Gyrocopter pilot who landed at US Capitol faces a decade behind bars
The government worker who accidentally landed a drone on White House grounds reportedly got off easy, but Douglas Hughes isn’t so lucky — he could be locked up for nine-and-a-half years. You might remember Hughes for flying a gyrocopter from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and landing at the US Capitol in April. He was fully aware that he breached restricted airspace, but he did it to protest the influence of big money in politics, carrying one letter for each Congress member. He’s now facing several charges, including flying without a certification, violating national defense airspace and operating a vehicle masquerading as a postal carrier: the tail of his gyrocopter carries a Postal Service logo, since Hughes used to work for the agency. This incident (along with the White House drone crash) exposed gaps in the government’s security, even leading to a Congressional hearing about airspace safety in DC.
[Image credit: Wikipedia]
Filed under: Misc
Sling TV brings its cord-cutter app to Android TV devices
So far, Dish has done an exceptional job of launching its internet television service, Sling TV, on most major mobile and stationary platforms. And now Android TV is the latest to offer support for the cord-cutter app, joining others like iOS, Roku, Xbox One and, of course, Android in doing so. At the moment, Sling TV on Android TV really just means being available for the Nexus Player, although there are many devices launching soon with Google’s newly minted ecosystem on board. Sling TV also announced ESPN Deportes (the Spanish version of ESPN) has been added to its channel lineup, which it will be including as part of the Latino-tailored, $5-per-month Deportes Extra pack.
[Image credit: Associated Press]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Mobile
Source: Sling TV
Propose to your beloved with this Bitcoin engagement ring
Much like the idea that Santa Claus wears red, the notion that you should spend a fortune on a diamond engagement ring is the invention of advertisers. So, since the act is already about ostentatious displays of wealth, why not invest your money in something more useful than a big rock — like Bitcoin? That’s the idea behind the Bitcoin ring, a 3D-printed piece of jewelry with a QR code that lets anyone with the corresponding app see how much cash you’ve really got.
The BTC Ring is the brainchild of Seb Neumayer, who told Motherboard that he originally thought up the idea at an MIT hackathon in 2014. Less than a year later, and he’s tweaked the design ready for mainstream adoption, at least as mainstream as you can get with the cryptocurrency crowd. Of course, should you lose the ring, you won’t have lost your money, since your stash of cash will remain tied into the blockchain. There’s also the perk that, should you start making some serious bank, you can top up the corresponding account — which saves you buying a Ferrari and a T-shirt that reads “look how fatuously wealthy I am.”
If you want to get one yourself, the schematics are available from the BTC Ring website and craft your own, or get Shapeways to make one out of metal. There’s no charge, although you can throw a few BTC towards Neumayer’s tip jar if you’ve always wanted your bling to be encrypted. Now, sing along: Bitcoin is forever, it is all I need to please me, cryptocurrencies stimulate and tease me…
Filed under: Wearables, Internet
Via: Motherboard
Source: BTC Ring
Engadget giveaway: win a BeyondCloud NAS courtesy of Synology!
The Cloud doesn’t have to be a nebulous space in the stratosphere, you can have one in your own home. Sure, there’s usually a steep initial price tag and configuration learning curve for most people, but Synology’s BeyondCloud lineup helps bypass that. Hosting your own network-attached storage (NAS) is now more approachable and affordable with the BeyondCloud’s pre-packaged and -configured drives. You’ll have secure access to your files from anywhere with a data connection, so you can store, stream and share your digital stuff without having to pay Cloud storage fees again. Sizes range from single-bay 2TB models to two-bays of 3TB mirrored drives with RAID protection in case one ever fails. And that’s what’s on the giveaway floor today: one Synology BeyondCloud Mirror (BC214se 2300) will go to a lucky Engadget this week, so they can take control of all their data. Just head on down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning this next generation of streamlined NAS systems from Synology.
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Synology Beyond Cloud Mirror (BC214se 2300).
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until May 22nd at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Filed under: Announcements
The NSA tried to use app stores to send malware to targets
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that the NSA worked on iOS and Android malware meant to capture information from a target’s phone, but actually getting the software onto phones? That’s tricky. To help solve that problem, the NSA (and the rest of the Five Eyes intelligence community) attempted to hijack data being sent to and from app stores like those run by Samsung and Google. According to a document leaked by Edward Snowden, obtained by The Intercept and published by the CBC, it was mostly in search of a way to implant secret surveillance payloads into those data connections in hopes of identifying an Arab Spring in action in other countries.
The project (code-named IRRITANT HORN) was deemed successful in the slide deck published today, noting that the team managed to “identify connections from the countries to application and vendor servers in non-5 Eyes countries.” Though the group looked especially closely at a Google app store server in France along with similar servers in Cuba, Senegal, Morocco and Russia, its biggest payoff came thanks to a popular mobile app called UCBrowser that’s owned and operated by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Upon closer investigation, the group discovered that the app was leaking user data — think phone numbers, device information and SIM card identifiers — back to servers in China. Naturally, the Five Eyes teams cooked up even more complex objectives if they found success in cracking those secure connections. The Intercept notes they also aimed to send “selective misinformation” to targeted phones in a bid to muck with dangerous or sensitive operations, not to mention quietly harvest information about certain users by way of those app store servers. Intelligence teams in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand worked on IRRITANT HORN for a good chunk of 2011 and 2012, though it’s not clear how (or if) their work has progressed since then.
Filed under: Mobile
Source: IRRITANT HORN (,pdf), CBC News, The Intercept
HTC’s rumoured 7-inch H7 tablet gets spotted with Quad-core CPU and Dual-SIM support
If you discount manufacturing the Nexus 9 tablet for Google, HTC has been out of the tablet market for quite a while, with its last offerings being the JetStream and Flyer devices. Thanks to a recent tumour and today’s spotting of the HTC H7 tablet on India’s import-export database, Zauba, it seems that HTC are gearing up to re-enter the tablet market before the end of the second quarter.
The listing states that seven H7 tablet devices were shipped to India for testing. It even reveals the basic specifications of the tablet:
- 7-Inch display
- 1.2GHz Quad-core processor
- 1GB RAM
- 16GB Internal storage
- Dual-SIM
Interestingly, the H7 will support Dual-SIM’s which is somewhat unusual for tablets, even in India where it is a common feature for smartphones. The listing says that the tablets are worth INR 9,565, around $150. As you can probably tell from the specifications, the H7 tablet appears to be headed for the budget segment. I’m sure that it won’t be long until we an image of the H7 tablet leaks, or until HTC themselves make an announcement.
Source: Zauba
Via: PhoneArena
Come comment on this article: HTC’s rumoured 7-inch H7 tablet gets spotted with Quad-core CPU and Dual-SIM support
Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy Note 4 update makes device less appealing to thieves
It looks Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is getting some added protection. The carrier is pushing out a new update to their Samsung Galaxy Note 4, further protecting the device against thievery.
Before Lollipop, devices were relatively easy to steal and wipe data off of, as factory resets rarely required passwords. Most devices with Lollipop have that feature now, except Sprint’s Galaxy Note 4. However, the carrier is pushing out an update today, adding that feature to the Galaxy Note 4.
When you receive and install the update, your software version should be N910PVPU2BOE1. Keep in mind that not everyone will receive the update yet, as updates roll out in stages and could take up to a couple weeks to get to everyone.
source: Sprint
Come comment on this article: Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy Note 4 update makes device less appealing to thieves
Cyanogen’s Platform SDK offers collection of APIs to developers
Developers working with software developed by Cyanogen have access to a new open source platform SDK that is loaded with APIs from the company itself and the CyanogenMod community.
The Platform SDK allows developers to work with existing (and future) APIs to build upon the very popular CyanogenMod. The first item that Cyanogen offered an example of was with a Quick Tile. A Quick Tile acts as a simple toggle for a setting within an app. Cyanogen’s example showed how a phone’s ‘Bike Mode’, something developed at a recent hackathon, can be turned on/off with a Quick Tile.
Cyanogen explained how Stanford University’s TreeHacks hackathon contributed to the creation of the Platform SDK:
Our general takeaway was that we needed to improve the approachability of CyanogenMod; to modularize it in such a way that developers can more easily get access to key parts of the platform. The hackathon made us realize that developing against an SDK rather than to an entire platform is a lot more approachable for developers, providing a lower barrier of entry to get a quality product up and running in a shorter span of time.
The Platform SDK is currently in an early stage, so expect plenty of adjustments to be made on a regular basis.
You can click here to get started with the Cyanogen Platform SDK.
Source: Cyanogen
Come comment on this article: Cyanogen’s Platform SDK offers collection of APIs to developers
Leaked benchmark reveals that the OnePlus Two will pack a Snapdragon 810 processor
Earlier today, a leaked GeekBench report surfaced online for what we believe to be OnePlus’ upcoming flagship smartphone of 2015, the OnePlus Two. The benchmark reveals that the handset is set to pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, in addition to 3GB of RAM.
Unfortunately, that’s the only details the written account disclosed. However, we suspect the device will ship with a 2560 x 1440p 2K display, a 21-megapixel rear-facing camera, an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter, 32GB of internal storage and a 3300 mAh non-removable battery.
What else would you like to see on board the OnePlus Two? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.
Via: GizChina
Source: Primate Labs
Come comment on this article: Leaked benchmark reveals that the OnePlus Two will pack a Snapdragon 810 processor
Telegram users can design their own custom stickers
The millions of people around the world using Telegram can create and send their very own custom stickers. The messaging service announced this week that artists can send submit their custom sticker sets to the Telegram @stickers bot for approval. In return, users are provided with permanent link for the set to save and share with others.
Sharing a sticker set can be done either by sending the direct link or the receiver can select ‘Add to Stickers’ upon receiving one. The entire set is then added. Within Telegram’s settings, users can remove entire sticker sets.
Come comment on this article: Telegram users can design their own custom stickers
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