Category: 4. Technology

This isn’t the first time scientists have created spongy materials that use sunlight as a sustainable energy source for cleaning or desalinating water. For example, a loofah-inspired hydrogel with polymers inside its pores was tested on chromium-contaminated water and, when heated by the sun, the hydrogel quickly released a collectible, clean water vapor through evaporation. But while hydrogels are squishy and liquid-filled, aerogels are more rigid, containing solid pores that can transport liquid water or water vapor. Aerogels have been tested as a means of desalination, but they are limited by their evaporation performance, which declines as the size of the material increases. So, Xi Shen and colleagues wanted to design a porous desalination aerogel that maintained its efficiency at different sizes.

The researchers made a paste containing carbon nanotubes and cellulose nanofibers and then 3D-printed it onto a frozen surface, allowing each layer to solidify before the next was added. This process formed a sponge-like material with evenly distributed tiny vertical holes, each around 20 micrometers wide. They tested square pieces of the material, ranging in size from 0.4 inches wide (1 centimeter) to about 3 inches wide (8 centimeters), and found that the larger pieces released water through evaporation at rates as efficient as the smaller ones.

In an outdoor test, the researchers placed the material in a cup containing seawater, and it was covered by a curved, transparent plastic cover. Sunlight heated the top of the spongy material, evaporating just the water, not the salt, into water vapor. The vapor collected on the plastic cover as liquid, moving the now clean water to the edges, where it dripped into a funnel and container below the cup. After 6 hours in natural sunlight, the system generated about 3 tablespoons of potable water.

“Our aerogel allows full-capacity desalination at any size,” Shen says, “which provides a simple, scalable solution for energy-free desalination to produce clean water.”

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong SAR, the Environment and Conservation Fund of Hong Kong SAR, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Summary

• Limited 2026 model features exclusive grey/yellow design and aero upgrades
• 416 hp turbo engine, 0–60 mph in 4.0 seconds with drift mode
• Launches early 2026 in the U.S. with enhanced interior and standard equipment

Mercedes-AMG has announced the CLA 45 S “Final Edition”, a high-performance sendoff for the compact sport sedan, arriving in limited numbers to U.S. dealerships in early 2026. Finished in MANUFAKTUR Mountain Grey Magno, the Final Edition features bold black and yellow graphics, 19-inch matte black forged wheels with yellow accents and exclusive aerodynamic enhancements from AMG’s wind tunnel testing.

Under the hood, the hand-built 2L turbocharged AMG engine delivers 416 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, launching the car from 0–60 mph in 4.0 seconds. Power is distributed via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and drift mode capability.

Inside, the Final Edition sports AMG Performance seats wrapped in black MB-Tex and microfiber with yellow contrast stitching, matching details on the dashboard, doors and AMG Performance steering wheel. Unique badging, yellow-stitched floor mats and illuminated yellow AMG door sills round out the design.

With extensive standard equipment including the AMG Night Package Plus and Aerodynamics Package Plus, the CLA 45 S “Final Edition” aims to offer both track-ready performance and refined exclusivity, marking the end of an era for AMG’s compact powerhouse.

KRK introduces the Kreate Series Studio Monitors, the newest addition to the brand’s wide range of audio offerings. The Kreate monitors bring extraordinary value and legendary KRK monitoring performance to emerging musicians, engineers, producers, and content creators. These best-in-class two-way studio monitors are designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of creatives, providing the tools necessary to reproduce every nuance of a production with astonishing clarity and accuracy. From casual playback to professional music and content production, the Kreate Series is designed to perform. The Kreate line is available through select dealers and online at krkmusic.com.

As the brand’s newest studio monitor line, the KRK Kreate Series represents KRK’s continued commitment to innovation, accessibility, and excellence, supporting a wide range of setups and needs. Great for mixing, producing, and content creation, the Kreate monitors have a variety of key features that stand out among other monitors in their class. This includes wireless audio streaming capabilities with a pairable Bluetooth® audio input alongside balanced and unbalanced analog inputs for flexible connectivity. The monitors also have a universal voltage, switch-mode power supply for seamless global operations.

Available in three sizes — three, five, and eight-inch — these entry-level active, two-way studio reference monitors feature a wide bandwidth, boundary and tuning EQs, new transducer designs, and Class D amplification. The Kreate Series also features useful acoustic boundary correction and tuning EQ combinations to help minimize and correct acoustic environment problems and dial in the voicing to meet specific application needs.

“The Kreate Series offers professional-grade sound and flexible functionality that empowers emerging artists, producers, podcasters, and all creators to embrace high-quality audio at an affordable price point,” says Sterling Doak, Senior Director of Marketing for Gibson. “The monitors fill a vital space in the KRK lineup and are ideal for those who demand quality without compromise. As the new introductory solution within the portfolio, the Kreate Series will enable users to begin their creative journey with confidence.”

With KRK Kreate, composite woven glass fiber cone woofers provide amazing dynamics with good damping and modal control to deliver tight and punchy mid and low-frequency response that’s perfect for casual and professional playback environments. The glass fiber structure is heat-resistant and features a high strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring the monitors are highly adaptable and sonically accurate.

Additionally, high-frequency reproduction emanates from a carefully designed woven-textile dome tweeter with a neodymium motor, which accurately extends the frequency range up to 40 kHz in the KRK Kreate 8 and 5 options, and up to 33 kHz in the 3 option, for a smoother, more detailed sound profile. The textile dome tweeters are used to create a smooth accurate response.

Furthermore, the system-tuning level control and low-frequency and high-frequency shelving filters allow for easy adjustment in various acoustic conditions. Hybrid Class D and Class AB amplification delivers power and headroom with excellent dynamics reproduction. The high-performance transducers are optimized for improved response and accuracy. For maximum transient response and dynamics reproduction, the amplifiers drive the transducers efficiently at reduced operating temperatures to ensure audio integrity during long work sessions.

The monitors are launching in KRK’s signature black/yellow and latte/black color scheme, with the Kreate 3 models sold as a pair and the Kreate 5 and Kreate 8 options priced individually. The series also continues KRK’s visual branding evolution, with packaging and stylization that closely align with other monitors from the brand’s product portfolio.

Motorola has announced the launch of two new smartphones, the motorola razr 60 and motorola edge 60 pro, in Australia.

Both devices showcase updated features, enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and improvements in hardware and design compared to previous models.

Device features

The motorola razr 60 is engineered for compactness and durability, featuring a titanium-reinforced hinge that is reported to be up to four times stronger than surgical-grade stainless steel. The device’s foldable design includes a 3.6-inch external display that allows access to apps without unfolding the phone. Durability testing indicates the razr 60 can withstand up to 35% more folds than its predecessor.

The new Air Gesture feature on the razr 60 enables users to start, stop, and pause video recording with hand movements, supporting hands-free selfies and content creation. The camera system comprises a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 13MP ultrawide and macro vision lens, and a 32MP front-facing camera. The razr 60 is also one of the first foldable smartphones to include a Pantone-validated display and camera.

The motorola edge 60 pro is designed with high-performing users in mind, equipped with a quad-camera system incorporating a Sony LYTIA sensor, a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Extreme chipset, and 12GB of RAM. The device has a 6.7-inch pOLED HDR10+ display with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. It offers a battery capacity of 6,000mAh, supports 90W TurboPower fast charging, and has received the Gold Label in battery performance from DXOMARK, along with a top global ranking for smartphone battery endurance.

The edge 60 pro also prioritises device endurance, featuring military-grade durability and IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance. Its display supports DCI-P3 wide colour range and Pantone-curated colours.

AI capabilities

Both devices are equipped with Motorola’s moto ai, which includes features such as Next Move and Playlist Studio. Moto ai is designed to assist users by providing real-time, contextual suggestions based on on-screen content. For example, Next Move can prompt users to save event dates or generate personalised images inspired by an activity. Moto ai is also involved in improving camera performance and supports Google Circle to Search and Gemini Live functionalities.

Praveena Raman, Country General Manager for Australia and New Zealand said, “We’re proud to continue leading the flip phone category and beyond, with devices that aren’t just well designed, but also smart – they bring meaningful AI features to Australians, that genuinely enhance daily life. Whether it’s anticipating your next move, generating the perfect playlist, or summarising your day, we’ve made sure moto ai1 genuinely makes life easier.”

In discussing the distinct qualities of the new launches, Raman also stated, “Additionally, the motorola razr 60 is a perfect example of how we’re combining iconic design with intelligent innovation, delivering a foldable experience that’s functional and fashionable, while the motorola edge 60 pro follows the success of its predecessor, featuring AI-powered enhancements and a refined design that lives up to our promise: every detail considered, every angle covered.”

Availability and pricing

Both the motorola razr 60 and motorola edge 60 pro are being released at the same recommended retail price of AUD $1,199. The razr 60 is available in Pantone Gibraltar Sea and Pantone Parfait Pink, exclusively through JB Hi-Fi. The edge 60 pro comes in Pantone Shadow and Pantone Sparkling Grape, with colour options depending on the retailer. The edge 60 pro will be available at JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, The Good Guys, Mobileciti, Amazon, and Motorola’s Australian online store.

The devices are available for pre-sale and in-store from 10 July.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series isn’t expected to arrive before 2026, but rumors about the lineup have been floating on the internet for some time now, with the latest talk centered around the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s battery capacity and primary camera.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra packed a 5,000 mAh battery, and according to GalaxyClub and UniverseIce, that’s not changing with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with the latter claiming that while the battery capacity remains the same, the energy density has been increased, making S26 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh battery smaller than the S25 Ultra’s. UniverseIce also states that the S26 Ultra could charge faster, but doesn’t provide specifics. The S25 Ultra charges at up to 45W.

I speculate that the battery of Samsung S26 Ultra has increased energy density, and the 5000mAh battery is smaller in size, but Samsung did not use the extra space to increase the battery, but continued to reduce the thickness of the body. I also think that the charging power of…

— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) July 2, 2025

Regarding the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s primary camera, GalaxyClub claimed that it will have a 200MP resolution, like the S25 Ultra, but it’s unclear whether the camera will use a new sensor.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 series won’t be unveiled before January 2026, so expect to hear more about the lineup in the coming months.

Republished on July 3 with reports into a new attack with a different twist.

There’s a new attack “taking the threat landscape by storm,” and it should have all PC users worried. “While virtually nonexistent a year ago,” this attack has surged to such an extent in recent months that it’s now second only to phishing on the danger list.

We’re talking so-called ClickFix attacks, in which you are tricked into hacking your own PC when you follow on-screen instructions to fix a technical issue, open a secure file or website, or prove your human through a popup CAPTCHA challenge.

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The latest warning comes from ESET, which says in its new Threat Report that these attacks have now “skyrocketed.” That should maybe be no surprise, given the multiple warnings that have been issued in recent months.

But what should come as more of a surprise is that these attacks are still claiming countless victims, despite being so easy to detect and avoid — in theory at least.

ESET warns “payloads at the end of ClickFix attacks vary widely – from infostealers to ransomware and even to nation-state malware – making this a versatile and formidable threat.” It targets different operating systems, but this is really a Windows PC threat.

ClickFix always works by asking users to copy and paste text into a Run window, thus executing a script. That script can itself be dangerous, but more likely seems benign and actually downloads and runs the malicious script out of sight of the user.

“By the end of 2024,” ESET says, “attacks using the same social engineering technique flooded the web. Threat actors have been creating fake websites mimicking popular services – such as Booking.com or Google Meet – compromising legitimate websites with fake browser update prompts, fake Cloudflare verifications or reCAPTCHA checks, and distributing links leading to ClickFix pages via email campaigns.”

The ClickFix attack is just a shop window for multiple threats that will be installed on your device if you fall for that initial lure. “The list includes popular infostealers such as Lumma Stealer, VidarStealer, StealC, and Danabot; remote access trojans such as VenomRAT, AsyncRAT, and NetSupport RAT; remote monitoring and management tools such as MeshAgent; post-exploitation frameworks such as Havoc and Cobalt Strike; and cryptominers, loaders, clipboard hijackers, and much more.”

If you’re not worried yet, then you should be. These attacks are varying rapidly. Hackers are seeking out new lures and testing what works best. The capability is also being farmed out to multiple groups with different malware to deploy. Recent attacks have even “attempted to deploy Interlock (formerly Rhysida) ransomware.”

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If you ever see a message — however worded — asking you to press the Windows Key + “R” and then “Ctrl+V” to paste and then “Enter,” then your PC is being hacked. Period.

Do none of those things. Escape or force exit the program. And then reboot your PC. If you think you have fallen into a ClickFix trap, run an antivirus scan on your PC and change all key account passwords. You should also check your financial accounts.

While ClickFix is synonymous with Windows, there’s now a timely reminder that Mac users are also vulnerable to these tactics — being tricked into running a script on your device that seems to do one thing, when it’s actually hacking you in the background.

SentinelOne warn that North Korean hackers have been caught targeting victims with various malware payloads, which are installed on machines after users run a script that purports to be a Zoom update ahead of joining a scheduled call.

“The attack chain begins with a now-familiar social engineering vector: impersonation of a trusted contact over Telegram and inviting the target to schedule a meeting via Calendly. The target is subsequently sent an email containing a Zoom meeting link and instructions to run a so-called ‘Zoom SDK update script’.”

While most ClickFix attacks are either wrapped in a tech support lure or a fake CAPTCHA challenge, we have seen multiple instances of users being asked to take actions to access a secure website or open a password protected document.

That fake Zoom script “ends with three lines of malicious code that retrieve and execute a second-stage script from a command-and-control server hosted at support.us05web-zoom[.]forum. This domain name format has been chosen for similarity to the legitimate Zoom meeting domain us05web.zoom[.]us.”

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Once installed on the user’s Mac, the malware is designed to root our and steal credentials from Arc, Brave, Firefox, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers, again highlighting the vulnerability in saving passwords in browsers.

Beyond that, different malware payloads can be tasked with different outcomes. SentinelOne says this shows how threat actors will continually “introduce new levels of complexity for analysts.” As ever, the teams says, “in the cat-and-mouse game of threat and threat detection, when one side innovates, the other must respond.”

Here we go again. A list of malicious apps has just been published and smartphone users are being urged to root out and delete any still on their devices. The latest report outs more than 350 apps responsible for more than a billion ad bid requests per day.

This latest report comes courtesy of Human Security’s Satori team, which says it has “disrupted IconAds, a massive fraud operation involving hundreds of deceptive mobile apps that hide their presence and deliver unwanted ads.” this app campaign has been under investigation for some time, but is growing its viral presence.

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Satori says this “highlights the evolving tactics of threat actors,” and that the scale of threats such as this are similar to BADBOX 2.0, the major IOT threat flagged by the FBI and Google, in which millions of smart TVs and other devices

Here is the list of IconAds issued by Human; and here is the list of previously known apps flagged by other researchers before this latest report was published.

This AdWare follows on the HiddenAds threat, but on a much larger scale. The malware takes over devices with unwanted fullscreen ads, generating revenue for its handlers. It even changes app icons top avoid detection and removal.

“While these apps often have a short shelf life before they’re removed from Google’s Play Store,” Sartorial says, “the continued new releases demonstrate the threat actors’ commitment to further adaptation and evolution.

Google has now deleted all of apps in the report fromPlay Store, and users with Play Protect enabled will be protected from those apps. But apps are not automatically deleted from devices, and so you should do this manually.

In Satori’s technical report, it warns that such is the scale of this operation it deployed a dedicated domain for every malicious app, which helped the team compile their list.

“These domains consistently resolve to a specific CNAME and return a specific message; this means that while the domains were different, they very likely shared the same back-end infrastructure or second-level C2. These and other unique parameters allowed Satori researchers to find more of these domains and associate them back to IconAds.”

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The team also warns that the app obfuscation was highly deceptive. In one instance, an app “used a variation of the Google Play Store’s own icon and name. When opened, it automatically redirects into the official app while working in the background.”

Satori says “the IconAds operation underscores the increasing sophistication of mobile ad fraud schemes. Ongoing collaboration across the digital advertising ecosystem is essential to disrupting these and future fraud operations.”