Monday, April 07, 2014

drag2share: Researchers teach smartphones to recognize your activity, lock out everyone else

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/07/ga-tech-research-latentgesture/

Swipe patterns, passwords and fingerprint scanners are useful for keeping that mobile device locked down from the outside, but what happens once that code is cracked? Well, cybersecurity researchers at Georgia Tech have developed LatentGesture that continuously monitors gadgets for intruders based on taps and swipes. If the system detects any use patterns that vary from the observed user profiles, it locks the device down. "The system learns a person's 'touch signature,' then constantly compares it to how the current user is interacting with the device," said College of Computing assistant professor Polo Chou.

To create that "touch signature," user activity is monitored in terms of swipes, taps and check boxes, making a custom profile for up to five authorized users. What's more, those accounts can also be used as parental controls to keep kids out of the App Store. The software was found to be 98 percent accurate on phones and showed a 97 percent accuracy on tablets when tested on Android devices during the trial phase. Chau goes on to say that just like our fingerprints, how we interact with touchscreen devices is unique to each person, so having this software running in the background is a non-intrusive way to keep those trusty devices secure. This means that in the future, if someone happens to peep your passcode, you may still have a hope of locking them out before any major damage is done.

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Source: GA Tech

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drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

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Posted by Augustine at 6:59 PM

drag2share: Raspberry Pi's computer now fits in the space of a tiny memory stick

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/07/raspberry-pi-compute-module/

Raspberry Pi Compute module on the left, original Pi on the right

Didn't think that Raspberry Pi's namesake computer could get any more miniscule? Think again. The organization has unveiled the Compute Module, a board that stuffs the Pi's processor and 4GB of storage into the space of a stick of DDR2 laptop memory; you're looking at the tiny new device on the left. This isn't meant to show off Raspberry Pi's miniaturization skills, though. Fitting the system into a small standard connector lets circuit board builders attach whatever interfaces they like, rather than make do with the built-in ports on a conventional Pi design. You'll have to buy the Compute Module alongside a starter IO Board when the hardware launches this June, but it will eventually be possible to get the modules by themselves. Individual pricing isn't available just yet. However, Raspberry Pi says that large-scale buyers (think educators and entrepreneurs) can buy batches of 100 at about $30 per piece.

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Source: Adafruit, Raspberry Pi

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drag2share - drag and drop RSS news items on your email contacts to share (click SEE DEMO)

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Posted by Augustine at 6:59 PM

drag2share: There Is Not Yet A Clear Cloud Service Winner On Mobile

source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/9DgXQTR62Bw/there-is-not-yet-a-clear-cloud-service-winner-on-mobile-2014-4

Cloud services are becoming increasingly important in the context of mobile. Many Internet users now conduct related tasks across desktop PCs, tablets, and smartphones, which is why the cloud's ability to sync files across devices is becoming so critical.

And the battle between several prominent cloud services companies is heating up. Box recently filed for a $250 million IPO. And Google and Microsoft both recently announced significant price drops for their services. 

Data provided to us by mobile analytics platform Mobidia shows that for now, there isn't yet a clear-cut leader in terms of which mobile cloud services are proving the stickiest with users.

Mobidia's data looked at mobile usage among users of five prominent cloud services on Android in three developed mobile markets — the U.S., U.K., and South Korea — and found that there is a different leader in each market in terms of the time cloud users spent with an individual service. Moreover, the leader in each market doesn't have a terribly huge leg up.

  • In the U.S., Google Drive saw the highest average weekly usage on mobile at roughly 4.67 minutes per user, followed by Box with just under 4 minutes. 
  • In the U.K., Box led the way with 4.2 minutes per week followed by Microsoft's OneDrive (formerly known as SkyDrive) with 3.75 minutes per week. 
  • In South Korea, Dropbox is used for 3.5 minutes per week on average, followed by Microsoft's OneDrive at about 3.2 minutes per week. Interestingly, Box and Google Drive see about one-quarter as much usage in South Korea as in the U.S. This suggests that users of these services in South Korea are not bothering to turn to them often.

While time spent by users of each mobile cloud service isn't a clear indicator of which service is winning the race to attract users, we think that average time spent does provide a good early indicator of which services are catching on. Those services that early adopters integrate into their mobile lives first are the ones most likely to reach a broader audience.

For now, no one service is winning out for time-spend, and this may be because each offers different features. For example, Box is geared toward the enterprise market, while Google Drive and Microsoft's OneDrive work with other Google or Microsoft services. These services appeal to users who would like to have all of their data and files synced seamlessly. 

As app development progresses, it's likely more apps will add cloud syncing functionality, giving greater opportunity for one company to step in and take over. Although the race is seemingly wide open at this point, look for one or several of these companies to attempt to lock-down the mobile-cloud service space. 

Click here to download the chart and data in Excel.

CloudStorageMobileUse

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Posted by Augustine at 6:58 PM

drag2share: The Micro is a $200 3D printer that can make a teacup in an hour

source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/07/The-micro-3d-printer/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

There are more than a couple of reasons why 3D printing hasn't truly hit critical mass, and the team at M3D thinks it's sidestepped them with The Micro, its $200 - $300 3D printer. The Micro is hitting Kickstarter today with the sole intention of becoming the first consumer 3D printer that's at once accessible, affordable and easy on the eyes.

"The dream here is definitely that you take something and install it as fast as the fastest plug-and-play device that you've ever seen and you're focused on the end result," Michael Armani, M3D's CEO tells us. "You take the design, put it in the printer, it prints as quickly as possible. The focus here isn't on the 3D printing process ... [it's] on 'yeah, I want to make a mold for chocolates.' It went to the fun part so you can enjoy it as much as possible."

For example, we asked how long it would take from initial unboxing to having a spot of tea from the cup in the project's pitch video. The only reasons there'll be more than an hour between you and that first cup of Earl Grey are your teakettle and steeping preferences.

But even then, ease-of-use doesn't particularly matter if one of 3D printing's biggest barriers to entry doesn't change: price. Should you miss out on The Micro's limited early-bird $200 backing tier, getting a fully-assembled unit in your home will still only run $300.

"When we looked at 3D printers, we saw that the field was becoming hyped and that everyone was super curious about it," Armani says. "They can't go to Brookstone and try something that's in the price range of a present or a college gift, or something to try out and risk a little money on - they're all $2,000 or more."

The Micro doesn't come off like an Erector set project, it looks like a gadget.

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Posted by Augustine at 1:19 PM

drag2share: Microsoft announces Skype TX with studio-grade audio and video for broadcasters

source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/07/skype-tx-for-broadcasters/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

Today, Microsoft's unveiling Skype TX, a new version of its VoIP service geared toward broadcasters. The service uses technology developed by Cat and Mouse -- a recent MSFT acquisition -- to offer the higher-quality audio and video output that media professionals require. (It also supports the broadcast-standard HD-SDI interface.) Skype TX can handle multiple calls at once through a single interface, and it will eliminate distractions such as call notifications and ads. Considering how often radio stations both big and small rely on Skype to beam in guests, TX definitely has a target audience. Microsoft hasn't addressed pricing or release timing, but we'll likely be getting a look at the product in action here at NAB.

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Posted by Augustine at 1:19 PM

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