EFF confirms that the DEA has deleted its phone call database
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the NSA’s massive surveillance program had a precursor: the Drug Enforcement Administration’s USTO, which monitored almost every international call American citizens made since the 1990’s. Now, the EFF has confirmed that the program was killed in 2013, and that most of the data it collected had already been purged. The non-profit was able to dig deeper into the situation, since it filed a case against the DEA earlier this year on behalf of Human Rights Watch, and a federal judge has recently ordered the agency to answer all of HRW’s questions about the program.
Based on the DEA’s responses, the EFF determined that the agency only had one database throughout the program’s whole lifespan. That database was only searched if authorities had “reasonable articulable suspicion,” and it was regularly culled by deleting records older than a couple of years. The agency swears that the database was never used again after 2013 and that it was finally deleted in January 2015.
That said, the government admitted that it still retains some info from the database, particularly entries that came up when the DEA did a particular query. Authorities assure that the remaining data is stored in non-searchable PDFs, though, and that they destroyed the results to their other queries once investigations were complete. Despite the USTO’s demise, the EFF continues to be wary of surveillance programs and warns that the NSA “likely continues to collect international call record information in bulk.”
Source: EFF
Apple Music on Sonos Now Available in Beta, Final Version Launches Early 2016
A public beta of Apple Music on Sonos is now available, allowing those who own Sonos wireless speakers to use them with Apple’s streaming music service for the first time since it launched in June.
The companion Sonos Controller app for iPhone and iPad was updated today with beta support for Apple Music, providing you with access to your streaming music library and playlists for playback in multiple rooms.
Sonos has posted step-by-step instructions on how to join the Apple Music beta program on its website:
How to join the beta program:
1. Open the Sonos app
2. Tap “Settings” then “Advanced Settings”
3. Tap “Beta Program”
4. Tap “Join the Beta Program”
5. Update your Sonos system*
6. Add Apple Music from the “Add Music Services” menu
*“Update Now” prompt may take up to 15 minutes to appear. Tap “Online Updates” in the Settings menu to update immediately.
Sonos users can stream songs from For You, New, Radio and My Music through Sonos apps on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Windows PC. The beta will be limited in some areas compared to the final version slated for release in early 2016.
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Philips Hue Ends Support for Some Third-Party Bulbs Amid ‘Interoperability Issues’
A new update to the Philips Hue operating software within the popular iOS app has brought about a few changes to the way the lighting system functions with third-party accessories. Specifically, the app will no longer support third-party bulbs that function with the ZigBee wireless protocol, including the GE Link LED and Cree Connected LED bulbs (via CNET).
Introduced on both the first generation and HomeKit-enabled second generation of Hue bridges, the 1.11 software update was enacted by the company due to an overwhelming number of “interoperability issues” with some third-party products. Philips points to numerous customer complaints of confusion and frustration when setting up these bulbs, in turn tarnishing the Philips Hue brand, as the major deciding factor for ending their support.
We are seeing an increasing number of interoperability issues with these untested third party products, which are causing increasing confusion for our installed base. They are also hampering our ongoing development and damaging the consistency of experience for the Philips Hue ecosystem.
The current plan moving forward is the “Friends of Hue” program that the company also began around the time of the 1.11 update last week. With the new initiative, Philips will send third-party bulbs through rigorous testing and certification before giving it the official Philips Hue bridge-compatible stamp of approval.
The company also noted that those affected by the removal of these select third-party bulbs represent a “minimal fraction” of the total lights working with the Hue bridge out there today. Affected lights already linked to a bridge will continue to work, but “new untested” will not be able to be added to existing Hue networks. Philips also pointed out that the blocked bulbs already working with a Hue bridge won’t be able to properly receive updates after the 1.11 software update, so they could run into bug issues with no possible fix in the future.
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No 3D Touch for iPad Air 3 Due in First Half of 2016, iPhone 7’s 3D Touch Tech Similar to iPhone 6s
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a research note obtained by MacRumors that predicts the iPad Air 3 will be released in the first half of 2016 and is unlikely to adopt 3D Touch because of production issues within Apple’s supply chain.
Kuo also believes the iPhone 7’s pressure-sensitive 3D Touch display will have “similar technology and structure” as the iPhone 6s. The report confirms the iPhone 7 will be released in 2016, likely around Apple’s usual September timeframe.
Apple introduced the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in September with 3D Touch as a headline new feature. The pressure-sensing technology enables iPhone users to perform additional “Peek” and “Pop” gestures to access Quick Action shortcut menus or preview content within apps.
3D Touch also enables iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users to press the left side of the Home screen to switch to multitasking view, press lightly for finer lines or more deeply for thicker ones in Notes, swipe left to delete an email or swipe right to mark it as unread in Mail and more.
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Apple Pay Now Supports BJ’s Wholesale Club Credit Cards and 66 New U.S. Issuers
Apple updated its Apple Pay participating issuers list today with support for BJ’s Wholesale Club store cards, including the BJ’s Perks Plus and Elite MasterCards, and 66 additional banks, credit unions and financial institutions in the United States.
Apple Pay is now accepted at over 850 participating issuers nationwide, and several more plan to support the NFC-based mobile payment service in the future. The newly added Apple Pay participating issuers are reflected below, but some issuers may have rolled out support earlier than today and only being reflected on Apple’s website now.
The full list of new Apple Pay participating issuers:
- American Community Bank of Indiana
- American United Federal Credit Union
- Anheuser-Busch Employees’ Credit Union
- Aspire Federal Credit Union
- Bank of Colorado
- Bank of Montgomery
- Catholic Federal Credit Union
- Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust
- CFCU Community Credit Union
- ChoiceOne Bank
- Community Bank of Mississippi
- Community Bank, Coast
- Community Bank, Ellisville
- Community Bank, North MS
- Credit One Bank
- D.L. Evans Bank
- Dane County Credit Union
- Diamond Credit Union
- East Wisconsin Savings Bank
- Educational Community Credit Union
- Farmers Bank
- First Alliance Credit Union
- First Bank & Trust Company
- First Federal Savings Bank of Twin Falls
- First National Bank & Trust Company of Weatherford
- First State Bank of Middlebury
- Fox Valley Savings Bank
- Greater Kinston Credit Union
- Hanscom Federal Credit Union
- Home City Federal Savings Bank
- Hondo National Bank
- Indiana Members Credit Union
- INTRUST Bank
- Kemba Financial Credit Union
- Land of Lincoln Credit Union
- Laramie Plains Federal Credit Union
- LCNB National Bank
- Liberty Savings Bank, FSB
- Local Government Federal Credit Union
- Mississippi Federal Credit Union
- Montgomery Country Employees Federal Credit Union
- MVB Bank Inc
- Neighbors Credit Union
- New Horizon Federal Credit Union
- NorState Federal Credit Union
- North State Bank
- NW Preferred Federal Credit Union
- OMNI Community Credit Union
- Pinnacle Bank Sioux City
- Pinnacle Bank Texas
- Pinnacle Bank Wyoming
- Quad City Bank and Trust
- Republic Bank & Trust Company
- San Antonio Federal Credit Union
- SCE Federal Credit Union
- Sharon Credit Union
- South Shore Bank
- State Employees Credit Union
- Sun East Federal Credit Union
- Sunrise Banks
- Texas Capital Bank
- The Bank of Missouri
- TruWest Credit Union
- Vantage West Credit Union
- Wayne Bank
- Wilson Bank & Trust
Apple is committed to an international expansion of Apple Pay, having launched the mobile payments service in Australia and Canada last month in partnership with American Express. Apple Pay is also coming to Hong Kong, Singapore and Spain in 2016, and is rumored to launch in China by February 2016.
On the merchant side, Cinnabon, Chili’s, Domino’s, KFC and Starbucks will support Apple Pay in the U.S. starting in 2016.
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[Deal] Enter now for your chance to win the Microsoft Surface Book
Tablet PC sales have been increasing in volume as they become more and more affordable. Additionally, the convenience factor that a tablet PC brings, is one of the driving forces in today’s market. Microsoft has been one of the leading providers for these devices ever since the launch of their Surface and Surface Pro lineups.
Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced another product to the Surface lineup; the Microsoft Surface Book. The Surface Book is a product designed to combat Apple head on in the tablet PC and Macbook space. This device features stunning resolution, a touchscreen, and Microsoft’s newly released Windows 10 design. Windows 10 brings a new interface to those Microsoft faithful, combining the previous iterations of Windows 7 and 8 with a tablet-like interface.
- Weighs just 3.34 lb
- Packs incredible resolution (3000 x 2000)
- Includes a detachable screen to use like a clipboard
- Handles demanding creative tasks
- Lasts for up to 12 hours per charge
- Runs Windows 10 Pro
- Includes the Surface Pen for a pen-on-paper effect
Enough talking about what the Microsoft Surface Book was designed for, now for the fun part. Just in time for the holiday season, AndroidGuys with StackCommerce is giving away one of Microsoft’s most anticipated devices of 2015. Yep, you won’t have to pay a dime to get your chance to win the Microsoft Surface Book.
Why buy an expensive laptop when you can win one? The Surface Book is Microsoft’s best work yet, running Windows 10 Pro and packing a detachable screen to be used as a clipboard. It’s as powerful as Bill Gates himself, and it’s all yours for absolutely no money. It’s simple, enter to win for your chance to call the Surface Book your own.
All you need to do is head over to the AndroidGuys Deals page, sign up for StackCommerce, and hit the “ENTER TO WIN” button. Then voila, you’re entered into the giveaway for the Surface Book.
In the meantime, drop us a line below and let us know what you think about Microsoft’s new Surface Book, and whether this is a device if you would use on a regular basis. If not, let us know why, and what you would use instead.
You can find this, and many other great tech bargains through our Deals page. Backed by StackCommerce, there are daily promos, giveaways, freebies, and much more!
AndroidGuys Deals: Microsoft Surface Book Giveaway
The post [Deal] Enter now for your chance to win the Microsoft Surface Book appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Now you can buy OnePlus X without invites every Tuesday
Now that OnePlus has bid adieu to invites for the OnePlus 2, it is only fitting that the company has decided to increase the availability of its smaller sibling, the X, as well. No, the Chinese firm is not departing its cumbersome invites only procedure anytime soon, but it is making the OnePlus X available every Tuesday without invites.
It is indeed a great news for those who have been waiting patiently for an invite to buy the $250 device, which packs some very impressive features, including Snapdragon 801 SoC, 13-megapixel camera with phase detection autofocus and 3GB of RAM.
“Do your happy dance – the
#OnePlusX is now invite-free every Tuesday! Starts tomorrow.”
– OnePlus
While many people wouldn’t settle for anything short of the company’s flagship, the OnePlus 2, there are some who want a smaller handset in less budget without compromising on quality.
Those who are still fixated upon the OnePlus 2 must check our review; more so because many people feel it’s not worth its price tag. The OnePlus X on the other hand can turn out to be quite a happy surprise.
Source: OnePlus (Twitter)
The post Now you can buy OnePlus X without invites every Tuesday appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Over a million Brits have reserved seats for ‘Star Wars’
If you hadn’t noticed already, the world is riding a megatsunami of hype over the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens — or every nook and cranny of the internet is, at least. The movie has just premiered in the States, and will be debuting in the UK this Thursday to a record-breaking audience. Last week, cinema chain Vue said it’d already sold 290,000 tickets for the flick, but new figures from The Hollywood Reporter now put that total at over 355,000. Odeon has also fielded around 500,000 bookings, according to the UK Cinema Association, and taking other theatres into account the new Star Wars has definitely smashed the UK pre-sales record with “way beyond 1 million” reserved cinema seats.
“The numbers far exceed anything we’ve seen before for any movie in the UK,” the UK Cinema Association’s CEO said. It probably helps that theatres are making Star Wars: The Force Awakens as accessible as humanly possible. Early demand has led cinemas to put on extra screens and screenings, with midnight showings also available to the keenest of fans. The pre-sales record has been stripped from Spectre, James Bond’s most recent adventure, and guesstimates put the new Star Wars at having taken roughly £6.6 million before the lights have even dimmed for the first showing. No doubt the film will destroy the UK box office record, too, besting the £103 million of current title holder Skyfall.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Over a million Brits have reserved seats for ‘Star Wars’
If you hadn’t noticed already, the world is riding a megatsunami of hype over the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens — or every nook and cranny of the internet is, at least. The movie has just premiered in the States, and will be debuting in the UK this Thursday to a record-breaking audience. Last week, cinema chain Vue said it’d already sold 290,000 tickets for the flick, but new figures from The Hollywood Reporter now put that total at over 355,000. Odeon has also fielded around 500,000 bookings, according to the UK Cinema Association, and taking other theatres into account the new Star Wars has definitely smashed the UK pre-sales record with “way beyond 1 million” reserved cinema seats.
“The numbers far exceed anything we’ve seen before for any movie in the UK,” the UK Cinema Association’s CEO said. It probably helps that theatres are making Star Wars: The Force Awakens as accessible as humanly possible. Early demand has led cinemas to put on extra screens and screenings, with midnight showings also available to the keenest of fans. The pre-sales record has been stripped from Spectre, James Bond’s most recent adventure, and guesstimates put the new Star Wars at having taken roughly £6.6 million before the lights have even dimmed for the first showing. No doubt the film will destroy the UK box office record, too, besting the £103 million of current title holder Skyfall.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
ICYMI: Water-repellent coating, elite air travel and more
Today on In Case You Missed It: Rice University scientists came up with a new kind of water-repellent coating that is modeled on the lotus leaf. Australians have their first ever remotely controlled firefighting robot that is capable of firing a water cannon up to 90 feet. And Windspeed Technologies, an aerospace engineering firm, just upped the luxe travel game by putting a dome at the top of an aircraft with top ‘o the plane seating for those you can pay for it.
The mechanization of matching with strangers via an app continues with a robot designed to read the sweat in your palms to see whether the user is interested in a potential Tinder match.
If you see any interesting science or tech videos, please share with us! Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag to @mskerryd.
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