Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

BitTorrent teases decentralized chat client in the wake of security breaches

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/30/bittorrent-chat-client/

Today, BitTorrent announced it's building a private instant messaging client for our post-PRISM world. The firm told CNET that BitTorrent Chat should function like the company's other peer-to-peer services, using a form of torrenting's decentralized technology-approach that's been adapted for real-time communications. And while compatibility with other IM protocols is expected in the future, for now it's exclusive to BitTorrent account holders. You can even apply for an invite into the pre-alpha at the BitTorrent Labs site -- if you're so inclined, that is.

Filed under: Internet

Via: CNET

Source: BitTorrent Blog

LG Gate to tackle enterprise smartphone security with encryption, VPNs and more

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/01/lg-gate-enterprise-security/

Samsung chose to name part of its enterprise smartphone security suite after an Army post, but LG's going for something entirely more generic: Gate. The company's solution appears to work much like JK Shin and Co.'s, safeguarding both private and business data as they coexist on a phone, allowing outfits to use a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) setup. By wielding Gate, users can encrypt their hardware's data, use a VPN and make the lives of IT departments easier thanks to mobile device management features. It's not clear the software will be offered gratis, but it sounds like it'll be available just in time for the G2's trip stateside.

Filed under: Mobile, LG

Source: LG Korea Social (translated)

NTT DoCoMo's vision of '5G' wireless: 100x faster than LTE, but not until 2020

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/01/ntt-docomo-5g-wireless-network-vision-demo-ceatec/

We knew good and well that Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo would be divulging details about its 5G wireless plans at CEATEC, but the claims that we've stumbled upon here in Chiba are nothing short of bananas. Granted, the operator is making clear that its vision isn't intended to reach implementation until 2020, and it confesses that a 5G standard has yet to be ratified. That said, it's dreaming of a world where its network offers "1000 times the capacity and 100 times the speed as the current network."

Representatives for the company told us that the challenge is going to be dealing with range limitations in higher frequency spectrum, but it plans to employ "high-frequency bandwidth by transmitting with a large number of antenna elements." The goal for looking so far forward? It's already seeing an insane appetite for video on networks that can barely maintain poise under the load, and the notion of transferring 4K content to the masses is going to require a substantial upgrade. CEATEC's known as a place that allows companies to dream big and aim for the fences, but we'll be honest -- we'd really, really prefer that 2020 arrived sooner rather than later.

Mat Smith contributed to this report. %Gallery-slideshow99596%

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Google Docs gets a subtle facelift, shifts the focus to content

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/01/google-docs-gets-a-facelift/

You can't say that the Google Drive crew isn't looking out for you. Following the transition of QuickOffice for Android and iOS into a freebie, the team is now blessing Google Docs with a slightly more attractive interface. First and foremost, you'll now find a familiar, colorful product icon in the upper left part of the web app, which links back to Drive. This refinement applies to Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms and Apps Script, and it could very well help users of another office suite feel more at home. Additionally, the headers within each of the editors are now more compressed, which Google hopes will allow users to focus more easily on their content. Naturally, these aren't the most dramatic visual changes, but then again, do you really want a card-based UI for your document editor?

Filed under: Internet, Google

Source: Google Drive Blog

Toshiba's TransferJet adapter does high-speed video transfer from micro-USB, smartphone chip coming next year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/01/toshiba-transferjet-smartphone-integration-demo/

Toshiba's TransferJet has kept relatively quiet since we got the full explanation (spoilers: high-speed data transfer over very short distances) on stage at CES 2013. Finally, several Toshiba products are now ready for launch. Alongside a compatible SDHC card, there's also has a new micro-USB adapter that plugs into your (Android-only, although Toshiba are in discussions with Apple) smartphone, enabling those much-faster-than-Bluetooth data speeds over a distance of a few centimeters. It worked without a hitch on the show floor here at CEATEC, and the TransferJet duo is set to go on sale this December.

Toshiba's spokesperson added that pricing for the pair of adapters will come in at around 10,000 yen (around $100), although it was the tiny chip sat next to it that really piqued our interest. Toshiba is planning to get its TransferJet tech embedded within smartphones and other products in the future, which could make a far more convincing argument for the file transfer technique. One module chip has been given a December production date, although the company wouldn't spill the beans on exactly which devices we'll see it in.

Darren Murph contributed to this report. %Gallery-slideshow99600%

Filed under: Cellphones, HD, Mobile

5.5-inch LG phone leaks online, and it's allegedly affordable

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/01/lg-g-pro-lite-dual-optimus/

Somewhere out there, someone is probably waiting for a more affordable LG Optimus G Pro, and if the LG G Pro Lite Dual turns out to be real, then their wish might soon be granted. The phone will reportedly boast dual-SIM support and retain the size of its predecessor's 5.5-inch display, but it'll have a 960 x 540 pixel resolution instead of full HD. It'll understandably be equipped with other lesser specs, including an unspecified 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 3,140mAh battery, an 8-megapixel rear camera and 8GB of internal storage that's supplemented with a microSD card slot. According to the Russian website that first reported the leak, the Android 4.1.2 phone will be available in the Eurasian country in October for $400 unlocked, which just happens to be cheaper than the Galaxy Mega. Obviously, you'll have to shell out for the more expensive Optimus G Pro if you want better specs, but at least this one comes with a stylus.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG

Via: AndroidBeat, UnwiredView

Source: Hi-tech@mail

Monday, September 30, 2013

S&P 500 Performance Before, During, And After The Last 17 Government Shutdowns (SPY)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/sp-500-performance-during-govt-shutdown-2013-9

Unless Congress can miraculously agree on a budget between now and midnight, we'll see the U.S. government shut down starting tomorrow.

However, this is no reason to dump all of your stocks.

Raymond James strategist Jeff Saut included this handy table from SentimenTrader of S&P 500 performance during the last 17 government shutdowns.

The median return during a shutdown: -0.1%. And returns are positive 47% of the time.

Remember, history is only a guide, never gospel.

performance

SEE ALSO: JPM's Tom Lee: Here Are 21 Cheap Stocks That Offer Double-Digit Returns

Join the conversation about this story »

Xi3's Piston modular PC launching November 29th for $1,000

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/30/xi3-piston-november-29/

As if shelling out $900 this holiday to snag the two next-gen game consoles wasn't enough, Xi3's Piston modular gaming PC is arriving on November 29th for $1,000. Should money be no object to you, the adorable little box is available for pre-order right this minute, and that'll lock in an earlier arrival by two weeks. Included in today's news of the Piston's launch date is word that internal storage capacity was upped by another SSD connector; Xi3 says up to 1TB of SSD storage is now supported.

In a hilarious nod to Valve's Steam Machines news last week, Xi3 notes, "By adding a second SSD to their Pistons, users will be able to load a second operating system onto their machines, including the newly announced SteamOS." As previously reported, Xi3 is (at least in part) financially-backed by Valve, and the Piston is a bit of a "Steambox" (the previous name for Valve's Steam Machines effort) itself. SteamOS is said to be coming "soon," ahead of Steam Machines' official launch in 2014, and you'll see no surprise on our faces should SteamOS arrive ahead of Piston's November 15th pre-order availability.

On Xi3's homepage, the Piston is positioned with a wireless, Piston-branded gamepad (seen above). It's unclear if it ships with the system later this year, so we've reached out to Xi3 for more info.

Filed under: Desktops, Misc, Gaming, Peripherals, HD

Lenovo intros four IdeaCentre all-in-ones, including a super-wide 29-inch model

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/30/lenovo-intros-four-ideacentre-all-in-ones/

Lenovo is known for all-in-one PCs that stand out, and that's certainly true of a new four-model update to the company's IdeaCentre line. The headlining B750 is reportedly the first PC to include a 29-inch, 21:9 aspect ratio display; its 2,560 x 1,080 panel is potentially ideal for both movie aficionados and multitaskers. Lenovo appropriately equips the B750 with a 2.1-channel JBL audio system, and gamers may like the combination of Haswell-based processors with standard GeForce GTX 760A graphics. The system ships in October with a $1,199 base price.

Don't need an extra-wide screen? Don't worry -- Lenovo's other three introductions may catch your eye. The A530, B350 and B550 improve on their predecessors with both Haswell chips and options for 1TB hybrid hard drives that combine speed with capacity. These smaller IdeaCentres should arrive alongside the B750 in October, with prices ranging from $799 for the 21.5-inch B350 to $1,199 for the 23-inch B550. %Gallery-slideshow99551%

Filed under: Desktops, Lenovo

Source: Lenovo

This could be Sony's Xperia Z1 'mini': a 20.7-megapixel camera and Snapdragon 800 in a 4.3-inch package

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/30/this-could-be-sony-xperia-z1-mini-z1f/

Now this is what we'd call bucking the trend: a leaked document obtained by Xperia Blog, allegedly pertaining to Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo, outs a new Sony device that looks to be a mini Xperia Z1. That Sony would be quick to jump on the mobile industry's popular 'mini' craze is unsurprising, but what does seem peculiar is how the company's approaching the specifications of this 4.3-inch Xperia Z1 f. Instead of just retaining the name and shrinking the Triluminos display down (here, it's 720p) while lessening the spec load, it appears Sony's porting over both the 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor and the 20.7-megapixel camera of the Z1. If true, that would explain the Z1 f's increased thickness, making this Honami mini a near-equal to its flagship namesake.

Its more pocketable screen size could also help attract customers (especially those with smaller hands) that would otherwise shun a 5-inch device. What's more, the Z1 f looks to be taking a page out of the industry's prized color book (see: Apple, Nokia) and could be available in bright pink and neon yellow, in addition to the traditional black and white. Of course, colorful phones are nothing out of the ordinary for Sony's home market and it's possible this variant could be Japan-only. Only time will tell if the Z1 f is more than a clever work of digital smoke and mirrors, but based on what we're seeing, we sure hope it isn't.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sony

Source: Xperia Blog

Article: Sharp's first Windows 8 tablet has a 10.1-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 IGZO display, water-resistance, but probably won't leave Japan

Kicking off this week's CEATEC show in Japan, Sharp has played to its strengths with its new Windows 8 tablet, the Mebius Pad, factoring in a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution display. That puts it pretty far ahead of the current crowd of 1080p Windows 8 tablets, including Microsoft's incoming Surface 2, ...

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/30/sharp-first-windows-8-tablet-10-1-inch-water-resistant/

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Article: A Shrinking List of Blockbusters Dominates Video Games

Big video game makers, like their cousins in books and music, have scrambled in recent years to adapt to the digital technologies buffeting their business. Tens of millions of people now play games on smartphones and tablets, usually for a sliver of the cost of playing on a game console.

But on...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/30/technology/a-shrinking-list-of-blockbusters-dominates-video-games.html

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Article: Email surveillance could reveal journalists' sources, expert claims

Phil Zimmermann, inventor of PGP encryption, urges shift away from consumer email

Phil Zimmermann, the creator of the email encryption software PGP, has warned that anyone who uses consumer email services needs to be aware of the threats of exposing their metadata to eavesdroppers.

Zimmermann...

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/30/email-surveillance-could-reveal-journalists-sources-expert-claims

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Article: Varentec Raises $8M From Bill Gates And Khosla To Reinvent Industrial And Utility Power Grid Management

San Jose-based Varentec, a company that builds power management and monitoring solutions for the electric grid, today announced the close of an $8 million Series B round of funding from Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures. The new funding follows its $7.7 million Series A, which was led by Khosla, and...

http://techcrunch.com /2013/09/30/varentec -raises-8m-from-bill-gates-and-khosla -to-reinvent-industrial-and-utility-power-grid-management/

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Sharp's first Windows 8 tablet has 10.1-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 IGZO display and water resistance (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/30/sharp-first-windows-8-tablet-10-1-inch-water-resistant/

Kicking off this week's CEATEC show in Japan, Sharp has played to its strengths with its new Windows 8 tablet, the Mebius Pad, factoring in a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution display. That puts it pretty far ahead of the current crowd of 1080p Windows 8 tablets, including Microsoft's incoming Surface 2, although we admit, we'd have loved to have seen another incredible 4K tablet. Regardless, that's the highest resolution Windows 8 tablet we've seen yet. Alongside the company's 10.1-inch IGZO panel (known for their low-power credentials), the Mebius Pad runs on a slightly less-exciting Intel quad-core Atom processor (the Z3370), which we've had mixed feelings on when it comes to the Windows tablets its powered in the past. The basic Windows 8.1 model will arrive with Office for free, although you'll have to pay extra if you want it for the Pro edition. Also, following Japanese trends for practically any device, the slab is both water and dust-proof (it's in the midst of being certified for IPX5, IPX7, IP5X), while you'll be able to buy it with LTE radios on board, at least for Nippon, as the device is unlikely to leave Japanese shores once it launches in early 2014.

Unsurprisingly, in the flesh the screen looked good -- Sharp even provided a magnifying glass so we could get up close to those pixels. The 10.1-inch display is also satisfyingly bright -- if we're honest, it's unusual to see such a capable screen powered by an Atom processor. The tablet is headed towards business use (which explains the optional stylus) and the extra resolution found on Sharp's first Windows 8 tablet means there's more space for your spreadsheets and documents. The hardware itself is suitably thin and light, with the rear of the device bearing a passing resemblance to recent Sony hardware -- possibly due to the understated camera lens in the corner. We'll let you know if Sharp has plans to offer the tablet to global business types. %Gallery-slideshow99502%

Filed under: Tablets

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