The military is taking cyber warfare a lot more seriously

Following the rather embarrassing revelation that the Pentagon has no idea who’d be in charge in the event of a cyber attack comes word that the military is stepping up its cyber warfare game. So much so that cyber is joining the ranks of other combatant commands like those dedicated to specific regions (Pacific, Europe, Africa, Middle East) and those focusing on spec-ops, transportation and nuclear forces, according to Defense One. Currently, cyber warfare sits as a “sub-unified command” under the U.S. Strategic Command and this move would apparently make the group faster and aid in more successful missions.

As of now, the Cyber Command is operating in Mosul to attack ISIL communication infrastructure and command capabilities. The idea here is to give the military’s cyber warriors the resources needed to take some of ISIS’ preferred tools — online communications — away from the radical group.

Defense secretary Ash Carter says that he’s been working toward bringing Cyber Command into different types of campaigns aside from counter-terrorism like space. “A couple of years ago, that would never have occurred to a secretary of defense,” he says.

Source: Defense One

Twitter offers 20 weeks paid leave for all new parents

Twitter is joining social network rival Facebook by offering 20 weeks of gender-neutral parental leave starting May 1st. The company told Fortune it made the move both to set an example and assure adopting and birth parent employees ample time to bond with their new offspring. “We’re a very watched industry because of the products and services we offer,” says VP of inclusion and diversity Jeffrey Siminoff. “We want to lead by example and by doing so we can influence the decisions of others.”

Twitter already offers 20 weeks of paid leave to birth mothers, but just 10 weeks to fathers and adopting parents. The company equalized the policy to ensure that parents, especially fathers, don’t feel pressured to keep working after having a baby or adopting. To reduce impact on workloads and teams, the company is training managers on why the leave is important and how to deal with workloads and other issues. “Education is critical,” says director of compensation and benefits, Laura Brady.

We want to lead by example and by doing so we can influence the decisions of others.

Twitter aims to increase the number of women in its workforce to 35 percent in 2016 (up from 34 percent), and a more generous parental leave program may help. That stat is ahead of tech rivals like Facebook and Google, which employ 32 and 30 percent of women, respectively. However, like other other tech companies, Twitter needs to seriously bolster the total number of women in tech jobs and, particularly, the executive suite.

Source: Fortune

The future of air travel includes giant seatback displays

Airlines are increasingly embracing mobile devices for in-flight entertainment, and for a good reason — a tablet is usually much nicer than the cramped, crude seatback systems you normally deal with. Thales thinks the industry can do better, though. It just previewed an in-flight entertainment system, Digital Sky, whose prototype gives each passenger a massive 21.3-inch touchscreen. The portrait orientation leads to some wasted space when you’re watching videos, but it can do things that aren’t realistic on tinier displays, like serving up the airline’s magazine or highlighting things to do at your destination.

The exact specs might change, and there aren’t any confirmed partners lined up yet. However, even this early version fits into the tight confines of economy class. While this kind of cabin upgrade likely won’t be cheap for providers, you might not have to pay for a premium seat (or break out your own devices) just to do more than squint at a movie.

Source: Thales (translated), The Points Guy

Xiaomi made a toy tablet that turns into a Transformers robot

Xiaomi and Hasbro gave Soundwave, the Transformers robot that can turn into a microcasette recorder, a makeover fit for the new era. The two teamed up to create a tablet that unfolds into a shiny 190mm version of the Decepticon. Xiaomi’s international division VP Hugo Barra said on Facebook that his team “worked really hard to ensure that [its] color, details and feel are exactly the same as” the Mi Pad 2. You’ll need to be a bit of a puzzle lover to enjoy assembling and disassembling it, since it takes 30 steps to each time to do so, but that just makes it more fun to play with.

Of course, it would’ve been better if the tablet actually works, but hey — the transforming gadget costs only 169 Yuan or around $26. At least that’s the smallest amount its crowdfunding backers could pledge to get one. If you’re hoping for a wider release, cross your fingers, because it’s not entirely impossible when the companies’ campaign raised over thrice its goal.

Via: The Next Web

Source: Hugo Barra (Facebook), Xiaomi

Xiaomi teams up with Hasbro to turn the Mi Pad 2 into a Transformer

Xiaomi has collaborated with Hasbro to crowdfund a robot model called Soundwave in China. Soundwave looks like a Mi Pad 2, but can be converted to a Transformers-style robot with Lego-like blocks that can be detached from the tablet’s assembly. The toy is priced at ¥169, and will be heading out to backers starting May 13.

Hugo Barra shared more details about the toy on Facebook:

R&D worked really hard to ensure that the color, details and feel are exactly the same as Mi Pad 2. They were challenged at turning such a slim 7mm tablet into a 3D robot, but they managed to do so with a 30-step folding assembly.

Now the only question is if the Soundwave will be made available in other countries. What do you guys think of the idea?

The Productivity Pack is back, lets you subscribe to Pocket, LastPass, Wunderlist and more for $69

The Productivity Pack is back, allowing you to subscribe to popular productivity apps and services for a discounted price. This year’s bundle includes the likes of Pocket, Wunderlist, LastPass, UberConference, and more for $69.99.

Here’s what you get with The Productivity Pack:

• One-year subscription to Pocket Premium
• One-year subscription to Wunderlist Pro
• One-year subscription to LastPass Premium
• One-year subscription to UberConference Business
• One-year subscription to Do Business
• One-year subscription to Quip Business
• Twelve-week digital subscription to The New York Times

The combined value of all the services listed above is around $500, and the asking price at $69.99 represents savings of 85%. The deal is valid until April 22, so if you’re interested, best act fast.

The Productivity Pack

The last two ‘Star Trek’ films are coming home in 4K June 14th

While you and BB-8 cuddle with a 1080p Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray, Paramount is readying its first Ultra HD Blu-ray releases with Star Trek and Star Trek: Into Darkness. We’re not sure that the extra resolution, HDR or Atmos will actually make either film better than you already thought, but they will certainly be better looking and sounding than ever. According to the press release, both have been digitally remastered with new 4K UHD transfers, unlike mastered-in-2K movies like Mad Max: Fury Road. If you’re curious, a list of mastered in 4K (or higher) Ultra HD Blu-ray discs is being maintained here.

Each movie comes on a three disc package, with the UHD Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, and another Blu-ray for additional extras (that were included on the original disc releases). Both movies make their debut on June 14th. The only bad news is their $48 MSRP, although most UHD releases so far have sold for about $30 at retail.

Paramount Home Media Distribution Announces First 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Releases
STAR TREK

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

Digitally Remastered and Featuring Groundbreaking High Dynamic Range Technology,
Films Will Debut in UHD/Blu-ray/Digital HD Combo Packs June 14, 2016

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Paramount Home Media Distribution announced today that director J.J. Abrams’ global blockbusters STAR TREK and STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS will be the studio’s first two titles released on the new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format. The releases coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise in 2016. 4K UHD represents the next evolution in home entertainment, offering four times the resolution and more than double the number of colors available with full HD. In addition, these spectacular 4K UHD releases deliver exceptional vibrancy and contrast through High Dynamic Range technology, which reveals hidden details and shades of color that more closely mimic real life.
Both STAR TREK and STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS have been digitally remastered with new 4K UHD transfers for exceptionally brilliant picture quality and feature Dolby Atmos® soundtracks* remixed specifically for the home theater environment. Dolby Atmos delivers captivating sound that places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead, to bring entertainment alive all around the audience.

Each film will be presented in a three-disc UHD/Blu-ray/Digital HD Combo Pack. STAR TREK features a bonus Blu-ray Disc™ loaded with over three hours of behind-the-scenes content. The STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS UHD and Blu-ray Discs include the spectacular IMAX® version of the film and the package also includes a bonus Blu-ray Disc with more than two hours of special features.

Spigen’s Bluetooth Headphones are a game changer (Review)

You probably know the name Spigen. The California-based company has made a name by making attractive and cost-effective cases for almost every phone on the market. I’m a huge fan of the Rugged Armor case for my Nexus 6P, so when I saw that Spigen had ventured into Bluetooth earbuds, I was intrigued. Could it’s high quality/low-cost strategy work in audio? I decided to pick up a pair to find out for myself.

Design

Bluetooth earbuds are normally pretty similar, no matter the price. Two earbuds connected with a cord. Somewhere in there is a Bluetooth radio to connect to your phone or computer. I was surprised just how big the casing for the Spigen R12E Bluetooth Earbuds actually is. The rounded body are about an inch across, which doesn’t sound that big until you compare it to the size of the ear tip that goes into your ear. It’s nothing off-putting, just different.

You can pick up the earbuds in two color combinations. I opted for the white with red accents and black text, whereas my wife went with the black earbuds with gold accents and writing. I love the look of both but tend to tilt toward the cleaner white look.

The right earbud houses a large power button with a Spigen logo, a volume rocker, and microphone. There is nothing printed on the earbuds to indicate this is actually the power button. When you look in the instructions it’s laid out, but it could be a bit clearer just by looking at them.

You’ll find wings on both tips to help keep the earbuds in your ears while you’re working out, in addition to R and L text on corresponding earbuds to indicate which ear they belong to. The wings do a great job helping the tips stay in your ears while exercising, and the earbuds provide excellent noise isolation. My wife stood next to me and literally yelled at me while I had music on at a medium volume. I heard nothing.

Functionality

Spigen made the R12E’s pretty easy to operate. A three-second press on the right earbud’s button turns them on, and holding the power button for eight seconds (while off) puts the earbuds into pairing mode.

The volume rocker is easy to press, but also hard to find when you’re searching for it but cant see it. It’s easy to gloss over the two bumps that indicate volume up, and one bump that indicates volume down.

There is a micro-USB port on the left earbud for charging that has a flap to keep liquids out. The in-ear part of the earbuds are curved so they can sit comfortably in your ear canal. In my testing, there was almost no sound leak at all due to this design. If the default tips don’t fit comfortably, Spigen has included a few other sets to suit those of us with different sized ear canals.

During calls, those on the line said my voice sounded accurate with adequate volume. While you shouldn’t expect HD voice quality, these do good enough and my friends and family had no problems understanding what I was saying. Alternately, calls sounded fine on my end too.

The R12E’s get pretty loud, and are very clear on voice calls. This translates well to audio quality for music as well.

Sound

I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not an audiophile. If I were, I probably wouldn’t be using $25 Bluetooth earbuds. But, I can speak to how good these sounds in comparison to others in the price range. I’ve tried Intello’s and Lyrica’s earbuds, and Spigen smokes both of them.

What really blows me away is how much bass these earbuds put out. You can feel it. Most Bluetooth earbuds sound pretty thin with only minor bass, but Spigen somehow got a bassy and full-bodied sound in this little package. Color me impressed.

Highs are clear and crisp without piercing or crackling and the mids are fine. Nothing special. The sounds don’t come out congested but aren’t especially clear. I’d rate the audio quality average in that aspect, but the highs and lows push them into fantastic territory.

Conclusion

I really, really love these earbuds. I tend to go for Bluetooth options because I hate wires, but that generally means giving up some sound quality. Spigen takes a lot of pain out of that equation by putting out a really high quality set of Bluetooth earbuds that are fun to listen to.

These aren’t perfect, but they’re damn close. I wish the beep wasn’t so loud when you reach max volume, but that can be forgiven since it doesn’t happen often. I generally control the audio level from my phone and leave the earbuds at about half volume because they’re loud anyway. I can, however, see how this would be annoying for someone working out that doesn’t want to mess with their phone. 

I keep these in my bag with everything else, and while it was banging around some of the red coating came off. Not a huge deal, but annoying.

But, those negatives don’t even come close to undermining how good these sound. I’ve heard plenty of mediocre earbuds in my time, and these exceed all expectations.

Spigen seems to have stepped out of their comfort zone of making phone cases, and they absolutely nailed it. You won’t find many earbuds out there that stand up to the sound of the R12E, regardless of price.

Product Link: Spigen R12E Bluetooth Earbuds

The Great Firewall of China blocks even its own creator

Fang Binxing is being mocked online, because he was forced to set up a VPN in front of a live audience to get past the Great Firewall of China, according to BBC. If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but Fang Binxing isn’t just anyone: he’s known as the “Father of China’s Great Firewall” and is one of the system’s staunchest defenders. More amusingly, this happened during his lecture at the Harbin Institute of Technology in the mainland, wherein he talked about countries that also control what you can visit on the internet.

He reportedly tried to show his audience a South Korean website to demonstrate that the country also has censorship systems in place, when he was blocked by his own creation. To note, South Korea does block some URLs, including some porn websites and those related to North Korea, but it’s not as pervasive as China’s firewall. BBC says Binxing is being ridiculed on Weibo, a Twitter/Facebook-like social network in the country, not just for being blocked by something he made, but also for not leaving a backdoor “even for himself.”

Source: BBC

Uber rival promises a nicer ride through happier drivers

Numerous transportation outfits pitch themselves as anti-Ubers that aren’t as relentlessly profit-minded as Travis Kalanick and crew, but Juno is trying something a little different: it’s hoping that a mix of kindness and self-interest will win the day. The startup is launching a ride-hailing service in April that will not only focus on hiring better drivers (it’s poaching some of Uber’s highest-rated workers), but treating them well. They’ll get more shares in the company the more they drive and the better their ratings. Think of it as the ridesharing equivalent to fair trade coffee, where the happier, more successful workers might translate to a better product.

The emphasis, as you might have guessed, is on “might.” Juno’s plan only really works if it becomes successful enough to either offer public stock or find a buyer. Also, it’s not as if all its competitors are tight-fisted with their money. Lyft also makes a point of treating drivers nicely, such as by letting passengers offer tips. Having said that, it’s hard to knock one more service that offers strong incentives to take care of you — you won’t have to worry as much about abruptly cancelled rides or less-than-skilled drivers.

Via: The Verge

Source: Washington Post