Museum teams up with Samsung to render mummies in 3D (video)
Thanks to more advanced medical CT scanners, we can now look at what’s inside the British Museum’s mummies… even if they remain wrapped. The museum has partnered with Samsung to provide 3D visuals for eight mummies of people who lived in the Nile Valley as far back as 4,000 years ago created using high-res CT scans. These visuals (some of them even interactive) show you what lies underneath all those mummified layers, from accessories and hairstyles that indicate their status in life, to the state of their health when they passed away. For instance, you’ll see that a man of high status was buried with gold leaves and facial features painted on his wrappings, while a lowly temple doorkeeper had his severed head roughly reattached with wooden poles. The exhibit’s already live for anyone interested in (digitally) peeling layers off the ancient remains, and it’ll be around until November 30th this year.
Filed under: Misc
Via: Gizmodo, New Scientist
Source: British Museum
The US Air Force’s oldest bomber is now a flying network
The B-52 may be one of the US Air Force’s most reliable bombers, but it’s not exactly a technology powerhouse; some of its systems were only fresh when Kennedy was President. The aircraft’s newly-delivered CONECT (Combat Network Communications Technology) variant is finally catching up with the times, though. It’s effectively a network hub with wings. A wideband satellite link keeps the machine in touch with other Department of Defense systems, letting it receive new mission plans and redirect smart weapons after they’ve launched.
The upgrade also helps communications between crew members, which get an internal network to both control multiple systems and chat over a digital intercom. The CONECT B-52 still isn’t cutting edge — it’s just getting keyboards and trackball mice, and it will take a while for all 76 of the Air Force’s B-52s to get the revamp. However, showing off isn’t really the point. The modernized bomber should be smart enough to survive in the internet era, where real-time battlefield data is as important as having the right kind of firepower.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Defense Industry Daily, Ars Technica
Source: Boeing (1), (2)
Neon Glow Icons by Samer Zayer – Icon Pack Review
They are finally here. We have been getting teased like crazy by screenshots from the man himself, Samer Zayer, about his new icon pack, Neon Glow. These sexy little icons have been well received in the community, and many of you have been asking me about them since a had a couple of them on my homescreen while I did app reviews. Had to keep it a secret for awhile, but now we can talk about them.
Neon Icons are simply beautiful, and they make your homescreen pop. The colors on each icon are eye-catching, and leap off the screen. Zayer is no stranger for coming up with unique icons. If any of you are part of his community on Google Plus, then you know he rocks when it comes to creating icons.
Not only does this icon pack have super-sexy icons, but Zayer has some wallpaper that will also compliment your homescreen. They mix very well with the Neon Glow icons, and if you need some further encouragement to buy this icon pack, click the community link below to check some nifty looking screenshots others have posted on that page. Also check out my video run-through below to see what the icons look like on my Nexus 5
Samer Zayer Community Page
Play Store Link
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Lenovo’s next flagship phone is all about metal, a quad HD screen and a big battery
Lenovo’s current flagship phone, the Vibe Z (K910), opted for plastic instead of metal like its predecessor, so it’s nice to see metal making a comeback on the next model, dubbed the Vibe Z2 Pro. This is according to several photos that have been making the rounds on Sina Weibo, and our sources have since confirmed that these were taken at an internal event, so someone’s been a bit naughty. The specs are top notch: 6-inch quad HD display, 16-megapixel OIS camera (with dual LED flash), massive 4,000mAh battery and 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 chip. These are all wrapped inside a 7.7mm-thick metallic body that also supports NFC.
Like the Vivo Xplay 3S which packs the same display, the Vibe Z2 Pro appears to feature a very high screen-to-bezel ratio, which is always welcomed as long as the touchscreen’s edges aren’t too sensitive. You can also see that this is a dual-SIM device with LTE support, though the international variants may differ. Oddly enough, the usual “Lenovo” logo spot on the back has been taken up by “Vibe,” thus suggesting that for some reason, the Chinese company is making a bigger push for its mobile sub-brand.
Given the fact that this was from an internal event, we should be hearing an official announcement very soon. With ex-Nokia vet Colin Giles recently quitting Huawei to run Lenovo’s global mobile division, here’s hoping he’ll do something about that ugly UI before bringing it to our side of the world.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Lenovo
Source: Sina Weibo (1), (2)
Hackers Remotely Locking Some Macs and iOS Devices in Australia for Ransom [iOS Blog]
A number of iOS and Mac users in Australia are reporting a growing issue on Apple’s support forums (via The Age) in which hackers are locking iPhones, iPads and Macs remotely through iCloud. Compromised devices are also displaying warning messages offering unlocks for money.
A hacker’s message on a compromised iMac (via The Age)
Member veritylikestea on Apple Support Communities:
i was using my ipad a short while ago when suddenly it locked itself, and was askiwhich I’d never previously set up. I went to check my phone and there was a message on the screen (it’s still there) saying that my device(s) had been hacked by ‘Oleg Pliss’ and he/she/they demanded $100 USD/EUR to return them to me.
Member Sei_L on Apple’s forums also reports a similar message:
Same things here, both Ipads got the “hacked by Oleg Pliss” message, both have passcodes. In Western Australia also. I’ve chatted with Apple Chat and they said “this is very serious.” They’ve set up a phone call back from the correct department (whoever they are) tomorrow morning so we’ll see what happens then. We can access the ipads because they both had passcodes but when an app is used, it comes up with GameCentre password request; we didn’t put it in.
IT security expert Troy Hunt commented on the specifics of the issue, stating that the hackers are likely using compromised data exposed from recent security breaches to login to iCloud accounts. Hunt also notes that the accounts hacked were likely not using two-step verification, suggesting that a single password would have not had granted access had the feature been turned on.
Apple has yet to officially comment on the issue, although users are encouraged to turn on two-step verification for their Apple ID with directions available on a support page.
Samsung’s mobile health app can now tell when you’re stressed out
The Galaxy S5′s heart rate sensor has mostly been handy for fitness gurus, but it’s now helpful for the rest of us, too. Samsung has pushed out an update to S Health that uses the sensor to track stress levels; if your heart is racing after a bad day at work, you’ll know. The app also tracks long-term trends, so it should be clear when you’re overdue for a vacation. While S Health won’t help you get rid of the annoying coworkers or personal dramas that cause stress, the app will at least make it clear that it’s time to relax.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Via: SamMobile, Android and Me
Source: SammyHub
[Concept] Nexus Play Console by My Gadgetic makes me tingle all Over
The nVIDIA Shield was the first Android device to really take on the handheld gaming pedigree of the Android operating system, and while it was a very attractive and formidable device, it pales in comparison to the Nexus Play Console concept designed by My Gadgetic. Utilizing a curved touch display and motion sensitive controls, the Nexus Play looks like something that we would only dream of from the future. Check it out in its tour video:
From the looks of it, the Nexus Play Console would be best suited to the living room environment where it could be used best for games or even as a media remote. While this concept may never become reality, it’s still a tantalizing thought to wonder just how good Android gaming would become with a device like the Nexus Play Console. Now excuse me while it takes me another few hours to get over how good it looks.
What do you think about the Nexus Play Console? Would you buy something like that if it were real? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: My Gadgetic via Concept Phones
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Touch ID Once Again Said to Come to iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 This Year
A new research note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that Apple will include Touch ID across all new iOS devices in 2014, boosting shipments and bringing the fingerprint sensor to the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. The report reiterates previous claims made by Kuo last month, which noted that Apple’s next-generation iPads will feature Touch ID upon their releases this fall.
Apple’s Touch ID module should see shipments soar 233% in 2014. We believe every new iOS device launched this year will be equipped with Touch ID, including 4.7” and 5.5” new iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 with Retina display. Considering shipments of new products and iPhone 5S sales last longer than in 2013, we forecast unit sales of the fingerprint sensor module to grow 233% to 120mn for 2014.
Kuo also notes that Apple will change its Touch ID module design to utilize tin over previously used chemicals to enhance durability. Apple is also expected to stick with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and its subsidary XinTec to produce the fingerprint sensors.
Last month, it was noted that TSMC provided the first batch of fingerprint sensors for the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3. A report in January noted that TSMC would begin production on the sensors sometime in the second quarter of this year with a new 12-inch fab processing method, however a report in February stated that TSMC would be using the same 8-inch fingerprint sensor processing method used for the iPhone 5s.
Improved shipments of Touch ID will also likely help launch supplies of all three devices, as low yield rates of the component was said to be a key factor contributing to the limited supplies of the iPhone 5s at its launch last September.
ESPN mulls streaming Major League Soccer to fans without cable subscriptions
ESPN’s latest Major League Soccer news could be a boon for cord-cutters. At the moment, there are a few different ways to watch the sports channel’s soccer football offerings, but they require a pay TV subscription to do so. According to Reuters, though, that could change in the future. Company president John Skipper says that he’s looking for ways to increase revenues for his company and sees a direct-to-consumer sales approach as a possible step toward that. The reasoning? Well, he forecasts that digital advertising revenues (online ads, bumpers during V-O-D broadcasts) will be the “most promising” area of growth over the next two to three years. Skipper mentions the network’s recent purchase of rights to digital MLS broadcasts is a clue to future plans, but was quick to note that none of these plans are “very far along.” Despite that, Reuters‘ anonymous sources still claim that a firm plan could be in place within a few months and that the games could be offered through the ESPN3 app — hopefully via Roku too.
[Image credit: Associated Press]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Reuters
HTC One (M8) Ace rumored as Vogue Edition, expected June 3
HTC One (M8) is most certainly one of the best smartphones out at the moment. HTC’s flagship has been around for some time now and we’ve already seen some leaks regarding some spin-offs, if we can say it that way, of that device. HTC One Remix for Verizon has leaked as well as HTC One (M8) prime and HTC has already launched HTC One mini 2 recently.
This time around we have a leak regarding HTC One M8 Vogue coming from China. This device might as well be HTC M8 “Ace” which has leaked over a month ago. The specifications of the device are allegedly going to be the same as in HTC One (M8), but the design will be significantly different and it will sport only 1 camera on the back, like HTC Desire 816 for example, which has one 13MP camera and a plastic design materials. We don’t exactly have a clear picture of how the phone will look like because we don’t have an image to attach to this leak, but we’re guessing something similar to HTC One (M8) covered in plastic instead of aluminum.
The device should be released on June 3rd, at least in China, and the price should be somewhere around $480. It is also rumored that it will be available in black, white, blue and red colors. What do you think about all this? Would you buy a phone like this?
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