Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Police Are Using Minority Report Technology to Fight Bad Guys [Crime]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5921481/the-police-are-using-minority-report-technology-to-fight-bad-guys

The Police Are Using Minority Report Technology to Fight Bad Guys It's not all the way sophisticated like the precogs of Minority Report but the San Francisco Police Department have left their no Internet having, no email using days behind them and upgraded to a much more sophisticated system that'll help 'em nab more criminals.

Buzzfeed FWD took a look at the police app that SFPD will be using which allows the officers to upload images, scan license plates, dictate notes, capture interviews, pin location points and do all of it in real time. The database is constantly updated so that police officers can work together in predicting where the criminals will end up next. It's fighting crime with data. Or as the SFPD put it, using the "bat computer".

Hell, once the SFPD starts using the police car of the future and integrates facial recognition software to their current app, bad guys should really start thinking about being good. It's hard to beat sci fi tech. Check out the whole report at BuzzFeed FWD. [Buzzfeed]

HTC Connect certifies AV gear for your One series phone, Pioneer lines up

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/htc-connect-certifies-av-gear-for-your-one-series-phone/

HTC is going on something of a certification tangent: it's following its PlayStation Suite approval with its own program, HTC Connect. Home AV equipment with the label promises to lift the standards for streaming media to or from one of HTC's devices. The rubber stamp will be limited at first to DLNA audio and video, but it should eventually include just about anything that doesn't involve a wire, such as Bluetooth, in-car media, NFC and wireless speakers. There isn't an immediate deluge of partners. HTC has scored a rather big ally, however: Pioneer's DLNA-ready receivers and wireless speakers this year, and beyond, will flaunt the HTC Connect badge. Don't brag about the media credentials of your One X just yet. Although the Connect seal of approval won't be needed for media streaming anytime soon, it will only be coming to the One series through an upgrade in the months ahead.

Continue reading HTC Connect certifies AV gear for your One series phone, Pioneer lines up

HTC Connect certifies AV gear for your One series phone, Pioneer lines up originally appeared on Engadge! t on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia 808 PureView review: the future of mobile imaging, wrapped in the smartphone past

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/nokia-808-pureview-review/

More Info

The Nokia 808 PureView has a 41-megapixel camera sensor. But you knew that. The crystallization of five years of imaging R&D has landed, and the timing couldn't have been better for Nokia. Alongside uncomfortable financial reading, its move to Windows Phone hasn't exactly set the smartphone world alight just yet. It's seemingly established itself as the go-to WinPho choice for American customers thanks to some aggressive pricing, but with news that the next iteration of Windows Phone won't come to the Lumia 900, many will hold out for Nokia's next handset. Whatever that device will be, it's likely to bring the same PureView technology we've got here on the Nokia 808 PureView -- a Symbian-based handset whose software has seen better days. However, OS be damned, it still blew away attendees at this year's Mobile World Congress. Impressive stuff, given that it's the same show where HTC's admirable One series debuted.

That huge sensor is paired with a new five-element Carl Zeiss lens and a refreshed flash with double the strength of the one on the Nokia N8 -- the existing cameraphone champ. But behind the technical bullet points, it's how Nokia maximizes the 41-megapixel sensor, oversampling with those pixels to create improved 5-, 8- , 3- and 2-megapixel images, reducing noise and improving low-light performance. However, when it comes to software, Symbian Belle (with Feature Pack 1 in tow) lags behind the likes of Android, iOS and Windows Phone in user experience and app provision. Similarly, the chunky handset flies in the opposite direction of the trend for slim smartphones. Is that camera module really all Nokia thinks (and hopes) it is? What's more, is Symbian relevant enough for such future-facing goodness? Let's find out.

Gallery: Nokia 808 PureView review

Continue reading Nokia 808 PureView review: the future of mobile imaging, wrapped in the smartphone past

Nokia 808 PureView review: the future of mobile imaging, wrapped in the smartphone past originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's 27-inch Series 9 LED monitor hits US retailers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/samsungs-27-inch-series-9-led-monitor-hits-us-retailers/

Samsung wasn't saying much about US availability when it showed off its new Series 9 monitor back at CES in January, but it's now finally confirmed that it will be available at a number of different retailers starting June 29th (following a brief "prelaunch" period with Newegg). Coming in at the expected $1,199.99, this one is a 16:9 LED PLS monitor, and it packs a suitably high-end 2560 x 1440 resolution along with most of the other features you'd expect from a $1,200 monitor: HDMI, DVI and a pair of USB ports, an all glass and metal enclosure, and support for MHL-enabled smartphones and tablets. Those curious can find a full rundown of the rest of the specs at the source link below.

Continue reading Samsung's 27-inch Series 9 LED monitor hits US retailers

Samsung's 27-inch Series 9 LED monitor hits US retailers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Computer Scientists Crack RSA's Ironclad Secure ID 800 Tokens [Security]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5921325/computer-scientists-crack-rsas-ironclad-secure-id-800-tokens

If you're used to seeing a device like this on a daily basis, you probably assume that it's a vital security measure to keep your employer's networks and data secure. A team of computer scientists beg to differ, however— because they've cracked the encryption it uses wide open.

Ars Techinca reports how a team of European computer scientists leveled their sights at RSA's SecurID 800 encryption system, which is often regarded by large organizations to be an incredibly secure way to store the credentials needed to access confidential data. They managed to develop an approach that requires just 13 minutes to crack the device's encryption. Ars Technica describes how it works:

If devices such as the SecurID 800 are a Fort Knox, the cryptographic wrapper is like an armored car used to protect the digital asset while it's in transit. The attack works by repeatedly exploiting a tiny weakness in the wrapper until its contents are converted into plaintext. One version of the attack uses an improved variation of a technique introduced in 1998 that works against keys using the RSA cryptographic algorithm. By subtly modifying the ciphertext thousands of times and putting each one through the import process, an attacker can gradually reveal the underlying plaintext, D. Bleichenbacher, the original scientist behind the exploit, discovered. Because the technique relies on "padding" inside the cryptographic envelope to produce clues about its contents, cryptographers call it a "padding oracle attack." Such attacks rely on so-called side-channels to see if ciphertext corresponds to a correctly padded plaintext in a targeted system.

The same attack actually also works on plenty of other devices, including electronic ID cards carried by all Estonian citizens and a number of other security tokens provided by other companies, including the Aladdin eTokenPro and iKey 2032 made by SafeNet, the CyberFlex manufactured by Gemalto, and Siemens' CardOS.

The nature of the attack does require the hacker to have physical access to the token, but if access to a system is required, that doesn't seem like a deal breaker. According to the researchers RSA is aware of the compromise and is in the process of planning a fix. In the meantime, keep your eyes on you key fob. [Project-Team Prosecco via Ars Technica]

Image by EMC

Vizio's Google TV box emerges as the Co-Star Stream Player, goes up for pre-order in July with OnLive gaming

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/vizio-google-tv-box-emerges-as-the-co-star-stream-player/

Remember the Vizio VAP430 Stream Player that we tried during CES? Half a year later, the Google TV hub is getting full launch details, just in time for Google I/O. Along with receiving the much more elegant title of Co-Star Stream Player, the set-top box now bakes in OnLive streaming game support -- the Co-Star could, in theory, replace a game console for any American with a good broadband connection. Whether or not playing Just Cause 2 on a TV is in the cards, the hub ticks all the 2012 Google TV checkboxes, including a hybrid keyboard and remote, 3D-capable 1080p video and DLNA media sharing. Before you rush to the local big-box store to pick one up, be warned that pre-orders don't start until July, and then only on Vizio's website. The $100 price, however, will make it considerably easier to wait.

Continue reading Vizio's Google TV box emerges as the Co-Star Stream Player, goes up for pre-order in July with OnLive gaming

Vizio's Google TV box emerges as the Co-Star Stream Player, goes up for pre-order in July with OnLive gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/native-firefox-android-browser-adds-speed-flash-html5-and-a-fr/

After a brief stretch in beta followed by some vague teasing, Firefox's native Android app update is finally set to hit Google Play. While there are a raft of bells and whistles -- a new welcome page, curvy Australis tabs, Flash and HTML5 support, for starters -- it's the browser's newfound speed that is getting the MVP treatment. That rapidity is as good a place as any to start a quick hands-on, especially since the native browser lag on our older Galaxy S handset often makes us want to hurl it through a pane of glass. Mozilla claims it built Firefox to a new benchmark it developed called Eideticker, resulting in an overall browser experience twice as fast as the stock Android one. As advertised, initial loading is quasi-instant, and navigation, zooming and tab switching seemed smooth as well, even on the two-gen-old phone.

Feature-wise, preferences and other desktop settings imported easily with Firefox Sync's shared password system, and the unfortunately named "Awesome Page" is the new home screen shown above, from which it's fairly simple to launch your preferred sites. Flash and HTML5 generally displayed correctly despite a few minor rendering bugs, and the curved tabs and other design touches make it one of the more elegant Android browsers we've played with. Unfortunately, many sites display in full because they don't yet detect Firefox as a mobile app, but the installation of the Phony 3.2! add-in lets it impersonate other smartphone browsers, and it seemed to work well. We also didn't like that tabbed browsing now requires two taps to get to another page, unlike the previous version, but we imagine that was needed for the increased speed. Overall, Firefox is a welcome addition to the Android ecosystem -- we bet you're just as eager to start browsing as we are, so stay tuned for the app to hit Google Play later today, or jump past the break for a quick speed demo from the kind folks at Mozilla.

Update: The new version is now available at the source link below.

Gallery: Firefox for Android native browser hands-on

Continue reading Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on)

Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm to deliver Snapdragon SDK to Android developers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/26/qualcomm-to-deliver-snapdragon-sdk-to-android-developers/

At this year's Uplinq conference, Qualcomm hit Android developers with some exciting news. In the coming months, the chip maker will deliver a Snapdragon software development kit (SDK) that will provide devs with access to the "next-generation technology and features" embedded in its processors. Through APIs, the kit will allow application architects to leverage facial processing, burst camera capture, surround sound recording, echo cancellation, sensor gestures, low power geofencing and indoor location capabilities. Initially, the SDK will only be available for the S4 8960 wafer, but Qualcomm hopes to include more models over time. Head past the break to have a gander at the full press release.

Continue reading Qualcomm to deliver Snapdragon SDK to Android developers

Qualcomm to deliver Snapdragon SDK to Android developers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What the Girl From That Google Chrome Ad Might Say to Her Ex [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5921126/the-girl-from-the-google-chrome-ad-has-a-lot-to-say-to-her-ex

Remember that Google Chrome ad where some guy named Mark is goes all-out to try to get a second chance with his ex, Jen? It's sweet enough to give you diabetes. But every story has two sides, and Jen's response—in this parody from UCB Comedy—paints a very different picture.

Below is the original video for reference (watch it first if you haven't seen it). As Shakespeare said, "The course of true love never did run smooth." That goes double when you can't pick up a phone and just call somebody. [UCB Comedy]

Classy or Not Classy: A $450 Polyester Burberry Blazer That Folds Into Its Own Pouch [Fashion]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5921128/classy-or-not-classy-a-450-polyester-burberry-blazer-that-folds-into-its-own-pouch

Here's something potentially useful but probably useless: a polyester blazer, made by Burberry, that can be folded into a convenient little pouch that zips itself up. It's great for travel! Burberry promises that the polyester suit won't crease from the folding and would still look great.

Maybe Burberry is right! The cut of the suit looks tailored with its slim lapels and single vent but I don't know if I can get over the plastic sheen of polyester that turns an otherwise great looking suit into a trash bag rain coat better suited for homeless people. This is an expensive gimmick. And can you imagine all the crackling noise you'd make while your arms moved? By wearing this suit, you're letting it literally announce your shoddy fashion sense. It's a bad idea.

But man, the suit in a folding pouch feature is pretty freaking sweet. Can you imagine all your other friends traveling with their poofy garment bags trying to clear airport security while you're just wistfully carrying a pouch no bigger than your phone? You'll have more hands to have fun. And it's always about having fun. $450 [MR PORTER via Uncrate]

You Can Now Build Virtual Lego in Chrome [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5921316/you-can-now-build-virtual-lego-in-chrome

If you were planning to have a productive start to your work day: forget it. Instead, you're going to spend hours playing with Lego online, because Google has teamed up with the toy maker to release a simulator which allows you build its bricks in Chrome.

The application, called Build, is actually the brainchild of Google Australia and Lego. It splits up a Google map of Australia and New Zealand, dividing it up into tiny lego plots, 32 x 32 studs in size. When you visit the site, you can choose a patch and then build upon it with 12 different types of 3D lego bricks (120 if you include the 10 different color options).

The plan is to roll out the app to cover other countries soon, but in the meantime there's a lot of land in Australia, and anybody can snag a plot to build on. What are you waiting for? You've got important procrastination to get on with. [Build with Chrome via The Next Web]

Samsung Galaxy Note for T-Mobile pops up in claimed press shots, we try to feign surprise

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/25/samsung-galaxy-note-for-t-mobile-pops-up-in-claimed-press-shots/

There's been demo units, FCC filings and the obligatory blurry photos, so it was only a matter of time before leaked press imagery completed our picture of a Galaxy Note for T-Mobile USA. As long as they're not cosmetic makeovers by wishful T-Mobile fans, the CellPhoneSignal images portray... well, a Galaxy Note. No exotic colors, no obvious clues supporting talk that it ships with a preloaded Android 4.0 upgrade. Most of the hardware changes, then, should be all about adapting the HSPA+ 3G to support T-Mobile's airwaves. Unconfirmed talk has the Galaxy Note reaching Magenta on July 11th; that's nine months after the original version popped up, but we're sure some will be thankful just to have more choices than AT&T for that phablet fix.

Samsung Galaxy Note for T-Mobile pops up in claimed press shots, we try to feign surprise originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.!

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Microsoft buying Yammer to beef up enterprise social networking efforts

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/25/microsoft-buying-yammer/

So, what exactly is a Yammer? Well, it's a simple social network designed not to connect you with family or college roommates, but with with your coworkers. The platform has had some success, but its most high profile moment may be today's announcement that Microsoft had purchased the company. Rumors had been circulating for about a week, but now Redmond has made it official and issued a press release announcing its plan to purchase the startup for $1.2 billion in cash. Yammer will continue to live on as a stand alone service, which should make its 5 million users and countless Fortune 500 customers happy. But Microsoft will certainly be looking to fold its features into its own suite of enterprise offerings, like SharePoint and Office 365. For more info check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft buying Yammer to beef up enterprise social networking efforts

Microsoft buying Yammer to beef up enterprise social networking efforts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nest partners with Texas utility, offers intelligent thermostat to energy-conscious households

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/25/nest-partners-with-texas-utility-offers-intelligent-thermostat/

What's next for an energy-efficient thermostat designed by ex-Apple engineers? A limited promotion with a utilities provider to make it even more legit, that's what. Now that Nest has broached online mega-retailer Amazon's virtual shelves, the next stop on its trendy household domination tour's taking it to Reliant, a Texas-based electricity company. Bundled into the utility's "Learn & Conserve" plan, qualifying residents that sign-up for a two-year rate will receive one of the stylish, WiFi-enabled units, making the business of managing their energy settings a stylish and remotely controllable (via Android or iOS app) affair. Of course, you don't need to be a resident of The Lone Star state to call one of these your own -- Best Buy, Apple and Lowe's will also eagerly claim your cash in exchange for this home-monitoring wündergadget.

Nest partners with Texas utility, offers intelligent thermostat to energy-conscious households originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boingo, Google Offers bring free WiFi to select Manhattan subway stations, let you tweet the heat

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/25/boingo-google-offers-bring-free-wifi-to-select-manhattan-subway/

Boingo has surely overestimated New York City's desire to "soa[k] up the warm weather" this summer, but when it comes to complaining about the heat, no one does it like the Big Apple. And now, thanks to the hotspot provider (with some promotional help from the folks at Google Offers), Manhattanites will be able to do just that all over Twitter from the convenience of a handful of subway stations on 14th and 23rd street. The promotion begins today and runs through September 7th. Including the hashtag #FreeNYCWiFi puts you in the running for Boingo rewards. We also recommend #wheresthatdamnEtrain, which will surely be trending for the next few months. For a full list of stations, check out the source link below.

Boingo, Google Offers bring free WiFi to select Manhattan subway stations, let you tweet the heat originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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