Results for "Tech"

The Google Pixel comes with the Trusted Voice feature, which allows owners to unlock the smartphone by saying "OK Google." The feature sounds cool, but it has been flagged as a potential security issue. (Photo : Google)

The Google Pixel comes with a feature that allows users to unlock the smartphone using a voice command. Named Trusted Voice, users only need to say "OK Google" to access their device if the feature is activated.

While Trusted Voice sounds cool, security researchers have flagged the feature as a potential issue due to the multitude of ways that it can be used against the owner of the Google Pixel.

How Hackers Can Trick Trusted Voice

TrustedSec and Binary Defense Systems founder Dave Kennedy discovered that he could use a recording of his voice to unlock his Google Pixel through the feature. This presents the vulnerability of an attacker to breach the lock of a Google Pixel device by acquiring a recording of the voice of the smartphone owner, having him or her say the words "OK" and "Google" and then editing the recording to combine the two words.

In addition, hackers who are savvy with audio tools could be able to mimic a user's voice from scratch to bypass the lock of a Google Pixel smartphone. Law enforcement would also be able to access the contents of the device bylegally requiring subjects to say "OK Google" to unlock the Google Pixel, according to George Washington University law professor Orin Kerr.

Perhaps the greater risk gassociated with Trusted Voice on the Google Pixel, however, is the fact that it is enabled by default on the smartphone. The feature can be found on other Android smartphones, but it was not activated by default, with users having to go into the Settings menu of their devices to turn it on.

How To Protect YourselfWith the Google Pixel, the Trusted Voice feature is a part of the setup process of acquiring a new unit. There is the option for users to disable the feature right during setup, but it is entirely possible that excited users will simply activate the feature in a hurry to start using the Google Pixel.

For users to protect themselves from the security problems presented by Trusted Voice, there is no choice but to deactivate the feature no matter how cool it is to be able to unlock the Google Pixel using a voice command.

To deactivate Trusted Voice, users will need to go to the Settings menu of the Google App, access the Voice menu and disable "OK Google" detection. This would force users to unlock the Google Pixel using the boring but ultimately much safer methods of either a PIN or a password.

In other news, if you are one of the eager Google Pixel customers who are affected by shipment delays, Google might be offering you $50 worth of Google Play credit.

Tech

Unlocking The Google Pixel With A Voice Command Sounds Cool, But It Is A Security Problem: Here's How To Protect Yourself By Aaron Mamiit

Unknown Friday, 4 November 2016

Microsoft rolled out the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14959 to the Fast Ring and it has a neat treat: the Unified Update Platform (UUP), which aims to make updates smaller and more seamless. (Photo : Craig Barritt | Getty Images)

Microsoft's latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14959 gives a sneak peek at how the Unified Update Platform (UUP) is shaping up, with lighter and smaller updates.

So far, Windows 10 updates have been anything but light and users have been complaining about too many updates that take too long to install. With its upcoming UUP, Microsoft will shrink future OS updates and make them more seamless, requiring less processing power.

The UUP basically consists of a number of behind-the-scenes changes that will cut the size of Windows 10 update files, reduce the required processing power for an update and streamline updates on Windows smartphones.

One of the most major changes UUP will bring to the table will have Windows Update deliver only the updates that are actually relevant to the device.

"We have converged technologies in our build and publishing systems to enable differential downloads for all devices built on the Mobile and PC OS," Microsoft explains. "A differential download package contains only the changes that have been made since the last time you updated your device, rather than a full build."

UUP is currently in testing with the latestWindows Insider test build 14959 that rolled out on Thursday, hitting the Fast Ring for both mobile and PC.

According to Microsoft, PC users can expect to see roughly 35 percent smaller updates when shifting from one major Windows update to another. The company aims to support this for feature updates that will roll out after theWindows 10 Creators Update, if the Insider testing goes smoothly.

Windows Insiders running beta OS builds on their PCs, meanwhile, should get the new update sometime later this year, while those using HoloLens or devices running Windows 10 IoT Insider builds should get the update soon after.

It remains to be seen whether UUP will actually solve at least the main issues surrounding Windows 10 updates, but Microsoft says that's the plan. The company says it's working on making updates more seamless and give users more control over when to install updates. At the same time, Microsoft also wants to make updates less demanding in terms of local processing, which should in turn translate to improved battery performance.If the general public, i.e. non-Insiders will get the treat after the Creators Update, this means sometime in the latter half of next year.

That should give Windows Insiders ample time to test out the feature so that Microsoft can smooth over any wrinkles ahead of the general release. In the meantime, Microsoft will roll out a patch on Nov. 8 to fix a zero-day Windows vulnerability Google publicly disclosed earlier this week.

As always, we'll keep you up to date with any major developments that unfold.

Tech

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14959 Brings Good News: Microsoft Making Future Windows Updates Smaller And Lighter By Alexandra Burlacu

Unknown

Apple Watch is poised to get HD photo and video capture functionality through the upcoming CMRA band. It equips the wearable with rear-facing 8-megapixel camera and a 2-megapixel selfie module. (Photo : CMRA)

Apple is not expected to outfit the Apple Watch with a camera anytime soon, but today, owners of the Apple Watch Series 2 could have not just one but two shooters in their smartwatches by way of a camera-equipped strap.

The innovation was launched by startup called Glide, which counts erstwhile Apple Watch engineer Shawn Greening as cofounder. The company is calling its product the CMRA band and is being sold with a unique charging dock that can power both the strap and the smartwatch at the same time.

Based on the promotional video released, the dual camera technology is cleverly positioned to simulate smartphone shooters. One camera is front-facing or outward-facing, capturing the action before the user while the other acts as a selfie shooter. The former sports an 8-megapixel sensor capable of capturing HD photo and video, while the self-facing module has a 2-megapixel Sony sensor.

The CMRA band, which will retail for $249, is significantly more expensive than the conventional straps being peddled for the Apple Watch, but if you preorder it now, you get $100 off, which is a 40 percent price cut. That is already quite a steal especially whenpremium and limited editions straps retail for as much as $689 at the Apple online store.

Glide has not released an exact release date, but those who preorder the CMRA band today will be able to get it in the spring of 2017. If you are interested to purchase a set, a preorder has a maximum cap of three bands, which is unfortunate because there are four colors available. There are two size variants, covering the 38 mm and 42 mm Apple Watch models.

With the release of the CMRA band and how it effectively addressed concerns about the bulk of additional camera module, Apple could be pressured to explore the same technology in the next-generation Apple Watch, which is not entirely far-fetched. The company certainly has time on its side, as the Apple Watch 3 is projected to roll out late 2017 or early 2018.

Tech

Apple Watch Gets Rear, Front Cameras Thanks To Glide's CMRA Band: Selfies, Video Calls And More From Your Wrist By Chris Loterina

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Internet.org now assists 40 million people in 49 countries around the world get online. Facebook and six other companies started the initiative in 2014 to bring affordable internet access to people in less-developed countries. (Photo : Carl Court | Getty Images)

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that its Internet.org now helps millions of people around the world access the internet.

On Wednesday, Nov. 2 Facebook announced its third quarter financial results and Zuckerberg also took the opportunity to reveal the company's efforts in bringing affordable internet access to less-developed countries.

Zuckerberg also laid down the company's plans for the next decade and he confirmed that connectivity is one of main areas of focus in this period. "Through our efforts with Internet.org, we've connected 40 million people based on our best estimate," said Zuckerberg. "And we're making good progress with our Express WiFi program, which empowers entrepreneurs to build a business by providing their community with access to the internet."

Internet.org Grows 166 Percent Year-Over-Year

Internet.org is an initiative started by Facebook and six other companies in 2014. The initiative has been criticized for violating net neutrality but it has grown at a great pace since 2014. Internet.org started with 3 million users and in 2015 the number went up to 15 million. In May this year the figure reached 25 million. Reportssuggest that the program has seen a growth of 166 percent year-over-year. Free Basics, a carrier-subsidized app and part of Internet.org, is driving internet connectivity. Facebook wants its satellites and solar-powered drones to bring internet access to many remote areas. Internet.org is targeting people who are unable to afford data plans in their regions, or those who have no access to the internet.

Internet.org is currently available in 49 countries and rumors are also surfacing that Facebook may launch the service in the United States soon.

Facebook is one of the most popular social networking services available in the world. Facebook has millions of users across the globe and the company can get more users by solving connectivity issues.

Facebook's Plan For The Next 10 Years

During the Q3 2016 earnings call, Zuckerberg also revealed that Facebook's other areas of focus in the next 10 years will be on artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality. Zuckerberg revealed that about 25 percent of Facebook teams are using AI in their work. The company has made improvements to its AI, which can now efficiently filter misleading stories and News Feeds. Facebook's AI is also being used to find terrorist publicity on the social network.

Zuckerberg says that Facebook's AI is in the early stages of development and the company is continuously working to improve content quality of what people view and share on Facebook.

The Facebook founder and CEO also announced that Oculus is doing great and the company is investing another $250 million to improve VR content.

Tech

Facebook's Internet.org Now Helps 40 Million People Get Online By Sumit Passary

Unknown

Google's Android is pulling away further from Apple's iOS in the global smartphone market. According to Strategy Analytics, 87.5 percent of smartphones shipped in the third quarter are powered by Android. (Photo : Android)

In the fierce battle between mobile operating systems, it seems that Google's Android is pulling away from Apple's iOS in the global market.

According to a research report from Strategy Analytics, Android dominated the third quarter as 87.5 percent of smartphones shipped in the period were powered by Google's mobile operating system, an increase compared with last year's third quarter when Android smartphones made up 84.1 percent of shipments.

Android Smartphone Shipments

The report stated that smartphone shipments reached 375.4 million units worldwide in the months of June to September, increasing 6 percent compared with 354.2 million units shipped in the corresponding quarter of last year. This represents the fastest growth rate of the industry for a year, as supported by emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East and Africa with relatively low smartphone penetration. The growth of the smartphone industry comes along with the growth of Android, which acquired market share from all other rival operating systems.

In the third quarter, there were 328.6 million Android smartphones shipped, a 10.3 percent increase compared with the 298.0 million units sold in the third quarter of 2015. In comparison, iOS devices saw shipments decrease by 5.2 percent to 45.5 million units from 48.0 million units year over year, with smartphones powered by all other operating systems declining by a massive 84.1 percent to 1.3 million units in the third quarter compared with 8.2 million units in the same quarter last year.

iOS Market Share

The market share of iOS for the third quarter is down to 12.1 percent from 13.6 percent in the third quarter last year, while the market share of all other operating systems decreased from 2.3 percent to a miniscule 0.3 percent. The adoption of iOS remains at its lowest point since the middle of 2014.

According to Strategy Analytics director Woody Oh, the leadership of Android looks to be "unassailable" now, as its user-friendly software and low-cost services have remained attractive to both smartphone manufacturers and customers worldwide.

Oh pointed out several challenges that Google will face, including the increasing number ofAndroid smartphones in the market, the low number of Android device manufacturers that are making profit and how the Google Pixel will directly compete with these companies that helped propel Android into dominance.

The Google Pixel comes with Android 7.1 Nougat, which is the latest version of the operating system. Older smartphones in the Nexus line of Google are said to be receiving the update to upgrade their operating system to Android 7.1 Nougat soon, though a specific release date has not yet been confirmed.

Tech

Android Dominates Q3, Powers 88 Percent Of Smartphones Shipped In The Quarter: iOS Far Behind At 12 Percent By Aaron Mamiit

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Apple AirPods Release Date: Wireless Earbuds On Track To Ship Before End Of 2016

By Anu Passary. The release of the wireless earbuds from Apple, the AirPods, may have been delayed beyond its initial late October

deadline. But the accessory is on track to ship before the year's end. (Photo : Stephen Lam | Getty Images)

Apple AirPods Release Date: Wireless Earbuds On Track To

Ship Before End Of 2016

By Anu Passary | Nov 03, 2016 07:38 PM EDT

The svelte-looking AirPods, unveiled at the Apple keynote in September, got most people

talking for all sorts of reasons. Now, these overly hyped earbuds have been delayed, although

they will ship within this year.

AirPods, the wireless earphones from Apple, quickly made it to the wishlist of iDevice lovers,especially those who were looking to buy the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus. However, the

accessory is yet to make its way to consumers.

Despite the hiccups, whatever they might be, Apple fans will be pleased to learn that the

AirPods — which Tim Cook claims do not fall off even when dancing — will reach device owners

this year and not by January 2017.

At the time of launch, Apple did not give an exact date when the AirPods would be made

available, merely stating that the accessory would hit the shelves sometime in late October.

However, the product release was delayed as confirmed by the company: "we don't believe in

shipping a product before it's ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for

our customers."A rumor courtesy of supply chain sources in China purports that the AirPods would not make its

way to retail shelves before January 2017, which hinted at Apple encountering problems with

the peripherals.

But the latest tip off from industry insiders would be welcomed by consumers as they might

soon be able to lay their hands on the $159 AirPods, which can reportedly last 5 hours on a

single chargeThe fact that retail sources have affirmed that they have a few demo pairs for customers and are

"ready to go any time," simply awaiting the green light from Apple, is a positive sign. This

suggests that the launch of the AirPods might be sooner than we estimate.

An educated guess is that Apple might launch the wireless AirPods ahead of the holiday

shopping season for people looking to buy the earbuds as a gift. However, we need to wait and

watch when the AirPods, featuring the W1 chip, will finally be made available.

Tech

Apple

Unknown Thursday, 3 November 2016

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