Dan's Tech Blog

view blog posts since 10.2024

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Wednesday, October 16, 2024

GPU Driver Update Triggers Unexpected Background CHKDSK During Windows Use

Windows 10 users are still reporting instances of the CHKDSK utility unexpectedly running in the background during normal computer use, a behavior that differs from the typical startup scan and has been observed for a whopping 8 years now, since 2016. This automatic disk checking can occur without user initiation, potentially impacting system performance and raising questions about the underlying causes and necessary actions. 

GPU Driver Updates Trigger CHKDSK In Background

GPU driver updates can sometimes trigger unexpected CHKDSK operations in Windows, potentially causing system instability or boot issues. This phenomenon is often associated with the installation of new graphics drivers, particularly for NVIDIA and AMD GPUs. When updating GPU drivers, Windows may detect file system inconsistencies or potential disk errors, prompting an automatic CHKDSK scan. This can occur due to:

• Incomplete removal of previous driver files during the update process

• Conflicts between old and new driver versions

• Unexpected system shutdowns during driver installation

Microsoft currently does not provide any guaranteed way to solely disable the system-impairing automatic CHKDSK process that seemingly fully randomly triggers after a GPU driver upgrade.

source: shortened free Perplexity GPT-3.5 query using the "Page"-feature @ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/gpu-driver-updpate-triggers-un-xL6D7KG8SmCIQ.CGSBPbbg

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Coca-Cola's Incredibly Deceptive AI Advertising

Coca-Cola's adoption of generative AI in advertising has sparked discussions about transparency and ethical considerations in marketing. While the company has embraced AI technologies for various creative endeavors, including image generation and interactive experiences, Coca-Cola is using AI to create artificial faces or persons for advertising without declaring/labeling such images as "AI" content in any way, massively deceiving all their customers regarding their cooperation with actors/models in the process.

AI-Generated Personas in Ads

AI-generated personas are becoming increasingly sophisticated tools in advertising, offering marketers the ability to create highly targeted and personalized campaigns. These digital characters, created using artificial intelligence technologies, can imitate real human behavior and qualities, providing deep insights into target audiences. Coca-Cola, for instance, has leveraged AI in its "Masterpiece" campaign, using OpenAI's DALL-E2 and ChatGPT to bring famous artworks to life in a seamless blend of AI-augmented animation and live action. This approach demonstrates how AI can enhance creative processes rather than replace human artists entirely. While AI personas offer significant advantages in audience segmentation and content personalization, their use raises ethical concerns. Marketers must carefully consider issues of transparency and potential deception when deploying AI-generated characters in advertising. As the technology evolves, it's crucial for companies to establish clear guidelines for disclosing the use of AI in their marketing materials, ensuring that consumers are not misled about the nature of the content they're engaging with.

Ethical Concerns in AI Marketing

AI in marketing raises significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and consumer manipulation. The vast amounts of personal data processed by AI systems pose risks of breaches and misuse, necessitating strict adherence to regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Algorithmic bias is another critical issue, as AI trained on biased data can perpetuate and amplify existing societal prejudices, potentially leading to discriminatory outcomes in marketing campaigns. Furthermore, AI's ability to predict and influence consumer behavior raises questions about the erosion of individual autonomy and the ethics of persuasion. To address these concerns, marketers must prioritize transparency, regularly audit AI systems for bias, and implement robust ethical governance frameworks. Balancing the benefits of AI-driven personalization with respect for consumer privacy and agency remains a key challenge in the evolving landscape of AI marketing ethics.

Transparency in AI-Driven Campaigns

Transparency in AI-driven marketing campaigns is crucial for building consumer trust and ensuring ethical practices. Research indicates that when AI-generated ads include clear disclosures, they can signaificantly boost brand perceptions, with a 47% lift in ad appeal, 73% increase in ad trustworthiness, and 96% improvement in company trust. To achieve this, marketers must implement:

• Clear communication about AI usage in content creation and targeting

• Disclosure of data sources and decision-making processes

• Regular audits and bias assessments of AI algorithms

• Adherence to ethical frameworks like the 2021 UNESCO recommendations

By prioritizing transparency, advertisers can bridge the trust gap between industry professionals and consumers, as only 38% of surveyed consumers hold a positive sentiment toward AI in marketing, compared to 77% of advertising professionals. This approach not only fosters trust but also helps companies navigate the complex ethical landscape of AI-driven marketing while complying with evolving regulations and consumer expectations. If you also disagree with this deception, you of course are free to boycott their products.

source: free Perplexity GPT-3.5 query using the "Page"-feature @ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/coca-cola-s-incredibly-decepti-xZYQJRt6QP6NTAPDpKA2Pw

Shoutout to mibbits user "freaktechnik" for his support making this theme

and to W3schools.com !

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Soldered RAM Obsolescence Strategy

The trend of soldering RAM in mainstream laptops, exemplified by Lenovo's IdeaPad series, has sparked controversy among tech enthusiasts and consumers. While manufacturers cite benefits such as improved power efficiency and reduced form factors, critics argue that this practice limits upgradability and repairability, potentially shortening device lifespans and increasing electronic waste.

Impact of Soldered RAM on Upgradability

• Soldered RAM impacts laptop upgradability, creating a trade-off between performance and future-proofing.

• Enables thinner designs and potentially wider memory bandwidth.

• Eliminates the possibility of user-upgrades, forcing consumers to anticipate future needs at the time of purchase.

• Particularly problematic for budget laptops with partially soldered configurations, leading to suboptimal performance due to mismatched channel configurations.

• Increases repair costs and reduces the lifespan of devices, as a single faulty memory chip can render an entire system unusable.

• Affects individual consumers, the secondary market, and overall electronic waste generation.

This limitation is particularly problematic for budget laptops with partially soldered configurations, where upgrading only one slot can lead to suboptimal performance due to mismatched channel configurations. Additionally, soldered RAM increases repair costs and reduces the lifespan of devices, as a single faulty memory chip can render an entire system unusable. This shift towards non-upgradeable components not only affects individual consumers but also impacts the secondary market and overall electronic waste generation.

Consumer Reactions to Limited RAM Options

Consumer reactions to limited RAM options in laptops have been largely negative, with many users expressing frustration over the lack of upgradability and perceived obsolescence. Online forums and discussions reveal that tech-savvy consumers are particularly critical of this trend, citing concerns about future-proofing their devices. Many users report regularly exceeding 16GB RAM usage, especially when running demanding applications or engaging in activities like gaming and VR. The backlash has led some consumers to seek alternative options, such as:

• Opting for higher-end models with more RAM at purchase, despite the increased cost

• Choosing laptops from manufacturers that still offer upgradeable RAM

• Exploring DIY upgrades, where possible, by purchasing and installing RAM separately

• Considering desktop alternatives for users who prioritize upgradability over portability

However, manufacturers argue that the average user doesn't require more than 16GB of RAM, and that soldered configurations allow for thinner designs and potentially improved performance. This disconnect between consumer desires and manufacturer offerings highlights the ongoing tension in the laptop market between upgradability and form factor optimization.

Comparison of Soldered vs. Upgradeable RAM

Soldered RAM offers several technical advantages over upgradeable RAM, particularly in thin and light laptops.

• Improved signal integrity for faster memory speeds and lower power consumption.

• LPDDR4X operates at half the I/O voltage of DDR4, enhancing power efficiency.

• Enables narrower, faster buses and placement closer to the CPU for better performance.

However, upgradeable RAM maintains significant advantages in terms of longevity and user flexibility.

• SO-DIMM slots allow for future capacity increases and easier repairs, extending device lifespan.

• Manufacturers argue minimal impact on manufacturing costs.

• Inability to upgrade may lead consumers to overprovision or replace systems prematurely.

• Emerging CAMM2 standard could offer benefits of soldered RAM with upgradability, pending adoption.

The emerging CAMM2 standard may offer a middle ground, providing some of the benefits of soldered RAM while maintaining upgradability, though its adoption remains to be seen.

source: free Perplexity GPT-3.5 query using the "Page"-feature @ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/soldered-ram-obsolescence-stra-xib3eRUHQxGZ7ujeAJR9Gg

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Password Manager Risks

While password managers offer significant benefits in enhancing online security, they also come with potential risks. As reported by Forbes, the biggest concern is that these tools create a single point of failure, where a compromised master password could potentially expose all stored credentials to cybercriminals.

The Single Point of Failure: Master Password Risks

If compromised, the master password could expose all stored credentials.

• Poor password practices exacerbate this risk.

• A survey found that 25% of users reuse their master password for other accounts, up from 19% in 2021.

• Even complex master passwords can be vulnerable to credential stuffing attacks if reused elsewhere.

• Malware and keyloggers pose another threat by potentially capturing master passwords as they're entered.

• Experts recommend using a unique, strong master password.

• Enabling two-factor authentication on password manager accounts is advised.

Cloud-Based Vulnerabilities and Data Breaches

Cloud-based password managers face additional security challenges due to their reliance on internet-connected infrastructure.

• Data breaches are a significant concern, with 45% of breaches being cloud-based and 80% of companies experiencing cloud security incidents in the past year.

• Common vulnerabilities include misconfigurations, unsecured APIs, and poor access management.

• LastPass suffered a major breach in 2022, exposing encrypted password vaults and unencrypted website URLs.

• To mitigate these risks, organizations should implement robust security measures such as strong authentication protocols, regular security audits, and comprehensive monitoring of cloud environments.

Device Security and Malware Threats

Password managers face significant risks from malware and device security vulnerabilities:

• Malicious software can potentially compromise the security of password vaults on infected devices.

• Keyloggers, a type of malware that records keystrokes, can capture master passwords when entered.

• Users should employ robust antivirus software.

• Keeping operating systems and applications updated is essential.

• Be cautious when downloading attachments or clicking on links.

• Implement strong access controls.

• Use web filtering.

• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments.

• Remain vigilant as cybercriminals continually evolve tactics to exploit new vulnerabilities.

source: free Perplexity GPT-3.5 query using the "Page"-feature @ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/password-manager-risks-GV0Z2GZmQM.4qjKs2utaMw

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Android 14 boosts battery life even more - also removes some features though

According to reports from users and Google engineers, Android 14 brings significant battery life improvements over Android 13 thanks to more efficient system processes that reduce background activity by up to 50%. Additionally, cold app start time is reduced by an impressive 30%. 

Power-Saving Optimizations in Android 14

Android 14 introduces several power-saving optimizations that help improve battery life and device performance:

• Freezing cached applications: Android 14 freezes cached apps after a short period of time, giving them zero CPU cycles. This frees up the CPU for other tasks and prevents apps from using resources unnecessarily in the background. Google found that cached processes consumed up to 50% less CPU cycles in Android 14 compared to Android 13 during beta testing.

• Optimizing broadcasts: Android 14 adjusts how cached apps receive context-registered broadcasts, ensuring they stay frozen. Broadcasts are now queued and any repetition gets merged into a single broadcast in the background. This helps reduce the duration of cold app starts (when an app boots up from scratch) by 20-30% depending on the device's RAM.

• Reducing code size: Google included optimizations in Android 14 that reduce app code size by an average of 9.3% without impacting performance. This improves both memory and storage efficiency.

• Patching background app loopholes: Android 14 patches a loophole that allowed apps to stay active indefinitely in the background by running multiple monitoring processes. The system now freezes the entire application and all its processes before killing individual ones, preventing this workaround.

Impact of Background App Management on Battery Life

Background apps can have a significant impact on battery life if not properly managed. Here are some key points about how background apps affect battery drain:

• Apps that run in the background, even when not actively used, can consume CPU cycles, memory, and network resources which drains the battery.

• Certain types of apps are more likely to run in the background and impact battery life, such as those that use location services, play audio, or interface with Bluetooth accessories.

• Buggy or poorly optimized apps can get stuck running in the background indefinitely, causing excessive battery drain until force closed by the user.Android's Adaptive Battery feature uses machine learning to categorize apps and limit the system resources available to those that are rarely used, which can significantly reduce their impact on battery life.

• Users can manually restrict specific apps from running in the background in Android's settings, which prevents those apps from using any system resources when not actively used.

• On iOS, only certain types of apps are allowed to run in the background, and they will still consume some battery. Fully closing these apps can improve battery life.

• Proper management of background apps, either automatically through the operating system or manually by the user, can have a major positive impact on device battery life.

Cooler Device Operation, especially for Pixel 6 & 7 users

Android 14 introduces significant improvements in heat management, particularly benefiting Pixel 6 and 7 users who previously experienced overheating issues. These enhancements contribute to better device performance and battery life. Key improvements include:

• Reduced heat generation during normal use, with users reporting their devices running cooler after the update

• Improved efficiency of the CPU scheduler, likely reducing usage of power-hungry big CPU cores

• Better thermal mitigation through constant monitoring and feedback from the Thermal HAL 2.0

• Enhanced thermal status reporting, allowing apps to adjust their behavior based on device temperature

• Smoother overall performance, likely due to better heat management

• Potential doubling of battery life for some users, partly attributed to reduced heat generation

• Improvements noticeable even on older devices like the Qualcomm-based Pixel 5a

While these enhancements significantly improve heat management, it's important to note that Tensor SoCs may still generate heat under heavy use or in direct sunlight due to their power-hungry nature.

Optimized Screen Brightness Control

Android 14 introduces improvements to screen brightness control, enhancing both user experience and battery efficiency. Here are the key optimizations:

• Automatic wallpaper dimming: When Battery Saver mode is activated, Android 14 automatically dims the wallpaper to reduce power consumption, especially beneficial for devices with AMOLED displays.

• Enhanced adaptive brightness: The adaptive brightness feature in Android 14 uses machine learning to better understand user preferences and adjust screen brightness accordingly based on ambient light conditions.

• Transparent navigation bar option: A new setting allows users to force apps to have a transparent navigation bar, potentially improving visibility and consistency across different apps.

• Brightness bug fixes: Android 14 addresses some brightness-related issues, such as choppy display at peak brightness levels, which were reported by some users in previous versions.

• Manual brightness control retention: While adaptive brightness is improved, Android 14 still allows users to manually adjust and control screen brightness according to their preferences.

• These optimizations aim to provide a more seamless and power-efficient brightness control experience, balancing visibility and battery life across various usage scenarios.

Removed or Downgraded Features

Android 14 brings many improvements over Android 13, but there are a few potential drawbacks and removed features to be aware of:

• Older app incompatibility: Android 14 no longer allows installation of apps targeting Android 5.1 (API level 22) or lower, which may prevent some older apps from working.

• Removal of separate volume controls: Android 14 removes the ability to separately control ring and notification volumes that was present in Android 13.

• Lock screen customization limitations: While Android 14 adds new lock screen customization options, some users report fewer clock styles available

compared to Android 13.

• Potential adaptive brightness issues: Some users experienced flickering or brightness adjustment problems with the adaptive brightness feature in Android 14 beta versions.

• Learning curve for new features: The redesigned settings menus and new customization options may require some adjustment for users familiar with Android 13.

• Possible initial bugs: As with any major OS update, there may be some bugs or stability issues in the early release of Android 14 that get ironed out in subsequent updates.

Overall, while Android 14 offers numerous improvements, users should be aware of these potential drawbacks when considering the update.

source: free Perplexity GPT-3.5 query using the new "Page"-feature @ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/how-big-are-the-android-14-bat-WxN8GGdgRQSKPPn7DftxtQ

view blog post archive 2023 - 06.2024

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