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Jun

Asus announces Quad HD ZenPad S 8.0 and three other tablets at Computex


asus zenpad s 8

Computex has always been the stomping ground of Taiwanese manufacturers, and chief among them, Asus uses the occasion to show off its new wares. This year is no exception: we’ve already showed you the new ZenWatch 2 and now here’s a look at Asus new tablet series.

ZenPad is Asus’ new tablet brand, capitalizing on the success of the Zen brand in laptops, smartphones, and wearables. In typical fashion, Asus announced a series of ZenPad tablets covering the market from end to end.

The ZenPad series comprises 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10.1-inch models, each one complete with their own accessories and coming with LTE variants. Asus shared details about the 8-inch ZenPad and ZenPad S, so we will focus on these two and update with specs for the 7-inch and 10.1-inch models as we get them.

ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580CA)

asus zenpad s 8.0

Starting with the ZenPad S 8.0, this is a high-end affair featuring a metallic design and a crisp 2,048 x 1,536 (324-ppi) IPS display in a 6.6 mm body weighing 298 grams. The 4:3 device features an interesting two-tone design that makes it more suitable for use in landscape mode, rather than in portrait.

As with most Asus tablets and smartphones, the ZenPad S 8.0 features Intel inside; the 64-bit Intel Atom Z3580, coupled with 4GB of RAM, should ensure top-notch performance, as we’ve seen on the ZenFone 2.

Other specs include 16GB or 32GB of storage, an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, one USB Type C connector, and a 15.2Wh battery. The Type C puts the ZenPad S 8.0 in rather select company for now, though without a doubt a wave of devices will follow over the next couple of years.

The ZenPad S 8.0 runs Lollipop 5.0 with Asus Zen UI and you can learn more about this software from our review of the largely similar ZenFone 2.

ZenPad 8.0 (Z380)

asus zenpad 8 (1)

The regular ZenPad 8.0 is much simpler fare – everything about it screams budget, though Asus is trying to make it hip and sexy with the inclusion of a leather back, that can be switched with a range of special accessories. You can switch covers just to change the looks of the tablet, but you can also add some functionality. Zen Case is available in “five sleek or vivid colors and features a fine leather texture,” while Zen Clutch is a “sophisticated carrying and protection solution for ZenPad 8.” Audio Cover adds 5.1-channel surround speakers, while Power Case includes an external battery that can extend the ZenPad 8.0’s battery life to 15 hours.

Specs of the ZenPad 8.0 include an Intel Atom x3 processor, 1 or 2GB of RAM, 8 or 16GB of expandable storage, a disappointing 8.0″ 1280×800 IPS LCD    screen, a 5MP rear camera, the same 15.2 Wh battery as the ZenPad S 8.0, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. The ZenPad 8.0 will be available in Wi-Fi only or LTE options.

For now, Asus has not shared availability and pricing information for the ZenPad S 8.0 and the rest of the series, though knowing the company’s MO, it may be a while before you’ll see them in stores. With that said, everything points towards some very attractive prices, so we definitely look forward to learning more about these new ZenPads. Let us know your thoughts!

Show Press Release

Computex, Taipei, Taiwan (1st June, 2015) — ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih went on stage at Computex today during the Zensation press event to unveil a stunning range of new products designed to bring harmony and simplicity to people’s personal and professional lives. Inspired by the power and beauty of nature, the Zensation theme showcases the ASUS design philosophy of incorporating diverse elements to produce balanced creations that provide incredible experiences and accessible beauty to users.

Mr. Shih first introduced a range of consumer products aimed at delivering ultimate mobility, entertainment, and productivity experiences. These include ZenFone Selfie, a full-featured smartphone designed with advanced camera technology for capturing the best possible selfies; ZenPad 8.0, an 8-inch tablet with refined styling, incredible entertainment capabilities, and the world’s first tablet to offer customizable functionality; ZenPad S 8.0, the world’s first tablet with 4GB of RAM that delivers extreme performance with ultimate style; and  Zen AiO Series, premium all-in-one PCs that provide a perfect balance of beauty and performance for an extraordinary home computing experience. Finally, for creative professionals, such as digital artists and photographers, Mr. Shih introduced ASUS ProArt PA329Q, a 32-inch 4K/UHD (ultra-high-definition) monitor that delivers breathtaking levels of detail.

“I am thrilled to be at Computex to unveil our newest Zen-inspired innovations,” said Mr. Shih. “These exciting new creations strike a compelling balance of power and beauty, and perfectly embody our In Search of Incredible vision of creating seamless and connected digital lives for everyone.”

Intel Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Client Computing Group, Kirk Skaugen, joined Mr. Shih onstage in celebration of the new products and the ongoing partnership between the two companies. “We believe everything that computes and communicates will work best on Intel architecture,” said Kirk Skaugen. “The new ASUS products featuring the latest Intel technology bring great performance, exciting new innovation and experiences to consumers.”

ZenPad

ZenPad is a series of premium tablets that combine refined styling with incredible entertainment and productivity capabilities to redefine the tablet experience and bring true luxury to consumers. Available in three sizes — the 7-inch ZenPad 7.0 (Z370C/CG/CL), the 8-inch ZenPad 8.0 (Z380C/KL) and ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580C/CA) with optional Z Stylus, and the 10-inch ZenPad 10.1 (Z300C/CG/CL) with an optional keyboard — and offering models with  Wi-Fi, LTE/3G connectivity and phone functionality, there’s a ZenPad to suit any kind of user.

ZenPad is crafted to provide exceptional entertainment experiences. It has an expansive HD IPS display featuring the exclusive ASUS VisualMaster suite of visual enhancement technologies — including ASUS Tru2Life and TruVivid — that brings advanced image-processing found on high-end TVs to a tablet for the first time and provides comprehensive visual optimization. ASUS Tru2Life analyzes each pixel in an image before it is displayed and performs an intelligent contrast and sharpness adjustments to boost dynamic range, revealing even the smallest details to ensure an incredibly realistic viewing experience.

ASUS TruVivid improves screen clarity, brightness, and touch responsiveness by transforming the conventional four-layer display design — composed of cover glass, a touch panel, air gap, and an LCD module — into a two-layer, fully-laminated design that eliminates the air gap, resulting in higher optical transparency for brilliant color and improved brightness.

Complementing its stunning display, ZenPad is the world’s first tablet to integrate DTS Premium Sound™ technology for incredible audio. The built-in DTS-HD coder-decoder (codec) provides high-fidelity sound from all types of multimedia content, and lets users play back or stream movies and music with up to 5.1 channels of DTS surround sound to a connected audio system. ZenPad also includes DTS Sound Studio™ to transform stereo audio into virtual surround-sound that users can enjoy either through ZenPad’s speakers or using headphones for immersive entertainment experiences at home or on the go.

 

ZenPad 8.0 (Z380)

ZenPad 8.0 features clean lines, embossed-leather patterning, and premium styling influenced by fashion accessories such as clutch bags and wallets for a luxurious appearance unique among mobile devices. Ergonomic rounded edges make ZenPad 8.0 comfortable to hold and carry, and its polished metallic frame adds a bold visual accent.

ZenPad 8.0 is the world’s first tablet to feature an innovative interchangeable cover design that lets users easily customize their tablet with functional back covers. These can provide extra features and additional color options, while perfectly matching ZenPad 8.0’s looks. Zen Clutch is a fashion-forward accessory that combines elegant style with premium materials to provide a sophisticated carrying and protection solution for ZenPad 8.0. Zen Case is another stylish accessory that lets users outfit ZenPad 8.0 in their choice of five sleek or vivid colors and features a fine leather texture. Audio Cover brings immersive 5.1-channel surround sound to a tablet for the first time. Power Case extends ZenPad 8.0’s battery life, giving users up to 15 hours of usage to easily get them through their day or even the longest international flights.

ZenPad 8.0 is available with LTE/Wi-Fi connectivity and phone functionality (Z380KL) or as a Wi-Fi-only model (Z380C).

 

ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580CA)

ZenPad S 8.0 offers the premium ZenPad experience, delivering ultimate style and beauty together with extreme performance. Featuring a gorgeous, Zen-inspired design that fuses aesthetics with functionality, ZenPad S 8.0 is crafted with clean lines, a metallic finish enhanced by an exquisite hairline pattern, and brilliant diamond-cut edges. Just 6.6mm thin and weighing only 298g, it is extremely thin and lightweight, making it perfect to take anywhere and comfortable to hold and use for long periods of time.

ZenPad S 8.0 is equipped with a 2K QXGA (1536x 2048) IPS display with a wide 178-degree viewing angle and an incredible 324ppi pixel density for a stunning, beautifully-detailed viewing experience. It also comes with ASUS Tru2Life Plus, which includes all the benefits of Tru2Life and also improves video with fast action scenes by reducing blur, resulting in for smooth, detailed motion. ZenPad S 8.0 takes tablet performance to the next level. It is powered by a 64-bit Intel® Atom™ Z3580 processor and is the world’s first 8-inch tablet with 4GB of RAM, delivering blazingly fast performance when running the most demanding games and apps, and offering incredibly smooth multitasking.

ZenPad S 8.0 can be used with the optional Z Stylus, making it the perfect device for creative expression. Designed especially for ZenPad S 8.0, Z Stylus provides a natural writing and drawing experience that’s as easy as using a pen. With pinpoint accuracy and sensitive multi-touch technology, Z Stylus is perfectly suited for creative tasks such as sketching, painting, and even design work.  It supports up to 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity and up to a 1.2mm writing tip.

 

 

ZenFone Selfie

ZenFone Selfie is a unique smartphone designed to capture the best possible selfies, quickly and simply. Featuring front and rear 13MP PixelMaster cameras with dual-color, dual LED Real Tone flash, ZenFone Selfie captures beautiful, natural-looking selfies in gloriously high resolution. The rear camera features a large f/2.0 aperture lens and laser auto-focus technology to ensure near-instant focusing for clear, sharp pictures — even in low-light conditions where traditional cameras struggle.

ZenFone Selfie includes the brilliant ZenUI Beautification mode for live digital cosmetics. A few taps is all that’s needed to soften facial features, slim cheeks, and enhance skin tone to add vibrancy, and all in real time — injecting instant verve into any composition. ZenFone Selfie also has Selfie Panorama mode, which exploits ZenFone Selfie’s f/2.2-aperture front lens and 88-degree field of view to capture panoramic selfies of up to 140 degrees. With Selfie Panorama mode enabled, selfies become a party with all friends included — plus the ability to capture panoramic scenery for stunning backdrops.

ZenFone Selfie has a large 5.5-inch screen that fits in a body that’s a similar size to that of most 5-inch smartphones, for a maximized viewing experience in a compact body that fits comfortably in the hand. It has a high-resolution 1920 x 1080 Full HD IPS display with a wide 178-degree viewing angle and staggering 403ppi pixel density that renders every image in eye-delighting detail. ASUS TruVivid technology brings color to life in brilliant clarity, making selfies and other photos look their best. Tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 covers the display to help protect against scratches and drops.

ZenFone Selfie features the industry’s first octa-core, 64-bit processor for the perfect balance of multimedia performance and battery efficiency — the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 615. This extraordinarily powerful chip equips ZenFone Selfie to provide the very best multimedia and entertainment experiences, carefully balancing high performance with superior power-efficiency.

 

 

Zen AiO Series

Zen AiO Series is a premium range of all-in-one PCs — initially comprising the 23.8-inch Zen AiO Z240IC and 21.5-inch Zen AiO Z220IC — that fuse art with industry-leading technology, providing a perfect balance of beauty and performance for the ultimate home-computing experience. A masterpiece of craftsmanship and design, Zen AiO features a slim and elegant unibody shell — forged from a solid block of anodized-aluminum — that tapers to just 6mm thin at the edges, with a precision-crafted matching integral stand. The smooth, sophisticated appearance is enhanced by edge-to-edge glass that covers the display, a rear cover finished in our signature Zen-inspired concentric circle design, and a stylish yet subtle Icicle Gold color.

Zen AiO provides out-of-the-ordinary performance for discerning home users. Using the latest generation of quad-core Intel® CoreTM up to i7 processors, combined with up to 32GB of the lightning-fast DDR4 memory and up to PCIe® Gen 3 x 4 SSD storage, Zen AiO has power to spare for instant responsiveness and ultra-smooth and immersive entertainment. Dedicated NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX™ 960M gaming-grade graphics with up to a class-leading 4GB of video memory ensure users can enjoy stutter-free full HD movies and videos and play the latest games at full resolution. As the world’s first all-in-one PC to use the next-generation USB 3.1 Gen 2, Zen AiO delivers blindingly-fast data transfers of up to 10Gbit/s —twice as fast as USB 3.0, and over twenty times faster than USB 2.0. It also uses the latest USB 3.1 Type-C connector for improved ease of use — the connector is reversible, so it can’t be inserted the wrong way round.

Zen AiO Z240IC has an amazingly-accurate 3D camera that uses Intel RealSense™ technology to add futuristic interactive capabilities. Accurate motion-sensing of people or objects in front of the camera is now possible, enabling previously-unimagined ways of interacting with a PC. For example, with precise 3D facial recognition, a user’s face can become their login password, or families can just have fun interacting with the latest motion-controlled games.

Zen AiO is designed for the ultimate home entertainment, using a total of 6 speakers to deliver rich and clear full-range sound. Each 8-watt stereo channel uses three powerful speakers located at either side of Zen AiO, giving fully-realistic stereo separation and a total of 16 watts of pure, undistorted sound for an amazingly-lifelike entertainment experience. Zen AiO gives users an awesome audio experience, whether they’re watching the latest blockbuster movie, enjoying games or relaxing with music.

 

ProArt PA329Q 4K/UHD Monitor

The ASUS ProArt PA329Q monitor is a 32-inch 4K/UHD (ultra-high-definition) monitor for professionals that delivers breathtaking levels of detail with a wide 100% Adobe RGB color gamut. PA329Q features 3840 x 2160 resolution on a 16:9 aspect ratio IPS display with a wide 178-degree viewing angle to eliminate color shifting. PA329Q has a pixel density of 138 PPI and provides over 8 million pixels, four times the pixel density of standard Full HD displays for astonishingly-detailed visuals.

Each PA329Q is factory pre-calibrated to prove the best color accuracy (Delta  ≦2), and with a wide 100% Adobe RGB color gamut, colors seen in photos will be reproduced faithfully and consistently. It also features BT2020 / DCI-P3 color space support for video production and editing. PA329Q offers 10-bit display color for over 1.07 billion onscreen colors and supports a 16-bit internal lookup table (LUT), which gives smoother gradations and more transitions between hues.

PA329Q incorporates ASUS ProArt Calibration Technology – a professional hardware calibration application with a 16-bit lookup table (LUT) and uniformity compensation capability. Compared with the conventional way of color calibration, it controls the hardware of the monitor directly and saves all color parameters profile on the monitor IC chips rather than in the PC, so users can recalibrate monitor on their own to ensure the color consistency. It also has the highest compatibility with major hardware calibrators, such as X-rite & Datacolor.

PA329Q delivers breakthrough connectivity with the following options:

1 x DisplayPort 1.2 (4K at 60Hz)
1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.2 (4K @ 60Hz)
1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60Hz)
2 x HDMI 1.4 (4K at 30Hz)
4 x USB 3.0 ports

 

Where to find ASUS at Computex 2015

The ASUS showroom at Computex 2015  is located at booth M0410 in the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall, and is open from 2nd to 5th June from 9:30am to 6:00pm, and on 6th June from 9:30am to 4:00pm.

1
Jun

Asus announces new ZenWatch 2 at Computex


While many of of us are asleep, or should be asleep in my case, there’s actually a pretty big and important conference going on over in Asia. Known as Computex, this is Asia’s largest tech exhibition, and where companies like Asus make various announcements. Hot off the heels of Google I/O, and the latest update to Android Wear, which was rolled out with the LG Watch Urbane, Asus has announced the successor to the ZenWatch.

Not too much has been announced about the Asus ZenWatch 2, however, we do know that there will be two different sizes, 45mm, and 49mm. Along with the two new sizes, Asus is adding three different body styles, and new watchbands, there will be up to 18 different combinations available for whatever style you are looking for. Asus has also partnered with Swarovski to bring a more extravagant look to the straps for the ZenWatch 2.

What makes the larger ZenWatch 2 more interesting is that Asus is stating that users will be able to use the 49mm version as a mobile power bank. Surely this will not be for any extended period of time, but could definitely help out in a pinch. Battery size has not been announced, so if you have a phone with a huge battery, you may be out of luck regardless.

Asus has also changed the charging mechanism on the ZenWatch 2 to allow for faster charging. We are only 6 months removed from the announcement of the original ZenWatch so we can only speculate the reasons behind why Asus got such a head start on the ZenWatch 2, to the point that it was announced today.

More details will be coming as the Computex conference progresses, so be sure to keep an eye out of the specs and fun stuff that can be expected today. Meanwhile, let us know what you think about the latest rendition of the ZenWatch from Asus.

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The post Asus announces new ZenWatch 2 at Computex appeared first on AndroidGuys.

1
Jun

ASUS’ tiny projector can play video from Android phones over USB


If having friends crowd around your smartphone screen to watch videos isn’t exactly your idea of a good time, ASUS’ new portable projector might be for you. The E1Z, announced today at Computex, is an LED projector that can play content right from your Android phone over micro-USB. Typically, projectors need HDMI dongles to project from smartphones. The E1Z is small enough to fit in your pocket, and it also has a rechargeable battery, so it can get up and running without being plugged into power. It also works as a portable battery pack, allowing you to charge any USB device with its 6,000mAh battery. We’re still waiting on pricing and availability details, but ASUS reps mentioned that it may end up going for around $200.

Filed under: Misc, Mobile, ASUS

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1
Jun

ASUS has ridiculous tablet cover that adds 5.1 surround sound


What your tablet lacks isn’t NFC or a fingerprint reader. It’s a pop-up case that houses six speakers (with sub-woofer), and support for 5.1 channel surround sound. Maybe? ASUS says it will output six times the volume of the base tablet, and enough power to annoy neighbors for up to six hours. It will go on sale alongside ASUS’ new flagship ZenPad 8.0 tablet, but well, does it sound any good? Hopefully following ASUS’ press spectacle at Computex 2015, we’ll hear for ourselves.

Filed under: Tablets, ASUS

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1
Jun

ASUS’ new Transformer Book is a Windows 10 hybrid with USB Type-C


As we approach the launch of Windows 10, we’ll be seeing more and more devices — especially portables — featuring the slim and reversible USB Type-C port. One of such is the refreshed ASUS Transformer Book aka T100HA, a 10.1-inch two-in-one that will arrive in Q3 2015 with Intel’s new Atom x5 (“Cherry Trail”) processor plus 4GB of RAM. The tablet part weighs just 580 grams and is 8.54mm thick, but still offers up to 14 hours of battery life and a rear camera. Alas, that’s all we know so far about this machine, so we’ll keep an eye on further information when it’s ready.

Filed under: Laptops, Tablets, ASUS

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1
Jun

Diving into M: tablets get split keyboard and dynamic notification shade placement


Nexus-9-Android-M-Notifications-Left-5

We were all very excited by the new features and software upgrades released and announced at Google I/O 2015 this past week. Included was the release of the Android M developer preview for a short list of Nexus devices. Including the Nexus 9 tablet, which we just happen to be giving away for free this week.

As we dive into the new Android release, we’ve found a number of cool new features, including a split keyboard option for the Google keyboard on your tablet, and a three position dynamic notification shade drop down. Let’s take a look at those real quick.

Image credit: Duncan Adkins via Android Police

Image credit: Duncan Adkins via Android Police

The split keyboard functionality is not a new thing for Android, especially on tablet sized devices, however, this is a first for Google’s keyboard. The premise is simple, it can be a little difficult to extend your thumbs all the way across the screen of a tablet, so the keyboard splits into two and pushes the buttons to the sides to make it easier to reach when two thumb typing.

The dynamic placement of the new Android M notification shade for tablets is also not a new thing, we just haven’t seen it in a while. The idea for this is also very simple, Android on your tablet will now try to drop down the notification shade as close to your finger as possible, choosing from one of three set locations. The default location is dead center, as it has been for a while now on Android tablets. From there, the shade will shift left or right depending on your finger placement.

Nexus-9-Android-M-Notifications-Right-3

These are not ground breaking ideas or new tools, but it is great to see Google putting effort into fine tuning the Android experience, taking advantage of, or at least taking into consideration, the larger displays found on most tablets. It will be interesting to see if any of these features also roll out to phones that have near tablet sized displays themselves, like the Nexus 6.

What do you think, will having a split keyboard or multiple locations for the notification shade make your Android use any better or easier on your Android M powered tablet?

Be sure to follow along all of our Android M coverage in our Diving into M series.

1
Jun

ZenWatch 2 unveiled at Computex: now in two sizes, refreshed design, and magnetic charger


ASUS-ZenWatch-2

At the Computex technology trade show in Taipei, Asus just unveiled the second generation of the Android Wear ZenWatch 2. Following the well-received original from last year, and confirmed to launch by Asus brass, the ZenWatch 2 brings aesthetic refinements and small functionality improvements that make the package a bit more attractive.

asus zenwatch 2 (1)The ZenWatch 2 is available in two sizes: the bigger one is the same size like last year, with a 41 mm face and 22 mm band, while the smaller edition is 37 mm with an 18 mm band. Asus seems to have taken to heart criticism about its wearables being too large for many users; however, it’s not clear for now whether the smaller version features a smaller display or is simply more compact.

The displays are OLED and protected by 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3, while the processing tasks are handled by an unnamed Qualcomm chip (probably the same Snapdragon 400 as in the predecessor).

The new ZenWatch 2 features a crown on its side, which is supposed to feature some functionality, though Asus has not specified what to expect. The device features better water and dust resistance – now at IP67 – and a new magnetic charging system that replaces the cradle system found on the original ZenWatch. Speaking of charging, battery life should be improved, said Asus, without adding any details.

asus zenwatch 2 (2)

On the software side, Asus highlighted the improved Remote Camera app and a totally redesigned Wellness app.

The ZenWatch 2 will be available in silver, gunmetal and rose-gold with a variety of straps made of rubber, leather, or metal. If you’re the fancy type, there will even be a Swarovski encrusted band.

No details on the ZenWatch 2’s price and availability, but we’ll keep you posted.

1
Jun

Google Calendar: No more texts for you


If you’re someone who has relied heavily on Google Calendar and the ability to receive text messages from the service, with reminders for upcoming events, we have some bad news. Google has announced that the texting service attached to Google Calendar will cease to exist, and no more texts will be sent after June 27th.

Starting on June 27th, 2015, SMS notifications from Google Calendar will no longer be sent. SMS notifications launched before smartphones were available. Now, in a world with smartphones and notifications, you can get richer, more reliable experiences on your mobile device, even offline.

Now if you are using Google Apps for Work, Education or Government, you have nothing to worry about. Google has decided to keep the text messages coming with Google Calendar for those users.

Google recommends either finding a calendar application that you are comfortable with, or installing the Google Calendar application on your Android device or iPhone. While in the day and age that we live in now, this isn’t the end of the world.

Notifications can be set, and there are literally hundreds of different calendar apps available across iOS and Android. So, this isn’t really too much to be concerned with. However, it’s interesting to see Google shutting down this service that’s been around since before smartphones were readily available to the world.

If you are currently subscribed to the Google Calendar SMS notifications, you can opt out via two different ways. The first being through the web interface, and the other through a text message. In order to opt-out of the Google Calendar SMS through the web interface, here are the steps you need to follow:

  • Open Google Calendar
  • Click the Settings Gear in the top right
  • Select Settings
  • Open the Calendars tab
  • Click Edit notifications
  • Uncheck the boxes in the SMS column
  • Click Save

If you want to just send a simple text message to cancel the notifications, simply text “STOP” to “GVENT” (48368). Once completed those reminder notifications will cease to occur, so be sure to have your backup plan in place before proceeding.

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The post Google Calendar: No more texts for you appeared first on AndroidGuys.

1
Jun

Project Abacus aims to get rid of all those passwords


Are you tired of typing in the same passwords over and over again? Well that’s your first mistake, in regards to using the same passwords. But seriously, passwords are becoming more and more frustrating, since just about everywhere requires some type of unique password just to check Reddit or your email, or Pinterest. Anyways, one of the many things introduced or announced at this year’s Google I/O was from the same team that is working on Project Ara (the modular phone).

Google’s ATAP team is working on a little project called Project Abacus, which is being developed to take some of the burden off of your brain when it comes to remembering your password. Project Abacus will eventually (hopefully) take over the traditional password as we know it, and will take a few different signals into account to determine whether it’s really you using your phone. This project will analyze the way you type, walk, and talk then use that data to determine who is using your phone.

So if someone that isn’t you is using your phone, Project Abacus will be able to tell the difference and immediately go through a series of security measures to ensure that your private and sometimes vital information, is protected. If executed correctly, with the influx of devices with fingerprint scanners, these phones will be able to feel like they’re a version of Fort Knox for your information, in the palm of your hand.

Now it hasn’t been mentioned exactly how this will be rolled out, or put into effect, or what kind of effect it will have on your password library. However it’s pretty darn cool to see what “smaller” projects the various divisions of Google are working on. We’ve already seen what ATAP has up their sleeves with Project Soli, Vault, and Jacquard, so go ahead and add Project Abacus to the list.

What do you think about what the ATAP team is hoping to do in regards to getting rid of the traditional password altogether? Is it a good move, bad move, or are you indifferent because you use a service such as 1Password or Dashlane to keep all of your passwords protected. Just as a friendly reminder, be sure to change or update your passwords at least once every six months. Just for the sake of security.

Source

 

The post Project Abacus aims to get rid of all those passwords appeared first on AndroidGuys.

1
Jun

FBI slip-up leaves Megaupload, other seized sites hosting nasty ads


Megaupload video starring Will.I.Am

The FBI might want to continue brushing up on its internet skills. The agency’s online division forgot to renew the web domain it uses to host seized websites, leading to a “black hat SEO” marketer taking over sites like Megaupload and temporarily filling them with malware- and scam-laden ads. Law enforcement officials eventually got their former domain suspended due to an “ongoing criminal investigation” into the malware, but the address’ ultimate fate remains up in the air. Suffice it to say that the mistake is ironic — the FBI inadvertently contributed to the very sort of digital crime it’s trying to stop.

Filed under: Internet

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Source: Ars Technica, TorrentFreak

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