Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, August 01, 2014

Take a look at HP's luxury smartwatch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/01/HP-gilt-smartwatch-michael-bastian/

Despite their utility, smartwatches remain a geeky niche item thanks to a certain lack of je ne sais quoi. However, HP is partnering with a retailer called Gilt to build an Android and iOS compatible smartwatch that may finally tick the style box, thanks to US designer Michael Bastian. He'll take care of the design, which will feature a circular, 44mm stainless steel case and three swappable bands: black rubber, brown leather, olive green nylon and a limited edition black.

Bastian says the design cues came from luxury automobiles, namely interior features like the dashboard and trim. Meanwhile, HP will will add the watch's smart features, which will include notifications like email, text and calls, along with user controls for music and other apps. HP will also supply the software, meaning the watch may be platform agnostic and not tied to Android Wear, for instance. It'll reportedly arrive this fall, but there are no other details like the type of display, memory or pricing -- but we imagine it will be in the "if you have to ask" category.

Filed under: Wearables, HP

Via: Hypebeast, Fashionista

Source: Gilt

New malware can live inside any USB device undetected

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/31/badUSB-malware/

It turns out that the stalwart USB thumbstick, or any universal serial bus device, isn't as trustworthy as once thought. A pair of security researchers has found we need to worry about more than just malware-infected files that are stored portable drives, and now need to guard against hacks built into our geek-stick's firmware according to Wired. The proof-of-concept malware Karsten Nohl and Jakob Lell have created is invisible and installable on a USB device and can do everything from taking over a user's PC to hijacking the DNS settings for your browser. Or, if it's installed on a mobile device it can spy on your communications and send them to a remote location, similar to the NSA's Cottonmouth gadgets. If those don't worry you, perhaps that the "BadUSB" malware can infect any USB device -- including keyboards -- and wreak havoc, will. What's more, a simple reformat isn't enough to disinfect either, and the solution that Lell and Nohl suggest goes against the core of what many of us are used to doing.

The duo says that the only way around BadUSB is to more or less treat devices like hypodermic needles; trusting only those that have been used within our personal ecosystem and throwing away any that've come in contact with other computers. Hopefully you don't have a ton of untrustworthy Porsche sticks laying around.

[Image credit: Getty Images]

Filed under: Internet, Software

Via: Gizmodo Australia

Source: Wired

Thursday, July 31, 2014

10 Malware Removal Apps Tested, Malwarebytes Comes out on Top

Source: http://lifehacker.com/10-malware-removal-apps-tested-malwarebytes-comes-out-1614046598

10 Malware Removal Apps Tested, Malwarebytes Comes out on Top

A recent test done by the independent antivirus research group AV-TEST—whose tests we've mentioned in the past—took a look at the performance of today's most popular malware removal applications. Most of the applications showed excellent performance, but only Malwarebytes—a free download—managed a perfect score.

AV-TEST sought to answer an important question: can anti-malware software completely clean up and repair a Windows system after an attack?

It's a worst-case scenario many users have experienced: Malware defeats the security barriers of their system and becomes embedded there. Is it even possible, in the aftermath of such an attack, to restore the Windows system to its previous condition? It ought to work with the help of antivirus software or clean-up tools. But how effectively do these first responders do their job?

The good news is that overall each application was very effective at providing cleanup and repair to Windows machines, which is important if you think someone has broken into your machine or downloaded some suspicious plugins.

Each application was put through a rigorous endurance test that lasted a total of 10 months. During this time several different malware families were tested repeatedly and the malware even underwent constant evolution along the way. All of the samples used were already known to the removal applications, so the primary purpose of the test was efficiency in detection, complete removal, and restoration. Tests were also conducted on antivirus software, but keep in mind there's a difference between antivirus and anti-malware.

10 Malware Removal Apps Tested, Malwarebytes Comes out on Top

In the end, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free scored a cool 100% in total system repair. The paid apps Bitdefender Internet Security 2014 came close in second with a score of 99.4%, and F-Secure Internet Security 2014 tied with Kaspersky Internet Security 2014 at 97.8%. The next best scores for free applications came from AVG AntiVirus Free 2014 and Avast! Free Antivirus 9.0.

Remember, it's important to keep in mind that these were tested for malware removal and not for virus protection. We can show you what we think are the best desktop antivirus applications, and if you're curious to see how antivirus apps ranked at AV-TEST, click the link below to read more.

17 software packages in a repair performance test after malware attacks | AV-TEST

The World's Fastest Network Lets You Download a Movie In .2 Milliseconds

Source: http://gizmodo.com/the-worlds-fastest-network-lets-you-download-a-movie-in-1614039292

The World's Fastest Network Lets You Download a Movie In .2 Milliseconds

Danish researchers just created the Usain Bolt of networks. A team from the Technical University of Denmark used a single multi-core optical fiber to transfer 43 terabits per second, making it the world's fastest fiber network . I'd say it makes Google Fiber look like 1996 AOL dial-up from a decrepit rural phone line, but that comparison is too kind to Google Fiber.

LG's first big 4K OLED TV may have a non-ridiculous price tag

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/31/lg-65-inch-4k-oled-tv/

If you're set on an OLED Ultra HDTV instead of LCD, you can now put a price and date on your idealism: LG's 65-inch 65EC9700 4K model will reportedly ship in September with a sticker price of $8,999. Apart from those deep OLED blacks, the model also features passive 3D, Miracast/MHL and nearly invisible bezels. The first 4K OLED models, including that one, arrived earlier this year at CES, but so far none have hit stores. We also haven't seen any pricing, other than for a few exotic models like LG's $30,000 curved 77-inch UHDTV. Though the 65-inch model is far more reasonable, according to HD Guru, the lowest possible price (UPP) set by LG is $6,999 -- still more than double LG's 4K LCD model.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, LG

Source: HD Guru

Nanobots get tiny propellers for targeted drug delivery

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/31/nanobots-propellers/

Nanobots need the proper propulsion system if they're going to be used to deliver drugs to targeted areas. Take for example this teeny-tiny corkscrew-shaped propeller made out of silica and nickel that's developed by a group of German and Israeli scientists. The team says it's around 100 times smaller than the diameter of a red blood cell at 70 nanometers in width and 400 nanometers in length, so it can swim through blood and other fluids without getting caught in protein chains and the like. In order to make a nanopropeller this small, its creators had to forego giving it a motor of its own -- it needs to be controlled externally by a weak rotating magnetic field.

The lack of an internal motor doesn't seem to affect its performance, though: it successfully swam through hyaluronan gel, a material found throughout the human body, during a lab test. Since the propeller is incredibly small, it can be used to target not just extracellular locations, but also materials inside cells, giving it huge potential in medicine. Its creators believe, for instance, that it can be used to deliver tiny doses of radiation, even to sensitive areas of the body such as the retina. It'll take a looong time for that to happen, though, so head over to ACS Nano where you can read the team's study on this minuscule propeller.

Filed under: Science

Via: Gizmag

Source: American Technion Society, ACS Nano

With Qi wireless charging, you'll soon be able to charge your device from a short distance

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/31/qi-wireless-resonance-charging/

It's becoming more and more common to find mobile devices with wireless charging capability, either as a built-in feature or integrated into third-party cases. Progress has been somewhat hampered, however, by the fact that no universally adopted standard is available. Of the three major groups trying to corner the market, Qi -- a standard created by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) -- has arguably been the most successful at courting manufacturers and carriers (over 200 have signed up so far). The problem is, its abilities have been limited because it only uses a method called inductive charging; in other words, you can power up your smartphone as long as it's sitting on a charging pad. Wireless, sure, but it's still only marginally more convenient than simply plugging the handset in. Fortunately, Qi's adding some crucial functionality later this year that will allow you to charge your device from nearly two inches away.

With version 1.2, the WPC is adding resonance charging to Qi's features. This makes it so the receiver (the device that needs to be charged) and the transmitter (the charging pad or surface that's pushing the power to the device) won't need to physically touch each other anymore; now they can be up to 45mm (1.77 inches) apart. The new standard is backwards-compatible, so if you already have a smartphone or tablet with Qi built-in, you'll be able to charge them up from as much as 35mm away. The standard also allows multiple devices to charge up at the same time, provided they're both within range, and it will be capable of pushing as much as 2,000 watts to larger products like kitchen appliances.

Qi's newfound ability to charge your gadgets from a distance is much more convenient for end users than what its current products offer. Using this technology, you might be able to place charging pucks under tables so your phone starts charging whenever you're close by; you could put several devices in a Qi-compatible bucket, which would be very handy placed in between the two front seats in your car; and you won't have to worry about placing your device on a precise spot to get it to charge.

Two competing wireless charging standards, Rezence and the Power Matters Alliance, already have adopted resonance charging, but the WPC claims that Qi is more power efficient and has a larger group of partners and products. Representatives couldn't give specific stats on power efficiency yet, since the earliest products are still in development and results will vary from one device to another; that said, their initial estimates were somewhere between 70-80 percent. (Qi's inductive chargers average about 85.)

We should expect to see the first v1.2 products arrive sometime later this year, although kitchen appliances using the standard likely won't hit the market until 2015.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile

How to Create a Custom Google Now Command for Anything on Android

Source: http://lifehacker.com/how-to-create-custom-voice-commands-with-tasker-and-aut-1282209195

How to Create a Custom Google Now Command for Anything on Android

Google Now already has a ton of useful voice commands built in. Thanks to a recent update to Tasker plugin AutoVoice, though, you can now create your own commands that plug directly into Google Now to accomplish anything that Tasker can do with nothing but your voice.

For this guide, we're going to be using Tasker and AutoVoice primarily, focusing on the new UI. If you don't already have either of these apps, they're certainly worth paying the few bucks for. Not that you needed to be told that. You guys love Tasker. So, let's get started.

(Optional) Step 0: Get Ok, Google (If You Haven't Already)

One of the coolest features Google has introduced lately is the ability to launch voice commands without minimal non-voice input. If you're using a phone like the Moto X, you can already say "Ok, Google Now" to launch voice commands. If you're not, here are some of the ways you can get it:

Use the Google Now launcher (on certain devices): One of the headlining features of the Nexus 5 when it came out was that you could say "Ok, Google" from the lock screen. This has since been expanded to several other devices, though it's unclear how many are supported. To make matters more complex, Google has added an "Ok, Google" everywhere option that lets you launch voice commands even when you're not at the home screen. This is also only supported on a limited number of devices and it's unclear how (or if) the rollout is happening. Still, if you're one of the lucky ones that this works for, it's a great option.
Use an alternative launcher like Apex: Not content to wait for Google's rollout, some developers like Apex have added their own "Ok, Google" hotword detection. This allows you to launch voice commands from the home screen, even if you're not using Google's software.
Use a third-party always-listening app like Open Mic+: If you really want the full range of Moto X-style control, Open Mic+ can help. This app keeps your microphone open listening for "Ok, Google" no matter where you are in the app. The downside to this is that it can drain your battery, but the benefits may outweigh the costs for some people.

Obviously, none of these are a perfect solution for all devices. We're still a ways off from being able to launch all voice commands entirely hands-free in all situations on all devices. However, there are at least a couple options for most people.

This step is also entirely optional. Most devices have a voice button in the default Google search bar, and you can tap that and speak to send a voice command. Even if you can't trigger voice search without touching your device, it's one tap on most home screens to get started.

Step 1: Allow AutoVoice to Listen for Google Now Commands

AutoVoice "integrates" with Google Now by listening for specific searches. Just like with Google's built-in commands, if a particular search matches a Tasker profile you've set up, AutoVoice will intercept the search and run your custom command instead. If neither AutoVoice nor Google recognize it as an instruction, it will conduct a regular search.

Before you can do this, however, you need to enable the AutoVoice accessibility service. To do that, first install Tasker and AutoVoice (if you haven't already) and do the following:

Open your phone's Settings app.
Tap "Accessibility."
Tap "AutoVoice Google Now Integration."
Tap the toggle at the top of the screen.
In the dialog that pops up, tap "OK."

This service may be in a different place in the Settings app, depending on your device. Once the listening service is enabled, you can start creating your own custom voice commands.

Step 2: Create a Custom Google Now Voice Trigger

With the new Google Now integration, creating a custom AutoVoice command is a drastically simpler process. AutoVoice recognizes commands separately and passes them to Tasker with the AutoVoice Recognized event. You can then attach any action to that Event. To create a custom voice command follow these steps:

Open Tasker.
Tap the plus sign at the bottom of the screen.
Select Event.
Under "Plugin," choose "AutoVoice Recognized."
Tap the edit button next to "Configuration."
Either tap "Command filter" to type in the voice command you want to trigger the event, or tap "Speak filter" to say it aloud. The latter helps make sure Google will recognize it correctly, so we recommend that first.
Tap the check mark at the top of the screen.
Tap the left caret at the top left of the screen to save the Event.

This will create a custom voice Event that will be recognized when you say it aloud within Google Now. The next step will be to create a Task that will be activated when Google Now/AutoVoice recognize your command. At this point, the sky's the limit.

Step 3: Tie Your Commands to the Immense Power of Tasker

From here, you'll be prompted either to create a new task or choose from an existing one. A world of possibilities is open to you at this point, and it would be outside the scope of this article (or an entire site) to fully explore. However, here are some examples to get you started.

Send a canned text message to a contact.

Create a new task under Tasks.
Give your task a name (i.e. Text NAME)
Tap plus sign to add a new action.
Tap "Phone."
Select "Send SMS."
Enter a phone number and a pre-set message.
Optional: Check "Store in messaging app" if you'd like to keep a record of sent messages.
Tap the back button at the top left.

Change multiple settings in a single set.

Create a new task under Tasks.
Name it (i.e. Home Settings)
Tap plus sign to add a new action.
Tap "Net" and select WiFi.
Choose "On" under "Set."
Tap "Net" and select "Bluetooth."
Choose "Off" under "Set."
Tap "Misc" and select "GPS."
Choose "Off" under "Set."
Tap the back button at the top left.
Under the AutoVoice profile settings detailed in the, make sure "Event Behavior" is unchecked as mentioned above.

These are extremely basic examples, but part of the beauty of Tasker is that it can be extended to a huge number of tasks. As previously mentioned, you've already shared many of your Tasker actions, and if you have a home automation system, Tasker and AutoVoice can be used to create an impressive set of voice commands to control your entire home entertainment system with a little work. Tasker can be daunting, but this should at least help you get started with voice commands.

Photo mixed from Vivaporius.

Turn Your iPhone Charger Into a Portable Backup Battery

Source: http://gizmodo.com/turn-your-iphone-charger-into-a-portable-backup-battery-1613449223/+whitsongordon

Turn Your iPhone Charger Into a Portable Backup Battery

Even carrying your iPhone's charger everywhere you go doesn't guarantee you'll be able to keep your phone running all day. Sometimes outlets can be hard to find, and for those times the NomadPlus is here to help—transforming your iPhone's standard charger into a portable 1,500 mAh battery for back power on-the-go.

Shipping in late November for just $39, the NomadPlus simply requires you to insert the compact AC adapter that came with your recent-generation iPhone, immediately giving you a portable charging solution with enough power to bring a dead smartphone about 70 percent of the way back to life.

When plugged into a wall it charges a connected device first, and then itself. So come morning your smartphone is ready to tackle the day, and then the evening on top of that, even if you can't get access to an outlet. [Nomad]

Turn Your iPhone Charger Into a Portable Backup Battery

This Clever Transforming House Has Three Rotating Rooms

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-clever-transforming-house-has-three-rotating-rooms-1613527291

This Clever Transforming House Has Three Rotating Rooms

Sometimes you want a room with a view. Sometimes you want a bunker that's walled-off to the world. Why not have both? The Sharifi-ha House can shape-shift based on the amount of sun or level of privacy that its residents need at that particular moment.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Movidius wants to change the way your smartphone sees the world

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/30/movidius-myriad-2-processor/

Despite the promise of Google's Movidius-equipped Project Tango, there are still no depth-sensing, SLR-stomping smartphones on the market. But Movidius thinks that could change soon, thanks to its brand new chip: the Myriad 2 vision processor unit (VPU). "The Myriad 2 is going to provide more than 20x the power efficiency of the Myriad 1, and enable camera features that were not possible before in mobile devices," CEO Remi El-Ouazzane tells me. If you'll recall, Tango's original tech brought faster focus, improved depth of field, near-optical zooming and higher light sensitivity to smartphone cameras (and now, tablets). It also let researchers scan a room in 3D to provide interior navigation, among other cool tricks.

However, processing a Teraflop of image data a per second burned a lot of power with the project's original Myriad 1 chip. The Myriad 2 consumes 500mW of power while processing up 2 Teraflops per second of data -- a twentyfold gain in processing efficiency. (For reference, the Snapdragon 805 reportedly uses 3-4 watts.) With 12 "lanes," it also supports 6 HD cameras at once and can process 600-megapixels per second. With significantly more horsepower and much less battery draw, that means the new VPU could be installed in most smartphones, not just purpose-built devices like the Tango smartphone or tablet. Movidius says that the Myriad 2 could function as a standalone processor in certain devices, or act as a co-processor to a mobile CPU.

As far as Google's Project Tango goes, there's no word yet if it will switch from the Myriad 1 to the new chip. But Google has already announced a partnership with LG for a consumer Tango device next year, and will likely want the improved technology. Though El-Ouazzane wouldn't confirm the new processor for Tango, he pointed out that Movidius had a "very strong relationship with the Project Tango team."

Depth sensors, lenses and a vision chip will improve picture taking without making smartphones huge, but the benefits don't stop there. Wearable and panorama cameras like the Centr camera (another Movidius partner) are other potential product categories. The Myriad 2 excels in stitching 360 degree images from multiple lenses, and the extra battery efficiency would be particularly useful in small wearable devices.

Consumer versions of Tango-like devices would also open up a lot of far-out applications. On top of the scary realistic Matterport scanner (above), Movidius also pointed to the zSpace 3D display, a device that uses high speed gesture recognition to let you manipulate virtual objects in 3D (below). Your smartphone could also become as adept as a Kinect at motion and gesture sensing, opening up richer and deeper gaming and virtual reality applications. El-Ouazzane brought up Amazon's Fire Phone with Firefly as another example of the type of consumer-leaning object recognition apps we could see with the Myriad 2 (though he added that Movidius is not working with Amazon). To enable such apps, the company created a new SDK that makes it much easier for developers to access the Myriad 2's bag of tricks.

For now, it's just a hunk of silicon until devices start to arrive. But El-Ouazzane is confident with the Myriad 2 and how it will change smartphone cameras and vision processing. "A lot of money was invested to get to this point. It's going to be a dramatic departure from where we are today." But we've heard that before: Nokia's camera-centric phones didn't set the world on fire, 3D camera phones never flew, and the multi-sensored Fire phone remains a huge question mark. But of course we'd all like to take much better photos and even scan our cat -- smartphone tech is getting a bit dull.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

Source: Movidius

HealthTap Prime lets you video call a Doctor whatever the hour

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/30/healthtap-prime-lets-you-video-call-a-doctor-whatever-the-hour/

Unless you're rich, run a hospital or have medical professionals in the family, it's not likely that you have instant access to a doctor whenever you need. That's why HealthTap is joining the growing field of telemedicine apps that, for a monthly fee, will let you video chat with specialists as and when you require. HealthTap Prime will cost you $100 per month for the first person, with each additional person in the family requiring a $10 monthly surcharge. There doesn't appear to be any limits on how many times you can contact a doctor with the service, but if you didn't stop calling to ask if something looked infected, then expect to land on some sort of blacklist.

Filed under: Internet

Source: HealthTap

Amazon Prime members get a $1 video credit for choosing slower shipping

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/30/amazon-prime-shipping/

One of the most attractive benefits of subscribing to Amazon Prime is the free two-day shipping or an overnight option available for a small fee, depending on the item and destination. But in many cases, you might not need your stuff until the following week, making the e-tailer's new "no-rush shipping" option appealing. If you opt for Amazon's slowest delivery speed, you'll also be rewarded with a $1 Amazon Instant Video credit. Credits do expire, and certain content is excluded, such as HBO titles. It's a "limited time offer," according to the site's terms and conditions, but considering the cost savings for Amazon, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the incentive to remain.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Household, Amazon

Via: CNET

Source: Amazon

Google Apps Customers No Longer Need A Google+ Account To Use Hangouts

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/new-google-hangouts-and-chromebox-updates-2014-7

Google just updated its Hangouts and Chromebox for Meetings features to make business videoconferences a lot easier.

Effective today, all Google Apps customers will be able to access Hangouts, even if you don’t have a Google+ account. This opens up the service to more than 5 million businesses that currently use Google Apps for Business.

Google Hangouts will also enjoy the same Terms of Service as Google Apps for Business products, such as Gmail, Doc, and Drive. This gives Hangouts users the same business-level support, like 24-7 phone service, as other Google Apps for Business users enjoy.

Other updates include allowing up to 15 participants in the same video conference call, and partnerships with Blue Jeans and InterCall that will let their users join Hangout calls any time.

Also, Chromebox for Meetings, the videoconference device that makes it easier to use Hangouts, will be available in UK and Japan in the coming weeks. Starting today, you can link two Chromebox for Meetings screens to a single device, so you could have your presentation slides on one screen and the conference call on the other.

Chromebox for Meetings will also be produced by Dell starting this September, joining Asus and Samsung as its main manufacturer.

“The goal of this launch is to make it easier for employees and businesses to communicate by video. Our customers recognize the value of connecting face-to-face and are driving this demand,” a Google spokesperson told Business Insider.

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This New Design For Airplane Seating Will Make Flights Much More Enjoyable

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/embraer-e2-cabin-2014-7

4790219567_379a7e1681_b

With this new airplane cabin design, flying will be more comfortable than ever.

Priestmangoode, the design firm responsible for rebranding Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, has created a new cabin design — called "E2" — for Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, according to Fast Company.

Airlines such as JetBlue, US Airways, and Virgin Australia use Embraer jets for some of their flights.

With E2, Priestmangoode aims to take an industry benchmark cabin and make it even better, by improving issues with seating space, carry-on storage, bathrooms, and more, according to a video about the project.

The E2 is expected to hit the airways in 2018, reports Fast Company.

The Embraer E2 cabin will have spacious seats that are also slimmer, which will make the plane lighter and allow for more free space inside the aircraft.

seats

The seats in first class will be staggered, allowing the E2 to use the same seat track as the economy class without losing any luxuries.

You won't have to worry about leaning over another passenger to put on your seat light: the new individual Personal Energy Supply Units (PSUs) allow you to control your air and light while remaining in your own space.

New carry-on storage integrates with the cabin ceiling, giving it a much cleaner look.

bins

Priestmangoode even managed to increase storage capacity by 40%, without sacrificing cabin space.

bins 2

Even the bathrooms received an upgrade, with acoustic curtains for privacy, handrails on internal walls, and an integrated diaper changing table.

Screen Shot 2014 07 30 at 1.02.15 PM

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