Australian tech expert issues dire warning about the dangers of killer sex robots

Why it matters to you

The technology to create a robotic companion is increasing rapidly, but it may come with unintended consequences.

The newest threat to humans may not be nuclear weapons or climate change, but rather robots intended for intimate purposes that could suddenly turn deadly. Even worse, they can even be armed with guns or knives.

Cyber security expert Dr. Nick Patterson recently voiced his concerns about the killer sex robots, cautioning that hackers could take control of the devices and turn them into wanton killing machines. “Hackers can hack into a robot or a robotic device and have full control of the connections, arms, legs and other attached tools like in some cases knives or welding devices,” he declared. “Often these robots can be upwards of 200 pounds, and very strong.”

Elon Musk has previously warned about killer robot armies, describing artificial intelligence research as “summoning a demon.” Dr. Patterson, however, believes that the danger lies in hackers taking control of the sex robots and using them as deadly weapons. “The last thing you want is for a hacker to have control over one of these robots! Once hacked they could absolutely be used to perform physical actions for an advantageous scenario or to cause damage.”

Sex robots are a booming field in artificial intelligence, and the race is on to build the first mass-market robotic erotic companion. Harmony, a $15,000 robot created by Matt McMullen at Abyss Creations, is programmed to be “docile, submissive, and built like a porn star.” Over five years, she has evolved through six iterations and is generating a lot of interest among robot doll aficionados. “My goal, in a very simple way, is to make people happy,” McMullen said. “There are a lot of people out there, for one reason or another, who have difficulty forming traditional relationships with other people. It’s really all about giving those people some level of companionship – or the illusion of companionship.”

Some sex robots have been programmed with actual personalities, and there are others that need to be seduced before you, uh, get down to business. Some robots can be stimulated to orgasm, and there are even plans for robot brothels in Europe. These virtual girlfriends aren’t cheap, however – plan to shell out at least ten grand for even the base models.

On top of that, there’s always the danger they’ll go on a homicidal rampage. Perhaps we should take our cue from the writings of Isaac Asimov and require that all sex robots be programmed with the  Three Laws of Robotics.

Australian tech expert issues dire warning about the dangers of killer sex robots

Why it matters to you

The technology to create a robotic companion is increasing rapidly, but it may come with unintended consequences.

The newest threat to humans may not be nuclear weapons or climate change, but rather robots intended for intimate purposes that could suddenly turn deadly. Even worse, they can even be armed with guns or knives.

Cyber security expert Dr. Nick Patterson recently voiced his concerns about the killer sex robots, cautioning that hackers could take control of the devices and turn them into wanton killing machines. “Hackers can hack into a robot or a robotic device and have full control of the connections, arms, legs and other attached tools like in some cases knives or welding devices,” he declared. “Often these robots can be upwards of 200 pounds, and very strong.”

Elon Musk has previously warned about killer robot armies, describing artificial intelligence research as “summoning a demon.” Dr. Patterson, however, believes that the danger lies in hackers taking control of the sex robots and using them as deadly weapons. “The last thing you want is for a hacker to have control over one of these robots! Once hacked they could absolutely be used to perform physical actions for an advantageous scenario or to cause damage.”

Sex robots are a booming field in artificial intelligence, and the race is on to build the first mass-market robotic erotic companion. Harmony, a $15,000 robot created by Matt McMullen at Abyss Creations, is programmed to be “docile, submissive, and built like a porn star.” Over five years, she has evolved through six iterations and is generating a lot of interest among robot doll aficionados. “My goal, in a very simple way, is to make people happy,” McMullen said. “There are a lot of people out there, for one reason or another, who have difficulty forming traditional relationships with other people. It’s really all about giving those people some level of companionship – or the illusion of companionship.”

Some sex robots have been programmed with actual personalities, and there are others that need to be seduced before you, uh, get down to business. Some robots can be stimulated to orgasm, and there are even plans for robot brothels in Europe. These virtual girlfriends aren’t cheap, however – plan to shell out at least ten grand for even the base models.

On top of that, there’s always the danger they’ll go on a homicidal rampage. Perhaps we should take our cue from the writings of Isaac Asimov and require that all sex robots be programmed with the  Three Laws of Robotics.

A phone app helped saved lives during Hurricane Harvey

Read how the Zello app helped civilian first responders find and rescue people trapped in Harvey’s flood waters.

Your phone can seem like a lifesaver at times. But this story from the Houston Chronicle shows how a miniature computer that can install and run apps literally saved lives. You need to read Holly Hartman’s story to understand how anyone with a phone app, no matter where they are, can help when a dire situation happens. It’s a powerful tale that just might bring you to tears: both at the dire situation of some of Harvey’s victims and how one person was able to step up and make a difference.

Read: I downloaded an app. And suddenly, was part of the Cajun Navy.

It also shows how the things we use every day are now indispensable. The same phone you use to play a game or watch YouTube videos with is also a tool that an amazing group of regular people used to save lives. Let that sink in for a moment: people didn’t die because of a smartphone app.

The app in question is Zello PTT Walkie Talkie. It’s well done but not anything particularly special. What matters is that the right people all installed it and did everything they could to let folks in the Houston area know that they could install it and be able to call for help. In the hours before Harvey made landfall, Twitter and Facebook posts telling everyone to install Zillo were abundant. We’re seeing the same thing today with Hurricane Irma ready to wreck SouthWest Florida, and hopefully, it can make the same difference.

Hurricanes don’t discriminate: everyone left behind is at risk.

If you’ve never been through a major hurricane it’s hard to understand what conditions are like. You’re essentially isolated and on your own until the storm lets up enough for emergency responders to do their jobs. And there will always be people who stayed back and didn’t evacuate. Some because they can’t and others who just don’t want to. I was in the latter group when Hurricane Andrew happened and spent a few hours trapped in a Circle K (a small convenience store) with four others, hoping the water wouldn’t get high enough to drown us all. Even when the water finally stopped rising, we all were stuck until we were able to flag down a rescue boat.

This was before the smartphone age.We had no way of letting anyone know where we were or our situation. Calling 911 during a hurricane is futile because there will never be enough operators and dispatchers to take the calls coming in, and your call for help will likely be unanswered. If you are unfortunate enough, or as in my case, stubborn enough, to not leave when advised you’re on your own. It’s wonderful that we now have the tools to be less isolated and can hear a friendly voice just when we need one.

If you’re in the path of Irma and didn’t evacuate to a safe shelter, make sure you have Zillo installed. If you’re able and willing to help, either in the field or to take calls, please do the same. There are lives on the line.

Download: Zello PTT Walkie Talkie (free) from Google Play

Virginia to replace voting machines over hacking concerns

States are understandably nervous about the security of voting machines given both the possibility of Russian interference in the 2016 election and machine makers’ own shortfalls. And in Virginia’s case, officials aren’t taking any chances. The state’s election board has approved a Department of Elections recommendation to make counties to replace direct-recording electronic voting machines with devices that produce a clear paper trail. Virginia had already instituted a law phasing out touchscreen voting hardware by 2020, but the new move effectively bumps up that end date to November 7th, when the state holds elections for the governorship and other key positions.

The move is effectively forcing the Virginia government’s hand. As Politico points out, Governor McAuliffe had asked the legislature for money to buy more secure voting machines two years ago, but was shot down. Now, there’s not much choice — the direct-recording machines are no longer certified, so something has to take their place.

There’s no guarantee that other states will follow Virginia’s lead, provided the decision holds up. The Elections Department has notified other states of its recommendations, however, and it won’t be surprising if other states follow suit given how anxious they are about hacking attempts. Paper records are the only relatively surefire way to verify the accuracy of election results, and the steep cost of replacing them (McAuliffe wanted $28 million) may be worth it for the peace of mind when a vote comes into question.

Via: Politico

Source: Virginia Department of Elections (PDF)

YouTube brings playback speed choices to mobile

The ability to choose playback speeds on YouTube can be pretty valuable. You can use it, say, whenever you need to see what’s going on in a tutorial in slow motion or just want to speed watch a random vlog. Now the feature has finally made its way to the platform’s iOS and Android apps, so you don’t have to fire up your laptop just so you can slow down or speed up what you’re watching.

In his announcement post, YouTube Software Engineer Pallavi Powale said they had to overcome some engineering hurdles to make the update happen. They had to make sure that the app can change the duration of the audio without affecting its quality. As you know, playing videos faster could make voices sound like chipmunks, while playing them at a slower speed could lower the pitch. The team had to do the same thing for the desktop version, but the problem with mobile is that phones are subject to hardware and network limitations. That’s why when you change the playback speed on your phone, YouTube adjusts the video quality “to be only as high as [the app] can download dependably.”

The feature is already live for a lot of people — to try it out, simply tap on the hamburger menu at the top of the app’s interface. After that, choose “Playback Speed” from the menu that pops up and choose the speed you prefer.

Source: YouTube

Here’s Your First Look at the New Version of Apple’s AirPods

In yet another leak sourced from the iOS 11 GM, developer Steve Troughton-Smith has uncovered a render of the new version of Apple’s AirPods. Troughton-Smith noted that while a render of the “iPhone X” has not been discovered within the firmware (yet), the LTE Apple Watch and now the new AirPods each have renders in the golden master of iOS 11.

Image of new AirPods via @stroughtonsmith
Unsurprisingly, the new AirPods look a lot like the old AirPods, with an all-white charging case and white buds. The case has the same clamshell design as the current model, but has one noticeable difference: the LED charging indicator “status light” has moved from the inside of the case to the outside.

When the AirPods are in the case, the LED shows the charge status of the pods, but if they are removed from the case then the LED shows the status of the case itself. Green indicates charged, while an amber glow means less than one full charge remains. In today’s short video, the LED appears to be flashing white, which Apple’s support website currently explains as an indication that the AirPods are ready to be set up with another device, suggesting some of the same LED patterns will be on the new AirPods.

…in full, animated glory 😂 pic.twitter.com/dbU6WaU1B4

— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) September 9, 2017

Last night, the first wave of iOS 11 GM leaks included references to “AirPods 1,2,” which could be the updated version of the wire-free headphones that have been shared today. Of course, with just one image and a two-second clip it’s impossible to say what other new features might be coming to AirPods 2.0, or if Apple is ready to announce the new model as soon as Tuesday’s upcoming iPhone X event.

Tag: AirPods
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Details Emerge Regarding ‘Face ID’ Setup Process on iPhone X

Facial recognition has been rumored to be replacing Touch ID entirely on the OLED iPhone X, and today developer Guilherme Rambo shared a few glimpses into the setup process of the all-new “Face ID” feature.

Rambo tweeted the settings and preference screen for Face ID, where you can choose to use Face ID for iPhone Unlock, iTunes and App Store, and Safari Autofill. Apple Pay is missing from the page, but Rambo noted that it’s most likely because he’s using a Brazilian Apple ID and Apple Pay isn’t available in Brazil.

Images via @_inside

Face ID enrollment process (with layout issues on first page) pic.twitter.com/KczOHEy9ir

— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) September 9, 2017

Once you tap “Enroll Face,” iOS will ask you to gently move your head around in various directions and as you do a piece of the user interface will respond by filling in a circle surrounding your face. Once the scan is complete, your face will be enrolled in Apple’s new biometric security software and will be able to unlock the iPhone X, authenticate the purchase of apps, and more.

In another video, Rambo recorded a separate piece of UI related to Face ID that he described as “authenticating with Face ID.” This is expected to be another step in Face ID’s setup process, but Rambo pointed out that he’s “not sure” there will be a camera preview in the final version of the software. He did say that the smiley face glyph and rotating sphere animation will be parts of Face ID to some extent.

Authenticating with FaceID looks like this (timing not correct because it’s just the UI, not actual auth) pic.twitter.com/kvNUARDQBJ

— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) September 9, 2017

In a series of leaks related to the HomePod firmware that happened earlier in August, a few strings of code suggested that the iPhone X will be able to scan your face even when the device is lying flat on a table. Apple is preparing Face ID to be “quicker, more secure, and more accurate than Touch ID,” according to Mark Gurman, and the biometric security feature is expected to be one of the flagship features focused on during the September 12 event keynote.

Related Roundup: iPhone X
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Wondering how to copy and paste? It’s easier than you think

One of the most commonly used and important functions of a computer, whether it’s running Microsoft’s Windows or Apple’s Mac OS, is copy and paste. It’s one that’s so ubiquitous it’s often assumed that everyone knows how. But if you’ve never been taught, there’s no shame in that. Doing so is very simple, regardless of platform.

How to copy and paste in Windows

Although Windows PCs have a unifying theme when it comes to copy and pasting, there are a few different ways to do it. Depending on the software, you can use the mouse, the keyboard, the menu bar or a combination of all three to get the job done.

While you can make an argument that some methods are faster than others, the one you choose will largely be down to personal preference, so we’ll break down each one in turn and you can then pick which is right for you.

Quick tips:

• Right-clicking a selected item will usually bring up a menu with the option to Copy. Right-clicking an empty space will usually bring up a menu with the option to Paste.
• The keyboard command for Copy is Ctrl+C, and the keyboard command for Paste is Ctrl+V.

Using the mouse

Step 1: Highlight it

Properly selecting the content you wish to reproduce is the first step when copying and pasting. If you’re looking to copy an image, right-click it and select “Copy image” to save a duplicate to the clipboard – the virtual space where anything copied resides. Then skip to “Step 3”.

If you’re looking to copy and paste text, left-click and a drag your mouse cursor over the portion of the document or browser window — whichever you use — that you wish to highlight. For folders and other items, simply right-click the item once or, alternatively, left-click and drag a selection box around multiple files.

If you want to bring the keyboard in too, you can hold “Ctrl” and click multiple files, or click the first item in a list while holding “Shift” and then click the final item you want to copy.

Step 2: Copy it

Once the content you wish to copy is highlighted, right-click while hovering over any portion of the chosen content and select “Copy” from the resulting drop-down menu.

Step 3: Paste it

Once you’ve copied your chosen image, text or file, place your cursor in the location you wish to copy it to, right-click and select “Paste” from the resulting drop-down menu.

Using keyboard commands

Step 1: Highlight it

To highlight text with a keyboard, use the arrow keys to navigate your blinking cursor to the sentence or paragraph you wish to copy and press the “Shift” key. Continue to move the cursor over the text you want to duplicate and a selection box — usually blue — will appear around it. Stop when you have highlighted everything you want.

For files and folders, you can use the “Tab” key to move between sections of the folder you’re currently in. When a folder is highlighted, hold down the “Shift” key and use the arrow keys to cover all the ones you wish to copy.

Images are a little more difficult, but use the same principle as above. Using a combination of the “Tab” and arrow keys, navigate to the image you wish to select. Press and hold the “Shift” key and move your selection over it to highlight it.

Can’t find the specific key you need? There’s an easy map for it.

Step 2: Copy it

Once your file, text or image is highlighted, hold down the “Ctrl” key and press the “C” key to copy it.

Though the keyboard command for copying is fairly universal, some software specific macro commands or shortcuts may interfere with Windows’ native keyboard commands. If in doubt regarding the proper key combination, look up the command functions from directly within the application’s help menu or with a web search.

Step 3: Paste it

Once the content you want is copied, navigate to where you want to put it and hold down the “CTRL” key once again. This time though, press the “V” key. Your image, text or folder should now be pasted right where you want it.

Using the menu bar

Step 1: Highlight it

Many applications have their own menu system to enable copy and pasting, but highlighting what you want to copy will still require you to use the mouse or keyboard. Use the methods described above for highlighting what you wish to copy.Step 2: Copy it

Once you’ve highlighted your chosen content, look to the top menu bar in your application or folder and click the “Edit” or “Home” button menu and select “Copy” from the resulting drop-down menu.

If you can’t spot that particular command, look for the classic overlayed paper symbol which is used in many applications to denote the copy function.

Step 3: Paste it

Once you’ve copied what it is you want to duplicate, head to that same drop-down menu and select “Paste”.

If you use Safari, you can’t listen to music on Spotify any more

Why it matters to you

Spotify stealthily drops support for the Safari browser, leaving many Apple users without their favorite music.

The popular music streaming service Spotify has quietly discontinued support for Apple’s Safari browser. As of September 8, the System Requirements page was updated to reflect support for Chrome 45+, Firefox 47+, Edge 14+, and Opera 32+. Notably absent was any mention of Safari.

Several users on the Apple community forum flagged the omission, noting that when they attempt to access the Spotify Player on Safari they receive an error message: “This browser doesn’t support Spotify Web Player. Switch browsers or download Spotify for your desktop.” After contacting customer support, one user received a confirmation that Safari was no longer compatible with the Spotify service. “After taking a look backstage, we can confirm that after recent updates Safari is no longer a supported browser for Web Player.”

The change might be the latest salvo in the war between Spotify and Apple Music. There are many streaming services out there, but these two are the gorillas in the room. As of June 2017, Spotify had 60 million paid subscribers to Apple Music’s 27 million. The song libraries are roughly comparable, with each service boasting “over 40 million songs,” but there are occasional windowed exclusives for one service or the other. We’ve got a complete rundown of both services to help you decide which one is right for you.

One forum poster suggested that the discontinuation of Safari support may be related to the Google Widevine media optimizer, a plug-in that Spotify requires but Apple opposes, citing potential security flaws.

Spotify suggests that users download the compatible Mac app instead, or switch to a compatible browser such as Chrome or Firefox. The reply from customer service seems to indicate that this is a permanent rather than temporary situation, noting “We can’t say if or when any specific features will be back. But as soon as we’ve got anything to announce, we’ll let everyone know.”

You know it’s serious when you’re asked to basically give up trying and make a switch. But nothing is definite, and Safari aficionados may yet have hope. We’ll keep you updated if we hear anything new. You never know — someone out there might already be devising a workaround.

Amazon widens its retail footprint with Kohl’s partnership

Sometimes when you’re down on your luck, you have to strike a deal with the enemy. That’s what Kohl’s is doing by partnering up with Amazon, ostensibly its biggest online rival, to sell Amazon hardware. The department store chain plans to open 1,000-square-foot areas in ten of its locations dedicated to the devices. This “store-in-store” concept is called the Amazon Smart Home Experience, and will be used to sell everything from Echo speakers to Fire tablets.

The concept is similar to the Experience Shops that Samsung set up with Best Buy in 2013, except that was more widespread. According to Bloomberg, the partnership will help Kohl’s regain some in-store sales, which has dropped a bit — about 0.4 percent — in recent months. Ironically, one of the reasons sales are struggling is due to customers flocking to Amazon for their shopping needs.

Some stores have partnered with Google so that you can buy goods through Google Home voice commands and have them delivered via Google Express. Home Depot announced this partnership this week, while Walmart made the same deal a month ago. Home Depot and Walmart don’t have the same declining traffic issue as Kohl’s, but this deal could still help them get more sales.

Kohl’s is just the latest store to sell Amazon hardware. Just last month, Amazon started selling its Echo devices in select Whole Foods locations thanks to the recent acquisition. The Kohl’s rollout will be much smaller — it’s only limited to Los Angeles and Chicago areas for now.

Source: Bloomberg