Chromecast software vulnerability paves way for another root exploit
Google regularly rolls out Chromecast updates that plug up previous root-friendly exploits, but there’s a new method you can use if you want complete control over your streaming device. A group of hardware hackers (fail0verflow, Team Eureka and GTVHacker) have not only discovered a vulnerability in the latest Chromecast software, but also developed a way to exploit it and give you root access. This lets you tinker with the HDMI dongle, enable and disable stuff like software auto-updates and change any setting you wish, among other things. The team’s calling it “HubCap,” and it works on both newly updated and brand new, fresh-out-the-box Chromecasts. You’ll need extra hardware to make it happen (a USB development board called Teensy used to root PS3s back in the day), but if you’re dead set on rooting your Chromecast, head over to XDA Developers for the full set of instructions.
[Thanks, CJ]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google
Source: XDA Developers
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Sony is shutting down PlayStation home in Japan
Can you remember the last time you logged into PlayStation Home? Neither can anybody in Japan, apparently. According to a statement released on the Japanese website, the 3D social space will permanently close in March of next year. Sony didn’t give a reason for the shuttering, but it’s not too much of a surprise, the online hub — an avatar-filled playground often compared to Second Life was never very popular, and seemingly fell short of the company’s expectations. Sony’s western divisions haven’t announced if a similar shut-down is in store for Home’s international versions. Oh, you say you do remember the last time you logged into Home? Well, take comfort in the knowledge that Sony is shutting down the service with a large-scale closing event.
Via: Joystiq, Kotaku, VentureBeat
Source: PlayStation
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New wearable wants to help you run better, smarter and safer
As great as running is for your health, it can also cause you some pain if not done properly — like a lot of things in life, overdoing it could turn out unwanted results (hello, shin splints). Thankfully, there’s a new Kickstarter project which is looking to alleviate some of these issues. Meet runScribe, a tiny sensor that attaches to your shoes and can measure a total of 13 different data points from how you run. These detailed kinematic metrics are then used to provide runners with specific info about their stride, including pace, stride rate, stride length and what part of the foot is being used the most upon touching ground. Moreover, runScribe plans to use crowdsourced data to, hopefully, help prevent any future injuries for people who run avidly, as it’ll be able to narrow down some of the causing factors thanks to the data collected by the wearable — such as high impact forces, excessive pronation, running surface and, yes, bad shoes. Without a doubt, runScribe certainly has potential, let’s just hope it doesn’t disappoint like some of the once-promising Kickstarters.
Filed under: Misc, Peripherals
Via: Gigaom
Source: runScribe (1), (2)
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New York Attorney General asks Airbnb to hand over 124 hosts’ personal data
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is not done scrutinizing Airbnb’s and its hosts’ business practices just yet. He’s now asked the company to hand over full, unredacted personal information on 124 hosts in the state, months after receiving anonymized data on 16,000 New York hosts. Airbnb has already complied (it did notify all 124 first), though it has clarified in a blog post that most of Schneider’s targets aren’t actively renting out rooms, homes and apartments on its website anymore. Their properties were likely included in the 2,000 sketchy listings the company killed in April for not providing “quality, local experience to guests.”
A smaller number are still active on Airbnb, but the company can’t say why they were also included in the Attorney General’s investigations, other than they have multiple properties listed for rent. Airbnb says 124 is but a small fraction of its New York community, though, and that proves its belief that Schneiderman’s really just after those abusing the system and using the website to run illegal hotels and brothels. Still, the company has agreed to provide any information the Attorney’s General office wants for a year, so Schneiderman might ask for information on more hosts in the future.
Source: Airbnb
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SpaceX rocket malfunctions and explodes during ‘complex’ test
No one ever said rebooting spaceflight was going to be easy. The SpaceX team might know that better than anyone, especially on a night like this: one of the company’s experimental F9R rockets malfunctioned in a test flight over McGregor, Texas and automatically aborted by self-destructing. Thankfully, the system kicked in before the rocket could veer off course, so there were no injuries (or near-injuries, as SpaceX was quick to point out) and no damage was inflicted. At time of writing there’s no word on just what sort of anomaly prompted the F9R to terminate its flight, but SpaceX plans to dig into the flight data to figure out just what went south.
Let’s back up for a second here, though — what is the F9R? You may have heard of SpaceX’s Grasshopper, an experimental rocket that can blast off and land on its own retractable feet again. The F9R (and its three engines) was the original Grasshopper’s successor, and has been in active duty since the Grasshopper was retired last year. While the loss of the rocket must’ve hit the SpaceX team hard, it shouldn’t be too long before they resume testing: a second F9R rocket is currently being built.
Via: The Verge
Source: SpaceX (Twitter)
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Leica’s latest rangefinder camera is both speedier and stealthier
Digital rangefinder cameras may look like retro fashion items, but they’re genuinely handy for pros — they’re good for moments when you need quality without carrying a big, conspicuous DSLR. To that end, Leica has just launched the M-P, a new addition to the M series that’s more about serious work than style. You’re still getting a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor in a relatively small body, but the buffer memory has doubled to a hefty 2GB; the camera should almost always keep up with your rapid-fire photography. There’s also a new selection lever that shows you framing for common focal lengths in the viewfinder, and an anti-reflective coating on the scratch-resistant sapphire LCD will help you review your snaps in bright sunlight.
The M-P may also be notable for what’s not there — Leica’s signature red dot branding. Much like the film-based MP from 2003, the M-P goes logo-free to avoid drawing attention and spoiling the moment. It won’t be the talk of the town as a result, but you also won’t disrupt a “natural” street scene. Just be ready to pay a premium for Leica’s faster, subtler shooter. You can pre-order the M-P today, but it will cost you a whopping $7,950 — around $1,000 more than the regular M’s current asking price, let alone full-size DSLRs like the Nikon D4S.
Filed under: Cameras
Via: DPReview
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Apple offers battery replacements for some early iPhone 5 units
It’s hardly uncommon for smartphone batteries to lose some of their oomph over time, but Apple just might be able to help if your iPhone 5′s battery has been flakier than usual. The folks in Cupertino have figured out that some of the iPhone 5s sold between its launch in September 2012 and January 2013 have batteries that may “suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently” and has kicked off a program to replace them free of charge. Mosey on over to Apple’s support page to see if your iPhone 5 is one of the affected units — if it is and you live in the United States or China, you can reach out and claim your replacement battery right now. What’s that you say? You’re one of those proactive types and already shelled out money for a replacement? Reach out anyway, because Apple may have a refund waiting for you. Alas, the rest of the world will have to wait just a little bit longer — Apple plans to launch the program in other countries on August 29th.
Via: 9to5mac
Source: Apple
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Possibility that Motorola’s new flagship will actually be called the ‘Moto X One’
As is often the case in the land of rumours, a device doesn’t necessarily end up with the name that we think it should – case in point, the HTC One M8 wasn’t called ‘The All New HTC One’. So it’s with this knowledge that we approach the Motorola Moto X+1′s name, one that has stuck with us since the rumours started, but hasn’t really been challenged. According to a post on Droid Forums though, the name of the Moto X+1 might actually be the ‘Moto X One‘, but the name of the device isn’t the most interesting thing here – it’s the source.
This information comes to us from a casting call email that calls for female actors to appear in a commercial with a mobile device called the “X ONE”. While this could always just be a paraphrasing of the name for simplicity, but we’re not one to ignore information we see; having said that though, we acknowledge that this evidence is extremely tenuous so we’ll just have to put this one on the backburner till the device is launched next month.
What do you think about the name ‘Moto X One’? Do you think this could be the real name of Motorola’s new flagship? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
Source: Droid Forums via TalkAndroid
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Samsung shows the Galaxy S5 taking the Ice Bucket Challenge, may have missed the point
One of the most viral initiatives all over the world right now is the Ice Bucket Challenge which started as an awareness campaign for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. While the campaign has done wonders for awareness and a lot of good has come out of it, it’s almost at the saturation point where some are using the core concept to their own advantage. Exhibit A: Samsung. Samsung Mobile UK posted up a video yesterday of the Galaxy S5 taking the Ice Bucket Challenge:
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While there’s probably nothing malicious in the video, it’s pretty clear that the primary focus of the video is not awareness of Motor Neurone Disease but rather the waterproof properties of the Galaxy S5, something that is missing from the “iPhone 5S, HTC One M8 and Nokia 930″. While it is a clever bit of marketing, it seems almost too opportunistic to piggy-back of a charitable awareness campaign, especially when they haven’t mentioned any monetary contribution to the cause.
What do you think about the Galaxy S5 taking the Ice Bucket Challenge? Do you think Samsung’s missed the point? Let us know your thoughts.
Source: Facebook via Phone Arena
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ComScore: Most people in the US don’t download apps on a regular basis
While smartphone apps come in handy for a variety of uses from sharing photos to navigating a new locale, it appears that most folks in the US barely download them at all. According to ComScore, 65.5 percent of those users 18 and above who wield a handset in the US go a full month without visiting their respective app store for new material. This means that 34.5 percent load up at least one new selection every 30 days, and figures indicate that the top 7 percent of users are responsible for around half of a month’s total. What’s more, the iOS crowd primarily focuses on news, radio, photos, social networks and weather, while the Android faithful fire up Google Search and Gmail most often. And to the surprise of no one, Facebook is tops in terms of popularity and amount of time spent on its app. All of that said, most folks seem to load up their phones with the usual suspects early on, and don’t tend to divide their attention too often thereafter.
Source: comScore
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AIVAnet 