New UK Visa card lets you spend Bitcoin like normal money

With Bitcoin trading at all time high, investors are working out whether it’s best to sit on their stockpile or make the most of it while they can. For those wishing to utilise their investment, opportunities can be limited, with only a small number of big companies currently supporting cryptocurrency transactions. London Block Exchange (LBX) wants to change that. It’s launching a new Visa debit card that will let users spend their Bitcoin (and other digital currencies) anywhere across the UK.

LBX claims that the Dragoncard, which launches in the coming weeks, is the first to let investors instantly convert their Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin and Monero currency into sterling. The platform and accompanying smartphone app are secured by the same systems that underpin the UK banking system and have provisionally been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

When used on the High Street, customers will be charged a 0.5% fee for converting their cryptocurrency holdings into pounds at the till. The Dragoncard also comes with a one-off £20 charge and will charge a small fee for ATM withdrawals. Public pre-registrations are already open, but institutional investors will only be accepted via invitation.

Bitcoin transactions, by default, aren’t typically fast. They take several minutes to complete, which has led experts to deem it unsuitable as method of payment. LBX handles the conversion itself, rather than at the point of sale, allowing it to potentially remove that headache for users altogether.

Via: London Block Exchange (PRNewsWire), The Telegraph

Source: London Block Exchange

Essential makes Android’s Oreo beta update available to all

Android smartphone maker Essential has opened Android 8.0 Oreo beta access for its flagship handset, the Essential phone. The software was released for Pixel phones in August and hit the Galaxy S8 and S8+ earlier this month, so Essential is one of the first brands to get the update. Oreo comes with a bunch of significant changes, such as refreshed menus, badge notifications and improvements to speed and battery life.

As the software is still in beta, keen participants should be aware that it’ll likely come with a few bugs — Essential itself has already identified issues with Bluetooth stability and Android Auto — and that installing it will require some technical savviness. You don’t need to be a registered mobile developer to try it out, but its release means the stable version isn’t too far away.

Via: Techcrunch

Russia accused of UK energy, media and telecoms cyberattacks

One of the UK’s top cybersecurity chiefs has revealed that Russian hackers are behind recent attacks on the nation’s media, telecommunications and energy sectors. Speaking at the Times Tech Summit in London, Ciaran Martin, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said “Russian interference” had been identified numerous times over the past year. He argued that the Kremlin was seeking to “undermine the international system” and that “international order as we know it” had started to disappear. He didn’t, however, specify which attacks had been attributed to Russia, or how the UK government had identified the culprit.

The comments follow a speech on Monday by UK prime minister Theresa May, who accused Russia of spreading fake news and meddling in British politics. “I have a very simple message for Russia,” she said at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet. “We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed. Because you underestimate the resilience of our democracies, the enduring attraction of free and open societies, and the commitment of western nations to the alliances that bind us.” She added that the UK would do “what is necessary” to protect itself and those it considers allies.

The NCSC is part of GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence and security division. It was set up last year to replace a number of cybersecurity teams including the CESG (Communications-Electronics Security Group) and the Centre for Cyber Assessment (CCA). In that time, it’s responded to more than 600 attacks triggered by “hostile states” and independent criminals. Martin wouldn’t say how many of those cases were tied to Russia, but did mention that state attacks had become “extremely sophisticated.” According to The Times, they include distributed denial of service attacks and “intrusions” designed to steal government intelligence and corporate secrets.

Via: BBC

Source: NCSC, The Times

What you need to know before buying an EV

It’s an exciting time for the automotive world. Over the past 15 years, cars have gone from relatively dumb machines that get us to our destinations to electrified, connected gadgets. In the coming decade, the technology being developed by traditional automakers and nascent upstarts will not only transform the way we drive, but change how cities operate.

That’s all great, but if you’re reading this, you probably need a car now. As a nerd, you should at least test-drive an EV, because if you haven’t yet, you’re missing out. Just as important, there are tax benefits (hopefully, anyway) for buying an automobile with an electric drivetrain. So if you’re thinking your next car should be powered by electrons, I’m here to help set you on the path to a glorious gas-free (or at least reduced-gas) future.

Understanding your choices

It’s easy to put electrified vehicles in two categories: hybrids and pure electric. But it’s a bit more complicated than that: For starters, you need to learn some acronyms. There are plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and hybrids (HEV). Right now, though, pretty much every new hybrid is a plug-in, so let’s focus on those. There are also pure electric vehicles (EV or PEV) and fuel cell electric cars (FCEV). You’ll probably also see the terms BEV (battery electric vehicle) and NEV (new energy vehicle). Those two names are redundant, so let’s pretend for our purposes that they don’t exist and instead concentrate on what the big three categories have to offer.

Pure Electric (EVs)

Of the three types of vehicles listed here, the pure EV offers the cleanest break from gas stations. The big players here include Tesla’s whole lineup, of course, as well as the Chevy Bolt. These are the vehicles hitting ranges over 200 miles. That’s a big deal from a technical standpoint, and for anyone who wants to go green but still worries about range.

More and more automakers are dropping EVs into the market, which is obviously great for the environment. But we’re in the early days, and a car you have to plug in won’t be practical for everyone. Let’s break down why you should or shouldn’t get an EV.

Pros

An electric car will save you money in the long run and is lower-maintenance to boot. There’s no oil change, the brakes last almost forever if you use regenerative braking, and spark plugs, clutches and distributor caps are vestiges of the past.

Also, driving an EV just feels great. The electric instant-on torque alone should convince even the most die-hard petrol-head that an electric car is at least worth considering. Of course, the biggest advantage is becoming a greener individual: getting to feel better about yourself while saving some cash. Yes, some cars will be charged from houses that are connected to a coal-burning power plant somewhere on the grid, but it’s still a smaller footprint than hitting up the gas station every few days to fill the tank with dead dinosaurs. Plus, in some states, you get to drive in the carpool lane even if it’s just you in the car.

Cons

Charging infrastructure. That’s the biggest hindrance to purchasing an EV. If you don’t have access to a charger at home or at work, you’re going to be relying on public charging — which can be spotty at best or nearly nonexistent at worst. Because topping up the battery of an electric car can take up to eight hours, having access to power is paramount to keeping them on the road. Also, EVs cost more than regular cars. There are tax credits, but those may go away as government officials focus on cutting taxes. Finally, there’s the range. Sure, the Chevy Bolt can drive up to 238 miles on a charge, but most cars right now get around 100 miles. If you have a 70-mile round-trip commute, you’re fine, but anything more than that and you’ll start feeling that range anxiety.

Who should buy an EV?

If you have access to an overnight charger or one at work and your round-trip commute is less than 70 miles a day, an EV would work for you. This is especially true if you live in an urban area or a suburb. Rural locations would also work, but it might be tough to find chargers in a pinch.

Your best bet is the Chevy Bolt, thanks to its 238-mile range. It’s a great four-door hatchback with room for five passengers or large shopping hauls. It starts at $37,500, but after tax credits it costs about $30,000.

There’s also the Tesla Model 3. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten behind the wheel of the vehicle, so we can’t vouch for it. Then there’s the wait time: Currently, you can expect to wait more than a year to take delivery. That said, we’re fond of the Model S and X and Tesla’s entire mission to reduce pollution, so if the Model 3 can deliver the same amount of green fun, it might be worth the wait.

If you’re interested in saving some cash, there’s a bunch of great cars that offer a shorter range (150 miles per charge or less). One example is the 125-mile-range Volkswagen e-Golf, a solid car that’s a bit of an undercover EV. It starts at $30,500, which means that after tax credits its actual cost drops to $23,000.

Hybrids (HEVs)

If you want to save the planet but also want to know that you’ll be able to take a road trip at the drop of a hat, a hybrid might be more to your liking. Most plug-in hybrids have a pure EV range of less than 25 miles. That might not seem impressive, but if your destinations are within a 20-mile radius of your home, weeks could pass between trips to the gas station.

In five to seven years, it’ll be tough to find a car that’s not a hybrid. But does that mean you should get one now?

Pros

This is really the merging of the past and future. You get the satisfaction of saving the planet and gas money while still being able to drive anywhere. If most of your drives are close to home, the pure EV mode found in most current hybrids will be enough to get you where you’re going.

Cons

Hybrids still cost more than their gas-guzzling counterparts. There are a few exceptions. The outstanding plug-in hybrid BMW 530e is the same price and just as luxurious as the gas-guzzling 530i. Tax credits amount to about $4,000 for hybrids (check this list to see how your hybrid of choice fares). You may also find yourself giving up some trunk space to accommodate the battery pack. Again, this depends on the vehicle.

Who should buy a hybrid?

If you have a garage with a power outlet, and the cost difference between the electrified and gas-only versions of a car isn’t too high, you should consider a hybrid.

If you don’t have somewhere to plug in the car on a regular basis, you’re less likely to get the maximum return on your vehicle. The car will charge itself via regenerative braking and the gas engine, but that amount varies from car to car; you should do some homework before committing to a vehicle that might not save as much gas as you expected without being connected to a power outlet at night.

The plethora of plug-in hybrids means that if you like a regular pure gas car, there’s a good chance there’s a hybrid version. For precisely that reason, it’s tough for us to pick a single car that’s better than the rest. That means that whatever your budget, you’re likely to find something offering good bang for your buck.

That said, the Prius is always a safe bet. Toyota’s latest offering, the Prius Prime, has a range of 640 miles, which is more than enough to get you to any destination within a day’s drive. If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious with some more room to boot, the Audi A3 e-tron is a fun drive in a hybrid sports wagon, with all the trappings you would expect from the German brand. For straight-up luxury, the BMW 530e is a top-shelf sedan with a 24-mile battery-only range. For the budget conscious, the Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq will somewhat wean you off petrol for less than $25,000 before tax credits.

Fuel cell (FCEVs)

The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle refuses to go away. On the surface it seems like a great idea: a car that can refuel as quickly as a gas car and emits only water. But it’s going to be a while (if ever) before these will even be widely available in the US.

Pros

Charging an EV takes forever. Even with the quickest charging stations, you’re still looking at 30 to 45 minutes for a charged battery from a nearly depleted car. Fuel cell vehicles fuel up as quickly as gas cars and in nearly the same manner. Under the hood, a FCEV is still using an electric motor (or motors) to power the wheels; it just gets its electricity from a different source. Sounds great, right? Not so fast.

Cons

The bad news is that the infrastructure, outside of a few metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco, simply doesn’t exist. Because of that, the cars available for purchase are available only in those particular markets.

Who should buy a fuel cell vehicle?

If you like being an early adopter and don’t mind being limited to where you can drive — and you live in a market where the cars are for sale — a fuel cell car might be for you.

Toyota is offering three years of complimentary fuel with its fuel cell Mirai. While Honda offers $15,000 in free fuel for the Clarity. Both offer free rentals of other cars for those times when you need to drive outside the fueling area. (Honda offers 21 days over the course of a three-year lease, while Toyota allows seven days per year for three years.) Just be prepared to go out of your way to the fueling station for all the free hydrogen.

Both of these cars are best leased with a monthly cost of $350 to $370, because you don’t want to own something that might suddenly be worthless if the industry one day decides to abandon fuel cells. We’re not saying that’s gonna happen, but, you know, just in case.

Buying for the future

By the middle of the next decade, it’ll be tough to find a car that isn’t electrified in some way. Right now, though, the entire industry is in something of a transition period. Battery and electric motor technology will improve over time — that’s just the march of technology. But even now, there are some great electrified cars on the road if you’re looking for a new whip. You’d be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn’t at least try some of the new hybrids and EVs in your local showroom. Who knows? You might well roll out of the dealer powered by electrons.

2018 iPad Pro Models Could Have Very Fast Octa-Core A11X Bionic Chip

Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro models released in 2018 will feature octa-core processors, based on Taiwanese supplier TSMC’s improved 7nm manufacturing process, according to Chinese website MyDrivers.

iPad Pro with slim bezels and no Home button rendered by Benjamin Geskin
The report, citing sources within Apple’s supply chain, claims the eight cores in the tentatively named A11X Bionic chip will include three high-performance “Monsoon” cores and five energy-efficient “Mistral” cores.

Like the A11 Bionic chip in the latest iPhone models, which is built on a 10-nanometer process, the A11X chip will reportedly feature TSMC’s integrated fan-out wafer level packaging, or InFO WLP for short.

The chip will also presumably include a next-generation M11 coprocessor and neural engine for artificial intelligence tasks, such as processing facial recognition given rumors about Face ID on 2018 iPad Pro models.

The eight-core processor should unsurprisingly result in CPU performance improvements on next-generation iPad Pro models.

Our own Chris Jenkins provided an in-depth look at the architecture of Apple’s A11 Bionic chip. He also highlighted details about TSMC’s improved 7nm process and advanced InFO packaging process for 2018.

Apple’s current 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models have an A10X Fusion chip based on TSCM’s 10nm fabrication process.

In addition to gaining Face ID, next-generation iPad Pro models are expected to have an iPhone X form factor with slimmer bezels and no Home button. However, the tablets will reportedly continue to have LCD displays due to yield rates.

Related Roundup: iPad ProTags: TSMC, mydrivers.com, A11 chipBuyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Caution), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Neutral)
Discuss this article in our forums

Steven Soderbergh’s Shot-on-iPhone Horror Movie ‘Unsane’ Gets March 2018 Theatrical Release Date

Steven Soderbergh, the director currently experimenting with smartphone technology in the television show “Mosaic,” has now unveiled his next feature film “Unsane,” which was shot entirely on an iPhone. Soderbergh kept the project secret during filming so it’s unclear which iPhone he used, but the film began making waves over the summer as news of its existence surfaced, suggesting it was filmed sometime in the first half or middle of 2017 and potentially shot with an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.

Now, it’s been confirmed the movie will have a wide theatrical release on March 23, 2018, and star Claire Foy, Juno Temple, Joshua Leonard, Jay Pharaoh, Aimee Mullins, and Amy Irving (via Deadline). Unsane is said to be a “reality-type horror — almost Get Out-ish, but different,” and was filmed entirely over the course of about a week, according to an Entertainment Weekly interview with Jay Pharaoh from August.

But in an interview with EW, Pharoah did divulge some information about the movie, which he describes as “reality-type horror — almost Get Out-ish, but different.”

“…you wouldn’t be able to tell anything [about how it was made]. It looks that great.”

There have been a few movies shot on Apple’s iPhone that have gotten attention over the past few years, most notably “Tangerine” from 2015. That film was captured using a collection of three iPhone 5s devices, an $8 app called Filmic Pro, a set of anamorphic adapter lenses, and a steadicam rig for stabilization. Tangerine was released in a limited theatrical capacity following a few festival runs in 2015, and considering that other shot-on-iPhone movies have mostly been independent or foreign films, Unsane could be biggest release yet for a movie captured with an iPhone.

Over the summer, Apple itself funded an eleven minute short film made with an iPhone that was directed by Michel Gondry, along with sharing a series of behind-the-scenes videos about the making of the short. The film, called “Détour,” was eventually filmed at the Marché Saint-Germain Apple Store in Paris, where Gondry also discussed the making of his movie and talked about the future of cinema and where the iPhone fits into filmmaking.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7Buyer’s Guide: iPhone 8 (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Exclusively Selling DJI’s Mavic Pro Drone in Limited Edition ‘Alpine White’ Combo

DJI today announced that its popular Mavic Pro drone is now available in a limited edition “Alpine White” combo exclusively through Apple.

The combo includes the drone, a remote controller, two extra batteries, two additional pairs of propellers, and an aircraft sleeve—all in a matching “Alpine White” color—for $1,049.95 in the United States.

DJI’s Mavic Pro, which launched last year in a gray color, is a portable quadcopter with a foldable design that can fit in a backpack or purse. DJI said the drone is “practically the size of a water bottle” when folded.

Mavic Pro is equipped with a 12-megapixel camera able to shoot true 4K video and 1080p slow motion video. DJI’s so-called OcuSync technology with Sport Mode lets you fly the drone as far as 4.3 miles away at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

DJI’s visual navigation system FlightAutonomy, new in the Mavic Pro, consists of five cameras, GPS and GLONASS navigation systems, ultrasonic range finders, and 24 computing cores to navigate and plan routes for the drone.

Mavic Pro’s remote controller on left and folded size on right
Despite being smaller than every DJI drone except the miniature Spark, the Mavic Pro can still fly for up to 27 minutes between charges. The drone can be controlled via the remote controller or with an iPhone or iPad using the DJI GO app.

The limited edition “Alpine White” combo is available now on Apple.com and at Apple retail stores. Also included in the box is a 16GB MicroSD card, micro USB cable, gimbal clamp and protector, and a quick start guide.

Tag: DJI
Discuss this article in our forums

Sprint Announces Unlimited Freedom Customers Will Get Free Access to Hulu Starting This Friday

Sprint and Hulu today announced a partnership that will bundle the Limited Commercials tier of the streaming TV service into Sprint’s Unlimited Freedom cellular plan. This means that new and existing Sprint customers who sign up for Unlimited Freedom beginning Friday, November 17 will be able to watch Hulu with Limited Commercials at no extra cost.

In addition, the companies said that sometime “soon” Sprint Unlimited customers will also get to upgrade to Hulu’s sports and news-centric live TV plan. Because Hulu with Live TV costs far more than the Limited Commercials plan ($40/month versus $8/month), an added cost for the bundled-in service is likely.

“How people watch their favorite shows, listen to the latest music, and play the most popular games is changing all the time,” said Roger Solé, chief marketing officer. “We’re excited to provide Sprint customers the best in entertainment through our unique partnership with Hulu.”

Tim Connolly, senior vice president and head of distribution and partnerships at Hulu, added, “We know people love watching TV on their mobile devices, so we’re making it easier than ever for Sprint customers to enjoy their favorite shows and movies on Hulu. This exciting partnership with Sprint gives TV fans nationwide a powerful, seamless entertainment experience that they can take with them, whenever and wherever they want.”

Sprint Unlimited Freedom offers unlimited talk, text, and data for $25/month per line and the addition of a fifth line is free on every plan, amounting to $100/month for a family of five people. This discounted offer lasts until January 31, 2019 and at that time will increase to $60/month for line 1, $40/month for line 2, and $30/month/line for lines 3-5. There’s also HD streaming video and an included 10GB mobile hotspot feature.

For more information on the collaboration between Sprint and Hulu, visit the carrier’s website right here. Those interested will be able to gain access to the offer starting November 17, and it’ll only be available online through December 8.

The Sprint/Hulu partnership is similar to an announcement made by T-Mobile and Netflix in September, when the companies announced that T-Mobile ONE family plans would start coming with free Netflix subscriptions later that month. “Netflix on Us” requires customers to have two or more paid voice lines on a T-Mobile ONE family plan, and if they already pay for a Netflix subscription, the un-carrier covers the cost of the standard $10/month price: “meaning you’ll save nearly $120 every year.”

Tags: Sprint, Hulu
Discuss this article in our forums

Hulu cancels ‘Difficult People’ after three seasons

Just like regular TV shows, streaming originals get cancelled too. And, Hulu’s Difficult People is the latest series on the chopping block. The comedy created by and starring Julie Klausner, and exec produced by Amy Poehler, will not be returning for a fourth season, according to Deadline.

The decision to cancel Difficult People is a significant one. When it landed at Hulu in 2014, the comedy was among a handful of originals scooped by the streaming service, alongside JJ Abrams’ Stephen King series 11/22/63 and Jason Reitman’s Casual, which was recently renewed for a fourth and final season. Another Hulu fave, The Mindy Project, also just came to an end (although creator Mindy Kaling will be sticking around to pen an anthology show based on Four Weddings and a Funeral).

Unfazed, Hulu has been picking up steam this year, buoyed by the Emmy-sweeping success of The Handmaid’s Tale. The streamer is spending $2.5 billion on programming, and its upcoming prospects include the Jeff Daniels-starring miniseries The Looming Tower, pre-apocalyptic crime drama Hard Sun, and Marvel’s Runaways. Oh, and season two of The Handmaid’s Tale is hitting the service in April.

But, as evidenced by the demise of Difficult People, casualties are part of the expansion process. That’s something Amazon and Netflix can relate to, both of which have thrown plenty against the wall, with not every show sticking.

Via: Deadline

UK watchdog calls for transparency on online political ad funding

The UK’s Electoral Commission wants political parties to be more transparent about the people or companies bankrolling their online advertising campaigns during general elections. The independent body says British voters deserve the same transparency while browsing the web as they do looking at billboards and pamphlets. At present, candidates and non-party campaigners are required to include an “imprint,” or disclaimer, on physical advertising that explains who is behind it. Now, the Commission wants that same requirement to cover online material too.

“This would enable voters to identify who is spending money on trying to influence them at elections,” it said in a report yesterday.

The UK’s election rules are currently outlined under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). The Commission’s recommendations would require a piece of secondary legislation, created by the UK government and signed off by parliament, before any fines or sanctions could be levied against uncooperative groups. It follows remarks by the Prime Minister Theresa May, who on Monday accused Russia of meddling in British elections. “We know what you are doing,” she said during a speech at the Lord Mayor’s banquet, “and you will not succeed.”

Bots are but one method that could be used to sway a vote. The Commission says it’s aware of the “commentary and concern” raised during the last general election, and would extend its new imprint ruled to cover this campaigning technique. “It should be an offence to use ‘bots’ in this way without making clear who has caused the material to be created and on whose behalf it is disseminated,” it added. The comments follow research from the University of Edinburgh, which discovered more than 400 fake Twitter accounts controlled by Russia to influence Brexit.

Damian Collins, the chairman of the Commons culture, media and sport select committee, has also asked Twitter for Russia-linked accounts that could have influenced “the democratic process of the United Kingdom.”

The Commission also wants political parties to give a more detailed breakdown of the amounts they are spending on social media campaigns and digital advertising. These are covered under PPERA, but can be difficult to track because parties file them under general advertising and unsolicited campaign material. The Commission can filter by supplier name, which might reveal invoices from Facebook and Twitter, but others are trickier to track, especially if they involve intermediary media agencies. Directly employed staff — crucial for creating and amplifying social media campaigns — currently aren’t counted in election spending either.

Finally, the Commission wants its investigative and sanctioning powers to be broadened to include offences relating to candidate spending and donations. “Most campaigners follow the rules, but failures to comply can reduce transparency for voters and confidence that an election was well run,” the Commission said in its report. “It is therefore important that when breaches do occur they are dealt with robustly and effectively.”

Source: Electoral Commission, The Guardian