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Thursday, March 01, 2012

NSA builds own model of Android phone, wants you to do the same

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/nsa-builds-own-model-of-android-phone-wants-you-to-do-the-same/

The NSA decided it wanted to have its own go at producing a secure Android smartphone that could encrypt communications to levels necessary for national security. Project "Fishbowl" constructed 100 handsets from off-the-shelf components that were secure enough that staffers could use them without speaking in code. All conversations are conducted across an IPsec VPN with a secure, real-time transport protocol for encrypting the voice at both ends, with the VoIP server being housed inside an NSA facility. It's part of a program to get handset makers to build this kit so the Information Assurance Directorate doesn't have to navigate the interoperability hurdles between each company's tech. The agency has launched a how-to for any manufacturer looking for a large Government contract to produce Fishbowl phones on a larger scale, although they'll probably have to change the name to something more threatening like MK-Ultraphone or the Phoneadelphia Experiment.

NSA builds own model of Android phone, wants you to do the same originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MIT Technology Review | source

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Android and iOS expose your photos to third party apps, promise fixes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/android-and-ios-expose-your-photos-to-third-party-apps-promise/

Oops

2012 is still young, yet it's already shaping up to be a bad year for privacy and security on the mobile front. Apple found itself embroiled in a bit of a brouhaha over the iPhone address book and an app called Path. And, of course, Google was put under the microscope when mobile Safari was found to have a security flaw that its mobile ads were exploiting. Then, earlier this week, it was discovered that granting iOS apps access to your location could also expose your photos. Now it's been discovered that Android also exposes your images, though, it's doing so without asking for any permissions at all. While Apple was masking photo access with other permissions, Google is simply leaving your pics vulnerable as a part of a design quirk that came from the OS's reliance on microSD cards. Both companies have acknowledged the flaws and have said they're currently working on fixes. We're just hoping things start to quiet down soon, though -- our mobile operating systems are running out of personal data to expose. Check out the source links for more details.

Android and iOS expose your photos to third party apps, promise fixes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Verge | source

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At A Strange New Restaurant In Times Square, Diners Eat In Pitch Black Darkness

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/at-a-strange-new-restaurant-in-times-square-diners-eat-in-pitch-black-darkness-2012-3

Dans Le Noir NYC's several-year journey to open in New York City is now over. The dining-in-the-dark restaurant is officially open in Times Square, according to Eater.

Originally, the restaurant had scouted a Flatiron location, but then moved to the Lower East Side, then considered Chelsea before deciding on the crossroads of the world.

Finally after delays dating to 2009, the spot opened this week.

Patrons are told not to wear fancy clothes, so if something spills in the dark, the damage is not severe. Fortunately waiters are deft in the dark; they're all blind.

Sample menus show items such as tournedos of crocodile and "surprise wine" and "surprise cocktails."

And if you get to drunk, it's back to the daylight for you.

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Hands-on demo with TI's OMAP5 platform at MWC (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/hands-on-demo-with-ti-omap5-at-mwc-video/

Hands-on demo with TI's OMAP5 platform at MWC (video)

It's TI's time to brag. We first met OMAP5 when the company's VP of the OMAP division, Remi El-Ouazzane, unveiled the developer's reference platform on our stage at CES. While there, he boasted OMAP5 as "the greatest platform on Earth right now," but we were given only a few insights into the platform's capabilities. Now, TI is back with a new wave of demos that better show the prowess of OMAP5 -- a system-on-chip design that houses a dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 CPU clocked at just 800MHz, two Cortex-M4 cores for low-power processes, along with a PowerVR SGX 544 GPU that handles 3D compositions, and a number of accelerators such as TI's IVA-HD, which supports both video encoding and decoding and plays 1080p video at a whopping 60fps. We were shown a demo of all these capabilities humming in unison on a 1080p display, along with a complex HTML5 mashup that adds credence to the company's latest benchmark report. Photography geeks should know the system supports up to 14 megapixel cameras, and is able to process ten shots per second at that setting. We're told to expect devices based on the OMAP5 platform by the end of the year, and if you're anything like us, it's going to be one hell of a wait. Hop the break for the demo.

Continue reading Hands-on demo with TI's OMAP5 platform at MWC (video)

Hands-on demo with TI's OMAP5 platform at MWC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redbox deal with Universal keeps DVDs, Blu-rays on 28-day delay through 2014

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/redbox-universal-28-day-rental-delay/

So far, Redbox has maintained that it's only willing to delay rentals of new releases a maximum of one month, but while Warner pushes for a longer window the rental kiosk chain has reached an agreement with Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The new deal keeps the delay window at 28 days, and promises to keep the discs flowing through August 2014. Despite Redbox's threat to start offering Warner movies day and date due to their dispute, so far it's still taken a couple of weeks for new releases like Harold & Kumar and J Edgar to make their way into kiosks. So far there's no word of other studios backing Warner's push for a 56-day delay between the date movies go on sale at retail and the earliest budget renters like Redbox and Netflix will offer them, which is a good sign. Not mentioned in the press release? Whether or not this deal could affect the availability of content for Redbox's internet streaming service that's on the way with Verizon.

Continue reading Redbox deal with Universal keeps DVDs, Blu-rays on 28-day delay through 2014

Redbox deal with Universal keeps DVDs, Blu-rays on 28-day delay through 2014 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novero's Solana is an $800 netbook running Windows 7 and Android, we go hands-on

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/noveros-solana-is-an-800-netbook-running-windows-7-and-android/

The last time we saw the Novero Solana, we were prowling Intel's booth at CES in search of prototypes. Because it was Intel, not Novero, showing the device, the emphasis was on that Cedar Trail processor inside, as well as that kooky form factor -- a netbook with a titling, easel-like touchscreen. What we didn't know then was that the Solana also runs Android, and that it's almost ready for prime time: it's expected to hit Europe and North America within the next two to three months, priced at about €699 or $799, respectively. We had a chance to play with some more polished hardware here at Mobile World Congress, and also see the machine running Gingerbread. Follow past the break for some early impressions or, if it's too early in the US to stomach reading, have a gander at our quickie demo video.

Gallery: Novero netbook / tablet hybrid hands-on at CES 2012

Gallery: Novero Solana hands-on at Mobile World Congress 2012

Continue reading Novero's Solana is an $800 netbook running Windows 7 and Android, we go hands-on

Novero's Solana is an $800 netbook running Windows 7 and Android, we go hands-on ori! ginally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wacom announces Intuos5 graphics tablets, we go hands-on! (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/wacom-intuos5-hands-on/

Wacom announces Intuos5 pen tablets, we go hands-on!

It's a couple of months since we spotted paperwork for a mysterious "PTK-450" device at the FCC and now Wacom has finally revealed the gadget that goes with the label. The Intuos5 tablet is available to purchase immediately in Small (4 x 6 inches), Medium (6 x 8) and Large (13 x 8) sizes, priced at £200, £330 and £430 respectively. We're still waiting on confirmation of US pricing, but it'll no doubt be less than what a straight currency conversion suggests (i.e. somewhere below $320, $525 and $680). There's actually a fourth variant to add to the trio, but it's not an XL -- Wacom is hoping to up-sell you to a Cintiq 21UX or Cintiq 24HD if you want something bigger. Instead, the fourth tablet is a version of the Medium that comes without touch sensitivity, bringing the price down to £270 if you're able to live with pen-only input. Opting for this particular model will remove one of the biggest upgrades in this three-year product cycle: the ability of the Intuos5 to sense up to 16 finger-touches simultaneously, rather than just the nib of the pen. But there have been other revisions since the Intuos4 aside from touch, and you only have to read on to discover what those are.

Update: There was a problem with the embedded video -- sorry folks. It's working properly now, alon! g with m ore gallery pics below.

Update: Just got word on US pricing. $230, $350 and $470 for the touch sensitive models. $300 for the Medium without touch. Also coming to the US is a pen-only version of the Small tablet -- we're not sure how much that'll cost (and Wacom's site seems to be down right now), but it'll be the cheapest upgrade of the bunch.

Gallery: Wacom Intuos5 hands-on

Gallery: Wacom Intuos 5 publicity shots

Gallery: Wacom Intuos5 software screenshots

Continue reading Wacom announces Intuos5 graphics tablets, we go hands-on! (video)

Wacom announces! Intuos5 graphics tablets, we go hands-on! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Withings Baby Monitor makes its official, expensive US debut

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/withings-baby-monitor-makes-its-official-expensive-us-debut/

Withings Baby Monitor

The Withings Baby Monitor has already been available in the UK for sometime now and recently made a splash over at the FCC. Now the iOS accessory is finally for sale here in the good ol' US-of-A, for the rather staggering price of $299. That's right, this sensor-packed web cam probably costs more than your handset. Then again, that $20 set of audio-only monitors you picked up at Walmart can't keep you abreast of the temperature and humidity in your child's sleeping quarters or let you watch your newborn sleep with the aid of a night vision mode. You can get the associated WithBaby app for free in the iTunes App Store now. The only question is, whether or not you love your baby enough to spend $300 on an iPhone accessory. We won't judge you either way. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Withings Baby Monitor makes its official, expensive US debut

Withings Baby Monitor makes its official, expensive US debut originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foursquare.com checks in with OpenStreetMap, checks out of Google Maps API

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/foursquare-replaces-google-maps-with-openstreetmap-mapboxstreets/

Foursquare's been quite the active startup lately, adding NFC support for Android 4.0 and releasing its app for the PlayStation Vita. The company isn't quite done being the mayor of Busyville, though, announcing a switch from Google Maps API to OpenStreetMap data-based MapBox Streets for Foursquare.com. Foursquare cited greater flexibility and support for other startups as reasons for the switch, although it also admits that Google's decision to start charging for its Maps API spurred the search for an alternative. Meanwhile, a quick check of the Foursquare app still yielded Google Maps results, so it appears the change is limited to the web site for now. Also, no word on whether Foursquare's awarding MapBox Streets a BFF badge.

Foursquare.com checks in with OpenStreetMap, checks out of Google Maps API originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galaxy S II does work and personal phone duties at once with Telefonica's Dual Persona service

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/galaxy-s-ii-does-work-and-personal-phone-duties-at-once-with-tel/

It wasn't so long ago that the corporate world was ruled by RIM, but with the rise of Android and iOS, more folks are wanting to use their personal handsets both for work and play. Enter Telefonica's Dual Persona service that's making its debut on the Galaxy S II. It's powered by VMWare's Horizon Mobile technology that lets you jump between home and work profiles with the tap of an app, and provides notifications for both profiles no matter which one you're currently using. Basically, the work profile is an instance of virtualized Android based in the cloud, meaning your company's IT folks can manage corporate information on your phone without compromising your personal privacy. Samsung plans to give more of its mobile phones Dual Persona in the coming months, so if you don't own a GSII, there's still a chance your phone could get a split-personality, too. PR's after the break.

Continue reading Galaxy S II does work and personal phone duties at once with Telefonica's Dual Persona service

Galaxy S II does work and personal phone duties at once with Telefonica's Dual Persona service originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photoshop CS6 Will Easily (and Skillfully) Fake a Shallow Depth Of Field [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5889469/photoshop-cs6-will-easily-and-skillfully-fake-a-shallow-depth-of-field

Even though you're only shooting with the crappy camera built into your smartphone, Photoshop CS6's new Blur Gallery will easily make it look like your shots came from an expensive DSLR.

Properly faking a shallow depth of field usually involves creating and strategically masking multiple layers with various levels of blur on each of them. But in Photoshop CS6 you just specify what in your image you want kept in focus, and adjust the shape and size of the area around it that's not blurred. That's it. Just a few clicks takes you from an amateur photog to a fake Ansel Adams. [YouTube via PetaPixel]

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Miracle Tree That's Making Dirty Water Drinkable [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5889315/the-miracle-tree-thats-making-dirty-water-drinkable

The Miracle Tree That's Making Dirty Water Drinkable We take clean drinking water for granted, but in the developing world it's a big and expensive problem. Now, scientists are turning to a plant known as the Miracle Tree to create a new way of purifying water.

The Miracle Tree—or Moringa oleifera, if you're into Latin—has always had somewhat of a reputation, being grown in equatorial regions for food, traditional medicine and even biofuel. Some research in the past has shown that its seeds can be used to clean water, too—but one method was too expensive to use on a large scale, and another only left the water drinkable for a short period of time.

In a podcast on the American Chemical Society's website, however, researcher Stephanie B. Velegol explains how she's overcome those problems. First, she extracts the active, positively charged Moringa protein from the seeds; a protein that kills microbes. Then she combines it with negatively charged sand to created functionalized sand.

The result is a material that can be stirred through water as a purifier, even destroying bugs as dangerous as E.Coli. Next stop, the developing world. [American Chemical Society; Image: tonrulkens]

Use This App To Hold Companies Accountable For Dodgy Practices

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-app-lets-users-hold-companies-accountable-for-shady-practices-2012-2

For the nearly 100 million mobile device users that rely on apps to guide their shopping experiences, it's hard to imagine making a purchase without them.

Already, we can compare prices, organize shopping lists, budget spending, check business reviews and download coupons on the go.

It was only a matter of time until we had an ethical shopping app, too. Open Label takes crowdsourced reviews to another level, letting consumers scan any barcode to generate user feedback on the manufacturer's environmental, political, safety, health or medical records, according to Springwise.

"Every single time we buy a product, we are funding the actions of the company that made it," said CEO Scott Kennedy. "We finally have the tool to provide real transparency here."

You can follow the brands you support and there's also a way to earn klout as a reviewer, much like Amazon or eBay, so you'll know which reviews to trust. The app is still in beta but you can sign up for a free demo here.

Who knows whether warnings about Apple's dodgy Chinese labor laws or McDonald's pink slime recipe would really steer customers away, but it's another way to encourage conscious spending.

See the demo below for a peek at how it works:

Now take a tour of the first app that lets you check your credit score for FREE >

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A $1.5 Billion Advertising Giant Will Be Created Tomorrow

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/a-15-billion-advertising-giant-will-be-created-tomorrow-2012-2

Bill Wise, CEO of MediaBank

MediaBank and its competitor Donovan Data Systems have intended to merge for a few months.

Now the Department of Justice has given its stamp of approval and the two will become a new company, Mediaocean, tomorrow.

The deal values Mediaocean at $1.5 billion. MediaBank CEO Bill Wise tells us it will manage well north of $100 billion in advertising spending.

MediaBank and DDS are like the plumbing system for the advertising industry. Media buyers use them to manage advertising campaigns across television, print, radio, out-of-home (billboards and such), and digital. It helps them keep track of ad servers, ad networks, invoices and more.

"A caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity," says Wise. "We want to be the caterpillar. The plumbing of the industry isn't necessarily the fun part, but if you can figure it out it is so needed."

Mediaocean will be a 1,000-person organization. Of course with any merger, some reorganization is necessary. Wise says they haven't discussed that yet. For now he's focused on growth.

"First and foremost we'll be creating a very new digital system," says Wise. "It will be a combination of assets of both companies, as well as new assets. We're consolidating everything into one global operating system. It's going to be an app store for advertising where there's a developer community that sits on top of the platform."

Here's our interview with MediaBank CEO Bill Wise and DDS president of digital JT Batson about the merger when it was announced back in September:

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Use This Proven Process to Sue a Company in Small Claims Court When They've Wronged You [Law]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5889059/use-this-proven-process-to-sue-a-company-in-small-claims-court-when-theyve-wronged-you

Use This Proven Process to Sue a Company in Small Claims Court When They've Wronged You Matt Spaccarelli sued AT&T for throttling his smartphone data speeds and won, but he wants you to know that it wasn't just a fluke. He did his research and prepared for court. Now he's helping others in similar situations do the same.

First you should understand the scope of this case. Matt won $850 in damages, which is a nice chunk of change for the average person but a blip AT&T wouldn't even notice was missing from their bank account. The win was more symbolic, as Matt was fighting for what he believed was right. If you decide to sue a company, that needs to be your motivation—not money. This is about utilizing the legal system to right a wrong. If you believe you have a case worth bringing to court, MacTech detailed what you should know and prepare in advance. Here are the highlights:

Find out where to file your case. National companies are generally subject to jurisdiction anywhere so you can file wherever is convenient, but sometimes you need to find their corporate offices and file there.
Review any contracts and agreements. You need to know what you've agreed to before you proceed.
Compile evidence that you're not getting what you paid for. In the case of an unlimited data plan
Know your damages. If you're going to file suit you have to be able to show how you were financially damaged.
Know the rules of your specific small claims court. Not all small claims courts operate in the same way, so it's important to know their rules before you make your case.

If you're looking to make a similar case to Matt's, visit his web site for some helpful documents and other information.

Matt Spaccarelli | via the New York Times and MacTech

Photo by Vladek (Shutterstock).

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