Hornby’s KitStarter lets fans crowdfund vintage model sets
Hornby, a British company that makes detailed model trains, plastic build-it-yourself toolkits and die-cast collectibles, wants to bring back some of its classic sets. To do so, it’s launching a Kickstarter-style site called KitStarter that lets Airfix fans pledge their interest for old and out of production models. Once a set receives enough support from backers, Hornby will trigger a two-week “last orders” period and then put the kit back into limited production. To begin with, the company is starting small with two bird-themed kits — Bluetits and Bullfinches — that were originally produced in the 1970s. Hornby plans to add new vintage sets over time and is encouraging fans to submit their most-wanted recommendations in the forums. So if you’ve ever regretted not completing a particular Airfix collection, this could be your opportunity to finally pick up some missing sets.
[Image Credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Filed under: Internet
Via: Pocket-Lint
Source: KitStarter
Drone catches cheating students in ‘world’s toughest exam’
If students want to cheat their way through one of China’s most difficult exams, they’ll now need to thwart a patrolling drone. The National Higher Education Entrance Exam, known as “gaokao,” is held each year and determines whether youngsters will get into the top universities. It’s been described as the “world’s toughest exam” and can be stressful, even traumatic for students trying to achieve higher grades. Some entrants, ingeniously, try to cheat by capturing their test questions and sending them to someone on the outside, before receiving the answers via an earpiece. Unsurprisingly, China wants to crack down on the practise, so one province is now using a drone to monitor radio activity. When a disturbance is detected, it can alert the invigilators and help determine the culprit’s location. The penalties for cheating are fierce, so authorities are hoping the threat alone will be enough to encourage would-be cheaters to spend their free time cramming instead.
[Image Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under: Misc
Via: Wired
Windows will make it easier to remote-control Linux PCs
In case there was any doubt that Microsoft’s war against Linux is (mostly) over, the company just offered another olive branch. The company has revealed that its PowerShell team is working on support for the Secure Shell protocol and shell sessions (aka SSH) to make it easier for Windows- and Linux-based PCs to connect to and remotely control each other. While SSH has been an option in the Windows world, Microsoft’s Angel Calvo says there have been “limited implementations” so far — this would simplify things and give you “tight integration” with Windows that wasn’t feasible before. It’s too early to tell when the feature will be available, but it’s at least in the cards.
The move isn’t completely surprising. As Calvo notes, the “changes in leadership and culture” in Redmond made this possible. CEO Satya Nadella is interested in spreading Microsoft’s services (such as Azure) to every platform that can use them, rather than insisting on Windows-only solutions like his predecessors. SSH support should make it easier to integrate Microsoft’s technology into environments where Linux has a solid foothold, whether it’s a data center or your home network.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit]
Filed under: Software, Microsoft
Via: Phoronix
Source: MSDN Blogs
FBI surveillance planes flying over US cities linked to fake companies
Thanks to an Associated Press report, we now know more about the FBI’s fleet of small surveillance planes that are flying over US cities. It’s no secret the aircraft have been used for years to aid the Bureau’s efforts on the ground, but recent flights were equipped with cameras and cellphone-tracking technology. The FBI says mass surveillance isn’t he purpose of the group of mostly Cessnas (like the one above), maintaining the gear is only used for ongoing investigations — more often than not, without a warrant. The FBI isn’t denying the existence aircraft, but the AP linked the fleet to at least 13 fake companies that coordinated over 100 flights in 11 states during a 30-day span starting near the end of April. According to the Bureau, measures are taken for “operational security purposes” and for pilot safety. The FBI also says the phone-tracking tech is rarely used. However, much like the its Stingray devices, the cellphones of nearby people are caught up in the net — not just the intended target.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik]
Filed under: Misc
Source: Associated Press
Apple Stores to Begin Selling Typo Keyboard for iPad Air [iOS Blog]
Typo Innovations today announced that it will begin selling its iPad Air keyboard case at Apple Stores and through its website, according to Re/code. The announcement comes just two days after Typo reached a settlement with BlackBerry that will prevent it from selling Typo for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus due to its similar look and functionality as the physical keyboard found on most BlackBerry devices.
Typo for iPad Air is a detachable keyboard featuring built-in autocorrect technology and an adjustable stand, although unlike Typo for iPhone, the product enters a market crowded with multiple accessory makers that sell virtually identical keyboards. Typo retails for $189 in the United States and is compatible with both the original iPad Air and iPad Air 2. The company is also accepting pre-orders for an iPad mini version of the keyboard.
Disconnect.Me dispute with Google over Play Store leads to antitrust complaint in Europe
As Google continues to deal with the European Commission over a variety of claims that the company has become too large and is creating an anticompetitive environment, a new complaint has been lodged by Disconnect Inc., developers of an ad-blocking and privacy app. The crux of the complaint is Google’s decision to ban the Disconnect Mobile app from the Google Play Store. Disconnect is demanding their app be included in the Play Store along with unspecified damages.
Disconnect provides a service to protect “users from invisible tracking and malvertising, malware served through advertisements” according to a statement issued by the company. Disconnect makes their service available through apps for both Android and iOS systems as well as extensions that can be deployed on desktop computers. Disconnect has tried twice in the past year to get the Android version of the app listed in Google Play, only to see Google ban the app. The second time it happened, Google threatened to remove the company’s developer account, which would have impacted other apps produced by the company.
Google has responded to the complaint stating it is baseless. According to their statement,
“Our Google Play policies (specifically clause 4.4) have long prohibited apps that interfere with other apps (such as by altering their functionality, or removing their way of making money). We apply this policy uniformly – and Android developers strongly support it. All apps must comply with these policies and there’s over 200 privacy apps available in Google Play that do.”
Disconnect, founded by former Google execs, currently offers the app through their own site so users can sideload the app. They have also worked on deals to get the app pre-installed on devices, like the Blackphone provided through Deutsche Telekom. However, the company clearly believes they are losing out on potential revenue due to the lack of exposure from not being listed in the Google Play Store. In a statement, CEO Casey Oppenheim says,
“We want what the lawyers call ‘equal treatment.’ We want Android users to be able to get our products quickly and easily through the Play Store and we want to be fully supported by Google, just like other apps in the Store.”
Disconnect has not yet released the actual complaint with all of the details regarding the claimed impact from not being listed in the Play Store. They have also not launched any complaints outside of the European Union.
source: TechCrunch
Come comment on this article: Disconnect.Me dispute with Google over Play Store leads to antitrust complaint in Europe
Slickwraps sends a Galaxy S6 into space and records the entire journey
Earlier today, Slickwraps took to its official YouTube channel to share a video of a shiny new Galaxy S6 hitching a ride into space dressed in one of its gorgeous natural bamboo skins.
The handset was tied to a weather balloon and travelled 122, 264 feet into the air whilst recording the entire 3-hour journey in full HD. It then descended back to Earth for the footage to be recovered and exhibited.
Check it out in the awesome video below:
Come comment on this article: Slickwraps sends a Galaxy S6 into space and records the entire journey
Asus’ Nexus Player now only $69.99 on Amazon
Are you wanting to get an Android TV, but don’t want to pay over $100 for one? Well, Amazon is having a deal on the Nexus Player for a mere $70 for a limited time.
The Nexus Player was the first Android TV device to launch. Despite there being more powerful options available, it’s still a formidable solution for your Android TV needs. In the package, you just get the Nexus Player and the remote, although you can pick up the bundle with the GamePad for another $40.
Come comment on this article: Asus’ Nexus Player now only $69.99 on Amazon
Large smartphones rule the roost in latest consumer satisfaction survey
When Samsung first came out with a large smartphone, the Galaxy Note, it was derided by many as being too big and spawned the term “phablet” as consumers tried to describe a device that seemed to land in between a phone and a tablet. A few years later though we see several companies producing smartphones in this category and even Apple is selling one, the iPhone 6 Plus, now. In a recent survey of 20 smartphones, consumers ranked these large smartphones high with the top three firmly coming from the “phablet” camp.
Leading the way in consumer satisfaction was the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with a score of 86 out of 100 on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index survey of 70,000 participants. Half of the devices tied for second place with a score of 82 were large smartphones with both the Galaxy Note 3 and the iPhone 6 Plus reaching this position. Close behind in seventh place was the LG G3 with a score of 80. Overall, consumers were quite happy with their smartphones as the industry achieved some of its highest scores ever.
One factor that may have helped these larger smartphones find their way to the top of the rankings is their bigger batteries. Since the devices are larger, manufacturers can pack in heftier batteries that can last quite a bit longer than typical smartphone batteries. Poor battery life is a weak point for the industry according to the participants surveyed, so being able to outlast others helped keep consumers happy.
Come comment on this article: Large smartphones rule the roost in latest consumer satisfaction survey
Mahindra XUV 500 and Scorpio to receive the Android Auto treatment
One of the largest automotive manufacturers in India, Mahindra & Mahindra, announced earlier today that it would be the first car maker in the country to offer Android Auto in its vehicles.
The company stated that both models of its sports utility SUV, the XUV 500 and Scorpio, will ship with the Android Auto platform on board as stock — so those of you that want it, won’t have to fork out any additional cash for the feature.
“At Mahindra we have always been committed to introducing newer technological offerings in our vehicles in an endeavour to create an enriched user experience and provide better value technologies to our customers,” said Pravin Shah, President and Chief Executive of Mahindra & Mahindra.
“Going forward, after successful integration, we will be offering Android Auto in our flagship models of XUV 500 and the Scorpio as well as on our future platforms.”
For those unaware, Android Auto provides users with in-car access to Google Maps and other specially-adapted Google services via a touchscreen embedded in the vehicle’s centre console.
Source: IB Times
Come comment on this article: Mahindra XUV 500 and Scorpio to receive the Android Auto treatment
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