NSA will unite divisions to better tackle online threats
The US’ National Security Agency isn’t as united as it looks at first glance. Its intelligence gathering division (the one that conducts mass surveillance and hacking) and cyberdefense groups are largely separate. And that creates real problems — among other issues, the intel group might be exploiting security flaws that the defensive team doesn’t even know about, leaving critical systems open to attack. Those walls are about to come down, however. The NSA is poised to unveil a reorganization that will merge its offensive and defensive capabilities, helping them coordinate the fight against digital threats.
The agency isn’t commenting on the specifics of what the reorg will entail, although you should hear more as early as this week. However, the Washington Post hears that this may be more of a cultural shift than a technical one. The two divisions already use similar processes — this would mostly get them talking to each other. However, it could help the cyberdefense side by giving it the ability to process vast amounts of data very quickly.
This isn’t going to eliminate some of the ethical questions around the NSA’s behavior, such as the belief that it holds back on important security disclosures when its spies want to use those vulnerabilities for their campaigns. However, this could prevent the US from unintentionally weakening its ability to fend off cyberattacks.
Source: Washington Post
Microsoft is reportedly buying SwiftKey
Microsoft has made a habit out of acquiring significant mobile app makers, but its next deal may cut particularly close to the bone for smartphone fans. The Financial Times‘ sources understand that Microsoft is on the cusp of acquiring software keyboard maker SwiftKey for $250 million. The exact intent isn’t clear — Microsoft isn’t commenting. However a more advanced input method may be only part of why it’s interested.
SwiftKey’s keyboards have long had a good reputation thanks to their prediction algorithm, which is both smarter than most and optionally taps into your own email and social networks for help. Microsoft could use that to boost its Word Flow keyboard. However, SwiftKey’s prediction recently got much smarter: the company has been trying out neural network technology to better understand what you want to write. For Microsoft, acquiring SwiftKey could help implement artificial intelligence (currently all the rage among rivals) into its products.
This may not be very reassuring if you like SwiftKey, though. Microsoft tends not to discontinue acquired products right away, but their long-term fates vary. Acompli’s email app eventually became Outlook Mobile, but Sunrise Calendar? That’s being discontinued as Microsoft folds its features into Outlook. It’s easy to see SwiftKey surviving due to sheer popularity, but don’t be shocked if you eventually have to look at Swype or other alternatives.
Source: Financial Times
YouTube reportedly plans to support live 360-degree videos
360-degree videos are all the rage nowadays, and YouTube is at the forefront of that trend. The internet service began supporting this type of content last March, which it later expanded to be compatible with virtual reality headsets. But it’s not stopping there. According to BuzzFeed News, YouTube’s now working to bring live 360-degree videos to its platform, although there isn’t a timeline of when it plans to launch said feature.
The report does mention that YouTube has held meetings with undisclosed 360-degree camera manufacturers, as the company looks to find partners willing to bake spherical livestreaming into their products. Eventually, what YouTube hopes to build is a platform that can handle high-quality, live 360-degree videos, regardless of who’s shooting them and what 360 camera they’re using to do so.
It sounds easier said than done, but if anyone can do it, it’s Alphabet & Co.
Source: BuzzFeed News
Big new updates coming to Plants vs. Zombies 2, including special ‘Valenbrainz’ event
For those of you in a love affair with Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time, developer PopCap studios is bringing you a slew of new content allowing you to mash zombies to your hearts content! First up is the 13 day Valenbrainz event, immediately followed by the much anticipated Modern Day part 2 update.
The special Valebrainz event is going to be adding a bunch of Valentine’s day themed content, including special units on both sides of the war. On the plants side is the new Blooming Heart. This premium unit launches heart-shaped seeds that increase in damage with every successful hit. As for the enemy side, there will be six new Valentine-themed zombie units. On top of all this, Valenbrainz is bringing 11 brand new levels and new collectible costumes for you all to collect!
Click here to view the embedded video.
This event is going to run from February 2nd-14th, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop there. On February 16th, to celebrate the February 23rd console/PC release of Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, It’s About Time will be receiving the Modern Day Part 2 update. This update will bring a bunch of fresh content that fans of the game are going to love. On the plants side you will see one new premium plant, the Escape Root, along with two new regular plants, the Grimrose and the Dusk-Lobber. The Zombies also get a little love with PopCap bringing back the heavily armored All-Star Zombie. Players will have 16 new levels to play with all these new goodies, including new collectible costumes strewn about for you to find.
If you already have the game downloaded you should be able to load up the app and take part in the Valenbrainz event right this minute. If you don’t have the game, head over to the Google Play Store to download it now!
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Yahoo is laying off 1,700 people and closing five offices
Yahoo can’t seem to figure out how to turn itself around. Today it announced a new “aggressive strategic plan” to pare itself down to focus on its strength in its Q4 earnings report. That plan involves laying off 15 percent of its workforce and closing five international offices.
The offices closing will be in Dubai, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Madrid and Milan. The layoffs will mean the company will have only 9,000 employees by the end of 2016. The overall goal is to reduce operating costs by $400 million in the coming year.
The company brought in $1.27 billion in revenue during the quarter. The company had a huge writedown of $4.5 billion. Ouch.
In a statement CEO Marissa Mayer said, “today, we’re announcing a strategic plan that we strongly believe will enable us to accelerate Yahoo’s transformation. This is a strong plan calling for bold shifts in products and in resources.”
During the earnings’ livestream Mayer noted that when she took over, the company was full of legacy businesses and a declining revenue stream that had to be shuttered. She noted that the Mavens (mobile, video, native and social) sector was a revenue source that had an “incredibly fast growth line of business.”
Mayer also said that it needs to be engage its users and will focus on its top businesses, Search, Mail and Tumblr. It will also be even more bullish on mobile with upcoming changes to the sports and finance apps and the recent change to the search app.
Source: Yahoo
Studio sues makers of ‘NBA 2K16’ for using player tattoos
Sports video games attempt to offer an experience that’s as lifelike as possible, which includes details like players’ tattoos. NBA 2K16 is a title that does just that, and the pursuit of accuracy may land it in legal trouble. Take-Two, the parent company of 2K Sports that makes the basketball game, was hit with a lawsuit this week from the designers that created some of the big-name players’ tattoos. Solid Oak Sketches, LLC claims that Take-Two should have to pay up for using the artwork in the game. Tattoo copyrights don’t exist, but Solid Oak argues that the “pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works” of the artists should be protected by law.
The company wants Take-Two to stop using the artwork and is seeking up to $150,000 per infringement. The images in question include eight tattoos on the digital likenesses of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and Kenyon Martin. Solid Oak says it already tried to negotiate a licensing agreement with Take-Two for the sum of $1.14 million to no avail. That’s a hefty sum to be able to include the ink on LeBron’s arm for those free throw close-ups.
Source: Reuters
Zagg buys battery phone case maker Mophie for $100 million
In what appears to be a coming-together of a phone accessory empire, Zagg has just announced that it’s buying Mophie for at least $100 million, with perhaps more to be awarded later on depending on Mophie’s sales figures. Zagg is a mobile accessory company that makes all kinds of devices from keyboards to cases, while Mophie is best known as the maker behind the popular phone battery case, as seen in the image above. Mophie first gained popularity as the battery case of choice for iPhones, and then slowly expanded its line to include battery cases for certain Android flagships plus standalone battery packs.
“This strategic combination of two industry innovators with complementary product, brand and distribution platforms will enable us to deliver increased value for our customers and shareholders,” said Randy Hales, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zagg in a statement. Since its inception, there have been several other companies to make battery phone cases. Recently, Apple introduced its own battery phone case called the Apple Smart Battery Case which costs $99.
Source: Zagg
Two unannounced Alcatel OneTouch devices surface on the company’s own support pages
Earlier today, two unannounced Alcatel OneTouch devices surfaced on the company’s own support pages. The two devices are believed to be the Idol 4 and Idol 4S.
Not only did the name of each device leak, nearly all the specifications were there too. Let’s start off with the most notable fact first. You’ll be happy to know that both offerings are expected to run Marshmallow straight out of the box.
Like past generations, the Idol 4S will be the more high-end of the two. It will boast a 5.5-inch QHD panel with AMOLED technology for better outdoor viewing and color contrast. Powering the Idol 4S will be a 1.8GHz and 1.4GHz octa-core processor backed with 3GB of RAM. The device will house a 16MP camera on the back followed by a lower-quality 8MP camera on the front. The device will include 32GB of memory and have a built-in microSD card slot for storage expansion.
Unlike the Idol 4S, the Idol 4 puts price first, and will try to accommodate those with a smaller bank account. It sports a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display and is powered by a 1.7GHz + 1.2GHz octa-core processor. Instead of having 3GB, the Idol 4 only contains 2GB of RAM. The device will include the same 8MP selfie shooter, but not the same 16MP rear camera as the Idol 4S. Instead, it will house a lower megapixel count at 13MP. It will also come with less storage at only 16GB rather than 32GB.
No pricing details or release date information has leaked just yet. Hopefully we’ll learn more about the duo at MWC 2016.
Source: Alcatel OneTouch (1) (2)
Come comment on this article: Two unannounced Alcatel OneTouch devices surface on the company’s own support pages
Zagg Aims to Expand Into Battery Cases With Mophie Acquisition
Accessory maker Zagg, known for its InvisibleShield screen protectors and other Apple-related accessories, today announced an acquisition of mophie, a company that makes external battery packs and battery cases for Apple’s iOS devices.
According to a press release from Zagg, its acquisition of mophie will allow it to be the market share leader when it comes to battery cases, external batteries, screen protection, and tablet keyboards. Zagg has paid $100 million at deal closing for mophie, with a caveat that additional money may be paid out based on earnings over a 12 month period from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.
“This strategic combination of two industry innovators with complementary product, brand and distribution platforms will enable us to deliver increased value for our customers and shareholders,” said Randy Hales, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZAGG. “We see numerous opportunities to drive revenue growth and increase profitability by leveraging the strengths of both organizations to strengthen product development, improve brand presence, and expand distribution.”
Going forward, Zagg will keep the mophie brand intact, continuing to sell mophie products under the mophie brand name. Zagg says mophie will retain its identity, messaging, and strategy, but cross-branded protects, like a Zagg tablet keyboard powered by a mophie battery, are possible in the future.
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What can happen when your USB cable is bad
What’s the worst that can happen if you get a bad cable? You might be thinking about crummy data transfer speeds or your battery charging at a crawl. That’s about what we thought before today, but product reviewer Benson Leung had a far worse experience than this. He lost three devices to a bad cable, prompting him to give the product a one-star review on Amazon. In his words: “DANGER. PELIGRO. BAD CABLE. PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS.”
The product is Surtech’s 3M USB A-to-C cable, and Leung’s initially run-of-the-mill review of the cable wound up slaughtering his 2015 Chromebook Pixel and two USB PD analyzers. His very first interaction with this cable saw him connecting his Pixel to a 12W wall charger with power delivery sniffers buffering each connection for reviewing purposes.
See also: 10 reasons why your Android battery is charging slowly and how to fix them
As soon as he plugged in the cable, the sniffers failed immediately in what he describes as permanent damage. Even attempts to reflash the firmware were worthless. The sadder story here is the Pixel. Leung’s damage report and analysis reads thus:
On my Pixel, both USB Type-C ports stopped responding immediately. Neither would charge or act as a host when I plugged in a USB device such as an ethernet adapter. Upon rebooting my Pixel, the system came up in recovery mode because it could not verify the Embedded Controller on the system. No amount of software recovery could revive the EC. Upon closer analysis, serious damage has been done to components related to charging and managing the USB Type-C port’s capabilities.
I directly analyzed the Surjtech cable using a Type-C breakout board and a multimeter, and it appears that they completely miswired the cable. The GND pin on the Type-A plug is tied to the Vbus pins on the Type-C plug. The Vbus pin on the Type-A plug is tied to GND on the Type-C plug.
Just goes to show the importance of making sure that your electronic appliances and products are up to code before using them on your devices. Special thanks to reviewers like Leung who put their hardware on the line to get us the best information possible.
What are your thoughts on this news? As of the time of posting, the product is still up for sale, and Leung’s review has received almost 1,000 positive responses. Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below!
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