Justice Department attacks global spam botnet after arrest

The Kelihos botnet is a global network of infected Windows machines that is used for all manner of nefarious cybercrime. That’s enough reason for the Justice Department to want to wipe the network off the face of the Earth and prosecute its creator to the full extent of the law. Which is what the department believes it is doing, after releasing a statement confirming that it was behind the arrest of Peter Yuryevich Levashov.

Kelihos malware targets and infects Windows computers, harvesting login data, installing ransomware and distributing spam. With the information, alleged creator Levashov is accused of gaining access to people’s bank accounts and manipulate stocks for his own gain.

Yesterday, an AFP report claimed that Levashov was arrested at Barcelona airport in connection with an investigation into Russia hacking the US elections. The Department of Justice has not confirmed or denied that matter, although it’s been reported that his wife spoke to Russia Today to confirm a connection. Computerworld, however, has a source saying that the arrest was not related to the election.

As well as launching civil and criminal cases against Levashov, the FBI has also taken steps to dismantle Kelihos. The bureau has already begun to block domains associated with the botnet, and have now set up dummy servers to neutralize instances of the software out in the wild.

Officials have shared details of the malware with antivirus vendors to ensure that they can wipe the software from your system. If you’re worried that you may have been compromised, the DoJ advises you to use Microsoft’s free Safety Scanner.

Via: Reuters

Source: Department of Justice

The Windows 10 Creators Update is now live

After much beta testing and new feature additions, Microsoft’s Windows 10 Creators Update is finally rolling out today. You can read more about all the new stuff in our preview, but if you want to get it as soon as possible, you have two options. You can either wait for it to hit your machine, which could take months, or use the Update Assistant and get it now. Just beware that with the latter option, you’ll want to pay rapt attention to the privacy screen — otherwise it will reset your carefully chosen settings to the default ones.

The privacy screen (below) does force you to “accept” the settings, or it won’t let you continue the update. Even if you do make changes, however, you’ll likely have to tweak them further afterwards, as the installation screen just includes general tweaks to categories like “location” and “speech recognition.” In Windows 10 Creators Update, though, there are at least 18 different categories.

Speaking of updates, Windows 10 Creators Update arrives with the new Unified Update Platform, which features differential downloads that reduce update sizes and give you more flexibility about when you can install them. That should help stop updates from taking forever and wrecking your day if they arrive in the middle of a critical presentation, for instance.

Other nuts and bolts features not related to the fun stuff we discussed in our preview include an easier security setup, virtual trackpad, improved accessibility, Cortana support for smart homes and installations (including the Creators Update itself) and many more small tweaks.

Suffice to say, it’s one of the biggest Windows 10 updates yet, and despite Microsoft’s work, things could go wrong. As such, it’s best to update all your critical photos, documents and other data. Once that’s ready, you can wait it to roll out to your area, but bear in mind that last year’s Anniversary Update took over six months to hit most eligible users. If patience isn’t your thing, get the the Update Assistant and pay close attention during the install.

Source: Microsoft

Instagram Direct combines disappearing photos with all other messages

Instagram’s direct messaging features have gotten surprisingly robust over the years. You can send photos privately to another user (or group of users) and share other images you see from Instagram users with just a few taps. (The latter feature is particularly good for sharing dog pictures, just saying.) Instagram also added “disappearing” photos and videos to the mix this past November, one of the most obvious instances of Facebook and Instagram “borrowing” from Snapchat. Today, Instagram says they’re combining disappearing and permanent messages all into one thread — an obvious UI update that seems like it should have been there from the beginning.

Previously, disappearing messages were siloed off in a separate part of the Instagram Direct interface. Those photos and videos showing up at the top of the feed as a bubble you could tap, basically the same as Instagram’s stories. Now, all these messages will just be grouped under a single thread alongside all other text, images and photos you exchange with a person or group. Instagram noted that text, images and photo post sharing will otherwise stay the same.

The intention seems to be to letting users more easily continue having a back-and-forth conversation that includes all types of media that Instagram supports. If you’re ready to give this a shot, Instagram says the updated app is available for iOS and Android now.

Source: Instagram

The classic Tamagotchi toy is back

You’ve already seen Nintendo revive the NES and Nokia reintroduce the 3310, so why not resurrect more ’90s tech? Bandai certainly doesn’t see a problem with it. The company has relaunched the classic Tamagotchi toy in near-original form to mark its 20th anniversary (November 1996 in Japan, May 1997 elsewhere). After years of constant iterations, you’re back to simple black-and-white displays and the six initial characters. About the only change is the size — these eggs are about half as large as the models you might have owned as a kid.

The one catch: as of right now, they’re only officially available in Japan for ¥2,000 (about $18) each. Unless you’re wiling to pay a premium to import them, you’re probably better off buying a locally available modern version and reminiscing about your youth. With that said: here’s hoping Bandai sees fit to bring its retro Tamagotchi to other countries in the near future.

Via: ShortList

Source: Amazon Japan

Samsung Reclaims Title of World’s Largest Smartphone Maker As It Recovers From Galaxy Note7

Samsung topped Apple as the world’s largest smartphone maker in the first quarter, as it continues to show signs of recovery following its disastrous Galaxy Note7 recall last year, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.

Samsung reclaimed the number one spot with an estimated 26.1 percent market share, trailed by Apple at an estimated 16.9 percent, said TrendForce. Chinese vendor Huawei, which aims to become the world’s largest smartphone maker within four years, finished third with an estimated 11.4 percent market share.

Samsung is traditionally the world’s largest smartphone maker, as it sells millions of inexpensive smartphones alongside its flagship devices, so this would normally be no surprise. However, after Samsung recalled the Galaxy Note7 due to defective batteries, Apple overtook its South Korean rival in the fourth quarter.

While the worst might be over for Samsung now, TrendForce said the company’s sales results for its high-end smartphones still “fell short of expectations” in the first quarter, as consumer confidence in the brand had “yet to fully recover” from Galaxy Note7 recall and subsequent discontinuation in the fall.

Nevertheless, Samsung’s continued success in the mid-range and low-end segments of the market allowed it to reclaim its crown.

The economically priced, high-performing Galaxy J series sustained Samsung’s shipments and contributed significantly to the expansion of the brand’s overall smartphone production volume. Samsung was the only brand that saw positive growth in production volume during the off season of the first quarter.

Samsung’s focus has now shifted towards the Galaxy S8, set to launch later this month. The smartphone features an edge-to-edge 5.8-inch display with no physical home button, foreshadowing the rumored design of the tentatively named iPhone 8. And it shouldn’t catch on fire like the Galaxy Note7, as Samsung now performs an 8-point battery check on all of its smartphones.

It’s important to recognize that these are estimated figures only, and that shipments do not necessarily reflect sales to customers.

Apple will officially report its iPhone sales figures for the first quarter, corresponding with the second quarter of its 2017 fiscal year, on May 2.

Tags: Samsung, TrendForce, Galaxy Note 7
Discuss this article in our forums

New Instagram Update Combines Permanent and Disappearing Direct Messages Into One Thread

Instagram today announced the rollout of a new Direct messaging update that will unite permanent text messages with disappearing photos and videos into one easy-to-follow thread, instead of separating the two features like they were before today’s update. When disappearing messages launched in Direct last year, they were given their own “Stories” bar atop the Direct tab.

Users can still find Direct by swiping right-to-left on the main Instagram landing feed, and within Direct there will be a new blue camera button located in the messaging field at the bottom of the tab. Here, users can tap an existing thread to continue a conversation, or create a new one, and then send a disappearing photo, video, or permanent text message. Disappearing messages are highlighted blue in the inbox to prepare users for what kind of message they’re about to open.

Instagram said that today’s update focusing on Direct is a response to the messaging feature’s growth since last November, which has risen from 300 million to 375 million in five months. Overall, disappearing chat features have grown to become a major focus in a variety of apps, most recently with Facebook Stories.

Today, we’re launching the new Direct to make it fast and easy to turn any conversation into a visual conversation with photos and videos. Texts and reshares will now appear in the same thread with disappearing photos and videos so you can seamlessly go back and forth with your friends.

Since our last update in November 2016, the number of people using Direct has grown from 300 million to 375 million. We want to make Direct the best place to have fun, visual conversations with your friends. Stay tuned for more.

Instagram’s new update — designated version 10.16 — will begin rolling out throughout the day.

Tag: Instagram
Discuss this article in our forums

This SwitchCharge battery case will keep you an extra 12 hours of playing time

We love the Nintendo Switch here at Pocket-lint, it delivers an intuitive new design and gameplay concept, and it works. However we, like many other users, feel a bit let down by the three to four hours of gameplay time you get when you take the main console out with you in the portable mode.

• Nintendo Switch review: Return of the king?
• Nintendo Switch: Price, specs and everything you need to know

Fortunately, London based InDemand Design has come up with the SwitchCharge battery case to solve that very issue. It’s the very first multifunctional battery case designed specifically for the Switch, and along with its 12,000mAh battery, has an integrated kickstand and two game card slots.

The SwitchCharge case claims to give you up to 12 hours of extra playing time, which should be more than enough for most flights, commutes and playing sessions, before you get it back home and into the dock. The 12 hours of playing time is dependent on what games you’re playing, as more intensive ones will bring that figure down, while less intensive games could see it rise a bit.

InDemand Design’s own initial test showed the case gave an extra 10 hours 40 minutes of gameplay when playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild, whereas Shovel Knight saw an extra 14 hours 15 minutes from the case.

InDemand Designs

The integrated kickstand can be deployed at virtually any angle to suit your playing preferences and the two extra game card slots mean you don’t need to carry games around with you in separates cases.

• All the Nintendo Switch games: Launch titles and every game for 2017 revealed
• Nintendo Switch game saves are locked to one console
• Has your Nintendo Switch warped? New bending problem reported
• Nintendo Switch hardware tour

The SwitchCharge battery case for the Nintendo Switch is currently seeking funding on Indiegogo, although it’s already surpassed its $150,000 goal with 25 days left to go. Seems we’re not the only ones who want more juice out of our console. You can pre-order your own from $85 with shipping estimated for August 2017.

Famous poker-playing AI takes down scientists and engineers

Libratus, the poker-playing AI that crushed four world-class pros in January, has put another group of human players to shame. This time, the upgraded variant of the AI known as “Lengpudashi” or “cold poker master” took on World Series veteran Alan Du and a team of engineers, computer scientists and investors. Instead of using pure poker skills to try and defeat Lengpudashi like the first team did, the new players applied what they know about machine learning to their game. Alas, their strategy didn’t work, and the AI still won by a landslide after playing 36,000 hands against the team at a resort on China’s Hainan island.

Unlike go, chess and other games AI play, you don’t see your opponent’s hand in poker. Plus, it has complex betting and bluffing techniques that present a completely different challenge. Libratus comes up with strategies by doing computations with the rules of the game in mind — its creators at Carnegie Mellon University didn’t feed it copious amounts of samples to learn from, which is one way to teach AIs new skills.

Libratus co-developer Noam Brown said that after playing and winning games against pros, its clear that people misunderstand what computers and humans are each good at:

“People think that bluffing is very human — it turns out that’s not true. A computer can learn from experience that if it has a weak hand and it bluffs, it can make more money.”

He didn’t say if they have more opponents lined up for the AI, but we have a feeling it’s going to do just fine.

Source: Bloomberg

Canada hid the Konami Code in its commemorative $10 bill launch

Canada’s currency is already the world’s dorkiest, with its plastic material, transparent windows and holograms everywhere. For a $10 bill celebrating the nation’s 150th anniversary, however, the Bank of Canada outdid itself with an Easter egg on its website that rewards visitors with (a dorky version of) the national anthem and a shower of tens down the screen. The best part is that to get it, you punch in the “Konami Code” first made famous in Konami’s 1986 Contra NES game.

“The Bank of Canada’s web team thought the Konami code (below) was a fun way to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation,” Bank of Canada spokeswoman Josianne Menard told CTV news. (It’s not clear exactly what Konami and video games have to do with Canada’s sesquicentennial, but as a Canadian, I heartily approve.)

On top of being laden with anti-counterfeiting tech that makes it extremely difficult to copy (holograms, raised ink, color-changing images and polymer materials), the new ten is a who’s who and what’s what of Canadian history. It features Canada’s founding Prime Minister John A. MacDonald, Agnes Macphail, first woman parliamentarian, and Indigenous peoples pioneer James Gladstone, known in his Blackfoot language as Akay-na-muka.

It also shows Canada’s prairies, the coastal mountains of British Columbia, the Canadian Shield, Atlantic coast, northern lights, Metis Assomption Sash, maple leaf and much more (no poutine, though). All of that is squeezed on the 152.4 x 69.85 mm note — that’s exactly 6 x 2.75 inches, because Canada uses the metric system but probably still buys its printing presses from the US.

The Konami code is in keeping with Canada’s tradition of doing cute, pop-culture things with its history. Last year around this time, for instance, it declassified the military records of a certain James “Logan” Howlett and invited Twitter users to pick the “most Canadian” Pokemon (Sawsbuck, clearly).

Via: CNET

Source: Bank of Canada

Apple Predicted to Build Its Own Power Management Chip for iPhones Within Two Years

Dialog Semiconductor shares plunged to their lowest price in over 16 years on Monday, after an industry analyst predicted Apple will drop the supplier and move to its own in-house power management chips for iPhones by 2019.

The prediction comes from analyst Karsten Iltgen at German investment bank Bankhaus Lampe, who said that Apple will at the very least cut back to some degree on Dialog’s supply of power management chips for the iPhone, according to a research note obtained by Bloomberg.

“There is strong evidence that Apple is developing its own power-management integrated circuits and intends to replace the chip made by Dialog at least in part,” Karsten Iltgen, analyst at Bankhaus Lampe, said in a research note published Tuesday. A shift to Apple developing its own chips in-house is unlikely in the short term, he said.

“We believe that Apple is setting up power-management design centers in Munich and California,” said Iltgen. “We hear from the industry that about 80 engineers at Apple are already working on a PMIC with specific plans to employ it in the iPhone by as early as 2019.”

According to Iltgen, Apple is setting up its own power management chip design centers in Munich and California, and up to 80 Apple engineers are said to already be working on its own PMIC (power management integrated circuit) component. However, he said Apple dropping Dialog “is unlikely in the short term.”

Dialog’s website says its integrated power management component results in up to 30% longer battery life:

Dialog replaces multiple discrete power management components with one highly integrated device, enabling our customers to produce lighter and thinner portable applications with higher power efficiency resulting in longer battery life.

These single chip solutions reduce energy usage and provide a simple, yet flexible, design at a lower cost. Typical usage tests show our Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs) are able to decrease the power consumption of a portable device by up to 30%.

The analyst noted that Apple has steadily hired engineers from the United Kingdom-based Dialog over the past year, from the chipmaker’s pool of about 1,300 engineers, but a person familiar with the situation noted that “it isn’t unusual” to see employees flowing between Apple and its supplier.

However, last week Apple announced that it was planning to stop using the graphics processing chips supplied by Imagination Technology in its iPhones within two years, and Bloomberg noted that, ahead of that decision, Apple had hired “several people” from Imagination to help craft its in-house technology.

If Apple does make the same decision with Dialog Semiconductor as it did with Imagination Technologies, the former company could see as much as three quarters of its business gone over the next few years, as it’s believed that Dialog gets as much as 74 percent of its sales from Apple.

Some analysts don’t believe that it will ever come to that and disagree with Iltgen’s prediction, as Barclays analyst Andrew Gardiner recently mentioned in a research note that he does “not see [Dialog] remotely in a similar position” as Imagination. Dialog shares remained down around 16 percent on Tuesday.

Not everyone agrees that Dialog is at risk. “We do not see them remotely in a similar position,” said Andrew Gardiner, an analyst at Barclays Plc, in a research note. “We acknowledge Apple’s continued hiring of engineers, in power management and elsewhere, but an additional 80 engineers hired in this area pales in comparison to the over 1,300 engineers Dialog employed at the end of last year.”

Last year Dialog entered the news when a Fast Company report mentioned the supplier’s $10 million investment in wireless technology company Energous, adding to recent rumors that Apple and its suppliers were gearing up to implement some form of wireless charging into a future line of iPhones.

Energous has said that its first truly wireless charging technology will arrive later in 2017, but in regards to the iPhone’s wireless charging it’s believed that Apple is again looking in-house to craft an inductive charger for the iPhone as it did for the Apple Watch, rather than using a truly wireless solution.

Tag: Dialog
Discuss this article in our forums