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Geeky Gadgets
10 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Comet Autonomous AI Browser Review : The Truth About Perplexity's Bold Claims
What if your browser could not only navigate the web but also anticipate your needs, automate your tasks, and even help you design a YouTube thumbnail—all while you sit back and focus on what matters most? Enter the Perplexity Comet browser, a bold contender in the emerging world of AI-powered web tools. Promising to transform the way we interact with the internet, this Chrome-based browser merges the familiar with the futuristic, offering features like voice commands, personalized integrations, and even shopping assistance. But is it truly the seamless, hands-free browsing experience it claims to be, or does it fall short of its ambitious vision? In this assessment, we'll explore how Perplexity Comet aims to redefine the boundaries of online convenience—and whether it's ready to deliver on its lofty promises. Wes Roth takes you through the browser's most compelling features, from its AI-driven automation to its ability to streamline creative and research tasks. We'll also examine the cracks beneath its polished surface: where its voice recognition falters, its automation stumbles, and its privacy concerns loom large. Whether you're a multitasker looking for hands-free efficiency or a skeptic wary of AI's growing footprint, this exploration will offer insights into both the browser's potential and its pitfalls. As Wes Roth unpacks the strengths and shortcomings of Perplexity Comet, you might find yourself questioning not just how you browse—but how much control you're willing to hand over to the machines. AI Browser Overview Core Features and Capabilities AI-Driven Automation One of the browser's most notable strengths is its ability to automate repetitive tasks, saving users time and effort. It is designed to handle a variety of activities, such as: Automatically adding recurring events like 'Taco Tuesday' to your calendar. Updating and managing shopping lists on platforms like Instacart. While these features are convenient, they are not without flaws. For more complex or nuanced tasks, the browser often requires manual input, limiting its overall efficiency. This partial reliance on user intervention underscores the need for further advancements in its automation capabilities. Voice Command Functionality The inclusion of voice command functionality offers a hands-free browsing experience, allowing users to perform tasks such as searching for information or managing schedules through spoken instructions. This feature is particularly useful for multitasking or when physical interaction with the browser is inconvenient. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on the complexity of the commands, with simpler instructions yielding better results. This variability highlights the importance of refining the voice recognition system to ensure consistent accuracy. Personalization and Platform Integration The browser excels in personalizing the user experience by integrating with various platforms and synchronizing settings across devices. Key features include: Unsubscribing from promotional emails to declutter your inbox. Synchronizing preferences across devices for a seamless browsing experience. Despite these strengths, the browser struggles with more intricate processes, such as those requiring additional authentication or multi-step verifications. These limitations may hinder its effectiveness in scenarios where security protocols are more stringent. Shopping Assistance For users focused on budget-conscious shopping, the browser offers tools to compare product prices across multiple retailers. This feature helps identify cost-effective options, making it easier to find the best deals. However, it does not always account for additional factors such as shipping costs, taxes, or exclusive promotions, which can influence the final price. As a result, users may need to conduct further research to ensure they are making the most informed purchasing decisions. Creative Tools and Social Media Integration The browser also aims to simplify creative tasks by integrating with tools like Photopea for designing graphics, such as YouTube thumbnails. While this feature is promising, it is not without challenges. Users may encounter functionality issues when working on more complex designs, which can limit its utility for professional or advanced creative projects. On the social media front, the browser allows users to post content directly to platforms like LinkedIn. However, it requires user confirmation before completing actions, making sure that you maintain control over your online presence and avoid unintended posts. Research and Information Retrieval The browser's AI capabilities extend to gathering and presenting information efficiently. Whether you are researching potential podcast guests or staying updated on current events, the browser provides relevant data quickly. However, the accuracy and reliability of the information can vary, making it essential to cross-check critical details before relying on them for important decisions. Navigation and Exploration For users interested in virtual exploration, the browser offers tools to locate destinations and retrieve related information. For example, you can view a street-level map of Chernobyl or plan a trip to an unfamiliar location. This feature is particularly useful for travel planning, allowing users to explore potential destinations and gather insights before making travel arrangements. Privacy and Data Sharing Concerns As with any AI-powered tool, privacy and data sharing are critical considerations. The browser requires access to user accounts and data to function effectively, raising questions about how this information is stored, shared, and used. While these integrations enhance functionality, they also introduce potential risks. Users should carefully evaluate the implications of linking their accounts and sharing sensitive information, particularly when dealing with platforms that handle personal or financial data. Perplexity Comet Autonomous AI Browser Review Watch this video on YouTube. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on AI browsers. User Interface and Extensions The Perplexity Comet browser retains the familiar Chrome interface, making it intuitive for users already accustomed to Chrome-based browsers. This familiarity reduces the learning curve and allows users to navigate the browser with ease. Additionally, it supports a wide range of plugins and extensions, allowing users to customize its functionality to suit their specific needs. This versatility makes the browser appealing to both casual users and professionals seeking tools to enhance productivity. Limitations and Challenges Despite its innovative features, the browser faces several challenges that limit its overall effectiveness: It struggles with certain web interactions, such as creating complex projects in Photopea. It lacks full autonomy in handling intricate tasks, often requiring user input to complete processes. Its automation capabilities are not yet robust enough to manage all tasks seamlessly. These limitations highlight the need for further refinement and development to fully realize the browser's potential as a comprehensive AI-driven tool. Future Potential and Considerations The Perplexity Comet browser offers a compelling glimpse into the possibilities of AI-enhanced web browsing. Its ability to automate tasks, integrate with platforms, and personalize the user experience makes it a valuable tool for streamlining daily activities. However, its current limitations—ranging from incomplete automation to privacy concerns—suggest that users should approach it with cautious optimism. As the technology evolves, the browser has the potential to redefine how users interact with the web, offering a more efficient and personalized browsing experience. For now, it serves as a promising yet imperfect tool, providing both opportunities and challenges for those navigating the rapidly changing landscape of AI-powered technology. Media Credit: Wes Roth Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
I found £6,000 of savings in 10 MINUTES with two dupe-hunting Google tricks that transform your home, garden & wardrobe
I LOVE a deal and there are loads online – but who has the time to scour the web looking for savings? That's why I got a robot to do it for me. To see if I could save some cash, I set Google 's AI systems to work, hunting for product alternatives, " dupes", and lookalikes. It managed to track down thousands of pounds of savings in a matter of minutes using a clever combination of free online features. I used two different tricks – one using Google Gemini and the other using Google Lens. Gemini is Google's chatbot. You can find it here. It's free and works just like ChatGPT. And Google Lens is a special version of Google Search that you'll find inside the official Google app on your phone. You can take or upload a photo, and then Google will hunt for it (and lookalikes) online. Just tap the camera icon in the app. Both of these tools are perfect for dupe-hunters looking to save a bit of cash. They can identify your product and trawl the web to find items that look just like it – only at a much lower price. First, I tried it on a few products in my house to see if I could find places where I would have saved money. But I also had a go with ritzy items I'd seen online – all in a bid to find bargain versions of the same products. Let's start with what I had at home first. Google's Gemini AI app lets you chat out loud with shockingly humanlike virtual helper HOME ITEM #1 – LIVING ROOM LAMP I love my living room lamp. It's the Made Java Arc Overreach Floor Lamp, which normally retails for £179. That's a fair sum of money, but it looks great. For this, I had better luck with Google Gemini. I asked for lookalike lamps that didn't cost as much, and it served me up with three decent options. 27 27 Two looked reasonably similar and came in at £59.99 and £84.99. Honestly, I would've been happy with either. But there was a near-identical one up for £109.99 that would easily double up as the real thing. Nice work, Gemini. Potential Saving: £119.01 27 HOME ITEM #2 – BROWN JACKET Next up, I snapped a pic of my Wrangler Buffalo Trace jacket. This one cost me about £120. This time, I plugged it straight into Google Lens. What I thought was interesting here was that I took a pretty rubbish photo of the jacket. And not only did it find a very similar alternative on Asos, it also identified the actual jacket and listed that too. Spooky. The Asos option was just £45. An absolute steal. It's not whiskey-themed, granted – but what a bargain. Potential Saving: £75 27 27 HOME ITEM #3 – ORANGE POUFFE We have an orange pouffe that works as a footstool or a spare seat if we've got a load of people round. It's the Dunelm Eliza Pouffe Orange Umber, which goes for £40 online and in stores. 27 Google Lens managed to find one that looked almost identical (but a slightly different shade of orange) for £25.99. But I actually prefer a slightly different design that showed up on Google Lens via Etsy, which was only £22.99. So there's a small saving, but the original was already pretty cheap, in my opinion. 27 HOME ITEM #4 – DINING CHAIRS Another Dunelm buy for us was our dining chairs. We've got the Dunelm Shea Set of 2 Dining Chairs, which are £119. We have six chairs, so that's £357. 27 Google Lens managed to find a fairly similar-looking pair from Debenhams for £100 – so that would've been £300 for six seats. If we'd gone for those, it would've saved us £57. It's not a massive saving, and honestly, I prefer the ones I bought. But if I were really sticking to a budget, every little helps. Potential Saving: £57 27 ONLINE ITEM #1 – GREEN SOFA We recently went sofa hunting, and it was hard not to be impressed by Swoon. They've got some lovely gear. I was just looking online and found a very tempting three-seater Swoon sofa in green (or "fern") velvet, sold by John Lewis. I love it, but it's hardly cheap at £2,139. 27 My first attempt was with Gemini, but it struggled to come up with much, no matter how I worded my prompt. It showed a couple of sofas that didn't look similar enough. 27 27 But when I tried it with Google Lens, I spotted two very nice options. There was a pricier sofa from Brand Alley at £1,599 that looked good. But my favourite was the even cheaper Lutyens Moss Green three-piece sofa from Daals, which was a thriftier £1,399.99. It's beautiful, and far closer to the original Swoon sofa. Potential Saving: £739.01 27 27 27 ONLINE ITEM #2 – OUTDOOR DINING SET Next, I went really posh. We recently moved and we haven't got any garden furniture yet. There's a very roomy outdoor set from Bridgman called the Richmond Modular Sofa Set, but it costs a frankly bank-breaking £5,299. Ouch. 27 27 Straight to Google Lens I go. One option was a decent (but smaller) option for £1,399 from another retailer. 27 But I was more impressed by a similarly spacious £1,185 alternative that included a fire pit table. Sadly, I couldn't find anything that matched the original bang on. So maybe I went too posh here. However, I do think that the cheaper set looked very nice, and I could do a lot with the spare £4,000 if I were buying this. Potential Saving: £4,114 27 27 ONLINE ITEM #3 – COFFEE TABLE After the dining set drama, I thought I'd look for something quite fancy – but that might be dupe-friendly. I found an extremely pretty Porta Marble Coffee Table, which retailed at a whopping £999. Come on Google, sort me out - and of course, it did. 27 27 It instantly surfaced an Erie coffee table for £675, but that was still too high. So I scrolled on and found a stellar bargain from Daals. It's the Maru Round Oak Pedestal Coffee Table in Washed White for £189.99. This obviously isn't marble, but it has a lacquer effect that gives it a white shine like the original. 27 This is a brilliant example of a lookalike with a massive saving. Importantly, it's unlikely I would've found this – as I wouldn't have searched for oak while looking for an alternative to a marble coffee table. Potential Saving: £809.01 That brings the grand total savings to £5,930.04, courtesy of Google's online brain. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU USE GOOGLE GEMINI FOR? Here's the official tip list from Google... Go Live with Gemini to brainstorm ideas, simplify complex topics, and rehearse for important moments. Connect with your favourite Google apps like Search, Youtube, Google Maps, Gmail, and more Study smarter and explore any topic with interactive visuals and real-world examples Unlock a world of expertise and get tailored information about any topic Plan trips better and faster Create AI-generated images in seconds Get summaries, deep dives, and source links, all in one place Brainstorm new ideas, or improve existing ones Picture Credit: Google / The Sun
CNN
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Our favorite product releases this week: Nomad, Dandelion Chocolate, Dieux and more
It's Friday, and that means that we get to end the week by looking back at our editors' favorite product launches from the last seven days. Whether you're just hoping to keep up to date with the latest and greatest releases or are looking to shop them, we've highlighted nine of the most notable drops from around the web. To close out the week, our deals team of Rikka Altland, Jacqueline Saguin and Elena Matarazzo scoured the web to find the best new product drops. This week brings the launch of a new Nomad Apple Watch band, the 2025 edition of Dandelion Chocolate's beloved Advent Calendar, a fresh Dieux face cleansing oil and more. This editor-favorite Apple Watch now comes in black Altland's favorite Apple Watch band just dropped in a new color this week. First hitting the scene last August, CNN Underscored editors have been writing home about the strap for nearly a year. A dark grey Storm color marked its launch, but as someone who rocks the Piano Black Apple Watch Series 10, it wasn't quite dark enough for Altland. Now, the new Carbon Black style perfectly matches the black aluminum finish of Apple's latest smartwatch. It has the same FKM rubber build that has stood up to months of wear, including hundreds of hours tagging along on runs and workouts. While the Rocky Point Band was designed with the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 in mind, it'll also work just fine with just about any other Apple Watch. So, whether you have an older model or the new Series 10, you can adorn your wrist with the new style for $79. A fresh revamp of the brand's crisp, hotel-quality sheets Add a nostalgic, coastal feel to your bedroom with Parachute's latest drop. The bedding brand just reinvented its bestselling airy sheets by debuting three new patterns. Calling on the Pembroke stripes reminiscent of vintage deckchairs, the Percale Stripe Collection invites a cozy look to your nest. The brand already won us over with its best-tested linen sheets that come in an assortment of fun colors. But if you love the idea of a crisp, hotel sheet, Parachute's percale sheet is made with a long-staple Egyptian cotton for a more lightweight, breathable texture that warm-to-hot sleepers will enjoy. Percale's tight weave also means it'll have a smooth, matte finish that looks neat on beds. While Piglet in Bed is known for its linen Pembroke stripe sheets, we've yet to see a percale sheet with a similar aesthetic. Choose from three, yarn-dyed stripes woven directly into the fabric: a cream Bone, a green Moss and a blue Dusk. The latest patterns premiere in the sheets set as well as a separate duvet cover and a pillowcase, so you can mix with your original bedding or match for a cohesive, striped design. Prices run the gamut of $284 to $324 for a complete sheet set and $314 to $344 for a duvet cover set. Frizzy hair is no match for this hydrating duo You might be familiar with Gisou's viral honey-infused lip products and hair oils, but the brand is here to expand on its line of beauty products through its hydrating hair care bundle. The Honey Gloss Hair Wash Duo is priced at a reasonable $46 — after getting 15% off when buying them together — which is on par with other middle-tier shampoos and conditioners on the market. You'll find that this set is packed with familiar ingredients like hyaluronic acids, AHAs, strengthening ceramides and of course, fermented honey. The shampoo and conditioner duo set out to cleanse and de-frizz hair post-wash, and the brand claims you can get up to three days of gloss, hydration and humidity control. What stands out about this hair care set is that you can get the benefits of cleansing and clarifying your scalp without stripping your hair or skin of its natural oils. It's safe to regularly use and will even help restore your scalp's microbiome, and in turn reduce hair breakage, per the brand. Our editor's favorite way to countdown to the holidays Yes, we know it's too soon to be talking about the winter holidays. But trust us, this launch is worth shopping ahead of time. One of Altland's favorite Christmas traditions is unboxing Advent Calendars. As CNN Underscored's resident Lego builder, she loves the Lego ones, of course, but an even bigger highlight for her is the annual Dandelion Chocolate Advent Calendars. These masterfully crafted calendars include 25 days' worth of confections made by chocolatiers all around North America. As much as Altland can write home about the delicious candy inside the Advent Calendar, another highlight is the artistry of the box itself. Included in the holiday countdown are 25 ornament boxes that you can hang on your tree, as Altland has done in previous years, plus an illustrated booklet to go along with 2025's moon theming. Together, they honor 25 of our solar system's moons. She has already placed an order for hers, and good thing, because these themed Advent Calendars always end up selling out long before the actual holiday season. If you're looking to enjoy the sweet treats on your own, the set goes for $189. You can double the amount of included chocolates to share with a special someone for $328. Dissolve the day away with this oil-based cleanser With SPF slathered on and salt and sun gracing your pores this summer, you'll need a good skin care routine to clear out all the gunk and grime at the end of the day. Oil cleansers aren't exactly new, but the Dieux Ethereal Cleansing Oil boasts a concentrated formula that the brand claims helps dissolve makeup in under 30 seconds, fine-tuned after 50 different trial iterations. The skin care brand, Dieux, has already made faithful users of two out of three deals team editors with its reusable silicone eye patches, so we're eager to get our hands on the cleansing oil too. A cornerstone of Korean beauty, oil-based cleansers are step one of double cleansing routines, which basically gives skin a good, deep clean. Ethereal contains emollient ingredients that make the formula easier to spread across stubborn makeup, sunscreen and impurities. Meanwhile, its emulsifying ingredients help rinse impurities away without leaving any film or oily residue behind — only soft, clean skin. Cleansing oils can range anywhere from $20 to $50, and this one lands near the former at $28, marking a pretty reasonable price for its 3.38 fluid ounces. For scooping ice cream all summer long National Ice Cream Day might have just passed, but Material Kitchen keeps the scooping going with its newly released The Dream Scoop. The direct-to-consumer, AAPI-founded kitchenware brand partnered up with an editor-loved ice cream brand — Van Leeuwen — to create a scooper that'll churn out perfectly round scoops for those who frequently indulge in ice cream at home. Quit fussing with the metal spoon in your kitchen drawer or resorting to popping your pint in the microwave to soften that pint in a pinch. This heavy-duty stainless steel scooper is carefully designed to glide through ice cream with its ergonomic handle and weighted body. As a self-proclaimed ice cream connoisseur (who shares her birthday with National Ice Cream Day), Matarazzo is always looking for ways to improve at-home sundaes or late-night scoops. Once she saw this pairing, she thought it made a great gift for ice cream lovers, especially if you gift the enthusiast with their favorite pints. Five miniature limited-edition vehicles are here Hess Toy Trucks may be known for the annual winter releases around Christmas that many of us received as gifts as kids. But there are also new versions that come out during the summer. For 2025, the newest mini collection of vehicles has arrived, complete with five trucks, trailers and helicopters inspired by the company's full-sized holiday offerings. The limited-edition set sells for $40 and includes all the usual bells and whistles you'd expect from Hess's larger releases. Each of the five mini vehicles comes packed with lights and sounds to inspire even more play. A stylish sneaker that's secretly supportive and comfortable No longer sacrifice style for comfort. While you could certainly rock orthopedic sandals, the latest drop from Kuru Footwear brings a comfortable sneaker in line with fashionable street shoe designs on the market. Catering specifically to those with plantar fasciitis, the all-new Apogee sneaker features a cushioned insole that cups your entire heel with more padding. We previously interviewed podiatrists who recommended the brand's styles for its superior stability and shock absorption, no matter if you're walking, running or otherwise. Complete with a breathable mesh upper and a padded heel collar, these Apogee kicks will come in handy for those who like to get their steps in. It leans into retro looks with suede overlays and color-blocked options. The pair comes in both women's and men's sizes, including half sizes. Skip the guesswork and whittle down your perfect size by taking the brand's AI-powered quiz. Run to this pair if you'll be taking Euro travels with many a cobblestoned trek involved, or if you need a solid go-to everyday sneaker that keeps you light on your feet. Priced at $145, the Apogee is certainly an investment, but you are paying it forward for potential long-term foot health benefits. Summery press-ons that take minutes to apply After testing for the best press-on nails earlier in the year, our associate testing writer, Carolina Gazal, ranked Chillhouse's unique tips in the top three. Out of the brands she tried, it stood out above the rest when it came to design range and shapes. Recently, the online nail retailer and spa launched a collaboration with Sumo Citrus to create seasonally relevant press-ons. The Sumo Summer Bundle comes with three different almond-shaped tips, which include a nude base with oranges painted on, a vibrant purple with subtle orange decals and an orange French mani with rhinestones. While scrolling through social media, Matarazzo's eye was caught by its summery designs and fair price point. She usually only gets her toenails done professionally at the salon and avoids manicures because she finds that they chip easily. For the past few months, she's been considering press-ons since they're lower maintenance yet deliver a salon-quality look. Matarazzo attests that the tips can be applied in less than 15 minutes and that the safe, non-toxic glue lasts for about two weeks. For those on the fence, this set is 20% off and will look great ahead of your next summer soirée. Smart features now come with a more flexible stand LG just launched its newest Smart Monitor this week. The company has been making these unique smart displays for a handful of years now, and now there's even more to like with the latest one. Just like previous iterations, this monitor is neither a full smart TV at 31.5 inches nor a typical computer monitor. It's something in between. The new LG Smart Monitor Swing lives up to its name with a novel mount that allows it to hover wherever you need some extra screen real estate. It has a wheeled base that can roll around your home and an adjustable arm that can tilt, swivel and lean forward. That last bit makes it even easier to position the touchscreen display at the perfect angle. There are also many other perks that the Smart Monitor series is known for, like AirPlay 2 casting for sending videos wirelessly from your iPhone, built-in streaming apps, stereo speakers and three USB-C ports. If that robust feature list calls to you, you can bring the new Smart Monitor Swing, powered by LG's webOS, to your home for a whopping $1,300. This week also saw the launch of other products our editors deemed worthy of standalone coverage. Shop all these additional launches below, including a new floating MagSafe hub from Twelve South, the latest Switch 2 bundle and a buildable Lego Game Boy kit. Twelve South PowerBug 2-in-1 Wall Mount ChargerTwelve South's new PowerBug is a tiny but mighty wall adapter that blends a 30W USB-C charger with a Qi2 magnetic wireless charging puck — all in a design small enough to fit in your hand. It powers up two devices at once, great for when you're in a Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A BundleNintendo just leveled up with the launch of its Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which includes the upgraded Switch 2 console and a full game download set in Lumiose City with real-time battles and Mega Evolutions. It's available now for pre-order, launching October 16 at $ Game Boy KitLego is teaming up with Nintendo to bring the iconic Game Boy to life — in brick form. Work through over 400 pieces, featuring two game cartridges: Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. You can pre-order yours now before it officially launches on October 1. As deals editors at CNN Underscored, we are some of the first people to hear about the latest product news from reader-favorite brands. Our deals team — comprised of senior editor Rikka Altland, editor Jacqueline Saguin and associate editor Elena Matarazzo — is passionate about product launches that we would be tempted to shop, and we enjoy finding a coveted new item (especially one from a brand with top marks from our experts) because it means we're helping our readers make savvy buying decisions.
TechCrunch
5 days ago
- TechCrunch
Cybercrime forum Leak Zone publicly exposed its users' IP addresses
A self-styled 'leaking and cracking forum' where users advertise and share breached databases, stolen credentials, and pirated software was leaking the IP addresses of its logged-in users to the open web, security researchers have found. Leak Zone left an Elasticsearch database exposed to the internet without a password, according to researchers at UpGuard. In a blog post shared with TechCrunch ahead of its publication, the researchers said they discovered the database on July 18 and found its data was accessible to anyone with a web browser. The exposed database contained more than 22 million records storing the IP address and precise timestamp of when Leak Zone users logged in. The records were dated as recently as June 25, and the database was updating in real-time. While the records were not linked to individual users, the data could be used to identify users who logged into Leak Zone without using any anonymization tools. Some of the records, seen by TechCrunch, indicate whether a user is believed to have logged in through a proxy, such as a VPN, which can help conceal the user's real-world location. Leak Zone, which gained popularity in 2020, advertises access to a 'vast collection of leaks ranging from breached databases to cracked accounts,' referring to stolen credentials used for logging into a person's online accounts. The forum also offers a marketplace that explicitly promotes 'illegal services,' the site's guide reads. A page on Leak Zone's website claims the forum has more than 109,000 users. According to UpGuard, 95% of the records in the exposed database relate to Leak Zone user logins. The remaining data reference accounts associated with AccountBot, another site for selling access to compromised accounts used for streaming services. TechCrunch verified that the exposed database was recording users logging into Leak Zone by creating a new account and logging in to the site. A corresponding record immediately appeared in the exposed database containing our IP address and the timestamp of the exact moment we logged in. It's not known why the database was publicly exposed. Human error or misconfigurations are often a cause of data exposures, rather than malicious actions. TechCrunch was unable to contact the Leak Zone administrators for comment as the forum software denied our ability to send them messages. It's not clear if the Leak Zone administrators are aware of the exposure or if they plan to notify their users about the security lapse. The database is no longer online, UpGuard told TechCrunch. In recent years, U.S. and international authorities have increasingly targeted cybercrime forums and websites for their roles in facilitating hacking, identity theft, and other criminal activity. This week, Europol announced it had arrested the alleged administrator behind a long-running Russian-language cybercrime forum, which the authorities also seized as part of a takedown operation.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Open source X rival Mastodon begins raising funds with new in-app donation feature
Open source X and Threads competitor Mastodon will begin experimenting with a new way to raise funds: in-app donations. The organization on Wednesday announced it's launching a campaign that introduces banners inside its Android and iOS apps, prompting users to make a monetary donation. Initially, the feature will be shown only to those on the Mastodon servers the nonprofit itself operates, and These banners will be easy to dismiss, Mastodon says, and will only be shown to people who have accounts that have existed for at least four weeks. The organization promises that it won't continually prompt users to donate, either. Such campaigns can work well for nonprofit organizations at scale. Wikimedia Foundation, for example, brings in the majority of its funding from individual donors, including those who donate through the pop-up banners that occasionally appear on Wikipedia. However, Mastodon has a much smaller user base: 8.1 million registered accounts, and fewer than 1 million monthly active users. Still, the banners could encourage people who haven't actively sought out ways to contribute to now do so, as it makes the process more seamless as an in-app feature. Mastodon says it will later expand the campaign to the web and, if successful, make it available to all other Mastodon instances. The latter would allow individual server admins to receive direct support from their own users, which could help keep them operational. As an open, decentralized social media platform, Mastodon faces challenges when it comes to financial support. Unlike Meta and X, which are supported by ads, Mastodon so far has relied largely on user donations from Patreon. It has also accepted a handful of donations from open source-focused funds and foundations over the years. In 2023, Mastodon raised €545,000 in total donations, up 65% year-over-year, but its Patreon donor base dropped nearly 23% to 7,400. (Its 2024 report is not out yet.) That decline could have pushed it to look into more aggressive fundraising tactics, especially as competition from Meta and newcomers like the VC-backed startup Bluesky is growing. 'We know that collecting money can present complexities and questions,' a Mastodon blog post stated. 'We'd like to figure out how to do this well, together with the community. This is not a corporate fundraising campaign: it's an effort to secure the future of a more ethical and independent social web.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
