Hyatt is the latest hotel chain to spot malware on its systems
Unfortunately, Hilton isn’t the only hotel chain grappling with malware on sensitive computers. Hyatt is now warning travelers that it recently spotted malware on its payment processing systems (on November 30th, the company tells us). It’s still investigating what happened and has precious few details, but it maintains that you can “feel confident” using your card. Unfortunately, that’s not much help if you recently stayed at a Hyatt. How long does it think the malware was hanging around? And how much damage did the rogue code do? Hyatt tells that it’ll share more when the investigation is over. Until it offers the full scoop, your best option is to watch your financial statements for any shady behavior.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel]
Via: Krebs on Security
Source: Hyatt
Case claiming iMessage set to not deliver to Android dismissed
Apple has come out on top in a legal battle that claimed iMessage was rigged to not deliver to Android phones.
Specifically, the lawsuit in question stated that Apple’s iMessage service “intercepted” and retained messages that were intended to be delivered to Android owners. Despite the claim, federal judge Lucy Koh has chosen to dismiss the case in a single-paragraph order.
This is the second time this year that Apple has won this particular case, following a ruling earlier in the year that decided the group wasn’t eligible for class action, Business Insider reports.
The original class-action lawsuit was filed by a former iPhone user who said that she was no longer able to receive messages from other iPhone’s after switching to an Android device. Following the complaint, Apple acknowledged the issue and released a patch in May addressing the issues, however the suit continued until its dismissal in August.
Back in August, we reported that both Google and AT&T filed motions with the federal courts to access materials being filed during the lawsuit’s discovery phase.
Apple continues to host a service specifically designed to help customers de-register their phone number from the iMessage service.
Another option for those aiming to switch to Android involves disabling the messaging service through the iPhone’s settings before switching the SIM out to the new handset.
Via: ZDNet
Come comment on this article: Case claiming iMessage set to not deliver to Android dismissed
Illinois AG also thinks daily fantasy is gambling
DraftKings and FanDuel are already fighting to keep their doors open in New York City, and now Chicago is also at risk. Today Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan informed state representatives that in her opinion, daily fantasy sports games are unregulated illegal gambling. She did not go as far as the New York AG and attempt to ban their operations (yet), but she did send both companies letters saying they would need to tell IL players they are no longer eligible. Unless new legislation (currently under consideration) is passed, the two could find themselves permanently locked out of one of the United States’ largest cities. In a statement, FanDuel claimed the AG’s opinion banned all fantasy sports, and said it hopes the legislature brings them back. You can read the complete statement below.
IL AG Madigan also sent letter to @FanDuel & @DraftKings noting they will need to post on their sites that IL players are not eligible.
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) December 23, 2015
http://player.cnbc.com/p/gZWlPC/cnbc_global?playertype=synd&byGuid=3000468745&size=640_360
FanDuel spokesperson:
Chicago may be the best sports town in the country. It’s a city — and Illinois is a state — that plays fantasy sports like almost no other. “The League” is even set in Illinois. So why the Attorney General would tell her 13.5 million constituents they can’t play fantasy sports anymore as they know it — and make no mistake, her opinion bans all forms of fantasy sports played for money — is beyond us. Hopefully the legislature will give back to the people of Illinois the games they love. A sports town like Chicago and a sports loving state like Illinois deserves nothing less.
[Image credit: Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images]
Source: CNBC
First round in NVIDIA v. Samsung goes to…
Yesterday, a trade judged ruled that NVIDIA violated three separate patents, all relating to GPUs held by Samsung. While this is just the beginning of the legal battle between the two companies, Samsung has landed the first round victory in a match guaranteed to go the full twelve rounds.
These findings will now go to a full review by the International Trade Commission which has the legal authority to block products from coming into the United States. No matter what the ITC decides to do, NVIDIA has vowed to appeal this ruling, arguing that the patents held by Samsung are just dust collectors used only for predatory patent cases just like this.
The irony in this case is that this ruling is being handed down in a retaliatory suit brought by Samsung. About a year ago NVIDIA brought suit against Samsung, alleging that Samsung violated its rights following failed licensing talks. The International Trade Commission claimed no rights were violated, a ruling that NVIDIA has vowed to appeal.
This case is part of a broader strategy by NVIDIA to bring in income from other areas besides its sale of graphics chips. While NVIDIA’s graphics chips are quite popular, it has had a hard time penetrating the enormous processor market. Licensing royalties is an area it thought could bring in more income, claiming that other companies, like Samsung, are using their patented chip designs without Nvidia’s permission. So far this new strategy looks like it is only bringing NVIDIA headaches.
This legal battle is very far from over. Aside from the appeal NVIDIA has already pledged, Samsung has brought a civil suit against NVIDIA which will be heard in Virginia this upcoming January. Get your popcorn ready, this fight is going to be a long one.
Source: Bloomberg
Come comment on this article: First round in NVIDIA v. Samsung goes to…
Free bubble level tool discovered inside Google Search
A Google employee speaking over on Reddit has revealed a free bubble level tool within Google Search and Google Now, activated simply by searching for, not surprisingly, “bubble level”.
Android smartphone and tablets owners may already be aware of a number of cool hidden functions within Google Now, and now we’re looking at yet another. This free bubble level can also be spotted on the iPhone, accessed using the same method.
Google’s nifty new bubble level adapts based on whether you’re viewing it in portrait or landscape, also serving as an alternative to similar apps on the Play Store. Although the look and feel of the tool is very basic, it does what it needs to do.
Android Police points out that an orientation issue reported on Chromium for Android 6.0 may cause the bubble level to malfunction on a number of devices, including the Nexus 5.
Of course, there are plenty of other free alternatives on the Play Store for precise measuring with improved functionality, but it’s nice to know there’s a quick and easy way to use a bubble level now, right within Google’s apps.
Via: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Free bubble level tool discovered inside Google Search
Samsung makes the Galaxy A9 official: Snapdragon 652, 3GB of RAM, 4000mAh battery
After getting caught by China’s TENAA earlier today and a few big leaks from the beginning of December, Samsung has finally taken the wraps off its heavily-rumored Galaxy A9 handset in China.
As of right now we don’t have the entire list of specifications, though the ones we do know are pretty nice. The Galaxy A9 sports a 6.0-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, a newly-renamed octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32 gigabytes of on-board storage, microSD card expansion up to 128GB and dual-SIM card support. It also has a 13MP rear camera with OIS, 8MP front camera, a pretty big 4,000mAh battery and support for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge. In typical Samsung fashion, there’s also a home button-mounted fingerprint sensor that brings along support for Samsung Pay. It will also ship with Android 5.1 Lollipop on board.
See also: Best dual-SIM Android phones (December 2015)
We aren’t entirely sure why this device is launching with Android 5.1 Lollipop as opposed to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, as Google announced the latest version of its OS way back in May of this year. Also, the display might not be at a high enough resolution for some folks out there, but we’re hoping the price point makes up for these two potential caveats.
While the phone is finally official, we still have no information on pricing or availability. We’re assuming this device will start hitting store shelves in China sometime very soon. What are your thoughts? If the price is right, do you see yourself carrying around the Galaxy A9? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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Apple wins lawsuit claiming messages to Android were blocked
You certainly have reason to be upset at how Apple handled iMessages for users switching away from iOS, but it’s clear that not everyone has raised those gripes the right way. Judge Lucy Koh (from the Apple-versus-Samsung case) has dismissed a lawsuit arguing that Apple effectively wiretapped iMessage chats to prevent them from reaching Android users. There’s no mention of the reasons for dismissal in the court order. However, Apple had asked the judge to toss the case when it learned that two of the plaintiffs dumped their iPhones after the case began — they’d eliminated important evidence.
As it stands, the wiretapping connection was strained. The issue wasn’t that Apple was looking at and blocking iMessages, but rather that it didn’t have a way to deliver those texts when recipients ditched their iPhones without deactivating iMessage first. Think of it as moving without leaving a forwarding address — the post office can’t give you a letter if it still thinks you’re at your old place. This doesn’t excuse the headaches involved with ditching iOS, but it’s clear that this suit didn’t have much chance of success.
Source: Business Insider
Samsung’s Galaxy A9 comes with a gigantic 6-inch display
If you’re looking for a phone that can double as a serving tray you’re in luck. At its Galaxy A Party 2016 event in China, Samsung announced the high-end Galaxy A9 with a six-inch 1080p super AMOLED display. Never again will you have to squint to see the tiny text on lesser phones like the relatively diminutive Nexus 6P (5.7 inches), iPhone 6s Plus (5.5 inches) or Galaxy Note 5 (5.7 inches). Just be sure to invest in some cargo pants because your jean pockets probably won’t cut it.
The 7.4mm thick phone sports an impressive 4,000mAh battery, Snapdragon 652 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a 13MP rear facing camera. The front facing camera is 8MP. While the hardware on the high-end phone looks great, unfortunately it ships with Android 5.1.1.
Another bummer is that it’s only going to be available in China starting next month. Fingers crossed it hits other countries soon. No word on pricing.
Source: SamMobile
Samsung makes the Galaxy A9 official: Snapdragon 652, 3GB of RAM, 4000mAh battery
After getting caught by China’s TENAA earlier today and a few big leaks from the beginning of December, Samsung has finally taken the wraps off its heavily-rumored Galaxy A9 handset in China.
As of right now we don’t have the entire list of specifications, though the ones we do know are pretty nice. The Galaxy A9 sports a 6.0-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, a newly-renamed octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32 gigabytes of on-board storage, microSD card expansion up to 128GB and dual-SIM card support. It also has a 13MP rear camera with OIS, 8MP front camera, a pretty big 4,000mAh battery and support for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge. In typical Samsung fashion, there’s also a home button-mounted fingerprint sensor that brings along support for Samsung Pay. It will also ship with Android 5.1 Lollipop on board.
See also: Best dual-SIM Android phones (December 2015)
We aren’t entirely sure why this device is launching with Android 5.1 Lollipop as opposed to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, as Google announced the latest version of its OS way back in May of this year. Also, the display might not be at a high enough resolution for some folks out there, but we’re hoping the price point makes up for these two potential caveats.
While the phone is finally official, we still have no information on pricing or availability. We’re assuming this device will start hitting store shelves in China sometime very soon. What are your thoughts? If the price is right, do you see yourself carrying around the Galaxy A9? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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Apple wins lawsuit claiming messages to Android were blocked
You certainly have reason to be upset at how Apple handled iMessages for users switching away from iOS, but it’s clear that not everyone has raised those gripes the right way. Judge Lucy Koh (from the Apple-versus-Samsung case) has dismissed a lawsuit arguing that Apple effectively wiretapped iMessage chats to prevent them from reaching Android users. There’s no mention of the reasons for dismissal in the court order. However, Apple had asked the judge to toss the case when it learned that two of the plaintiffs dumped their iPhones after the case began — they’d eliminated important evidence.
As it stands, the wiretapping connection was strained. The issue wasn’t that Apple was looking at and blocking iMessages, but rather that it didn’t have a way to deliver those texts when recipients ditched their iPhones without deactivating iMessage first. Think of it as moving without leaving a forwarding address — the post office can’t give you a letter if it still thinks you’re at your old place. This doesn’t excuse the headaches involved with ditching iOS, but it’s clear that this suit didn’t have much chance of success.
Source: Business Insider
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