‘Pokémon Go’ tries to save the world at a major conference

How would you tackle important social issues through technology? If you’re Niantic and The Pokémon Company, you have people play a game. They’re teaming up with the Global Goals and Project Everyone campaigns to raise awareness of issues through special Pokémon Go locations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. A total of 17 locations are turning into PokéStops based on each of the Global Goals, such as “no poverty” and “reduced inequalities.” The Congress Centre at the heart of the Forum will also become a Gym, and there’s a promise of additional Global Goals material in the spring.

It’s a noble goal, and proof that Pokémon Go stops can be used as more than just corporate promotional tools. With that said, are checkpoints in an augmented reality game really going to do much to solve the world’s ills, especially at a conference frequented by elites? Political and corporate leaders aren’t usually roaming city streets looking for a Charmander, and it’s doubtful that organizations will change their policies based on PokéStop graphics. This is more of an encouragement for conscientious, tech-savvy WEF attendees than a concerted attempt to sway influencers — it’s helpful, but not game-changing.

Source: Google Maps

Krebs pinpoints the likely author of the Mirai botnet

The Mirai botnet caused serious trouble last fall, first hijacking numerous IoT devices to make a historically massive Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) attack on KrebsOnSecurity’s site in September before taking down a big chunk of the internet a month later. But who’s responsible for making the malware? After his site went dark, security researcher Brian Krebs went on a mission to identify its creator, and he thinks he has the answer: Several sources and corroborating evidence point to Paras Jha, a Rutgers University student and owner of DDoS protection provider Protraf Solutions.

About a week after attacking the security site, the individual who supposedly launched the attack, going by the username Anna Senpai, released the source code for the Mirai botnet, which spurred other copycat assaults. But it also gave Krebs the first clue in their long road to uncover Anna Senpai’s real-life identity — an investigation so exhaustive, the Krebs made a glossary of cross-referenced names and terms along with an incomplete relational map.

The full story is admittedly lengthy, clocking in at over 8000 words, but worth the time to understand how botnet wranglers make money siccing their zombie device armies on unsuspecting targets. The sources that pointed Krebs to Anna Senpai’s identity were involved in using botnets on behalf of shadowy clients, unleashing them on security companies protecting lucrative Minecraft servers that host thousands of players. When their online gaming is obstructed — say, by repeated and annoying DDoS attacks — players leave, giving servers an incentive to jump ship to whichever security provider can ensure protection…in this case, providers that arranged for the botnet attacks in the first place.

According to Krebs’ source, his security site was looped into the botnet war after it revealed information in early September leading to the arrest of the two hackers behind the Israeli ‘vDos’ attack service. Anna Senpai was allegedly paid to unleash Mirai on the KrebsOnSecurity site by vengeful clients who’d used the now-defunct vDos, cementing the security firm’s interest.

Source: KrebsOnSecurity

Fujifilm’s X100F should be its best fixed-lens camera to date

The X100 has, since its inception, been for many the ultimate compact camera. Originally released in 2010, it was the first entry to Fujifilm’s X-series of digital cameras, pairing classic aesthetics with a 23mm (35mm equivalent) prime lens, hybrid optical-electric viewfinder and a APS-C sensor. Fujifilm has since released the X100S, which brought with it the company’s X-Trans sensor, and the X100T, with a range of more subtle improvements. Now, the company is trying again, with the X100F.

So, what’s new? If you’re staring down the barrel of its lens, “not much” appears to be the answer. It’s still got the classic X100 design, dominated by the 23mm f/2.0 prime lens. But a lot has changed behind the scenes. First, inside is the third-generation X-Trans sensor, as seen in the X-Pro2 and X-T2. It’s a 24.3-megapixel unit, and from past experience it’s very, very good. The new sensor is joined be an improved 91-point autofocus system.

The viewfinder has some more subtle improvements of its predecessor, now offering up to 6x magnification (as opposed to the X100T’s 2.5x). The electronic elements (the viewfinder can run entirely optical, hybrid, or entirely electric) all now run at 60 frames per second.

Controls have also changed fairly significantly, ditching the split of buttons either side of the screen in favor of a layout that’ll be familiar to X-Pro2 and X-T2 users. Pretty much all the controls are now to the right of the screen (easier to reach with your right thumb), and there’s a new joystick for focusing.

There are a few other improvments, including a new film mode, but those are the key points. The Fujifilm X100F looks to be the most significant overhaul of the X100 series since its inception, improving on handling, performance and image quality. It’ll be available this February for $1,299.

Source: Fujifilm

Fujifilm’s X-T20 is an affordable, compact take on the X-T2

Fujifilm has unveiled the X-T20, a successor to the popular X-T10 that improves on it in nearly every way. The old 16-megapixel sensor and processor have been updated to the 24.3-megapixel X-Trans III, the same as the one on the world-beating X-T2. That’ll give it not only more resolution but a lot faster autofocus (.06 seconds) and shooting speed (5.0 fps in live-view). It also does 4K video at up to 30 fps, another feature imported from the X-T2.

The X-T20 also gains a touchscreen, something its higher-end sibling doesn’t have, letting you tap to focus and shoot, then swipe or zoom in on shots. All of that is squeezed into a body around the same size as the X-T10, meaning you can just about slip it into a pocket with a pancake lens installed.

It’s got the same 2.3 million dot OLED viewfinder and basic knob and button layout as the X-T10, all of which is a good thing, considering the older model’s classic good looks and ease of use. Other features include built-in WiFi, various Fujifilm creative filters and support for all the APS-C X-mount Fujinon lenses, which are widely considered as some of the best you can get for the price.

In fact, there doesn’t seem to be a lot missing from the X-T20 over the X-T2, other than its higher 8-fps shooting speed, water-resistant body and dual-tilting rear screen. That should make it irresistible to a lot of amateur photographers, considering that the X-T2 runs about $1,600 (body only) and the X-T20 will cost $900 without a lens when it goes in sale next month.

Source: Fujifilm

Samsung boss won’t face arrest, at least for now

Samsung just dodged a bullet… for a while, anyway. A South Korean court has dismissed a warrant to arrest the company’s Vice Chairman and de facto leader, Lee Jae-yong, in an investigation alleging that Samsung paid the President’s scandal-ridden confidant to illegally secure approval for a merger. There’s just not enough evidence to suggest that an arrest is needed, according to the judge. While this doesn’t guarantee that Lee is completely off the hook, he won’t have to worry about jail time in the foreseeable future.

It’s not certain whether or not prosecutors will try again — they’d likely have to establish a stronger link between Lee and the payments, assuming there is one, before giving it another try. Lee has always denied doing anything wrong.

Samsung is definitely breathing easier. The electronics giant is all too well-known for a leadership structure that revolves around the Lees, and an arrest (let alone a conviction) risked throwing that corporate order into disarray. And when Samsung is a major part of the South Korean economy, any uncertainty around its future could jeopardize the country as well. Critics of the company won’t be happy, however. Do you recall how Lee’s father, Lee Kun-hee, was pardoned from a tax evasion conviction to help secure the 2018 Winter Olympics? There’s no proof that Jae-yong got off easy, but opponents may well suggest that the court is refusing to touch a similarly powerful figure.

Source: Reuters

Fujifilm X100F revealed: The fixed-lens compact king returns… with a £1249 price tag

Say hello to the high-end compact king. The Fujifilm X100F is the fixed-lens compact in its fourth-generation form, which brings a new layout, enhanced focus system and 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor to the series.

Core to the X100 series is its 35mm f/2.0 (equivalent) lens and hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder. The finder’s wider-than-100-per-cent field-of-view is handy to predict what’s coming into the frame, while an electronic overlay can be used to display not only shooting details but also a fully electronic view – which is ideal for a rangefinder-style digital focus window to the bottom right-hand corner. In the X100F the refresh rate has been upped to 60fps for less stutter and even better low-light performance.

Fujifilm

If you’re well versed in the X100 then you’ll notice the X100F has a new focus lever to the rear, used to make quick adjustments to the focus point that’s in use. There’s also a new ISO sensitivity dial stacked within the shutter speed dial, adding yet more control at your fingertips.

The autofocus update is perhaps the X100F’s biggest new feature compared to the X100T. There are now 91 focus points, 49 of which are phase-detection points arranged to the centre 40 per cent of the focus area.

The new X-Trans sensor arrangement means the X100F has no low-pass filter for optimum sharpness, while the sensor’s colour array arrangement is different to a conventional sensor to avoid any issues with inaccurate colour or moire. The 50 per cent increase in resolution – the previous X100T model offers 16-megapixels – has been countered with doubled data read speeds to ensure fast operation.

Fujifilm

Now six years into its reign as king of the fixed-lens compacts, the X100F looks like a great update to the series. It’s also a pricey one, at £1,249. That’s a huge 25 per cent price hike compared to the X100T. Think it’s worth it? The camera will be available from 16th February 2017 in black or silver finishes.

Fujifilm GFX 50S release date, price and full specification detailed

The Fujifilm GFX 50S mirrorless medium format camera has an official release date: 23 February 2017. And with a body-only price of £6,199 it’s highly affordable for a medium format camera.

The GFX 50S features a huge 43.8 x 32.9mm medium format sensor – which is around 1.7x larger than a full-frame DSLR camera sensor – complete with a whopping 51.4-megapixel resolution.

Unlike many existing medium format cameras, this will offer extensive sensitivity from ISO 100 – 12,800. It doesn’t follow suit with Fujifilm’s X-Trans CMOS range of system cameras, however.

Fujifilm

To cater for a sensor of this size, Fuji has also introduced a new range of lenses: GF optics, connected via the all-new G-mount. At launch there will be the GF 63mm f/2.8 (price: £1,399), GF 32-64mm f/4.0 (price: £2,199), and GF 120mm f/4.0 optically-stabilised Macro (price: £2,599). Just like the camera body each of these lenses is weather-resistant.

Other specification details reveal a 3.2-inch 2.69m-dot LCD touchscreen that’s built onto a variable bracket for positioning at various angles. There’s a 3.69m-dot electronic viewfinder included in the box too – although you’ll need to pay £579 extra to get the vari-angle adaptor to manipulate its position.

As there’s a 1.28-inch top display screen not all the settings need to display on the rear, which is great to get a good eye on what’s going on in your composition.

Fujifilm

Another revelation is just how small and lightweight the 50S is: a mere 825g with the battery included. Add the viewfinder and it’s 920g – which, at sub-1kg, is lighter than many pro-spec DSLR cameras. Its small size is mirrored by its media of choice too: there are dual SD card slots (speeds up to UHS-II are supported).

The GFX 50S uses a focal plane shutter, so there’s none of the fancy high-speed flash sync work that you can achieve with leaf shutter lenses. Its maximum 1/4000th sec (or 1/16,000th sec via electronic shutter) does ensure the 50S can be used for higher-speed shooting situations, however.

In terms of autofocus the 50S uses a 117-point contrast-detection AF system. We’re surprised there’s no phase-detection system at play here (at a sensor level), but as this is a mirrorless camera we can understand why thats the case. Adjusting the focus point can be actioned using the focus lever on the back of the camera – which is styled as you’ll find in the X-Pro2 and also-announced X100F cameras – or via the touchscreen.

Fujifilm

All sounds very pro to us. We look forward to using this mirrorless medium format. That it costs significantly less than Fuji’s confident Photokina 2016 claim of “sub-$10,000” is a great thing indeed.

Fujifilm X-T20 ups resolution, adds touchscreen to mid-level system camera

The mid-level Fujifilm system camera just got an update: the X-T20. It adds touchscreen control, ups the resolution, adds 4K capture and enhances autofocus compared to its X-T10 predecessor.

This DSLR-style mirrorless model has a 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III sensor. The X-Trans arrangement means the camera has no low-pass filter for optimum sharpness, while the sensor’s colour array arrangement is different to a conventional sensor to avoid any issues with inaccurate colour or moire.

Fujifilm

The autofocus update is perhaps the X-T20’s biggest new feature though. There are now 91 focus points, 49 of which are phase-detection points arranged to the centre 40 per cent of the focus area. Fuji claims the system can now focus more accurately on points of light, low-contrast objects and fine details.

Other features reflect the make-up of the X-T series we’ve come to know and love: there’s a built-in centrally aligned electronic viewfinder, below which is a 3-inch tilt-angle LCD. High resolution is order of the day in both cases: the 2.39m-dot EVF is very high resolution for a camera at this level, while the 1.04m-dot LCD panel ensures crisp visuals.

Fujifilm

The X-T20 also embraces the power of touch, with touchscreen operation (which lacked from its predecessor) now front and centre as a control method. In addition to screen-tapping, it’s possible to swipe, pinch and double-tap much in the way you would with a smartphone.

Like the sound of all that? The X-T20 will be available from 23 February 2017, with a body-only price of £799.

Palmer Luckey insists he didn’t steal VR code for Oculus

Yesterday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand to testify in a lawsuit against Oculus, and today it was Palmer Luckey’s turn. The founder of Oculus VR — who has remained out of sight since his role in funding political trolls came to light — sold his startup to Facebook for $2 billion in 2014, but ZeniMax (parent company of iD Software) claims its tech is based on code Oculus CTO John Carmack wrote while still an employee. According to Bloomberg, Luckey testified that while the company’s software ran in a demonstration for investors, he also said “I didn’t take confidential code…I ran it and demonstrated it through the headset. It is not true I took the code.”

The Zenimax lawsuit challenges Oculus’ origin story, claiming that Luckey lacked the expertise to develop VR technology. Gizmodo reports that a line of questioning focused on his lack of a college degree, while Facebook’s lawyers pumped up his hobbyist interests and stories of electronics tinkering in the garage.

Back in 2014, Carmack stated that ZeniMax owns the code he wrote while working there but “they don’t own VR.” According to Oculus, Luckey sent Carmack a headset in 2012, and showed off a ported version of Doom 3 for it, before leaving iD to join the company in 2013. UploadVR says that former Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe is expected to testify as well, and a jury verdict could occur as soon as next week.

Source: Bloomberg, UploadVR, Gizmodo

Fujifilm’s GFX 50S medium-format mirrorless camera costs $6,500

We’ve known since last year that Fujifilm was working on the GFX 50S, a mirrorless camera with a medium-format sensor. But, until now, the manufacturer hadn’t said how much it would cost or when it would be up for grabs. Thankfully for those of you who are interested, Fujifilm has announced that its GFX 50S is set to hit stores in “late” February for $6,500 (body-only). While that price may seem steep, it’s considerably lower than a competitor like Hasselblad’s X1D, which sells for roughly $9,000.

Fujifilm’s new shooter features a massive 50.4-megapixel CMOS sensor, an X Processor Pro (same one that’s on the X-Pro2 and X-T2), a 117-point autofocus system, as well as a high-res electronic viewfinder and 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen. Oddly enough, there’s no 4K video support, with the GFX 50S only capable of capturing 1080p at 24, 25 and 30fps. That’s going to be disappointing for users who were hoping to record Ultra HD content with this camera.

Naturally, since the GFX 50S is a system designed from the ground up, Fujifilm had to make fresh glass to work with it. That’s why the company is introducing three GF lenses: the GF63mm f/2.8, GF32-54mm f/4 and GF120mm f/4, priced at $1,500, $2,300 and $3,000, respectively. Sure, you’ll have to spend a pretty penny, but the GFX 50S has the potential to be one of the best cameras to come out in recent years.

We’ll have more impressions soon, as Fujifilm is hosting a launch event for the GFX 50S in New York City later this evening. Until then, enjoy the images below.