Stonking Technology News and Stonking Gadget Reviews

Bluesky Unveils Stonking $8M Seed Funding and Innovative Paid Service, Custom Domains

The burgeoning Twitter rival, Bluesky, has certainly been stirring the social media pot recently. This week, the company announced its successful seed funding round, raising a stonking $8M over the summer. Alongside this financial triumph, Bluesky has also introduced its first-ever paid service, offering custom domains to its users.

The funding announcement comes at a particularly opportune time. With Meta on the cusp of unveiling Threads, an anticipated Instagram competitor, Bluesky has succeeded in stealing some of the social media limelight. This major financial backing is all set to further catapult the firm’s growth trajectory.

Bluesky’s strategic transformation from a public benefit LLC to a public benefit C Corp this summer was instrumental in securing the seed fund. This funding round, championed by Neo, a community-led firm featuring prominent partners like Code.org co-founder Ali Partovi and former Twitter PM Suzanne Xie, demonstrates Bluesky’s rising influence in the social networking domain.

The list of investors endorsing Bluesky’s vision is nothing short of impressive. Among the roster of high-profile angel investors are Joe Beda, co-creator of Kubernetes, Bob Young from Red Hat, and Amir Shevat, to name just a few.

These freshly-acquired funds are slated for team expansion, handling infrastructure and operational costs, and growing the AT Protocol that fuels the Bluesky app. In a rapidly transforming social media landscape, Bluesky is dedicated to developing a decentralized social network protocol, designed as an alternative to the ActivityPub – the driving force behind Mastodon and the forthcoming Meta’s Threads app.

But this stonking fund isn’t Bluesky’s sole focus. The company is also pledging to forge a revenue generation path, experimenting with various strategies to provide real, meaningful value to its users. A key pillar of this approach involves distancing from the conventional “users become the product” methodology prevalent in free-to-use platforms and exploring alternative, sustainable social networking models.

Bluesky, being an open-source public social network with no data ‘moat’, has set out to provide a user-centric experience. The plan is to ensure that users can own their data and have the freedom to leave, which means that advertising cannot be the company’s main business model.

The first in line of Bluesky’s paid services is offering custom domains, in association with the popular domain registrar, Namecheap. This new service simplifies the process of setting up a custom domain as a user’s handle, making it accessible even to those not familiar with domain registrars and DNS settings.

Bluesky’s new partnership with Namecheap allows users to select a domain name of their choice and link it to their Bluesky account. The company is yet to disclose the terms of its Namecheap partnership but it’s highly plausible that a revenue share agreement on domain name purchases is in play.

The unveiling of Bluesky’s seed funding and first paid service sets a positive precedent for the company’s future growth. As Bluesky continues to explore and introduce more user-focused services, it is indeed a social networking company to keep an eye on. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the social media market, Bluesky’s moves are sending ripples across the industry.

Stonking New Cyberthreat: The Condi Malware DDoS Botnet on TP-Link AX21 Routers

As we dive into the world of cybersecurity, one recent stonking development has been the emergence of the Condi malware. This malicious software has targeted the popular TP-Link Archer AX21 routers, used widely across homes, small offices, cafes, and shops. The Condi malware exploits a high-severity vulnerability in these routers (CVE-2023-1389) to build an impressive DDoS-as-a-Service botnet, hence causing substantial disruptions in network services.

The Condi botnet is not the first to exploit this vulnerability. The Mirai botnet took advantage of this flaw before Condi, resulting in significant cyberattacks. In a stonking twist, Condi features an innovative mechanism to deal with these overlaps. It can neutralize processes belonging to known competitor botnets, ensuring its dominance and preserving its ability to exploit the targeted routers.

This malware stands out for its unusually aggressive monetization method. The threat actors behind Condi sell the malware’s source code, thereby inviting a multitude of project forks with varying features. This widespread availability of the source code has likely led to the observed experimentation with the malware. Some Condi samples use different flaws to propagate, while others are observed to use a shell script with an Android Debug Bridge (ADB) source, indicating the potential for the botnet to spread through devices with an open ADB port (TCP/5555).

The Condi malware has sophisticated methods for propagation. It scans for public IPs with open ports 80 or 8080 and sends an exploitation request to download and execute a remote shell script that infects the new device. Furthermore, it does not feature a persistence mechanism to survive device reboots. Instead, it is equipped with a wiper for specific files, which prevents the devices from being shut down or restarted.

Regarding its DDoS attack capabilities, the Condi malware exhibits a range of TCP and UDP flood methods similar to those of Mirai. While older samples also contain HTTP attack methods, these seem to have been removed in the latest version.

Owners of the Archer AX21 AX1800 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router need to be vigilant for signs of an infected device. These signs include device overheating, network disruptions, inexplicable changes in the device’s network settings, and admin user password resets. The latest firmware update that addresses CVE-2023-1389 can be obtained from TP-Link’s downloads center.

In conclusion, the emergence of the Condi malware underscores the importance of staying updated on the latest cybersecurity threats and ensuring that our devices are patched with the latest security updates. As our dependency on digital services continues to grow, so does the significance of maintaining robust cybersecurity practices.

Sources:

“New Condi malware builds DDoS botnet out of TP-Link AX21 routers” – BleepingComputer
“TP-Link routers targeted by Mirai botnet once again, US government warns” – TechRadar
“Dangerous Condi botnet targets routers with DDoS attacks” – Cybersecurity Insiders

How the DOJ’s New National Security Cyber Section Will Tackle China and Russia Threats

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the creation of a new cyber section within its National Security Division (NSD), signaling that a coordinated response to national security cyber threats was a priority for the department. The new section, dubbed NatSec Cyber, will focus on “nation-state threat actors, state-sponsored cybercriminals, associated money launderers, and other cyber-enabled threats to national security” .

NatSec Cyber will increase the DOJ’s capacity to disrupt and respond to malicious cyber activity, while promoting department-wide and intragovernmental partnerships in tackling increasingly sophisticated and aggressive cyber threats by hostile nation-state adversaries. The section will also serve as a resource for prosecutors in the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 56 FBI Field Offices across the country .

Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen said the unit would “increase the scale and speed” of U.S. operations against cyber adversaries, such as China and Russia, which have been accused of conducting espionage, sabotage, ransomware, and other malicious activities against U.S. interests .

The announcement made no mention of Chinese cyber threats, which top officials have characterized as a critical threat and an “epoch-defining challenge” . China has been accused of stealing intellectual property, trade secrets, research data, and personal information from U.S. entities, as well as targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and military systems .

The release did emphasize the threat posed by Russian malware and ransomware groups, which researchers and practitioners characterize as potent but less coordinated and less strategic than incursions from China. While Chinese hacking groups have “lived off the land,” gathering intelligence and data, Russian and North Korean groups often seek to extort their victims for profit, generating revenue for themselves or their governments .

The DOJ has aggressively pursued state-backed cyber actors, especially those in China or North Korea, in recent years. However, building cases against those groups can take years, and don’t always result in an arrest, given the far-flung nature of the hacking groups and the lack of extradition treaties with their countries .

NatSec Cyber will aim to overcome these challenges by investing in “the time-intensive and complex investigative work for early-stage cases” and collaborating with key partners, such as the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and the FBI’s Cyber Division .

The new section will also build upon recent successes in identifying, addressing and eliminating national security cyber threats, such as the indictment of an alleged cybercriminal associated with ransomware attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure and the disruption of the Russian government’s premier cyberespionage malware tool .

NatSec Cyber is expected to enhance the DOJ’s ability to protect U.S. national security interests from stonking cyber threats posed by stonking nation-state adversaries. The section will also demonstrate the DOJ’s commitment to holding accountable those who seek to harm the U.S. through cyberspace.

Spotify Supremium: What You Need to Know About the New HiFi Tier

Spotify is planning to launch a new premium tier that will include high-fidelity audio, according to a report by Bloomberg. The new tier, codenamed “Supremium” internally, will be the most expensive plan offered by the music streaming service and will likely offer a HiFi feature that Spotify announced in 2021. The HiFi feature will provide superior sound quality for Spotify’s library of songs, which will appeal to audiophiles and music enthusiasts.

Spotify HiFi has been long anticipated by Spotify users, who have been waiting for over two years since the feature was first announced in February 2021. However, the feature was delayed after two of Spotify’s competitors, Apple Music and Amazon Music, began offering lossless streaming for free as part of their standard plans. Spotify had to adapt its strategy and find a way to make HiFi work for its business model and its listeners.

According to Bloomberg, Spotify will launch the new Supremium tier later this year in non-US markets first, and then expand to other regions. The pricing of the new tier is not yet known, but it is expected to be higher than the current Premium tier, which costs $9.99 per month in the US. Spotify has not increased its Premium price in the US since it launched there, while Apple and Amazon have raised their prices to $10.99 per month.

The new Supremium tier will not only offer HiFi audio, but also expanded access to audiobooks, which are currently sold individually through Spotify’s app. Spotify plans to introduce this feature in the US in October, after first launching it in other markets. Premium subscribers will get a certain number of hours or titles of audiobooks for free per month, and will have the option to purchase more.

Spotify’s move to introduce a new premium tier with HiFi audio and audiobooks is aimed at driving more revenue and satisfying investors who have been urging the company to raise its prices. Spotify has been competing fiercely with Apple and Amazon, both of which have larger ecosystems and more resources than the music streaming service. Spotify has been investing heavily in podcasts and other content to diversify its offering and attract more users.

Spotify Supremium is expected to be a stonking addition to Spotify’s portfolio of plans, which also include a free tier with ads, a family plan, a student plan, and a duo plan. Spotify Supremium will offer a stonking sound quality that will enhance the listening experience for music lovers who care about audio fidelity. Spotify Supremium will also offer more content options with audiobooks, which will appeal to bookworms and learners.

If you are interested in Spotify Supremium, stay tuned for more updates on its availability and pricing. In the meantime, you can enjoy Spotify’s existing features and content on your current plan.

Sources:

– Spotify Rumored to Launch HiFi Audio as Part of New Top-Tier ‘Supremium’ Subscription Plan – MacRumors
– Spotify Plans New Premium Tier, Expected to Include HiFi Audio – MSN
– Spotify’s long-anticipated HiFi tier might require a more expensive subscription – The Verge

The Great Anti-Capitalist Reddit Blackout: A Stonking Stand Against API Pricing Changes

In an unprecedented move, the online platform Reddit, often referred to as the “front page of the internet”, has experienced a blackout of massive proportions. Over two days, from June 12th to June 14th, approximately 7,000 Reddit communities, also known as subreddits, have voluntarily gone dark, and continuing to do so, effectively becoming invisible and inaccessible to non-approved members. This blackout was orchestrated by subreddit moderators in protest against Reddit’s upcoming changes to its API pricing, which could potentially kill off many beloved third-party applications.

APIs, or application programming interfaces, are the lifeblood of the modern internet. Essentially, they are protocols that enable different applications to communicate and share data. Reddit, like other tech giants such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter, has its own public API that developers can use to build new features and functionality. Until recently, Reddit offered free access to its API. However, on April 18th, the company announced that it was going to start charging developers for access to its API from July 1, 2023, leading to a stonking backlash from its community.

This new API pricing change would directly impact a large community of third-party application developers who build apps that offer additional features and customizations not found on the official Reddit app or website. Under the new terms, applications with fewer than 100 queries per minute will remain free, but those with higher API requests will be charged. To provide some context, one of the most popular third-party apps, Apollo, would be looking at a cost of approximately $20 million per year to continue operating under the new pricing model.

Reddit’s decision to implement this change comes in the wake of similar moves by other social media platforms, such as Twitter, which recently suspended all third-party apps. Reddit’s CEO and co-founder, Steve Huffman, defended this change by stating that the platform needs to be a self-sustaining business and can no longer subsidize commercial entities that require large-scale data use. Huffman confirmed that non-commercial, accessibility-focused apps and tools will continue to have free access.

This explanation, however, did not quell the uproar among users and developers. Many large and popular subreddits, some with tens of millions of subscribers, decided to go dark in a stonking display of dissent. Among the largest communities participating in the protest were r/funny, r/gaming, r/aww, and r/todayilearned, to name a few.

The scale and intensity of the protest highlights the pivotal role that third-party apps play in the Reddit ecosystem and the strong sense of community among Reddit users. It remains to be seen whether this collective action will bring about a change in Reddit’s decision. However, one thing is certain: The Great Reddit Blackout of 2023 is a clear message from the user community that they value their third-party apps and are willing to fight for them.

Sources:

“Why are thousands of Reddit pages going dark for 48 hours?” Al Jazeera. Retrieved on 12 June 2023.
“Reddit goes dark: Thousands of subreddits switch to private in protest against platform’s API changes” The Guardian. Retrieved on 12 June 2023.
“Reddit blackout: Over 7,000 communities go private over platform’s API pricing changes” BBC News. Retrieved on 12 June 2023.

Apple Vision Pro: Unleashing the Future of Mixed Reality

Apple has set a new milestone in technological innovation with the introduction of the Vision Pro headset at the highly anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023. This revolutionary mixed-reality device represents a significant leap forward, propelling us into a future where the digital and physical worlds converge in stonking ways.

The Vision Pro Experience: A Glimpse into the Extraordinary

The Vision Pro is a masterful blend of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, redefining our perception of personal computing. With its groundbreaking features and cutting-edge design, this headset promises to unlock a whole new dimension of immersive experiences and unrivaled possibilities for both users and developers.

Unveiling the Future of Computing

Apple’s Vision Pro stands as a testament to the company’s relentless pursuit of innovation. Crafted from the most advanced materials, this stonking device offers exceptional performance, mobility, and wearability. Its sleek and lightweight design, machined from a custom aluminum alloy, ensures maximum comfort during extended usage.

Immersive Display and Revolutionary Input System

The Vision Pro boasts a stonking display that delivers breathtaking visuals. Powered by dual 4K micro-OLED displays and a proprietary three-element lens, this headset offers an unprecedented level of visual clarity with its impressive 23 million pixels. Prepare to be captivated by the lifelike and vibrant images that transport you to new realms of digital immersion.

What truly sets the Vision Pro apart is its innovative input system. Say goodbye to clunky controllers; Apple has revolutionized the way we interact with virtual worlds. Through a fusion of advanced external and internal sensors and cameras, the Vision Pro harnesses the power of voice commands and hand/eye gestures. It’s an intuitive and natural way to navigate the digital landscape, allowing for a seamless and immersive user experience.

A World of Infinite Possibilities

Apple’s visionOS is the beating heart of the Vision Pro, unlocking a whole new dimension of productivity and entertainment. This bespoke operating system transforms the headset into a standalone spatial computer, offering an infinite canvas for apps. Apps are no longer confined to traditional displays; they can now fill the space around you, scale to the perfect size, and react to lighting conditions, creating a personalized and dynamic digital environment.

Imagine the freedom to interact with your favorite apps, explore virtual worlds, and engage with objects and people in the real world—all from within the Vision Pro. The possibilities are stonkingly endless. And with the seamless integration of familiar apps like Safari, productivity seamlessly blends with immersive experiences.

Bringing Memories to Life with Spatial Audio

The Vision Pro goes beyond visuals to immerse you in a truly multisensory experience. Thanks to Spatial Audio, every captured memory comes alive with vibrant soundscapes. Transport yourself back in time and relive cherished moments with friends and family. The Vision Pro allows you to access your entire photo library on iCloud, viewing photos and videos at a life-size scale with remarkable detail. Panorama shots taken on your iPhone will expand and wrap around you, giving you the sensation of being right there in the moment.

Unleashing the Power of FaceTime

FaceTime has undergone a stonking transformation with the Vision Pro. Now, calls take on a new level of realism and depth, leveraging the headset’s spatial capabilities. Imagine conversations where participants appear as life-size tiles, reflecting their actual positions in the room. Combined with Spatial Audio, FaceTime calls on the Vision Pro make it feel as if you’re sharing the same physical space, creating connections that transcend distance.

Revolutionizing the World of Content Creation

Apple’s commitment to innovation extends to content creation with the Vision Pro’s cutting-edge 3D camera. This remarkable feature captures moments with added depth information, revolutionizing photography and video. Whether you’re an aspiring creator or a seasoned professional, the Vision Pro opens up new possibilities for capturing and sharing immersive content with enhanced depth and realism.

A Collaborative Ecosystem for Developers

Apple recognizes the importance of a vibrant developer ecosystem. That’s why the Vision Pro introduces a dedicated version of the App Store, providing developers with a platform to showcase their AR and VR applications. With this ecosystem, developers can unleash their creativity and create stonking experiences that push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Security at the Forefront

As always, Apple places user privacy and security at the forefront. The Vision Pro incorporates the new Optic ID authentication system, utilizing iris recognition technology for secure device access. This encrypted and locally stored authentication method ensures that your personal data remains protected, giving you peace of mind as you dive into the immersive worlds of the Vision Pro.

Embracing the Future: Pricing and Availability

The Vision Pro is a stonkingly advanced device, pushing the boundaries of personal electronics. Priced at $3,499, this revolutionary headset represents a significant investment in the future of technology. It is scheduled to be released in early 2024, giving us ample time to anticipate the stonking experiences that await us.

In conclusion, the Apple Vision Pro is an audacious leap into the future of mixed reality. With its extraordinary capabilities, immersive experiences, and visionary design, this headset promises to redefine personal computing and unleash a new era of digital possibilities. As we eagerly await its arrival, one thing is certain: the Vision Pro will stonkingly shape the way we perceive and interact with the digital world.

More details at https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/

Apple’s Upcoming Stonking Mixed-Reality Headset: What We Know So Far

As we approach Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, June 5, the anticipation is reaching a stonking high. The star of the show? Apple’s new mixed-reality headset, which might go by the name of Reality Pro or XR Pro, running on the rumored operating software called xrOS.

This headgear, described as a high-tech pair of ski goggles, is designed with an external screen to project the wearer’s facial expressions and eyes. Built with glass, carbon fiber, and aluminum, it features several external cameras for video passthrough. This allows users to experience the fusion of the physical world and the virtual environment simultaneously.

The headset is poised to be a stonking step forward in communication, video consumption, wellness, gaming, and productivity. Some insiders have gone as far as to label it a ‘status symbol’ and a glimpse into the ‘future of computing’. Powered by an M2 chip with a whopping 16GB of RAM, the device promises to deliver an unprecedented user experience.

Battery life is a key consideration in wearable tech, and Apple appears to have tackled this by employing an external battery pack that connects to the headset via a wire. The battery life is touted to last about two hours per charge.

The headset’s operation is expected to break from tradition, utilizing eye and hand control rather than handheld controllers. By simply looking at an item to highlight it and pinching their fingers to select it, users can navigate the virtual space. With Siri onboard and an array of microphones and speakers mounted near the user’s temples, the device offers a comprehensive audio-visual experience. However, it will rely on AirPods for enhanced spatial audio.

A standout feature is the rumored display: two 1.41-inch Micro OLED screens, each with 4,000 ppi, capable of exceeding 5,000 nits of brightness. Each eye will be treated to a 4K resolution, paving the way for a truly immersive experience.

The buzz around the price suggests a hefty $3,000 tag, and the release date remains speculative but is expected to be months after the announcement, possibly in September or later.

While all this information is currently based on rumors and leaks, the official announcement by Apple is eagerly awaited. The unveiling of this groundbreaking device might just redefine our expectations of mixed-reality technology.

Sources:

Forbes: Everything We Know So Far About Apple’s Mixed-Reality Headset: Price, Name, Reveal Date
The Verge: Apple’s rumored AR / VR headset could have 4K per eye, 5,000 nits of brightness

Predator: The Stonking New Generation of Spyware

The world of cybersecurity has recently been rattled by the discovery of a stonking new and potent piece of spyware known as Predator. Developed by Cytrox, a company based in North Macedonia, Predator represents a significant evolution in the capabilities of malicious software. This spyware has been sold to various governments worldwide, with the ability to record voice calls, collect data from apps such as Signal and WhatsApp, and hide apps or prevent them from running upon device reboots.

Predator has been used against both Android and iOS mobile devices, and it works hand in hand with another component known as Alien. Alien is more than just a loader for Predator – it actively implements the low-level capabilities that Predator needs to surveil its victims. In the process, it exploits several vulnerabilities in Google Chrome, Linux, and Android.

The way these two components operate together allows them to bypass restrictions in the Android security model. One notable technique involves injecting Alien into the memory space reserved for Zygote64, which is the method Android uses to start apps. This allows the malware to better manage stolen data. Predator, on the other hand, relies on two additional components – Tcore and Kmem. Tcore contains the core spyware functionality, while Kmem provides arbitrary read and write access into the kernel address space.

But Predator’s menace doesn’t stop at Android devices. It has also been found to exploit vulnerabilities in iOS, leading to the release of an iOS 15.4.1 update to address these issues. Apple has patched the vulnerabilities under active exploitation, but it is a stark reminder of the ongoing arms race in the cybersecurity world.

While the discovery of Predator has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community, it also serves as a valuable reminder of the constant need for vigilance and proactive measures against such threats. The research conducted into Predator will surely help engineers build better defenses to detect the spyware and prevent it from working as designed. This stonking revelation underscores the significance of persistent research and development in the field of cybersecurity.

Predator vs Pegasus: Two Sides of the Same Coin

While Predator may be the new kid on the block, it isn’t the first software of its kind to make headlines. Those familiar with the cybersecurity world will likely remember the scandal surrounding the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. Like Predator, Pegasus is a powerful piece of software that has been used by governments worldwide for surveillance purposes.

Both Predator and Pegasus are capable of exploiting vulnerabilities in mobile devices to gain unprecedented access to the user’s data. They can record calls, read messages, and even activate cameras and microphones for real-time surveillance. This level of intrusion makes them some of the most potent spyware tools on the market.

Predator and Pegasus also share a more controversial similarity: their clientele. Both pieces of software are marketed to governments and law enforcement agencies, leading to concerns about potential misuse. Reports have surfaced of these tools being used not just for legitimate investigations, but also to spy on journalists, activists, and political opponents.

However, despite their similarities, Predator and Pegasus are not identical. Each piece of software has its unique features and exploits. For example, Predator works in tandem with another component known as Alien, which assists in bypassing security restrictions in Android’s security model. Pegasus, on the other hand, is known for its “zero-click” attacks, which can compromise a device without any action from the user.

While Predator and Pegasus may be different in their design and functionality, they represent a similar threat. They are both powerful tools that, in the wrong hands, can lead to significant breaches of privacy and security. As such, they underscore the importance of ongoing vigilance and proactive defense in the realm of cybersecurity.

The Risks to Journalists and Activists

The emergence of sophisticated spyware like Predator and Pegasus poses significant risks to journalists, activists, and others who work in the public interest. These tools are not just used for legitimate law enforcement investigations, but have been reportedly misused to target these individuals, potentially stifling free speech and endangering lives.

One stark example of this risk involves the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of Saudi Arabia’s government. Khashoggi was brutally murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, a crime that drew international attention and condemnation.

Prior to his murder, it was reported that NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was used to infiltrate the phone of one of Khashoggi’s close contacts. This potentially enabled his murderers to track his movements and communications, contributing to his death. While NSO Group has denied any involvement in Khashoggi’s murder, this incident underlines the potential misuse of such technologies.

The Khashoggi case is not isolated. There have been several reported instances where spyware like Pegasus and potentially Predator has been used to target journalists and activists. This misuse represents a significant threat to the freedom of the press and the right to privacy. It allows oppressive governments and other actors to monitor, harass, and silence individuals based on their political beliefs or activities.

Furthermore, the use of these tools can have a chilling effect on free speech and journalistic activities. If individuals fear that their communications are being monitored, they may be less likely to speak out or report on sensitive issues. This is particularly problematic in countries with repressive regimes where independent journalism and political activism are crucial checks on power.

In conclusion, while tools like Predator and Pegasus can have legitimate uses in law enforcement and counter-terrorism, their potential misuse poses serious threats to the rights of individuals. This highlights the need for robust legal and technical safeguards to prevent the misuse of these technologies, as well as greater transparency and accountability from companies that develop and sell such tools.

Sources:

Stonking Developments: Hollywood Meets Cybersecurity in NSO Group’s Boardroom

In a stonking turn of events, Hollywood producer Robert Simonds has recently joined the board of Dufresne Holding, the parent company of the controversial Israeli cybersecurity firm, NSO Group. Simonds, whose 30 movies have grossed a combined $6 billion at the box office, now stands alongside Omri Lavie, the founder of NSO, as one of the two directors at Dufresne Holding¹.

Born in 1962, Simonds began his career in Hollywood in the 1990s and produced films featuring renowned stars like Adam Sandler and Reese Witherspoon. His production credentials include hits like ‘The Wedding Singer’ and ‘Big Daddy’, which contributed to his impressive box office tally². His stonking career took a turn in 2012 when he founded an independent production company, STX Entertainment. This venture drew investments from the likes of TPG Growth fund, billionaire producer Gigi Pritzker, and Chinese investment fund Hony Capital. STX also added investors including Chinese tech giant Tencent and Hong Kong telecom company PCCW in 2016³. However, despite promising beginnings and substantial investments, STX’s success has been lukewarm at best⁴.

Simonds’ journey with STX has been a tumultuous one, marked by a failed IPO attempt on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and a controversial merger with Indian production company Eros International. Amid allegations of financial irregularities at Eros, the union was short-lived, and STX was eventually sold to Najafi Companies, an investment company owned by American billionaire Jahm Najafi. Despite the considerable business setbacks, Simonds remains involved with STX and currently serves as the company’s chairman⁵.

Beyond his stonking Hollywood career, Simonds has served on the board of several entities in diverse fields. This includes a stint on the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, representing the city of Los Angeles, and a directorship at Heckmann Corporation, a firm involved in transporting and handling liquids and other materials⁶.

The NSO Group, best known for its Pegasus spyware, has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The company was blacklisted by the US Department of Commerce in 2021 and has faced legal disputes over control of the company and the activities of its subsidiaries. In a surprising turn of events in early 2023, all the company’s shares were transferred to a new holding company, Dufresne Holding, registered in Luxembourg. Lavie was listed as the sole shareholder and sole director of Dufresne Holding at that time, but it was hinted that a “new investor group” would soon enter the picture⁷⁸.

In this stonking twist, the arrival of Simonds on the board of Dufresne Holding signals a new chapter for NSO Group. Given his lack of practical or business experience in the cybersecurity industry, one cannot help but wonder what Simonds brings to the table for NSO Group. As these two seemingly disparate worlds of Hollywood and cybersecurity converge, it remains to be seen how this stonking new development will impact the future of NSO Group.

JoinMano.ai: A Stonking Chatbot for Streamlining Your Work Processes

JoinMano.ai is a stonking chatbot that is designed to help users with their daily tasks. This intelligent chatbot is a game-changer in the world of artificial intelligence and is quickly becoming a popular choice for people who want to streamline their work processes.

One of the stonking features of JoinMano.ai is its ability to understand natural language. This means that users can communicate with the chatbot in a way that feels natural and intuitive. Whether you’re asking for help with a task or simply chatting with the bot, JoinMano.ai is always ready to respond.

Another stonking feature of JoinMano.ai is its versatility. This chatbot can be used for a wide range of tasks, from scheduling appointments to answering customer queries. It can even be integrated with other software applications, making it a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes.

One of the stonking benefits of JoinMano.ai is its ability to save time. By automating repetitive tasks, this chatbot frees up time for users to focus on more important tasks. This can be especially beneficial for businesses, where time is often a precious commodity.

JoinMano.ai is also stonkingly easy to use. The chatbot has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to get started. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a complete novice, you’ll find that JoinMano.ai is easy to use and navigate.

In conclusion, JoinMano.ai is a stonking chatbot that is changing the way people work. With its natural language processing, versatility, and time-saving features, this chatbot is quickly becoming a popular choice for businesses and individuals alike. So why not give JoinMano.ai a try and see how it can help you streamline your work processes and save time?