The NSA wants to identify phone users by their finger swipes
For the National Security Agency, the fingerprint reader on your smartphone just isn’t secure enough. Lockheed Martin has confirmed to Nextgov that the intelligence outfit is testing Mandrake, an identification system that verifies who you are based on the way you swipe your finger across the screen. The technology measures not only the shape of your movements, but the acceleration and speed. It can tell whether you draw in broad, fast strokes or tend to be cautious. Lockheed doesn’t know whether or not the NSA is deploying Mandrake in the field, but it wouldn’t be shocking. Given that it’s possible to fake fingerprints, gesture-based authentication may the best way of proving that the right person really is present.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Source: Nextgov
Korg brings its classic M1 synthesizer to the iPad
If you’re fond making classic synth sounds with your iPad, Korg offers quite the library of apps that’ll do just that. As of this week, there’s a new addition: the M1 digital synthesizer and music workstation. The “complete reproduction” of the instrument is available for Apple slates as the iM1 app, and thanks to detailed circuit analysis by its engineers, Korg says the software carries the sound of the original and then some. These are sounds you’ve likely heard from Depeche Mode, The Cure and others. The included effects were bumped from two up to 18 and there’s a Kaoss pad for adjusting audio with swipe — both of which are new items absent on the original M1. If you’re familiar with synthesizers, the Kaoss feature mimics that touch-friendly surface for tweaking sounds found other other synths like the Moog Voyager XL.
The iM1 app also plays nice with MIDI controllers like Korg’s own compact keyboards. You’ll need to be serious about your mobile production habit, though, as the iOS software costs $20/£15. There are a couple of card expansion packs too, which bring tones of the M1EX and T-series synths to the party. Sound too good to pass up? iM1 is available at iTunes now.
Filed under: Misc
Via: Fact Magazine
Source: Korg
New Sharp phones feature 2,100fps slow motion video
Sharp has been showcasing three new Android smartphones, the Aquos Zeta, Aquos Xx and Aquos Serie, which feature an option for 2,100 fps slow-motion video playback, promising a much smoother slow motion effect.
However, Sharp’s slow-motion technique is a bit of a trick. The handsets aren’t recording video at this very high frame rate, instead it’s a clever software solution that adds in additional copied frames to pad out the frame rate.
Capturing footage at a higher frame rate and playing it back at a slower-rate, say 24fps, produces a slow-motion result. However, a higher final playback rate, say 60 or 120fps, improves the smoothness of the final video, but means that you can’t slow down the original footage as much.
Although it might sound like a cheat, adding in extra copied frames should allow Sharp to up the playback frame rate and apply some additional post-processing, creating a smoother image. That said, we’re not entirely what type of processing is taking place to smooth out the video.
The Aquos Zeta, Aquos Xx and Aquos Serie feature image sensors that can record at 210 fps at a 854 x 480 pixel resolution (FWVGA) or 120 fps in 1080p (full HD). By copying 10 frames for each frame, Sharp can reach 2,100 fps FWVGA or 1,200 fps full HD slow-motion. You can see an example capture on the Zeta in the videos below.
Despite coming up with several new technologies in the mobile space, Sharp has been showing signs of struggling for finances and has been rumored to be looking to sell off its smartphone LCD business.
These new Sharp phones are scheduled for release in the coming weeks on Japan’s three main mobile networks, NTT DoCoMo, SoftBank and KDDI.
Microsoft to offer Cortana app for Android
Earlier today, Microsoft confirmed what many people had already suspected. That the Windows 10 personal assistant, Cortana, is coming to Android AND iOS by the end of the year. More specifically, Microsoft is trying to make it easy for Windows 10 users to have Cortana by their side, even if they do not own a Windows Phone.
Of course, Cortana will be included once you upgrade your current PC to Windows 10 (for free), so there’s just one more personal assistant available for your devices, once the application gets released. Just in case you aren’t exactly aware of what Cortana is, here’s a brief summary of what she can do for you on your Windows 10 computer and soon to be on your device. Think Microsoft’s version of Siri and Google Now.
You can have Cortana remind you to pick up milk the next time you’re at the grocery store, and then your phone will wake up and buzz with the reminder. You’ll be able to track a flight using Cortana on both your phone and your PC, and get the updates on the device that you’re on so you don’t miss anything. Everything in Cortana’s Notebook will show up across all your devices and any changes you make on one device will be reflected when you use Cortana on any of your other devices. The Cortana companion app will help you complete tasks you begin on your PC wherever you are, on your phone.
With Cortana for Android expected to be released by the end of June, and its’ iOS counterpart slated for later this year, Microsoft is trying to let everyone in on the fun.
Microsoft has some other goodies slated for Windows 10 users. They are also releasing a ‘Phone Companion’ app which will be built into Windows 10. What this application will allow users to do is easily keep your files, photos and music, in sync with whatever device you are using. Yep, more cross-compatibility with Android and iOS.
Now in order for the Phone Companion application to keep everything in sync on Android or iOS, you will need to have the OneDrive and OneNote applications installed already. Then once connected to your Windows 10 computer, you will need to perform some extra steps. Microsoft has stated that the Phone Companion app will be released within the next few weeks for those who are running the Windows 10 Technical Preview. Since I have that currently running on my main machine, I can’t wait to get my hands on it and see how it all works.
Finally, Microsoft will be updating the Xbox Music app for Windows 10, Android and iOS which will bring FREE STREAMING playback of all your music from your Windows 10 computer of choice with the help of OneDrive. If you’re someone like me, and have a TB of space available in OneDrive, this can come in extremely handy.
Microsoft seems to have big plans for cross-compatibility and it’s really a nice thing to see nowadays. The real question remains to be answered, and that is, how will it work in the Real World. Let us know what you think about these changes in the comments below.
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Hyundai first car maker to launch Android Auto in production models
Hyundai on Tuesday announced it has become the first auto maker to embed Android Auto support in its production models.
Starting with the 2015 Sonata with Navigation, owners can take their cars to a dealership for a software update that includes Android Auto. Once integrated, it allows for Android 5.0 (and newer) smartphones to bring features into the car such as Google Now, messaging, music, and maps.
“Android Auto aligns with Hyundai’s core interior design principles of safety, intuitiveness and simplicity. We launched this highly anticipated feature on our best-selling Sonata, adding to our promise of value. With the launch of Android Auto, we provide more owners with the experience of cutting-edge technology.“
Later this year Sonata with Navigation customers will be able to install Android Auto via USB. A MyHyundai account is required to start the Android Auto download.
Press release embedded below.
Press release
HYUNDAI IS THE FIRST AUTOMAKER TO LAUNCH ANDROID AUTO
All-New Integration Available on Best-Selling Sonata
- First car company to launch Android Auto on production vehicles, starting with the 2015 Sonata with Navigation
- Free Android Auto software update available for current owners of 2015 Sonatas with Navigation
- Android Auto reduces driver distraction by integrating the driver’s smartphone with the vehicle’s screen and controls
Fountain Valley, Calif., May 26, 2015 – Today, Hyundai becomes the first car company to launch Android Auto™ on production vehicles. Android Auto is premiering on the 2015 Sonata with Navigation at dealerships nationwide, and will later become available on other Hyundai models.
“Android Auto aligns with Hyundai’s core interior design principles of safety, intuitiveness and simplicity,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We launched this highly anticipated feature on our best-selling Sonata, adding to our promise of value. With the launch of Android Auto, we provide more owners with the experience of cutting-edge technology.”
Android Auto not only brings a high technology experience to Hyundai owners, but also improves safety. For example, at any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010.[1] Android Auto helps keep drivers’ eyes and attention on the road by integrating the advanced driving-related functions of the user’s smartphone with the familiar centralized screen, physical controls and microphone of their car. Furthermore, the smartphone’s screen becomes “locked,” so drivers are not tempted to look down and interact with their phones directly while Android Auto is in use.
AVAILABILITY FOR EXISTING OWNERS
Owners of existing 2015 Sonata with Navigation can get the Android Auto software update free of charge at Hyundai dealers starting today. Later this summer, owners can visit www.hyundaiusa.com/myhyundai and download the Android Auto software onto a USB memory drive. Owners will need a MyHyundai account to start the Android Auto download. A MyHyundai account requires name, address and a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Once the USB with the Android Auto software is inserted into their Sonata’s USB port, it will automatically update the vehicle’s Navigation system to make it Android Auto compatible. The Android Auto compatible Navigation system with an eight-inch touchscreen display is available on the Sonata Sport, Eco, Limited, Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T models.
ANDROID AUTO
Owners will need the Android 5.0 “Lollipop” operating system or later, and the Android Auto companion app on their compatible phone to integrate Android Auto into Sonata’s screen and controls. A micro USB cable is required to connect the phone to the car’s USB port. The first time an owner plugs his or her phone into their parked Sonata, the phone will prompt the download of the Android Auto companion app from Google Play. Users of Android Auto will instantly recognize familiar Android phone applications, such as Google Maps, Google Now, messaging, phone calling and Google Play Music upon connecting their Android phone to their Hyundai vehicle. These applications can be controlled by voice, steering wheel controls and touchscreen. Android Auto also will offer many popular third-party audio apps that owners have on their phones, including iHeartRadio, Spotify, TuneIn, NPR, Stitcher, Skype, TextMe and many more. Owners can find out up-to-date information about phone compatibility at https://support.google.com/androidauto.
ADVANTAGES OF ANDROID AUTO
- The Google Now card-based experience provides suggested locations and travel times based on the user’s searches, calendar entries and home and office locations, as well as weather information and “now playing” information for music streamed via the phone
- App software (navigation, streaming music, etc.) is automatically updated because the apps live on the phone
- Natural voice recognition with Google voice actions
- Owners can easily bring their personal reminders, suggested destinations, calendar appointments and music preferences with them when they get in their car
- Android Auto automatically pairs with the Sonata for phone calls through Bluetooth when connected for the first time via USB
- Android Auto has familiar interfaces that are easy to use and have almost no learning curve
2015 HYUNDAI SONATA
The all-new seventh-generation 2015 Sonata offers a more refined look through a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness, and advanced safety and convenience features. Sonata truly democratizes the premium design and convenient technology of the Genesis sedan for the mid-size class. The new 2015 Hyundai Sonata is built at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Montgomery, Ala.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.
For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com
Please visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.com
Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook
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Microsoft announces Cortana app for Android
Confirming long running rumors, Microsoft announced today its plans to bring its Cortana virtual assistant to devices running Android and iOS.
Think of Cortana as the Microsoft equivalent of Google Now. The app is currently only available on Windows Phone devices and Windows 10 preview PCs, but Microsoft acknowledged that, in order to make it truly competitive, Cortana needs to work on the two mobile platforms that people actually use in significant numbers, Android and iOS.
Cortana for Android will do “most of the things Cortana does on your PC or on a Windows phone.”
Because Cortana for Android will be just another app, it will lack features that require deep system integration, like access to toggling settings. But Microsoft insists in a blog post that Cortana for Android will be able to do “most of the things Cortana does on your PC or on a Windows phone.” That includes, for instance, reminders based on location, updates from websites you visited, and updates based on flight status or parcel tracking emails. In short, Cortana’s functionality will be familiar to any Google Now user, though Google’s implementation has a clear lead in terms of depth and breadth of features. Cortana for Android will not be accessible through a voice command, due to the aforementioned lack of a system access. That means you won’t get to wake up your device by uttering “Hey, Cortana” which sounds a little cooler than “Ok, Google.”
The first version of Cortana for Android will be hitting Android in late June.
While there’s no mention of it in Microsoft’s announcement, Cortana will be probably one of the apps that are pre-installed on future devices running Cyanogen OS, thanks to the partnership between Microsoft and Steve Kondik’s company. Because Cyanogen has prided itself on providing developers deeper access to Android compared to what Google’s Android allows, Cortana for Cyanogen will probably have more features than Cortana for Android, including hotword recognition.
This is the latest move in Microsoft’s strategy of embracing competing platforms and making its products and services widely accessible, regardless of who makes the platform. What do you think of this move? Is Google Now all you need or is Microsoft welcome to try to shake things up?
Google rumoured to be concentrating on Battery Life and RAM optimisations in Android M
It isn’t long to go until its May 28th, the opening day of Google I/O 2015, and that means that we are getting closer to finding out what Android M will bring, and the surprises Google has in store for us.
Until then though, we have a new rumour to consider courtesy of AndroidPolice, who have heard that Google will (once again) be focusing on battery life and RAM usage in Android M (or Macadamia Nut Cookie or MNC). This is hardly a new focus, as Google has previously attempted to tackle battery life issues with Project Volta in the Android 5.0 Lollipop edition. Still, no one will ever say no to getting more efficient use of their smartphones battery life.
Google has apparently told its teams to concentrate on reducing location check-ins, cutting off-charger activities and optimising RAM usage. Google’s own Play Services app often heads the list of guilty parties when it comes to battery usage, so hopefully it will receive a check-up along the way as well.
The other part of the rumour is that Google plan to release a developer build of Android M, just like they did with Lollipop before it. Android M is alleged scheduled for a final release sometime in August. This date should be taken as a provisional date, rather than being set in stone due to possible delays in developing this latest version of Android.
Source: AndroidPolice
Come comment on this article: Google rumoured to be concentrating on Battery Life and RAM optimisations in Android M
Microsoft Announces Cortana For iPhone Available Later This Year
Microsoft today announced that its Cortana personal digital assistant will be available for iPhone and Android smartphones later this year, after multiple rumors hinting at cross-platform expansion of the service over the past year. Windows 10 will also feature a new “Phone Companion” app as a central place for PC users to install Cortana and other Windows-related apps for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone.
Microsoft unveiled Cortana on Windows Phone 8.1 last April as the company’s answer to Siri and Google Now, and the company is also bringing the personal digital assistant to the desktop as part of Windows 10 this summer. Cortana’s features include contextually-aware reminders, routing and mapping, current weather and traffic conditions, sports scores, biographies and more.
Some of Cortana’s features on Windows Phone won’t initially be available on iPhone and Android smartphones, including toggling settings, opening apps or “Hey Cortana” hands-free invoking of the personal digital assistant. Microsoft will also release an updated version of its Xbox Music app for iOS with free streaming playback of your music files and playlists from OneDrive.
Sony launches Xperia Z3+ with 1080p display, Snapdragon 810 SoC & 5MP front camera
Do you remember the Xperia Z4, the flagship device that Sony announced in Japan last month? Well, it turns out that Sony has decided to call its global version – the Xperia Z3+, and quite aptly so as the handset looks like a carbon copy of its predecessor.
While it may have the same Omni-Balance design as the Xperia Z3, the specifications of the Xperia Z3+ definitely make it capable enough to take on top-notch flagship devices launched this year. Talking of which, the Xperia Z3+ features a 1080p display, a 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB expandable storage. In the imaging department, it sports a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, which is an upgrade from the 2.1-megapixel of the Xperia Z3. The primary snapper is still a 20.7-megapixel one. It comes preloaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop and runs on a 2,930 mAh battery. Connectivity options include 4G/LTE Cat 6 (<300Mbps), Wi-Fi (<862Mbps) and what’s more – the device even has a dual SIM variant.
Available in Copper, Black, White and Aqua Green colors, the Xperia Z3+ is quite slim at 6.7mm. Although its USB port has lost its awkward cap, Sony has maintained that it will still be a water and dust proof device.
There is no word on the pricing of the device as yet, but it is expected to be up for grabs sometime later this summer. Its launch timing has placed it directly in competition against the Samsung Galaxy S6, the LG G4 and HTC’s One M9.
Source: Sony Mobile
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Samsung debuts limited edition Iron Man variant for Galaxy S6 Edge
As we’ve come to expect over the last few weeks, Samsung has announced a limited edition of its Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone. Making its debut today, the Iron Man variant features a red and gold design with the titular Avenger etched into the back of the device. Additionally, the Iron Mad edition ships with a wireless charging pad that looks much like an arc reactor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Those of you hoping to get your hands on the limited run Samsung smartphone might not want to hold your breath. Unfortunately, there’s no indication that we’ll see the device launched in the United States. As it stands now, the Galaxy S6 Edge Iron Man Limited Edition will be offered in Korea, China, and Hong Kong.
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AIVAnet 