The NSA issues its own suggestions for avoiding lost Heartbleed data
The United States National Security Agency may or may not have known about the security vulnerability known as “Heartbleed,” but now that it’s a widely publicized issue, the agency has some safety suggestions. Sure, you’ve probably heard all this before, but bear with us.
First and foremost, websites/web services using the affected software (OpenSSL versions 1.0.1 through 1.0.1f) are told to update, or turn off the function which enables the security flaw. Second, a variety of OSes and client/server software use the affected service, so the NSA suggests you get in touch with your software’s creator directly (Google’s already taken care of it in one version of Android, for instance). Finally, after you’re back up on a safe version of the website/service/OS you use, it’s time to dump your current password in place of a fancy new one. Like we said, nothing you haven’t heard before, but here’s the NSA confirming as much. Head below for the full document in all its acronym-laden glory.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: National Security Agency (PDF)
Daily Roundup: Windows Phone 8.1 review, Google buys a drone company, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Windows Phone 8.1 review: Microsoft’s mobile OS finally feels whole
Microsoft’s mobile OS just got a whole lot better. Complete with keyboard swipe gestures, a notification center and Cortana, the virtual assistant, version 8.1 brings Windows Phone into adulthood. What’s more, you can download the update today.
T-Mobile is killing overages on all plans starting this June
T-Mobile’s continuing its uncarrier revolution by ending all overage fees across the board — even if you’re on a grandfathered plan. Users with heavy data usage will still be throttled, though.
The ‘world’s smallest’ laptop adapter debuts on Kickstarter for $79
See that? That’s the world’s smallest laptop adapter, and it’s available on Kickstarter for just $79. Called the Dart, this charger is four times smaller than its contemporaries and includes a 2.1A USB port.
Google beats Facebook to acquisition of drone maker
Earlier today, Google agreed to buy Titan Aerospace, a solar-powered drone manufacturer that had previously been in talks with Facebook. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company plans to use the high-flying aircraft in collaboration with its Project Loon.
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Filed under: Misc
Google Glass Kit Kat update arrives ahead of tomorrow’s big sale, but removes video calling
Still need a push to drop $1,500 on Google’s Glass headset when they go on sale to all US residents tomorrow? After skipping a couple of months, the team behind it is pushing a big software update later this week that lets it run the freshest version of Android and adds a bunch of new features. Other than switching to Android Kit Kat — which will bring new features to apps and let developers use the latest SDK — Glass is now organizing photos in bundles (think Instagram photo grids, look after the break for a peek) for easier scrolling, allows for photo replies in Google Hangouts, makes it easier to send feedback and even sorts voice commands to put your most-used ones at the top.
Unfortunately, there’s also one feature that has been removed in this update — video calling. According to the Glass team that’s based on wearer feedback and since less than 10 percent of people were using it, the feature is gone until they (or someone else working on Glassware) can make it better. It’s not all bad news though, because a longer, complete list of new features is promised for the Explorers community — hit the how to buy page at 9AM ET tomorrow to join the club.
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Source: Google Glass (G+)
Office comes to the Chrome Web Store along with a slew of upgrades
Microsoft isn’t done with Office updates just because it released Office for iPad and made Office Mobile completely free — it has a bunch of improvements in store for Office Online, too. To start with, Office has reached the Chrome Web Store. You can now launch most of the productivity suite’s web apps (Excel is due soon) in the Chrome browser or Chrome OS just by clicking a shortcut. Clearly, the crew from Redmond is no longer averse to supporting your Chromebook.
Each of the apps has received at least one big upgrade at the same time. OneNote Online now offers printing support, while its Excel counterpart finally lets you add comments; PowerPoint accurately previews text, and it’s far easier to put footnotes and lists into Word. If you’ve been holding off on an Office 365 subscription because its web component was lacking, there may be enough tweaks here to justify giving it a second look.
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft
Source: Office Online Blog
Resizing Matters: Themer app update introduces dynamic icon Scaling
Themer by MyColorScreen is a particular favourite among customization enthusiasts ever since its debut; Android has always been lauded for its customization capabilities, but the Themer app takes those capabilities and gives them steroids. And despite still only being in beta, the app has already been downloaded over 1 million times. Today, there is a Themer app update rolling out that’s going to make a lot of people happy since it is introducing dynamic icon scaling.
Changing your launcher grid-size in Themer has always been a double-edged sword; while you do increase your workspace, this often affects the scaling of your icons, sometimes ruining them altogether. The update to Themer is going to eliminate this inconvenience by adding some magic that will allow your icons to be resized correctly when you move them to your homescreen.
The full changelog for the new update:
1.44 (4/14/2014)
-Icons will now auto-resize to regular size for most themes when dragged from the app drawer to the homescreen. No more tiny icons.-Improvements to pinch and two finger swipe gestures.-Media Utilities updates ported to Themer Music widgets-Other minor bug fixes.
A pretty nice update if you’re a heavy Themer user. If you do get the update, let us know how you find the new resizing. If you haven’t already got the Themer Beta, you can download it at the Play Store links below.
Application: Themer Beta
Price: Free
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First Citizens Bank Brings Free Cellphone Protection for Paying Your Cell Bill
This is rather interesting little nugget of information that landed in our inbox today. If you use First Citizens Bank and have a credit card through them, you are probably eligible for device protection at no charge. Those bankers that hold a personal Visa credit card from First Citizens Bank need only to pay their monthly cell bill with their card.
“A cell phone is one of the most essential and expensive items people
carry around today, and First Citizens is offering a simple way to
protect the investment in this device,” said Karla Mizelle, manager of
product and channel strategy. “We’re excited to offer this
complimentary benefit to our cardholders.”
Once you make a payment with your card you are automatically enrolled for free for the protection. There are a few little rules and details that apply of course. For instance, it covers up to $500 and you would have a $50 deductible. Still, not terribly bad considering some of the monthly insurance plans that have a much higher deductible and require you to pay a monthly fee. You get the typical 2 claims in a 12 month period as well. Here is what is sort of funny about the whole thing though, the coverage covers stolen and damaged devices. If you lose your phone, you are on your own. I will leave it up to you how you report your device if you choose to do so. The coverage covers the primary line and two additional lines, so no 5 line accounts.
After you pay your phone bill with your credit card you will be automatically enrolled in the protection plan and it will take effect on the first day of the following calendar month as stays active as long as you pay your monthly statement with your credit card.
If you are First Citizens Bank credit card holder, you can find additional details at their website or simple stop in at your local branch.
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Rumored New Google App Icons Get the Leak Treatment
There is a rumor floating around the community that Google will be updating their Google app icons for the next version of Android. I would say it is about time for an icon overhaul, and luckily we get a little preview of what these icons will look like.
Project Moonshine seems to be the title for this icon change, and leave it to the community of Reddit to give us the preview of what the icons will look like. No word on if the web icons will get a change as well, but I must say that I like the purposed new icons. They still represent that flat look we have all fell in love with, but there is also a somewhat 3D look to them, especially when you look at that calendar icon. Let us know your thoughts about the icon update. SHould they keep them as they are? Or are you digging the purposed icons?
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T-Mobile Puts an End to Overages and Puts Pressure on Other Carriers to Do So
T-Mobile is at it again folks. They are just becoming the Robin Hood of carriers and I am sure the other carrier giants are hating them to extreme lengths. T-Mobile announced today that they want to put an end to those dreaded overages fees, and this adds to the already $40 Simple Starter plan, and Operation Tablet Freedom plans they announced last week.
Starting in May for your bill in June, overage fees will not be present for Simple Choice plans and the Simple Starter plan. Not only that, T-Mobile is pressuring other carriers to do the same thing, and a petition has been circulating to make this happen. You might have seen the hashtag #AbolishOverages floating around social media today, and John Legere has been reporting on how many signatures they have been collecting throughout the day. You can head over to Change.org to sign the petition.
T-Mobile’s UNCarrier plans keep on changing the game, and AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, are surely loathing the fact that T-Mobile keeps adding the pressure for them to do the same thing. So head over to the petition page to add to the list of signatures. Let us know if you do.
Source: TmoNews
Change.org
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‘Social Network’ Director David Fincher Will Not Helm Steve Jobs Movie [Mac Blog]
The Social Network director David Fincher will not direct Sony’s Steve Jobs biopic, both written by Aaron Sorkin, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Back in February, a report came out saying Fincher was in negotiations to direct the film.
The report says Fincher was asking for $10 million in fees in addition to control over marketing the movie, with Sony saying his asking price was too high. It is possible that negotiations will proceed between the director and Sony.
A source with ties to the studio says Fincher potentially could re-enter negotiations but that the fee he is seeking is “ridiculous,” adding, “You’re not doing Transformers here. You’re not doing Captain America. This is quality — it’s not screaming commerciality. He should be rewarded in success but not up front.”
Sorkin and Fincher worked together on The Social Network, which made $225 million worldwide and saw Sorkin win an Oscar for best adapted screenplay, in addition to nominations in several other categories.
Leaked icons indicate Android may enjoy a redesign soon
The Google I/O developer conference is just over two months away, but it’s never too early to start opining about what the software giant is planning to show. Try not to be overwhelmed with excitement, kids: according to documents leaked by Android Police (seemingly confirmed by Google’s own Partners page) new icons are coming. The new style is apparently referred to as Moonshine, and this flatter look is likely just a portion of an upcoming redesign. We’re still awaiting details on what else may change, but for now, all we can do is look forward to new icons for Play Music, Books, Movies, and Games; as well as Google+, Calendar, People, Chrome, YouTube, Maps, Gmail, Hangouts, Camera, and the Play Store. Each of the icons appears to be more in line with what Google uses on the web. So is this just a foreshadowing that all of Android’s design guidelines will see a similar overhaul? Hang tight — we’ve got another couple months before we find out. In the meantime, feast upon a few more icons (the new ones are on the right).
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5Google
Source: Android Police
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