In 1969, a North Korean pilot shot down a U.S. military aircraft over international waters, killing its entire crew, in a Cold War episode that holds lessons today, both for Pyongyang’s capacity for confrontation and for Washington’s limits on options.
Monday, 25 September 2017
North Korean Official Says U.S. Has Declared War
North Korea’s foreign minister said Monday the U.S. had declared war on North Korea and his country considers all possible responses to be on the table.
Red Hat handily tops Q2 earnings targets
Red Hat said Q2 subscription revenue was up 20 percent year over year to $638 million.
Microsoft CEO Nadella’s ‘Hit Refresh’: Is a cultural revolution enough to refresh Microsoft?
Review: Microsoft chief Satya Nadella’s first book, out on September 26, offers a glimpse of how the company’s third CEO has attempted to reinvigorate the company.
CIO playbook: HP talks customer experience and digital transformation
It’s time for IT to become the hero of awesome customer experience in the enterprise, Two digital leaders explain why this matters and how to do it.
Merkel Faces Big Challenges Ahead
German Chancellor Angela Merkel started laying the groundwork Monday for an unprecedented three-way governing coalition, but faced headwinds from conservative allies reeling from losses to an upstart nationalist party and clamoring for a tougher line on immigration and security.
Ex-NSA hacker drops macOS High Sierra zero-day hours before launch
The vulnerability lets an attacker steal the contents of a Keychain — without needing a password.
SUSE Linux turns 25: From business distro leader to cloud power
SUSE, one of the oldest Linux and open-source businesses, celebrated its 25th birthday while setting its eyes on its future in the cloud and software-defined infrastructure.
Facebook poaches SAS LatAm head
Conrado Leister will lead Brazil operations at the social networking giant.
Using thumbprints to prevent ID fraud
If you’re worried about identity fraud, you can prevent it – at least in the UK – by requiring a thumbprint to verify any transaction that requires a credit check. Jamie Jamieson has been using the idea for 13 years….
Lowe’s taps Apple’s ARKit for new home improvement apps
Lowe’s is pitching the apps as a way to solve problems posed by visualization.
WaterField Designs Air Porter review: The bag for business travelers
I’ve earned at least Alaska MVP status for about a decade and spend lots of time in airplanes. I also love WaterField Designs bags and thus was very excited to see the release of the Air Porter bag designed for the business traveler.
VyprVPN: Golden Frog’s VPN delivers high-performance, anonymity, and flexibility
I’ve been using Golden Frog’s premium-priced virtual private network service exclusively for six months to see how it performs in the real world. Here’s what I’ve learned.
HPE intros new infrastructure products for SMBs
The company announced enhancements to its flash storage, server, hyperconverged, and networking products as well as its financing programs for small and midsize businesses.
A robot implants 3D-printed teeth in a Chinese patient
A new age of autonomous robotic surgery is on the way, at least for some routine procedures
Uber London petition gains traction in response to TFL ban
The petition is edging very close to the one million signatures necessary to hand it over to the Mayor of London.
Adobe accidentally releases private PGP key
The firm’s security team failed in a spectacular fashion.
How much does The Pirate Bay’s cryptocurrency miner make?
If adverts turn off visitors, the torrent search engine is hoping CPU borrowing can make up the revenue.
U.S. Adds North Korea, Venezuela and Chad to Restricted Travel List
President Donald Trump issued a new ban on entry to the U.S. that applies a range of restrictions on nationals from eight countries, reflecting painful lessons learned from the two previous versions.
Sunday, 24 September 2017
Far from deja vu, Google yet again repeating history
Google is set to launch a new smartphone based on its assistant advantage, while it picks up a hardware company.
SAP acquires Gigya, plans to meld with Hybris, target omnichannel
Gigya powers the registration and first-party data systems for multiple enterprises. Now SAP will use that information for better personalization and customer experiences.
Merkel on Track for Victory, Exit Polls Show
Chancellor Merkel’s center-right alliance finished ahead of its closest competitor, according to exit polls, but its results were near its worst in post-war history and an anti-immigrant party received a surge of support.
Apple Watch with LTE, Fitbit Ionic, Google leaks, Moto X4 (MobileTechRoundup #407)
Apple’s new products started arriving this week and some purchases were made by the hosts. Fitbit’s Ionic has also been attached to Matt’s wrist for about 10 days.
UAG Monarch and Plasma Galaxy Note 8 hands-on: The best cases for the best smartphone
There are plenty of cases available for the most popular smartphones, but my absolute favorite comes from Urban Armor Gear. The UAG Monarch in crimson is stunning and provides the style and protection I want in a case.
Merkel Seeks Fourth Term as Germans Head to Polls
Germans cast ballots in a national election that critics of Chancellor Angela Merkel painted as a referendum on her leadership, especially her decision to allow thousands of people fleeing the Middle East and Africa into the country two years ago.
Saturday, 23 September 2017
U.S. Warplanes Fly Along North Korea’s Coastline in Show of Force
Air Force B1 Lancer bombers and F15C Eagle fighter escorts flew off the east coast of North Korea in an exercise designed as an explicit show of U.S. force, the Pentagon said.
Iran Tests Ballistic Missile Amid U.S. Tensions
Iran said it had tested a new medium-range ballistic missile, the day after unveiling it in defiance of U.S. criticism over its disputed nuclear program.
PodPocket provides protection and a way to carry your AirPods
I enjoy using my Apple AirPods headset during my commute, but don’t like that the carrying case gets lost in my gear bag. For $20 PodPocket solves that problem.
10 cool robots at this year’s RoboBusiness Conference
This year’s conference in Santa Clara is all about empowering businesses to develop a better robotics strategy. More than 2000 attendees will mingle with industry experts. But the real draw, of course, will be the bots.
Friday, 22 September 2017
Iran Deal’s Fate Hovers Over Korea Crisis
The burgeoning crisis confronting the Trump administration in North Korea was compounded this week by another top foreign policy dilemma: the Iran nuclear agreement.
Microsoft’s latest Windows Store strategy involves a rebrand plus Progressive Web Apps
Microsoft is continuing to try to improve the app store built into Windows 10 and to give users more reasons to use it.
Walmart opens ‘in-fridge delivery’ trial in Silicon Valley
The program is in partnership with August Home, makers of IoT tech like smart locks and smart home accessories, as well as delivery startup Deliv.
New Verizon leak exposed confidential data on internal systems
Dozens of documents reveal detailed maps and configurations of internal Verizon servers.
Five ideas to build a better IT security strategy in the enterprise
Struggling to get the boss to take security seriously? Here are some pointers that can help the board get on-board.
DxOMark report: Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus set new standard for smartphone cameras
The HTC U11 and Google Pixel reigned at the top of the DxOMark ratings for several months, but the new Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus just beat them out and set the new bar for smartphone cameras.
Roughing it, with Linux
I’ve been traveling, and camping, for a couple of weeks, accompanied by a Linux system. Here are a few comments and observations.
North Korea Ramps Up International Rancor With H-Bomb Threat
North Korea’s latest threat—to detonate a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean—if carried through would mark a new level of defiance in the face of warnings from the U.S. and the international community.
OtterBox Defender and Symmetry for Apple iPad Pro 10.5: 3-layer rugged and stylish protective cases
The Apple iPad Pro 10.5 is a fantastic tablet and OtterBox now has two case options to protect your investment. One provides multi-layer protection while the other lets you use your Apple Smart Keyboard.
GitLab releases latest Enterprise and Community editions
New features include Auto DevOps, productivity features like enhanced subgroups and expanded Kubernetes capabilities.
iPhone 8 has a smaller battery than the iPhone 7 or Samsung’s Galaxy S8
The iFixit teardown reveals a smaller battery than earlier models, although Apple claims that the runtime is the same as its predecessor.
Flagship smartphones: Specs, benchmarks and prices for iPhone, Samsung, Huawei and more
Updated to include iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus benchmarks. Here’s how the top end of the smartphone market looks at the moment, with a number of key launches expected soon.
ISP involvement suspected in latest FinFisher gov’t spyware campaign
ISPs in a number of countries are under suspicion for distributing the malware to government targets.
Joomla patches eight-year-old critical CMS bug
The flaw could be exploited to steal administrator account details and hijack websites.
North Korea Official Threatens Hydrogen Bomb Test Over Pacific
Foreign Minister Ri Yong said his nation might consider a historic test over the Pacific Ocean, just hours after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un insulted Donald Trump in response to the U.S. president’s speech before the United Nations.
Thursday, 21 September 2017
HPE to cut about 5,000 jobs, Bloomberg reports
The report that HPE will cut around 10 percent of its staff comes as HPE continues its efforts to become “simpler, nimbler and faster.”
Microsoft to open flagship London brick-and-mortar retail store
Microsoft is planning to open a retail store in London, execs have confirmed, but so far, there’s no official opening date.
Jailbreaking your connected coffee machine: The idiocy of things
How many more of these IoT devices that use authentication technology to validate the use of proprietary refills do we have to endure?
Baidu announces $1.5B autonomous driving fund
The company also released the latest version of Apollo, its open-source autonomous driving platform.
Trump Expands U.S. Authority to Sanction North Korea
President Donald Trump signed an executive order he said will expand U.S. authority to target individuals, companies and financial institutions involved in business with Pyongyang.
Google Compute Engine now offers faster Nvidia GPUs
Google’s Cloud GPUs sees Nvidia K80 and P100 GPUs introduced.
Google rolls out Android zero-touch enrollment for the enterprise
Companies can configure Android devices before they’re shipped to employees.
Star Trek: Disovery continues the mission of futurism and bold social commentary
The combination of positive, visionary futurism with relevant social commentary distinguishes Star Trek from every other science fiction television program. “Star Trek: Discovery” — premiering September 24 –adds a new twist.
Alation adds cloud storage access from hybrid environments
Making file system and streaming data more directly accessible has been a holy grail, especially for organizations looking at cloud deployment. Now that Amazon has opened the door to S3 cloud storage with Athena and Redshift Spectrum, Alation is expanding its data catalog to offer similar access that can extend to hybrid environments.
Cisco’s Intersight platform brings datacenter management to the cloud
Cisco makes a big bet on transitioning its datacenter management business to the cloud, as part of its overall shift towards SaaS services.
Microsoft Office tip: The new AutoSave may not be as useful as you think
If you use Word the way that many people use Word, be careful with the new AutoSave feature
U.S. Complaints on Iran Deal Put EU Under Pressure
U.S. demands to reopen the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement have placed European governments in the diplomatic crosshairs, scrambling to heed U.S. concerns without sparking an Iranian walkout from a deal they say is working.
Apple hasn’t even started iPhone X production, claims analyst
A series of production delays mean that iPhone X production won’t start until mid-October.
10 reasons why Romania’s capital Bucharest is a great place to work in tech
With high salaries, low living costs, and warp-speed internet, Bucharest is an appealing destination for techies.
Energy Alliance Propels Russia-Saudi Cooperation
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman plans to discuss Syria, the Qatar blockade and oil production with Russian President Vladimir Putin next month in Russia, according to people familiar with the matter, as energy cooperation deepens political ties between the two former foes.
CCleaner malware operators targeted tech firms including Cisco, Microsoft, Samsung
It is believed the threat actor behind the campaign is after intellectual property.
Mexican Schoolchildren Trapped After Earthquake
Residents of the Mexican capital spent Wednesday grieving or trying to help recovery efforts after a devastating earthquake killed at least 230 people. But many also spent the day rooting for a few children trapped alive under tons of concrete.
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
Microsoft’s expected Surface Pro with LTE: Possible specs, pricing leak
A U.K. retailer may have outed the possible specs and pricing of Microsoft’s expected Surface Pro LTE devices.
Google and Motorola debut Android One Moto X4 for Project Fi
Google’s Project Fi Wi-Fi carrier service gets its first Android One handset courtesy of Motorola.
Google’s HTC deal: Can Google learn from its Motorola miscues?
Google wants more hardware manufacturing heft, but it’s unclear whether HTC will be the magic potion the search giant is looking for.
2017’s biggest hacks, leaks, and data breaches — so far
Dozens of data breaches, millions of people affected.
Veritas can reach APAC customers via GDPR
With less than year before the EU data privacy law kicks in, data management vendors such as Veritas can expand their Asia-Pacific customer base with tools and services to help firms ensure compliance.
Unisys: Micro-segmentation and AI in the security wake of Equifax
The Chief Trust Officer of Unisys explains what business leaders and technologists need to know about next-generation network security practices. Read carefully to protect your organization.
Pixelbook leak: Google’s new high-end Chromebook expected October 4
Google’s top-of-the-line Chromebook Pixel is coming back with a new name and better specifications.
US Air Force plots IT overhaul, aims for cloud
Dell EMC, Microsoft and General Dynamics have landed a $1 billion five-year cloud hosted enterprise services contract from the USAF.
Kaspersky Lab secures contract with Brazilian Armed Forces
The Russian firm won a tender to supply cybersecurity tools to the three military organizations in the Latin American country.
Pre-Discovery: 14 unofficial Star Trek series and films (Gallery)
Fan films: the final frontier. These are the fan-made voyages of the Starship Enterprise (and some other ships). In honor of the upcoming Star Trek: Discovery series, we present you with a selection of unofficial Star Trek series and films.
Death Toll in Mexico Earthquake Reaches 227
Soldiers, rescue workers and volunteers worked to find both the living and the dead beneath rubble left by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that collapsed scores of buildings in Mexico’s capital and surrounding states.
HTC suspends trading, Google acquisition rumors blaze to life
The suspension of activity on the stock exchange is being keenly watched in anticipation of a takeover.
Why I’m loving the Files app in iOS 11
You can have your augmented reality and a more human sounding Siri. The killer app in iOS 11 is its Files app – the iOS equivalent to the macOS Finder. Now iPads can finally replace notebooks – for me, anyway. Here’s why.
iOS 11 upgrade tips: Here’s how to get your iPhone or iPad ready
Here’s what you need to do to make sure that your upgrade goes smoothly and you don’t lose any data.
Veritas must reassure APAC customers about private equity ownership
Split from Symantec and now owned by a private equity firm, Veritas faces questions about whether it will sustain innovation for products that may not prove profitable in future.
Girl with 3D-printed robotic hand to throw first pitch at World Series game
Mom couldn’t find a company to create a robotic hand for her daughter, so she came up with a novel solution
BlackBerry teams with Fleet Complete to push Radar IoT platform
BlackBerry Radar is designed to track trailer assets in the trucking industry.
Tuesday, 19 September 2017
AI processors go mobile
Deep learning is already having a big impact in the data center. Now it is moving to the edge as chipmakers add neural engines to mobile processors. But Qualcomm, Intel and others are taking very different approaches.
Oracle unveils “universal credits,” license mobility for easy cloud consumption
On the heels of announcing its fully autonomous databases, Oracle rolls out more ways it’s trying to cut into with Amazon’s cloud dominance.
Adobe tops Q3 targets on 26 percent revenue growth
Once again, the Photoshop maker broke a corporate record for quarterly revenue.
Udacity announces ‘flying car’ nanodegree, new partnership with Lyft
The online education company is also expanding its self-driving car programming, with an Intro to Self-Driving Cars program without any application restrictions.
Google to announce $49 Google Home Mini in October: Report
Google is planning to release a miniature version of its Google Home smart speaker with Google Assistant. It’s said to cost $49, and it’ll be announced on Oct. 4.
Microsoft adds its gaming chief to its Senior Leadership Team
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer, now an Executive Vice President, is becoming part of the company’s inner circle of advisers, in a move signaling the growing importance of gaming to the company.
New to iOS 11? Change these privacy and security settings right now
Before you do anything on your iPhone or iPad, you should lock it down. This is how you do it.
Trump Delivers Dire Warning to North Korea Over Nuclear Weapons Program
President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” North Korea if the country fails to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, delivering the dire warning Tuesday during his first address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Google Chrome: Make your browser faster and more stable
Google Chrome is the most popular browser, and with good reason. But even Chrome can sometimes do with a spring-clean to keep it running optimally. Here are five tricks to help you speed up your browser.
New alliance advocates the blockchain to improve IoT security, trust
The Trusted IoT Alliance hopes to “set the standard” for IoT blockchain protocols worldwide.
Kohl’s to offer Amazon returns as two retailers cozy up on omnichannel
Kohl’s and Amazon outlined the latest installment of a budding omnichannel partnership.
iOS 11 rolls out today with Safari anti-tracking: Here’s why advertisers hate it
Ad industry pleads for Apple to change tack with Safari’s new privacy feature.
Hackers reveal leading enterprise security blind spots
Mobile devices and facial recognition software have made the list this year.
Scientists complete eight month isolation experiment to simulate life on Mars
Considering how 2017 is playing out, I’d go straight back in.
Finding IoT’s untapped potential in the rental market
The startup IOTAS is equipping multi-family housing units with IOT technology designed for tech-savvy young people who don’t yet own a home.
Pirate Bay uses your PC to mine cryptocurrency in quest to become ad-free
Could CPU usage replace adverts in the future?
Crash Override, book review: Gamergate and the battle against online hate
Game developer Zoë Quinn recounts her experience of ‘Gamergate’, which prompted the creation of the Crash Override Network to provide support and advice for victims of online hate.
Veritas wants more revenue out of APAC
With slow growth in Europe, the software vendor is looking to Asia, which now accounts for just below 20 percent of its total revenue, says CEO Bill Coleman, who acknowledges the need to offer more localisation to better serve customers in the region.
Twilio launches Twilio Studio to boost engagement apps
The idea behind Twilio Studio is to enable business execs and developers iterate on tools such as messaging bots, voice system workflows and notifications.
Monday, 18 September 2017
Trump to Push Nationalist Policy at U.N.
President Donald Trump’s first address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday will lay out a foreign policy rooted in his view of nationalism and sovereignty and anchored by “America First” principles, according to a senior White House official.
How to use Let’s Encrypt to secure your websites
Let’s Encrypt is easy to use and free — no wonder it’s the most popular Certificate Authority for securing websites. Here’s how you can use it.
Infosys steps up US hiring as more top talent flees
These twin developments may just be a key trend to watch across the Indian IT services landscape in the coming years.
AWS announces per-second billing for EC2 instances
The new, more granular billing for compute resources will be introduced next month for Linux instances in all AWS regions.
Intel has invested more than $1 billion in AI companies
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich penned an op-ed Monday that touts the company’s AI investments.
Oracle unveils next-gen SPARC platform
Oracle claims that it can deliver encryption and hashing two times faster than Intel’s x86 platform.
TCS partners with São Paulo government to plug IT skills gap
Indian consulting firm will present IT as a career option to 190,000 Brazilian students across the state ias part of a global education program.
Microsoft to hold mixed reality showcase event October 3
Microsoft will highlight its mixed-reality strategy at an invitation-only event on October 3 in San Francisco. Here’s what to expect.
10 best smartphones: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 still trumps Apple iPhone X
Apple recently announced the new 2017 iPhone lineup, but even its best can’t surpass Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note.
Asia is leading social media innovation through livestreaming — can the US catch up?
We are changing the way we buy products, and follow celebrities, and it’s all down to the way that Asia leads the way when it comes to livestreaming.
iOS 11 release date is tomorrow – Here’s how to get your iPhone or iPad ready
Here’s what you need to do to make sure that your upgrade goes smoothly and you don’t lose any data.
Bringing Shadow IT Out of the Shadows
Shadow IT arises in your network because users figure it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission, or because you simply haven’t defined any policy around SaaS use. When you have full visibility into the traffic on your network, you can find where unauthorized applications are being used, potentially compromising your security and exposing sensitive data.
Micro Focus rolls out Vertica 9 following HPE deal close
Micro Focus launches the latest addition of Vertica, the big data platform acquired from Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
The one must-have accessory for all iPhone 8/iPhone X owners
There’s no shortage of accessories for the iPhone, but this one is a must-have for anyone who owns an iPhone 8 or iPhone X.
IBM launches data migration to cloud service
IBM Cloud launches a service to physically move data from your data center to its cloud priced at $395 per transfer device including shipping.
Why free VPNs are not a risk worth taking
Here’s a question. If you’re not paying for your VPN service, where is the provider getting the money to run it? The answer might cause you to lose some sleep.
Itron acquires Silver Spring Networks for $830 million, eyes broader smart city, smart grid deployments
Itron specializes in energy and water analytics and technology. Silver Spring is a smart city and mesh network player. The two see more IoT grid and city connections.
Google debuts Tez app to make mobile payments as easy as cash
The app has been designed to help countries dealing with economic issues and cash woes.
Guide to smart cities in the Arabian Gulf: Why this is a region to watch
With urbanization well above the global average, a young tech-savvy population and a raft of major infrastructure projects, the Gulf region is helping pioneer the smart city model.
Trump to Take an Agenda of Change to the United Nations
President Donald Trump’s debut at the United Nations’ annual gathering of world leaders was set to kick off with a U.S.-hosted event on overhauls at the world body.
Sunday, 17 September 2017
Trump Administration to Brief Officials on Emissions Goals
President Trump’s top economic adviser is expected to brief major international partners Monday on the administration’s stance on the Paris climate accord following signals that the U.S. was exploring ways to remain in the 2015 pact.
Note 8 and Apple iPhone X, 8, Watch Series 3 (MobileTechRoundup #406)
While last week contained a ton of Apple news, we first kicked off MobileTechRoundup show #406 with some talk of the Note 8, HTC U11, and LG V30.
It’s now or never for wireless charging
2018 will be the year wireless charging for handsets takes off, or it is destined to remain an oddity.
IBM’s Watson Data Platform aims to become data science operating system
IBM’s plan is to create a data science operating system that can bring together data scientists, analysts and business leaders.
In Libya, ISIS Pursues Revival in Gateway to Europe
A year after losing its main Libyan stronghold, Islamic State has formed a number of clandestine cells around the chaotic North African country as the militants seek to regroup on Europe’s doorstep.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Tech21 case roundup: Drop and screen protection for the best smartphone
While the Galaxy Note 8 uses advanced Gorilla Glass 5 panels drops can still cause breakage. Tech21 offers several Designed for Samsung certified products to help protect your expensive smartphone.
Saturday, 16 September 2017
White House Seeks to Avoid Quitting Paris Deal, Climate Officials Say
Trump administration officials said the U.S. wouldn’t pull out of the Paris Agreement, offering to re-engage in the international deal to fight climate change, according to the European Union’s top energy official.
Three CIO survival lessons: ‘Step up or step aside’
New research from Deloitte sheds light on essential advice that Chief Information Officers need to survive and thrive in these turbulent times.
Tanoshi launches Kickstarter campaign for Android 2-in-1 laptop for kids
The 10.1-inch convertible notebook will support Google’s Family Link app and feature kid-friendly touches like emoji shortcut keys on its keyboard — if it raises its $50,000 goal.
6 ways to ensure APIs live up to their promises
McKinsey team says API uptake has been slower than expected, and recommends ways to prove their value to the business.
U.K. Police Arrest Man in Connection With London Bombing
British police said Saturday they arrested an 18-year-old man in southern England in connection with the rush-hour bombing of a London subway train, calling the arrest “significant.”
iOS essential skills everyone should know
These handful of skills will help you take control of your iPhone or iPad.
Friday, 15 September 2017
North Korea Is a ‘Global Problem,’ U.S. Says, Calls for More Help
U.S. hasn’t run out of options for deterring North Korea from continuing to launch missiles, White House aides said, but Kim Jong Un shows few signs of bending
Equifax CIO, CSO step down
One week after revealing a massive data breach, Equifax announced two of its executives are “retiring,” effective immediately.
Check Point’s bogus Windows Subsystem for Linux attack
If you deliberately set out to make your Windows system open to attack via WSL, yes, you could be attacked by Bashware.
iPhone X vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Which has better business specs?
The specifications for the new iPhones and Samsung’s latest Galaxy devices are now official. Based on those specs, how do these phones compare for business buyers?
Insight platforms as a service: What they are and why they matter
The convergence of cloud, automation and collaboration has created a new class of offerings for data driven insights. We take a look at their defining characteristics, featuring analysis from Forrester and commentary from Qubole.
Oracle preps autonomous database at OpenWorld, aims to cut labor, admin time
Oracle’s move to offer an autonomous database is aimed directly at Amazon Web Services.
Why I’m skipping the iPhone X
The downsides, unknowns and potential productivity hits outweigh the upsides.
Robots elect leader and join forces to create a larger robot
Swarm robots will usher in the age of task-agnostic hardware design.
Fitbit has just set up its largest European R&D center
Software engineers and designers working in Bucharest will now be contributing to all the company’s products.
China Says It Doesn’t ‘Hold the Key to the Korean Peninsula Issue’
China condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic-missile test but signaled reluctance to escalate sanctions, saying Beijing has made “enormous sacrifices” in its efforts to rein in Pyongyang.
Thursday, 14 September 2017
Alphabet considering $1 billion investment in Lyft: Report
Stick it to Uber: Google’s parent company is considering investing a big chunk of cash in Lyft. Alphabet CEO Larry Page is said to be leading the charge.
KDE is partnering with Purism to create a Linux smartphone
Want a free-software smartphone? KDE and Purism have started a crowdfunding campaign to build one.
North Korea Fires Missile in Direction of Japan
North Korea fired a missile Friday morning local time that passed over Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido and headed for the Pacific, according to the Japanese government’s alert system.
Oracle tops Q1 estimates
Oracle’s cloud business, including infrastructure as a service, came to $1.5 billion, up 51 percent.
New IBM big iron for Linux
IBM mainframes are alive, well, and being designed to make the most of Linux.
Distributed ledger start-up catches eye of credit unions, closes $3 million seed round
Swirlds collecting accolades, improving platform
Yet another trove of sensitive US voter records has leaked
Each record contained details on voters, including names, addresses, dates of birth, their ethnic identity, whether an individual is married, and the individual’s voting preferences.
Brazil leads 4G expansion in LatAm
The country ranks first in the region both in the number of lines and the total user base.
Looker announces version 5, doubles down on data platform play
Latter-day BI tool Looker announces a new v5 release. Its Action Hub, Viz Blocks, Data Blocks, and Applications strengthen its value as a data platform. And new BI features enhance its core strengths.
Flagship smartphones: Specs, benchmarks and prices for iPhone, Samsung, Huawei and more
Apple’s 2017 iPhones will inevitably influence the top end of the smartphone market. Here’s how it looks at the moment, with a number of key launches expected soon.
BTC China to stop trading amid increased government scrutiny
Country’s first Bitcoin exchange says it will cease trading from September 30 and is no longer accepting new account registrations, as it points to the Chinese government’s recent move to clamp down on cryptocurrency.
ISIS Convoy Reaches Militant-Held Syria After Coalition Stops Strikes, Activists Say
A 600-person convoy of fighters and their families has reached ISIS-controlled territory after the U.S.-led coalition ceased air striking the group’s route across Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
AppGuard secures $30 million in Series B funding
The cybersecurity firm will use the cash to complete the acquisition of KeepTree.
Pivotal Greenplum is alive and kicking
Greenplum is probably the best-kept secret in the analytic database world. While Pivotal was busily building its Cloud Foundry business, its Greenplum business has continued to thrive. The new release steps up the multi-workload capabilities that differentiate Greenplum. The next question is when will Pivotal launch a managed Greenplum cloud service?
Saudi Arabia Clamps Down as Prince Consolidates Power
Saudi Arabia is stamping out traces of internal dissent in a far-reaching campaign targeting influential clerics, liberal thinkers and even princes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman moves to consolidate power ahead of his expected accession to the throne.
JPMorgan calls Bitcoin “fraud” only for use by criminals and North Koreans
JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon has not minced his words when it comes to the cryptocurrency.
Will Brexit let Paris overtake London as Europe’s Silicon Valley?
On top of Brexit, the optimism coursing through France’s startup ecosystem could alter Europe’s tech status quo
Samsung launches bug bounty program for mobile devices
Researchers can earn up to $200,000 for disclosing bugs impacting the security of your handsets.
Zerodium lures researchers with $1 million payout for Tor Browser flaws
The new bug bounty program only wants functional zero-day exploits.
Wednesday, 13 September 2017
Curfews, Obligatory Prayers, Whippings: Hard-Line Islam Emerges in Indonesia
Conservative Islamic groups are using political activism and charity work to build wide support for Shariah-inspired laws. Lawmakers in response are adopting a politicized form of the religion until recently more common in the Middle East.
Lyft and Uber travel the same open-source road
Open-source software can profitably bring rivals together.
Equifax confirms Apache Struts security flaw it failed to patch is to blame for hack
The company said the March vulnerability was exploited by hackers.
ReSpeaker releases its 4-microphone Raspberry Pi software for voice applications
You can now build a voice product that integrates Amazon Alexa Voice Service and Google Assistant on your Raspberry Pi.
Shopify wants to spur a QR code comeback
The $6 billion Canadian commerce company announced this week the launch of Shopcodes.
Macron Steps Up St. Martin Security in Wake of Irma
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to step up security and stop a growing epidemic of lawlessness amid food and water shortages on the island following Hurricane Irma.
Galaxy Note 8 users have options galore. iPhone X users? Not so much
After watching the Apple keynote yesterday and seeing what is provided in the iPhone X, I couldn’t get past the limited options users have when compared to the Galaxy Note 8.
Watch this origami drone tackle a crucial problem with drone delivery
More proof that hardware is becoming increasingly elegant in the age of desktop prototyping
Raiders of the storm: The data science behind weather prediction
What kind of data and techniques are used to model and predict weather and climate? How do you reduce uncertainty and communicate complexity? Are Harvey and Irma signs of climate change, and is it going to get worse?
Atlassian rolls out several cloud-focused product updates
The product enhancements, announced at the Atlassian Summit in San Jose, are designed to improve collaboration and visibility across different corporate teams.
Apple Watch 3 only offers about an hour of talk time over LTE
How hard does having cellular built into the Apple Watch 3 hit the battery? Pretty hard.
EU to Champion Free Trade in Wake of Trump’s ‘America First’
The European Union’s top executive called for the bloc to expand its economic links from Asia Pacific to Latin America, highlighting its ambition to champion free trade in light of President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies.
Microsoft to make more privacy tweaks to Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
Microsoft is making more privacy-related changes to Windows 10 with the Fall Creators Update. Here’s what customers can expect.
Merkel’s Rivals Target Her Russia Policy
As German Chancellor Angela Merkel cruises toward likely reelection, the parties trailing her are finding a wedge issue in Russia, suggesting Germany should ease off the hard line the chancellor has maintained toward Moscow.
FAQ: How to install, reinstall, upgrade and activate Windows 10
Here’s what you need to know before you repair, reinstall, or upgrade Windows 10, including details about activation and product keys.
iPhone X: How outrageous is that $999 price tag?
The iPhone X starts at $999 for 64 gigabytes of storage, with that price rising to $1,149 for those who want 256 gigabytes of storage. Is this price tag justifiable or is it outrageous?
Apple iPhone X sets the stage for future price hikes, not innovation
When we accept expensive smartphones and salivate over smart features, there is no barrier to budget.
Best splash proof and waterproof Bluetooth speakers
If you need a Bluetooth speaker that can go in the shower with you or survive being dropped in water, then look at this range of splash proof or waterproof speakers.
Apple Town Squares: A smart move to lure modern startups
The new retail push is still depressing, though.
Tuesday, 12 September 2017
Linus Torvalds on Linux, life, and bathrobes
The most famous programmer ever is happy his work is meaningful and that he gets to do much of it in his bathrobe.
Oracle prepares to spin off Java EE to Eclipse Foundation
Oracle confirms it’s spinning Java EE to an open-source foundation with IBM and Red Hat’s support.
Does Face ID make the iPhone X more secure? Depends who’s asking
A brief lesson in threat models, and why you should care.
Malaysian Leader Plays Up Aircraft Deals, Investments During U.S. Visit
President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak cited purchase of aircraft and infrastructure investments as a basis for strong ties between the two countries.
iPhone X: The hardware behind Face ID
Unlocking the iPhone 8 might be as simple as looking at it, but there’s a lot of high-tech hardware powering it behind the scenes.
Apple says new iPhones are ‘custom tuned for AR’
The iPhone 8 cameras will also be calibrated for AR, with low light and an improved gyroscope and accelerometer for better motion tracking.
Apple will release macOS High Sierra on September 25
An incremental update: Apple’s High Sierra will be available for download in the coming weeks.
iPhone battery life bad after installing iOS 11? Here’s what you can do
Installing a new iOS update can hit your battery life hard. Here’s how you can make things better.
Apple AirPower charging accessory for iPhone, Watch to launch in 2018
When it launches next year, the AirPower will allow iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X customers to simultaneously charge up to three devices, including Apple Watch Series 3 and a new optional wireless charging case for AirPods.
Apple launches iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and aims for next decade of smartphone with iPhone X
Apple delivers two phones that are incremental upgrades and one that aims to set the stage for the next decade. Enter iPhone X.
Apple will release iOS 11 on September 19
Apple will allow the masses to update to the latest iOS soon.
Linux gets blasted by BlueBorne too
BlueBorne is a set of Bluetooth security holes that just keeps on hitting. Besides smartphones and Windows, it seriously impacts Linux desktops and servers.
U.S. Threatens China Over North Korea Sanctions
The Trump administration threatened to impose further sanctions on China if Beijing doesn’t do more to shut down banks and other Chinese firms aiding North Korea.
Automate & Accelerate Your Cloud, Safely
Cloud orchestration automates the creation and configuration of various IaaS elements and manages their entire lifecycle. With careful planning, you can use this automation to implement and strengthen security policies.
DxOMark overhauls smartphone camera testing methodology and ratings
The cameras on our phones today are used more than standalone cameras, so it is important to find one that meets your needs. DxOMark has a rigourous testing protocol that has been updated for modern smartphone cameras.
Half of connections in North America will be on 5G by 2025, GSMA says
New research presented ahead of the inaugural Global World Congress Americas conference illustrates North America’s 5G leadership.
iPhone X wireless charging accessory not ready for launch: Analyst
If a report from KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo is to be believed, Apple’s first-party wireless charging pad or dock for its new iPhones may be far away.
In the eye of crisis, new iPhones just don’t seem all that important this year
Here’s to all the survivors. The families. The innovators. The rescue workers who travel into danger. The engineers who help us foresee danger and keep us connected, even in the face of disaster. It’s a wild, crazy, changing world and we’re all in it together.
Get your iPhone ready for iOS 11
Here’s what you need to do to make sure that your upgrade goes smoothly and you don’t lose any data.
Security flaws put billions of Bluetooth phones, devices at risk
It’s thought to be the most widescale set of vulnerabilities based on the number of devices affected, hitting Windows desktops, Android devices, older iPhones and iPads, and smart devices.
Hurricane Irma Traumatizes St. Martin
A St. Martin couple had rode out plenty of hurricanes in their house next to the island’s blue waters. Hurricane Irma pulled them into the water. Neighbors found her body hours later washed ashore.
What to expect from today’s Apple event: iPhone X and more
Apple is poised to announce the iPhone X, two other iPhones, a new Apple TV, and more at its launch event in Cupertino. Here’s everything we expect — and what we still don’t know.
What will it take to scale IOT globally?
With $1.8 trillion in potential global IOT revenue on the table, mobile network operators seek to extend robust connectivity options while moving up the IOT value chain.
Google reveals formal plan to distrust Symantec certificates in 2018
The shift will begin with a new version of the Chrome web browser.
Equifax exposes credit services’ woeful IT, processes, security
Equifax is clearly the worst of the credit services bunch, but there are reasons to wonder about the company’s rivals and industry overall. Who’s watching the credit score keepers?
Apple’s iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X to kick off mainstreaming of augmented reality
Toss in iOS 11 and ARKit and Apple is about to set off a developer race to create consumer and business augmented reality apps.
Apple, Stanford testing if Apple Watch can detect heart problems: Report
Apple CEO Tim Cook also hinted at heart measurements through the Apple Watch.
Monday, 11 September 2017
Skip mobile data: Facebook testing pre-loaded Instant Videos
A small number of Facebook’s Android users are testing videos that download over Wi-Fi and pre-load before opening the Facebook app. It could help users in spotty network areas.
Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program now includes mail-in option
Ahead of Apple’s big event: iPhone Upgrade Program participants can now mail-in their current iPhone with a prepaid shipping label, instead of visiting an Apple Store.
How to get the Kubernetes help you need
As Kubernetes cloud container orchestration grows ever more important, so does the need for qualified Kubernetes administrators.
Equifax’s credit report monitoring site is also vulnerable to hacking
The site has at least one vulnerability that allows a hacker to trick users into turning over sensitive data.
U.N. Security Council Adopts New Sanctions Against North Korea
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a sanctions resolution on North Korea on Monday after U.S. officials eased their demands in the quest for an endorsement of the measure by China and Russia.
These could be Amazon’s new Fire TV devices for 2017
Amazon is reportedly planning two Fire TV devices: One dongle and one cube.
How companies can make the most from open source
It’s 2017, and some people still don’t understand why open source is vital for business and how to really make the most of it. The Linux Foundation and its corporate partners are ready to explain it to you.
NAS Wars 2017: We test the Terramaster NAS F4-220 RAID
Welcome to the fifth of seven NAS stress tests, where we brutalize NAS devices to failure and then attempt to see if they can be recovered. This week, we dig into the Terramaster NAS F2-420. It’s a small, mid-range box with a surprisingly nice interface.
Brazilian PC market sustains growth
Sales increased by 5 percent in the second quarter of 2017, says IDC.
North Korea: U.S. Will Pay a Price if Tougher Sanctions Are Imposed
North Korea threatened to inflict the “greatest pain and suffering” on the U.S. if the U.N. imposes fresh sanctions against the country over its latest nuclear test, as South Korea backed calls to squeeze oil imports.
Security Features Built into Cloud Services
Public cloud providers go to great lengths to secure their infrastructure, but organizations are still responsible to protect their apps and data. We look at Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
AT&T rolls out IoT management platform for enterprises
The platform was built in tight coordination with Microsoft and AT&T plans to work with Microsoft to bring the platform to market.
Apple to live stream iPhone 8 event: Here’s how to watch
The company is expected to announce new iPhones, and the new iOS 11.
Equifax blames open-source software for its record-breaking security breach: Report
The credit rating giant claims an Apache Struts security hole was the real cause of its security breach of 143 million records. ZDNet examines the claim.
Crossbar aims to bury Intel’s 3D XPoint with superior technology
Think Intel’s 3D XPoint is the only resistance RAM (ReRAM) game in town? Think again. Crossbar’s ReRAM is superior in almost every respect – and it’s going into production this year.
Want a new iPhone? Here’s how and where to sell or trade your current model
The new Apple iPhones will be announced tomorrow, with the price of the high end model likely topping more than $1,000. You can sell your current one to offset some of the cost or even trade it in.
St. Martin Struggles to Weather Hurricane Irma’s Devastation
Hurricane Irma has left residents of St. Martin in the dark, cut off from almost all communication and gripped with fear over the disintegration of law and order.
Hands On: Keeping a very old laptop useful with Linux
My Lenovo T400 was already old when I bought it as a refurb four years ago. It’s still ticking along nicely with a variety of Linux distributions, here are the details.
Singtel to end ADSL service to commercial buildings
Singapore telco prepares to move remaining enterprise customers to fibre as it looks to end the deployment of copper- or ADSL-based services to new commercial buildings after April 2018.
Fully autonomous drone maker takes aim at defense and homeland security
Backers are betting big on aerial automation for mining, refineries, and gas facilities. Security and defense are next.
Crackas With Attitude gov’t data leaker sent behind bars
The 25-year-old has been charged with leaking information belonging to thousands of FBI agents.
Researcher discloses 10 D-Link zero-day router flaws
The security researcher says the general public should immediately disconnect their router until patches are available.
Irma Leaves Battered Caribbean in Its Wake
Hurricane Irma left widespread human and economic havoc in a string of tourism-dependent Caribbean islands as the storm pulsed into Florida.
Sunday, 10 September 2017
Cashless cannot be the face for Singapore smart nation success
Increased emphasis on building a cashless society to reflect country’s success as a smart nation is misplaced, when the importance of getting the fundamentals right is overlooked.
Saudis Stress Commitment to Economic Change Despite Challenges
Saudi Arabia sought to reassure its citizens and potential investors over the weekend of its commitment to a far-reaching plan to transform its oil-dependent economy, even as it acknowledged that some changes may not happen as fast as it had hoped.
Caseology Parallax and Skyfall for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 hands-on: Attractive drop protection for less than $20
The Galaxy Note 8 consists of two Gorilla Glass 5 panels with an aluminum frame. To help hold this slick device and offer some drop protection, a case is justified.
Hurricane Moves Up Florida Coast
Hurricane Irma—one of the most powerful storms to cross the Atlantic—delivered destructive winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening storm surge to southern Florida as it moved toward the state’s western coast.
Saturday, 9 September 2017
Irma Slams Cuba as the Storm Cuts Through the Caribbean
Powerful Hurricane Irma made landfall in Cuba early Saturday morning as it plows northwest toward the Florida Keys, whipping the central city of Camagüey with 155-mile-per-hour winds, damaging property and knocking out communications in some parts of the island nation.
More artificial intelligence, fewer screens: the future of computing unfolds
Screen-free user experiences such as Amazon Echo and autonomous vehicles portend a future of computing without screens.
Intel cuts cord on its current cord-cutting WiGig products
As the chip giant discontinues its 802.11ad cards and antennas, it will keep pushing the wireless technology for VR headsets.
Got your smartphone or tablet wet? Here’s how to save it
If you’re unlucky enough to drop your expensive smartphone or tablet into water, here’s what to do to give you the best chance of reviving it.
MacBook and Mac accessories
Make your MacBook or Mac a better platform to get work done on with these awesome accessories.
Friday, 8 September 2017
More than credit scores: Why Equifax for Business matters
In response to the Equifax data breach, Forrester Research explains how security and risk professionals can protect themselves and their firms.
NVIDIA morphs from graphics and gaming to AI and deep learning
NVIDIA, originally focused on semiconductor products for video graphics rendering, is transitioning into an AI super-computing company. How does that manifest and doe sit make sense?
We tested Equifax’s data breach checker — and it’s basically useless
Several people have confirmed they have mixed or inaccurate results from the Equifax checker.
Samsung sells more Note 8 devices in the US than any previous Note
Samsung didn’t provide any numbers to compare with this claim, but reviews confirm the Galaxy Note 8 is one of the best available.
Hurricanes Irma and Jose Rumble Through the Caribbean
Hurricane Irma left at least 19 people dead as it barreled toward Florida, with thousands of tourists trapped across several devastated islands in the Caribbean, parts of which now lay in the path of a strengthening Hurricane Jose.
SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 SP3 released
The latest version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server extends the business Linux server to new processors and it improves performance and security.
Big changes ahead for iPhone 8 owners
iPhone 8 design changes will mean owners will have to relearn how to do things they may have been doing for ten years.
Decade-old Windows kernel bug lets hackers bypass security protections
Microsoft said it has no plans to fix the bug.
iOS 11: It’s gone from awful to awesome
The earliest iOS 11 betas were some of the worst I’d see. The latest betas are some of the best.
Lyft launches self-driving car pilot in San Francisco
The Bay Area is the new testbed for a fleet of driverless taxis.
China is poised to dominate robotics markets sooner than expected
The numbers are staggering, but the diversity of the development is the real surprise
Huge Quake Strikes Southern Mexico, Killing at Least Six
A massive earthquake hit off the coast of southern Mexico, killing at least six people, damaging scores of homes and roads and setting off a series of small tsunamis.
Security firm Mandiant said to be helping Equifax in hack aftermath
Equifax earlier on Thursday revealed a massive data breach of 143 million consumers.
Thursday, 7 September 2017
Verifone posts Q3 loss, eyes growth in mobile POS
Verifone said the loss was a result of restructuring and divestiture charges related to its China operations.
Credit rating giant Equifax admits hack; as many as 143 million affected
The credit rating firm said hackers exploited a bug on the company’s website.
Ansible DevOps program gets upgraded
The popular DevOps program Ansible is being made available in a new package and with additional features.
Okta, Cloudera beat Q2 expectations, Tintri misses
Cloudera touts its momentum in the enterprise machine learning and analytics market.
Microsoft aims to take the work out of data wrangling with coming ‘Pendleton’ tool
Microsoft is testing privately a tool for data scientists for data preparation and cleaning that is codenamed ‘Pendelton.’
Google rolls out a direct, private connection to Google Cloud
Dedicated Interconnect offers a private connection for companies that need to extend their corporate network to the cloud.
Fitbit teams with Dexcom for glucose monitoring on Ionic watch
Coincidentally, the same service is available on the Apple Watch.
Hurricane Irma Hits Caribbean, Heads Toward Florida
Hurricane Irma threatened more West Indian islands after killing at least 10 people in the Caribbean and sparking widespread power outages in Puerto Rico, as forecasts put the powerful storm on a possible collision course with Florida and other Southern states.
Microsoft may be repositioning some (or all) of Skype for Business as Teams
‘Skype for Business is now Microsoft Teams!’ according to a message some Skype for Business users briefly saw appear in their accounts.
AXA Insurance data breach hits 5,400 customers in Singapore
Customers’ e-mail address, mobile number, and date of birth are compromised in the cybersecurity incident that targeted the insurance company’s health portal.
Hurricane Irma Makes First Landfall in Caribbean
Hurricane Irma walloped several islands in the northeast Caribbean, killing at least nine people and flattening swaths of the island of Barbuda, while officials in Florida pressed thousands of residents to evacuate ahead of a possible landfall.
Atlassian launches Stride, aims to curb ‘over-collaboration,’ noise in team communication
Atlassian starts from scratch to build Stride, a team collaboration tool that integrates various mediums and acknowledges that you need to duck out to focus to actually get work done.
Microsoft, Adobe advance partnership with new cross-cloud productivity integrations
Microsoft and Adobe are continuing to integrate more of their cloud services — such as Microsoft Teams and Adobe’s Sign e-signature service — across each other’s portfolios.
Dell becomes GE’s primary IT supplier, shows PC, hyperconverged, all-flash strength in Q2
It’s been a year since Dell acquired EMC and the company highlighted progress in key areas in the second quarter.
GoodData takes a different analytics path to the desktop
While much of the analytics spotlight has been on self-service, GoodData spotted a need for embedding analytics and machine learning into the operational applications people use daily.
WireX DDoS malware upgrades with UDP flood capabilities
The malware behind the largest mobile botnet to date has evolved.
ShadowBrokers return with the release of UNITEDRAKE exploit
The hacking group has also promised two exploit dumps a month from now on.
Wednesday, 6 September 2017
U.N. Resolution Proposed by U.S. Would Sanction Kim, Cut Oil Supplies
A U.S. proposal for new U.N. sanctions against would impose an embargo on North Korea ’s oil and textile trade and slap a full asset freeze and world-wide travel ban on leader Kim Jong Un and senior regime members, according to a draft of the proposal.
MobileIron adds Apple macOS features to its enterprise mobility management tools
The Apple Release from MobileIron gives a nod to enterprises that are increasingly adopting Macs, but not managing them through central IT systems.
US House approves bill to advance autonomous car testing
The bill would exempt a certain number of driverless vehicles from state safety regulations.
What’s what with T-Mobile’s ‘free’ Netflix plan
For T-Mobile’s best customers, its new “Netflix On Us” plan offers them free Netflix viewing.
Accenture snaps up IBB Consulting
The Philadelphia-based consulting firm caters to broadband, media, mobile and technology companies.
Putin Bats Down North Korea Oil Ban
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his South Korean counterpart cutting off oil exports to North Korea would violate humanitarian norms, signaling Moscow would likely block U.S.-led efforts to impose an oil embargo on Pyongyang following its sixth nuclear test.
These brands get the most love on social media
Using social analytics technology, NetBase has looked at over 367 million social media mentions to rank the brands that have received the most positive posts throughout social media.
Huawei to invest $500M to boost cloud capabilities, services
Chinese tech giant says it plans to pump in US$500 million over five years to build up its cloud professional services and infrastructure, focusing on industry clouds and skills certification.
Microsoft’s Azure App Service developer platform now available on Linux
Microsoft’s Azure App Service for building and hosting cloud apps for the web and mobile clients, is generally available on Linux.
Siemens, HP roll out 3D printing integration partnership
The two companies will integrate Siemens NX with HP’s 3D printing systems.
Microsoft’s annual Fall Surface reveal event looks to be in London
Microsoft may go to London this year for its annual Fall Surface reveal event. Might we see a new Surface Book and/or a Surface Pro LTE model?
iPhone 8 could be bad news for Android handset makers
If Apple can use a high-priced iPhone 8 to offset a price cut for the rest of the iPhone line, makers like Samsung and LG could be in for a world of hurt.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8: My first week with a nearly perfect smartphone
After last year’s Note 7 fiasco, we weren’t sure how Samsung and Note fans would respond. The Note 8 is a stunning phone and Note lovers are sure to appreciate the S Pen functionality, dual camera performance, and more.
Lenovo bounces back in Brazil
The manufacturer starts to recover after selling local firm CCE and reducing spend.
This roving robot learned pedestrian manners
Humans are social creatures. Can robots learn to politely engage?
China Worries About Radioactive—and Political—Fallout From North Korea Blast
Beijing steps up monitoring along its border after Pyongyang’s nuclear test, fearful of the political repercussions in China from any contamination.
Tor Project boosts support for anonymous mobile browsing
As mobile use is on the up, so is the need for secure Internet browsing.
Western Digital offers to drop bid for Toshiba memory business
The seemingly generous offer is made with the view of improving their joint venture.
Xiaomi unveils first stock Android device
Chinese handset manufacturer says its first smartphone running on Android One will be available in more than 40 markets including Singapore, Indonesia, India, and Hong Kong from October.
Tuesday, 5 September 2017
Haley Hints at Congress Role in Making Call on Iran Nuclear Deal
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley laid out a path for the White House to declare that Iran isn’t complying with the 2015 nuclear deal—but leave it to Congress to decide what to do.
HPE beats Q3 expectations
Enterprise Group revenue, which makes up the bulk of HPE’s sales, was up slightly thanks to growth in Storage and Networking revenues.
WhatsApp to launch dedicated chat apps for businesses
The app for SMBs will be free, while another fee-based app is in the works for larger enterprises.
Robotics in business: Everything humans need to know
An executive guide to the technology and market drivers behind the $135 billion robotics market.
Which brands topped the social media Movers and Shakers list in 2017?
You do not have to be a new, hot technology in order to get consumers talking about your brand. Consumer engagement can happen across all brands — if you get it right.
Video of man getting beaned by robot demonstrates need for novel safety mechanisms
Airbags may provide crucial protection where humans and robots work side-by-side
Microsoft adds new Insider Lab for Enterprise for testing Windows 10 Enterprise features
Microsoft is looking to get more feedback from IT pros about business-focused Windows 10 features via a new virtual lab, known as Olympia Corp.
Hurricane Irma: Get your tech ready for the coming storm
Another serious hurricane is headed for the US. Technology can help you stay informed, and stay safe.
North Korea Crisis Strengthens Alliances, U.S. Naval Commander Says
A top U.S. naval commander said that Pyongyang’s recent string of missile and nuclear tests has brought the U.S. closer to its allies in Tokyo and Seoul, despite signs of friction.
Hurricane Irma: Storm trackers and other survival tools for mobile and desktop users
Your tablet and smartphone can be invaluable tools to help you stay out of harm’s way during hurricane season.
HPE to acquire consulting firm Cloud Technology Partners
CTP will merge with HPE’s PointNext division, helping expand its consulting services.
Lilium raises $90m in funding to make our taxis fly
The startup has taken a step closer to building all-electric flying taxis.
Why I’m now using Android and might skip the iPhone 8
Circumstances caused me to change to Android handsets as my daily driver instead of my iPhone 7 Plus. Now I’m not sure I want to go back.
Once again, Apple is going to change smartphones forever – by making them more expensive
The tenth-anniversary iPhone 8 may be the most anticipated iPhone to date, but the price tag is likely to make most gasp.
China bans cryptocurrency ICOs
The country’s central bank says Initial Coin Offerings are “disrupting” financial order.
Monday, 4 September 2017
Rise of passive investing could harm Silicon Valley startups
The tremendous growth of index funds could stifle growth of startups and harm innovation as massive amounts of money flow into company stocks regardless of their individual performance.
U.S. Urges Strong Response as North Korea Prepares New Launch
South Korea warned Monday that North Korea appears to be preparing to test another intercontinental ballistic missile, and the U.S. told the United Nations that the regime is “begging for war” after Pyongyang on Sunday set off its most powerful nuclear bomb yet.
8 speed bumps that may slow down the microservices and container express
Containers and microservices are paving the way to DevOps. However, as with any promising technology approach, they require management care and feeding.
Router flaws put AT&T customers at hacking risk
“It is hard to believe that no one is already exploiting this vulnerability,” said the researcher who found the vulnerabilities, many of which affect most AT&T U-verse modems.
North Korea Preparing for Possible ICBM Launch, South Says
North Korea is making preparations for the possible launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said, one day after Pyongyang detonated its most powerful nuclear device.
5 ways to advance robotics in manufacturing
The maturity of automated technology used in manufacturing is all over the map, says Carnegie Mellon Prof. Howie Choset, but there are concrete ways to fix that.
iPhone 8: Everything you need to know
With the unveiling of the new crop of iPhones less than two weeks away, here’s a rundown of what we think we know about the iPhone 8 based on rumors, leaks, and supply chain chatter.
How blockchain technology can transform the security industry
Implemented correctly, the blockchain may provide the enterprise with more trust in their security systems.
12 of the best Raspberry Pi alternatives
Here is a selection of single board computers for homebrew projects and automation, with prices starting at only $5.
Sunday, 3 September 2017
KHRAT Trojan sweeps across Cambodia
The RAT has ramped up its technology and techniques to compromise victim PCs, but campaigns appear to have a political purpose.
National Instruments patches LabVIEW code execution flaw
National Instruments and Talos have clashed over whether the bug is a vulnerability or not.
LG V30, Note 8, Moto X4, and new Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin wearables (MobileTechRoundup #405)
We tried a couple new phones and there are more coming soon. Several interesting wearables were also revealed and may adorn our wrists soon.
Samsung DeX update enhances enterprise experiences
Earlier this year, Samsung launched the DeX dock with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. Along with the Note 8, Samsung is releasing a DeX update that takes it to the next level for enterprise utility.
French Labor Minister Rejects Union Pushback on Labor Overhaul
France’s labor minister Muriel Pénicaud rejected a push-back from unions against a measure for small businesses in Emmanuel Macron’s labor overhaul, saying empowering workers and bosses to bargain directly is crucial to fostering a “cultural evolution” in the French workplace.
North Korea Claims Successful Test of Hydrogen Bomb Suitable for ICBM
North Korea said it conducted a sixth and significantly larger nuclear test Sunday, stepping up pressure on President Donald Trump in what is shaping up to be his biggest foreign policy crisis.
Saturday, 2 September 2017
North Korea Says It Has Developed Advanced Hydrogen Bomb
The Asian nation said it has succeeded in making a “more developed” nuclear weapon and threatens a “super-powerful” electromagnetic pulse attack.
Thousands of sensitive mercenary resumes exposed after security lapse
The resumes contained personal and sensitive information on prospective private security contractors, many of which have top secret security clearance.
Trump Administration Weighs Withdrawal From South Korea Trade Pact
The Trump administration is weighing giving notice to South Korea of plans to withdraw from a five-year-old bilateral trade pact, with a decision coming as soon as this coming week.
6 traits all successful digital enterprises have in common
‘A digital transformation is not just about changing technology. It’s about changing the way the enterprise works.’
Hidden iOS setting may stop you running out of storage space on your iPhone or iPad
Are you running out of space on your iPhone or iPad? There’s a setting buried in iOS 10 that may put an end to running out of space forever.
Best iPhone charging cables
Has your iPhone charging cable broken again? Are you tired of spending big bucks on cables for your iPhone that only last a few months? Here are replacements that have been tested for durability and performance.
Friday, 1 September 2017
U.S. Sets Plan for Regular Patrols in South China Sea
The Pentagon for the first time has set a schedule of naval patrols in the South China Sea in an attempt to create a more consistent posture to counter China’s maritime claims there, injecting a new complication into increasingly uneasy relations between the two powers.
What to expect from the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
The fourth feature update to Windows 10 is scheduled to arrive in October. It’s packed with a wide assortment of new and refined features, including some new security options designed to block zero-day exploits and ransomware.
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2: Everything you need to know
Google is rumored to partner with HTC and LG for its next iteration of the Pixel lineup. Here’s a round up of the latest rumors.
Top Android phones for those with iPhone envy
Looking for a new Android smartphone? Here are a selection of high-end Android-powered smartphones that will satisfy even the most demanding users.
Microsoft’s Windows 10 Fall Creators Update rollout to kick off October 17
Microsoft will begin rolling out the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update on October 17. Here’s what to expect.
So what can you actually do with Linux? A guide for beginners
Linux is perfect for everyday tasks like browsing, emailing, photo management, financial management and much more. Here is an overview.
Alleged Mirai botnet attacker forced back to British shores
The alleged mastermind behind attacks on Lloyds and Barclays has been extradited back to the UK.
Apple products you shouldn’t buy (and three that you can’t buy anymore)
Just because Apple offers something for sale doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to buy it! Here’s a list of Apple products that you shouldn’t buy, along with one that you can’t buy anymore.
Kenya Supreme Court Nullifies Election, Calls for New Vote
Kenya’s supreme court on Friday annulled the country’s presidential election results and called for a new poll to be held within 60 days, a surprise ruling that plunged one of Africa’s top economies into a new period of uncertainty.
U.S., Mexico Sparring Before Nafta Talks Sets Dim Tone
The second round of talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement begins here Friday under a dark cloud after both the U.S. and Mexico raised the stakes dramatically in recent days.
More on the LG V30: High end audio, video creation, and security
There’s a lot provided by the LG V30 and in this second look article we dive a bit deeper into some of the advanced audio and video experiences.
Scammers target Hurricane Harvey, Houston victims
The FTC has warned that fraudsters have reached a new low with a flood insurance scam.