Technologies said that from 2025, all of its smartphones and tablets to be launched in 2025 will run on HarmonyOS Next, the latest iteration of Huawei’s self-developed mobile platform that no longer supports Android apps.
Announced at a live-streamed event on Nov 26, the new devices and software add to Huawei’s campaign to reclaim China’s premium tier from Apple and build an ecosystem without the involvement of major US tech providers.
The company’s new flagship phone, the Mate 70, launched on Tuesday and shipping on December 4, will debut HarmonyOS Next, the iteration of its operating system that does away with remnants of Android in favour of entirely indigenous tech.However, users who wish to can still choose the older, Android-based HarmonyOS 4.3, according to Richard Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei’s consumer business group.
Rich Bishop, CEO of AppInChina, which distributes international software in China, said Huawei’s plan to roll out HarmonyOS Next on all of its new devices next year will face “challenges” given the limited number of compatible apps currently available.
“If users can’t access one app they use regularly, then this will likely put them off buying a Next device.”Bishop said, “Users will also face huge challenges when traveling abroad, as the vast majority of apps they need to use will not be available on Next.”
HarmonyOS Next will still need another two to three months to improve its user experience, but the plan is to use it on upcoming gadgets, said Mr Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s consumer business group.
Huawei’s rotating chairman Xu Zhijun said last week that HarmonyOS Next still needs two to three months to improve its user experience, but plans to apply it to upcoming devices. As of October 22, HarmonyOS Next has more than 15,000 native apps and services, and the company expects the operating system to achieve 100,000 apps and reach “maturity” in the next six months to a year.
Shenzhen-based Huawei is expected to use its latest in-house Kirin chip for the new product line, though its performance increase may be less significant than Qualcomm and MediaTek’s top-end offerings, according to a note by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Charles Shum and Sean Chen.
The roll-out is a key part of Huawei’s relentless attempt to break free from years of US sanctions.
Despite Washington’s blacklisting and technical challenges, Huawei managed to grow sales over the past seven quarters, with the help of an expanding smartphone business.Its shipments recorded four consecutive quarters of at least double-digit growth in China as at September, according to research firm IDC.
OnePlus has already updated the 12 and 12R to OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, and the brand is now rolling out the update to its foldable. The update to OxygenOS 15 for it is already rolling out in India as build CPH2551_15.0.0.200(EX01), and OnePlus has today revealed that with the US, EU, and other regions to follow “next week”.
What’s New with OxygenOS 15 for the OnePlus Open
Ultra animation effects:
Introduces the industry’s first parallel processing architecture, offering parallel response and unified rendering to elevate multi-app switching to a new level. Even under extreme usage conditions, the display remains consistently smooth and seamless, ensuring unwavering stability.
AI Retouch:
Introduces the Enhance clarity feature to enhance the clarity of cropped, distant or low-quality photos.With AI Reflection Eraser, blurred photos regain their sharpness, color accuracy, and lighting, ensuring that special moments with pets, kids, and others are vividly preserved.
AI Notes:
Introduces the new AI writing suite which includes the continue writing, polish and optimise style AI writing features to assist you with drafting and enhancing content, unleashing your creativity in an instant.
Introduces the Format feature to organise scattered information into well-organised content to make it more visually appealing and easier to read.
Introduces the Clean up feature to remove filler words from voice notes to make sentences more coherent while retaining the original audio.
Personalization Options:
Introduces new flux themes with a huge collection of high-quality themes. Customise them with system wallpapers and photos for your unique touch.
Introduces customisation for Always-On Display, the Lock screen and the Home screen. Always-On Display supports flux and classic modes. The Lock screen supports clock colour blending, blurred wallpapers, AI depth effects, AI auto-fills and more. The Home screen supports blurred wallpapers and more.
Introduces flux themes with one-take transition animations, enabling seamless and smooth transitions between Always-On Display, Lock screen and Home screen, significantly enhancing visual continuity.
Live Alerts
Adds a new Live Alerts design that is focused on the visualisation of information, offering better information display efficiency. Live Alerts is also positioned in the centre, creating a more balanced display.
Optimises the way you interact with Live Alerts capsules – just tap a capsule and see it expand into a card. You can quickly switch between multiple live activities simply by swiping left or right on the capsules in the status bar, making it more efficient to view information.
Introduces a new Live Alerts animation system featuring elastic design, seamless expansion and dynamic real-time blur to enhance the visuals of cards.
Boosted Productivity:
Resizable split-view windows, floating window gestures, and split Quick Settings and notifications enhance multitasking.
Cross-Platform File Sharing-OnePlus Share:
The new file transfer capability with iOS devices, easily connecting and sharing files through OnePlus Share.
Now you can easily share live photos with nearby iOS devices.
Privacy protection
Improves Private Safe with the new categorised browsing features for images, videos and documents, making it easier to manage private data.
Introduces a new Home screen entry for hidden apps. You can tap the Hidden apps folder on the Home screen and verify your privacy password to see the apps.
Wi-Fi
Optimises the multi-network experience for more precise, efficient and seamless switches between networks.
CERT-In has issued a high-severity advisory alerting Apple device users to multiple vulnerabilities. The advisory impacts various Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and recommends users update their devices to the latest software versions.
In its advisory note, CERT-In has outlined two significant vulnerabilities affecting a range of Apple products, including:
iPhones and iPads: Running iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 18.1.1 and 17.7.2.
MacBooks and Desktops: Using macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.1.1.
Vision Pro: Running visionOS versions prior to 2.1.1.
Safari Browser: Versions earlier than 18.1.1.
Invisible Threat: Zero-Day Apple Exploits
On Nov. 19,Apple issued a critical security alert, revealing that two zero-day vulnerabilities — CVE-2024-44308 and CVE-2024-44309 — had been actively exploited.
A zero-day vulnerability refers to a software flaw unknown to the vendor, with no available patch at the time of discovery. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities before developers can address them, making zero-day attacks particularly dangerous. In this instance, the vulnerabilities in JavascriptCore and WebKit were exploited to execute malicious code through specially crafted web content.
1. Arbitrary Code Execution (CVE-2024-44308)
This vulnerability resides in JavascriptCore, JavascriptCore is the engine that powers Javascript execution in Apple’s software, including the Safari browser.
Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted web content to execute arbitrary code on the target device. When loaded in the browser, the script exploits the vulnerability, bypassing protections that normally isolate Javascript from accessing sensitive system-level resources. Once the code executes, it can steal personal information, install malware or even grant the attacker remote access to the system.
2. Cross-Site scripting (XSS) (CVE-2024-44309)
This vulnerability exists in WebKit.WebKit is Apple’s open-source browser engine that renders web pages. It handles everything from displaying text and images to running interactive elements on websites. If you’re using Safari, every webpage you load passes through WebKit.
The exploit involves sending carefully crafted web content that causes WebKit to mishandle memory during processing. This creates a “buffer overflow” or similar memory corruption issue, allowing attackers to insert and run their own code.Exploiting this issue involves sending maliciously crafted web content that triggers XSS attacks, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate web pages, steal sensitive data, or impersonate users online.
How to stay safe
To help users protect their Apple devices, CERT-In strongly advises users to update their devices to the latest software versions. To update:
iPhones and iPads: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS or iPadOS version.
MacBooks: Open System Preferences > Software Update and upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 or later.
Vision Pro: Navigate to Settings > Software Update to ensure you’re on visionOS 2.1.1 or above.
Safari browser: Update to version 18.1.1 via the App Store or through system updates.
