AT&T drops Univision channels from U-verse in pricing dispute

There have certainly been some fierce disputes between TV providers and their networks in recent years, but few are quite so ugly as the one erupting between AT&T and Univision. AT&T has pulled Univision’s channels from its U-verse TV service after the Hispanic-oriented network pushed for higher carriage fees that it says would match those of its English-language peers. AT&T uses polarizing language to describe the spat, claiming that Univision is trying to “extort an outrageous price increase.” However, Univision is even harsher: it’s accusing AT&T of “redlining,” or purposefully denying service and fair treatment along ethnic lines.

AT&T denies those accusations, pointing out that it carries 78 Spanish-language stations. True or not, it’s clear that the companies aren’t about to find common ground any time soon. They’re still in that early phase of TV pricing disputes where both sides portray themselves as heroes fighting an injustice on behalf of their customers. And either way, it’s bad news for AT&T’s roughly 6 million U-verse subscribers, some of whom depend on Univision for everything from news to sports coverage.

Source: AT&T (PR Newswire), Univision

Jaybird X2 review: Leading the way in wireless earphones

When the wireless earphone scene really kicked off, you could say that Jaybird popped in and showed ‘um how its done. The company quickly pegged themselves in a good spot in

Save 60% on Amzer’s Pudding TPU case for your Galaxy S6 edge+

Adding protection doesn’t mean you have to add a ton of bulk to your phone, and Amzer’s Pudding TPU case proves just that, helping guard against bumps and scratches without sacrificing your Galaxy S6 edge+’s slim form. You can save 60% on this case today, bringing it down to just $3.95.

‘Metal Gear Solid’ fan remake bites the dust

When a fan remake of a popular game dies, it tends to die quickly. Either the effort required is too much for a group of part-time volunteers, or the original developer’s lawyers shut it down over copyright issues. And unfortunately, the team behind the recently revealed Metal Gear Solid remake Shadow Moses is learning this first-hand — the creators have abruptly shut down their project for “reasons beyond our control.” It’s not clear just what those reasons are (we’ve reached out to both sides for comment), but the phrasing suggests that copyright might play a role.

There is a glimmer of hope, as the group says it has “some other news” in the pipeline. The odds aren’t high that you’ll get a full-on revival of Shadow Moses, but we wouldn’t rule out something emerging from the ashes, such as a close-enough game that incorporates Metal Gear’s stealth action without treading on Konami’s copyrights. Let’s just hope that whatever arrives lasts longer than its predecessor.

Via: Kotaku

Source: Shadow Moses (Facebook)

First known Mac ransomware reaches the wild

While ransomware has sadly been a reality on smartphones and Windows PCs for a while, you haven’t really had to worry about it on a Mac… until now, that is. Palo Alto Networks claims to have discovered the first known instance of OS X-oriented ransomware in the wild, “KeRanger.” If you install software infected with the code (in this case, a version of the BitTorrent client Transmission), it’ll encrypt your files after three days and demand that you pay a digital currency ransom to regain control.

In practice, you’re likely already safe from KeRanger. Transmission has released a new version of its app that should be safe, and Apple has revoked a security certificate from another developer that KeRanger used to slip past OS X’s native defenses. Even so, this is a not-so-friendly reminder that malware of all stripes can potentially infect any given platform — you can’t assume that your operating system’s inherent security features (or simply avoiding the most targeted platform) will keep you safe.

Source: Reuters

First Mac Ransomware Found in Transmission BitTorrent Client

This weekend, a notice appeared on Transmissionbt.com warning users that version 2.90 of the popular Mac BitTorrent client downloaded from their site may have been infected with malware. The warning reads:

Everyone running 2.90 on OS X should immediately upgrade to 2.91 or delete their copy of 2.90, as they may have downloaded a malware-infected file.

Using “Activity Monitor” preinstalled in OS X, check whether any process named “kernel_service” is running. If so, double check the process, choose the “Open Files and Ports” and check whether there is a file name like “/Users//Library/kernel_service”. If so, the process is KeRanger’s main process. We suggest terminating it with “Quit -> Force Quit”

Reuters reports that the infected download contained the first “Ransomware” found on the Mac platform. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s hard drive and demands payment in order to unencrypt it. This type of attack has been increasingly popular on the PC, but this is the first time it has been seen on the Mac.

According to Reuters, Apple is aware of the issue and has already revoked “a digital certificate from a legitimate Apple developer that enabled the rogue software to install on Macs.”

The malware in question is said to delay encrypting the user’s hard drive for 3 days, so we may see the first reports of those affected as early as Monday. Transmissionbt.com offers instructions on how to see you are affected (above). If you don’t use the Transmission software, there is nothing you need to do at this time.
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Watch out, Zombies! No seriously, watch out. [Review]

Overview Zombies have a huge role in our current pop culture. Therefore, it is no surprise that most of the games on the Google Play Store are related to shooting

The After Math: Better, happier, more productive

Has a week of petty partisan politics and bleak international news got you down? Don’t try to drown your sorrows in a bottle of whiskey (the little bastards will only learn to swim) — instead get inspired by the wonderful world of science. We’ve got record-setting astronauts, self-sterilizing plane potties, high-tech headlights, and the oldest galaxy discovered to date!

Email inventor Ray Tomlinson dies

It’s a sad day for the Internet: Ray Tomlinson, widely credited with inventing email as we know it, has died from a suspected heart attack on his 75th birthday. In 1971, he established the first networked email system on ARPANET (the internet’s ancestor), using the familiar user@host format that’s still in use today. It wasn’t until 1977 that his approach became a standard, and years more before it emerged victorious, but it’s safe to say that communication hasn’t been the same ever since. When’s the last time you sent a physical letter?

In some ways, Tomlinson also changed language itself. His choice of the @ symbol for email popularized a once-niche character, making it synonymous with all things internet. Arguably, he paved the way for modern social networks in the process. Twitter would be a very, very different place without the @ mentions that help you chat with other users, and numerous other services use it as an easy way to share status updates.

Tomlinson received his share of formal recognition. He’s a cornerstone of the Internet Hall of Fame, and he received everything from a Webby Award to a Prince of Asturias Laureate. However, he almost doesn’t need those. Much like fellow internet pioneers Tim Berners-Lee or Vint Cerf, you’re encountering his legacy virtually every time you hop online. And barring a sea change in communication, it’s likely that the effect of his work will be felt for decades to come.

Via: Business Insider

Source: Vint Cerf (Twitter)

Here’s how to watch tonight’s Hillary Clinton-Bernie Sanders CNN Democratic debate – CNET

Ted Soqui/Ted Soqui Photography/Corbis

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will take the stage tonight at the Whiting Auditorium in Flint, Michigan. The two candidates will face off for the first time since the former Secretary of State pulled off a a number of landslide victories in the Super Tuesday primaries on March 1. Last night, Clinton racked up a big victory in Louisiana, while Senator Sanders bounced back with wins in Kansas and Nebraska.

The debate will be hosted by CNN and moderated by AC360 host Anderson Cooper, with additional questions coming from CNN’s Don Lemon and Dana Bash. Expect the issue of Flint’s ongoing water crisis to be a central topic. Coverage is slated to begin at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT), with the actual debate set to start at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).

Here are the different ways to tune in:

• The debate will be shown live on the CNN, CNN International and CNN en español channels.
• The network will also be providing a live stream of the debate on CNN.com. The stream will be available for free to all users, even those without a cable subscription.

Want to follow along or contribute to the conversation on social media? Use the hashtag #DemDebate.

Also, go to our sister site CBSNews.com for complete coverage of the debate, as well as ongoing coverage of the 2016 election.