Attorneys general request last-minute delay for net neutrality vote
The FCC’s controversial vote on net neutrality protections is scheduled to take place tomorrow, and as we get down to the wire, opposition to the proposal hasn’t slowed. Today, 18 state attorneys general sent a letter to the FCC asking for the commission to delay the vote, The Verge reports. Their plea centers on evidence that fake comments that used real individuals’ names were submitted during the FCC’s public comment period. “A careful review of the publicly available information revealed a pattern of fake submissions using the names of real people. In fact, there may be over one million fake submissions from across the country,” they wrote. “This is akin to identity theft on a massive scale – and theft of someone’s voice in a democracy is particularly concerning.”
A number of officials, groups and companies have also sent letters to the FCC asking it to either delay the vote or abandon the proposal altogether. Letters have been sent by groups of Democratic senators, 40 advocacy groups, the Internet Association, 200 companies, tech and internet pioneers and a Republican Representative.
In their letter today, the attorneys general said, “Given the tainted comments that are in question, we request the Commission immediately delay consideration of the “Restoring Internet Freedom” proposal until further investigation can determine exactly which comments should be considered.” They added, “While not all of us may agree on any given policy, we stand together today as prosecutors of fraud and as defenders of the democratic process. It is essential that the Commission gets a full and accurate picture of how changes to net neutrality will affect the everyday lives of Americans before they can act on such sweeping policy changes.”
Via: The Verge
Source: DOJ
3D-printed objects can connect to Wi-Fi without electronics
Everything seems to be labeled “smart” now that we’re in the age of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Even pet toys are connected. Now researchers at the University of Washington have made it easier to bring mundane objects online, enabling them to connect to Wi-Fi without electronics or batteries.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the researchers turned to another emerging tech staple, 3D printing, to bring their device to fruition. Beyond mere pieces of plastic, the 3D-printed objects and sensors are capable of collecting valuable data when attached to household items, such as laundry detergent bottles.
“We were inspired by the idea of being able to print Wi-Fi radios using a 3D printer,” Justin Chan, a doctoral student who co-led the project, told Digital Trends. “With this capability, it would be very easy to fabricate communication devices in your own home. The challenge here is that desktop 3D printers can only print using plastic materials, and thus can’t fabricate Wi-Fi chips. As a result, we wanted to come up with a wireless design that could work without electronics.”
One of the designs the researchers settled on includes a 3D-printed spring and gear. When activated by air or liquid, the gear turns, tightening the spring and causing it contact a 3D-printed antenna made of conductive filament. The antenna transmits signals as either zeros or ones.
Chan and his team are calling their technology “printed Wi-Fi.” Once 3D printed, the device uses ambient Wi-Fi, which it either absorbs or reflects in binary.
“The key idea behind our design is to communicate by reflections,” Chan said. “The way that we do this is by reflecting Wi-Fi signals in the environment, similar to how you can use a mirror to reflect light. We 3D print antennas and switches that allow us to reflect radio signals. Using these components, we can build sensors that can detect mechanical motion, like water flow sensors and wind speed sensors. These sensors can then translate mechanical motion into reflections of Wi-Fi signals. As a result, we can create printable objects that can communicate wirelessly with Wi-Fi- enabled devices.”
As a proof of concept, the researchers attached their device to a laundry detergent bottle, where it could be used to detect detergent levels.
All of the CAD models are open source and available to play around with at on the project’s website.
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3D-printed objects can connect to Wi-Fi without electronics
Everything seems to be labeled “smart” now that we’re in the age of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Even pet toys are connected. Now researchers at the University of Washington have made it easier to bring mundane objects online, enabling them to connect to Wi-Fi without electronics or batteries.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the researchers turned to another emerging tech staple, 3D printing, to bring their device to fruition. Beyond mere pieces of plastic, the 3D-printed objects and sensors are capable of collecting valuable data when attached to household items, such as laundry detergent bottles.
“We were inspired by the idea of being able to print Wi-Fi radios using a 3D printer,” Justin Chan, a doctoral student who co-led the project, told Digital Trends. “With this capability, it would be very easy to fabricate communication devices in your own home. The challenge here is that desktop 3D printers can only print using plastic materials, and thus can’t fabricate Wi-Fi chips. As a result, we wanted to come up with a wireless design that could work without electronics.”
One of the designs the researchers settled on includes a 3D-printed spring and gear. When activated by air or liquid, the gear turns, tightening the spring and causing it contact a 3D-printed antenna made of conductive filament. The antenna transmits signals as either zeros or ones.
Chan and his team are calling their technology “printed Wi-Fi.” Once 3D printed, the device uses ambient Wi-Fi, which it either absorbs or reflects in binary.
“The key idea behind our design is to communicate by reflections,” Chan said. “The way that we do this is by reflecting Wi-Fi signals in the environment, similar to how you can use a mirror to reflect light. We 3D print antennas and switches that allow us to reflect radio signals. Using these components, we can build sensors that can detect mechanical motion, like water flow sensors and wind speed sensors. These sensors can then translate mechanical motion into reflections of Wi-Fi signals. As a result, we can create printable objects that can communicate wirelessly with Wi-Fi- enabled devices.”
As a proof of concept, the researchers attached their device to a laundry detergent bottle, where it could be used to detect detergent levels.
All of the CAD models are open source and available to play around with at on the project’s website.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Scientists create unpowered 3D-printed objects that can communicate via Wi-Fi
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- Want to see galaxies in full color from your backyard? Check out this telescope
Calling China, mate? Mega-network China Mobile launches U.K. phone service
China Mobile has chosen the United Kingdom as the location for its first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). Launched on December 13, CMLink is primarily aimed at conveniently and affordably connecting the hundreds of thousands of Chinese people living in the U.K. with friends and family back in China, while also offering some interesting benefits for tourists traveling to China. There’s also nothing stopping anyone else from using CMLink — even if they don’t have direct ties to China.
If you’re wondering why this is big news, it’s likely because you aren’t aware of China Mobile’s position. This isn’t a small mobile player opening an MVNO. China Mobile is the world’s largest mobile operator, with a staggering 880 million subscribers. That’s more than the total population of North America and the United Kingdom combined. Dr. Li Feng, chairman and CEO of China Mobile International, described CMLink as “an important step in China Mobile’s international expansion” during the launch event in London.
A CMLink SIM card mainly benefits Chinese people who spend time in both the U.K. and China, those who chat with family and friends in China from the U.K., or anyone with significant business dealings with China. Calls are free between CMLink and China Mobile subscribers, potentially providing massive savings with that feature alone, given how many people in China have a China Mobile connected device. CMLink is also the first operator to provide all-inclusive roaming in China and Hong Kong. That means any calls, texts, or data included in your CMLink package can be used there, along with many countries in Europe.
One feature not available at launch, but coming soon, is the ability to link a China Mobile number with the CMLink number. Messages that would normally be sent to a China Mobile number will also be sent to the linked CMLink card, making Chinese online shopping, banking, and other SMS-dependant services operational in the U.K. for visitors. Pop both SIM cards in a dual-SIM phone — a wise device choice for frequent travelers — and you’ve got a very cost-effective phone package for China and the United Kingdom all in one device, all from a single provider.
EE partnership supports strong tariff choice
China Mobile has also partnered with U.K. network EE — now owned by British Telecom — which is excellent news as it has the fastest 4G network available, as well as 86 percent landmass coverage. It intends to up that figure to 95 percent by 2020, and is already working on its 5G plans. China Mobile provides its own bilingual customer service as well, another bonus for visitors. The SIM card is free and can also be ordered online, with global delivery. During setup, you can choose from both Pay As You Go (PAYG) and monthly payment options.
On PAYG, CMLink to CMLink and China Mobile numbers are free, as are texts to CMLink numbers. Other U.K calls and SMS cost eight pence per minute. Per megabyte, data costs five pence in the U.K., Europe, and China. There are three pay monthly options. For 5 British pounds you get 500MB of data, 150 minutes, and unlimited SMS. For 10 British pounds, it’s 3GB of data and 500 minutes, and for 18 British pounds, it’s 9GB of data and 2,000 minutes. All provide the “roam-like-at-home” feature, and have a data boost system that rewards long-term use by increasing the data allowance by 5 percent each month. Maxed out, the cheapest package will give 1.5GB of data, the middle pack will give 9GB, and the most expensive CMLink package will have 27GB of data available to you, provided you stay loyal.
Although CMLink is a great deal for Chinese people in the U.K., or who visit frequently, it’s also an interesting proposition for U.K. visitors to China, for one very handy reason. It circumvents the need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when you’re in China to access blocked services like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Search, and other sites. Even if you source a SIM card to use during your stay, using a VPN in China to stay in touch with friends is a pain. They’re often slow and unreliable, or terribly time consuming. Avoiding them is a huge bonus, and a distinct CMLink benefit.
CMLink SIM cards are available now, and China Mobile International gave the impression it’s only the first step in the company’s global MVNO plans.
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Scientists want to explore the Great Pyramid of Giza with … a micro-blimp?
There was a time when explorers in Egypt were more than happy to carry out their excavations by dismantling the ancient artifacts around them, sometimes even using dynamite to blast through obstacles in their search for hidden chambers. Fortunately, here in 2017, we have significantly better ways of performing these kind of explorations — and significantly smarter technology to do it.
Recently, we wrote about how researchers used muon imaging technology to discover an enormous hidden chamber inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. As we noted at the time, however, in order to fully explore the space it’s necessary to use other tech, such as flying drones. This is where a new phase of the project comes into play. Working with the group ScanPyramids, research institutions Inria and the French National Center for Scientific Research are currently developing a blimp-like exploration robot, designed to squeeze through a tiny 1.5-inch hole, before unfolding and inflating itself to look around.
“The main challenge is to insert a complete exploration robot in a hole that is as small as possible,” Dr. Jean-Baptiste Mouret, a senior researcher at Inria, told Digital Trends. “It is important to use a hole as small as possible because we want to leave as few traces as we can. This what we call ‘minimally invasive robotics.’ We chose a diameter of 1.5 inches because it is a good trade-off between the size of the hole, the kind of machines that can bore holes, and the current robotics technologies.”
Mouret said the blimp-like form factor for the robot was selected because it is more versatile in this scenario than a wheeled or legged robot would be, while also offering more potential points of view for surveying the scenery. He explained that the blimp model was chosen over more conventional multi-rotor drones because it is safer for the surroundings it will be exploring. “[These robots] can touch obstacles without crashing and without risking damage to the monument,” he continued. “They are, moreover, intrinsically stable, which is important for taking pictures in low-light conditions, and they are more energy-efficient than multi-rotors.”
The camera-equipped robot will be remote-controlled by radio so that archaeologists will be able to precisely control where it goes and what it sees. Should it lose communication or need to land on its docking station, though, it can move autonomously, via tiny on-sensors.
At present, Mouret said there is no “concrete timeline” for deploying the robots inside the pyramid, which will require the necessary permits from Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquity. However, once the robot is completed it could be useful not for this mission, but also helping to map other heritage buildings and archaeological sites around the world.
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The best gaming monitors you can buy
Your gaming PC is only a third of the equation. Not only do you need hardware to create the most immersive experience possible, you also need reliable hardware to control your actions in those environments. But you need an exceptional viewing portal into those virtual worlds too, so we’ve generated what we believe are the best gaming monitors you can purchase right now. They’re not cheap, but they also don’t rocket into four-figure price tags.
Most of what you will find include Nvidia’s G-SYNC technology, which synchronizes the refresh rate of the display with the frames-per-second output of GeForce-branded graphics cards/chips. This synchronization eliminates the ugly screen tearing created when both components aren’t in sync, and eliminates stutter and latency issues stemming from using V-Sync. AMD’s version for Radeon cards is called FreeSync.
Our list of displays also mostly rely on In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology, with provides wide viewing angles and rich colors. It’s become the standard, and is newer than the previous Twisted Nematic (TN) technology used in displays for many years.
When looking for the best gaming monitors, panel technology and refresh rate control are important factors in the decision-making process. Refresh rates, resolutions, brightness levels, and gray-to-gray response times are also critical. The ports will depend on the output of your PC, but DisplayPort and HDMI are typically the standard inputs on most monitors.
That all said, let’s get started!
Our Pick
Asus ROG Swift PG279Q
Why you should buy this: This display provides a great visual experience for GeForce gamers, especially after overclocking the refresh rate for a DisplayPort connection.
Target audience: PC gamers with a GeForce graphics chip and a budget capped at $900.
How much will it cost: $811 (Amazon)
Why we picked the Asus ROG Swift PG279Q:
This Republic of Gamers-branded display from Asus provides a QHD resolution, and a refresh rate you can overclock to 165Hz. This combination can be viewed through a DisplayPort connection, while you’ll get a QHD resolution at 60Hz through an HDMI connection. This panel has one of the highest brightness levels in our batch and supports a four-millisecond response time to boot.
Other features packed into this display include a handful of ports, and built-in GamePlus components such as a timer, FPS counter, crosshairs, and more. GameVisual provides six presets that optimize the screen for different types of games and media, such as RTS/RPG, FPS, sRGB for photo/video edition, Cinema, and a few others. This panel great for a multi-monitor layout too thanks to its super-narrow bezels.
You can read our review of this gaming monitor here.
Display size (diagonal):
27 inches
Display type:
In-Plane Switching
Resolution:
2,560 x 1,440 @ 165Hz via DisplayPort (overclocked)
2,560 x 1,440 @ 60Hz via HDMI
Refresh rate control:
G-SYNC
Aspect ratio:
16:9
Pixel pitch:
0.233mm
Maximum brightness:
350 nits
Contrast ratio:
1,000:1
Response time:
4ms gray to gray
Supported colors:
16.7 million
Audio:
2x two-watt speakers
Ports:
1x HDMI
1x DisplayPort
1x 3.5mm headphone jack
2x USB-A (Gen 1)
Best 4K gaming monitor
Acer Predator XB1 Gaming XB271HK
Why you should buy this: It’s a great 27-inch solution that supports an UHD resolution at 60Hz, and Nvidia’s G-SYNC technology.
Target audience: PC gamers with a GeForce graphics chip and a budget capped at $800
How much will it cost: $700 (Amazon)
Why we picked the Predator XB1 Gaming XB271HK:
This display serves up an UHD resolution in two flavors: with a 60Hz refresh rate through a DisplayPort connection, and a 24Hz refresh rate through an HDMI connection. Otherwise, the standard refresh rate is 60Hz, which presumably applies to every resolution from QHD and lower. These resolutions are backed by Nvidia’s G-SYNC technology that only works on Nvidia’s graphics chips, and a decent response time of four milliseconds.
Acer’s panel provides plenty of ports, including four full-size USB-A (Gen. 1) ports to help better manage all the cables running across your desktop space. It also includes Acer’s GameView technology, which adds on-screen crosshairs, adjustable dark boost levels, a timer, and more. Predator EyeProtect adds a second feature layer with flicker-free backlighting, a blue light filter, low-dimming technologies, and other eye-strain-reducing technologies for long gaming sessions.
Display size (diagonal):
27 inches
Display type:
In-Plane Switching
Resolution:
3,840 x 2,160 @ 60Hz via DisplayPort
3,840 x 2,160 @ 24Hz via HDMI
Refresh rate control:
G-SYNC
Aspect ratio:
16:9
Pixel pitch:
Unknown
Maximum brightness:
300 nits
Contrast ratio:
1,000:1
Response time:
4ms
Supported colors:
1.07 billion
Audio:
2x speakers
Ports:
1x HDMI
1x DisplayPort
4x USB-A (Gen 1)
Best ultrawide gaming monitor
Acer Predator Z35
Why you should buy this: The Predator Z35 provides an awesome ultrawide experience for GeForce gamers wanting a 35-inch panel, a high resolution, and an overclocked refresh rate.
Target audience: PC gamers with a GeForce card wanting an ultrawide experience without the four-number price.
How much will it cost: $840 (Amazon)
Why we picked the Acer Predator Z35:
The Predator Z35 is a huge, curved monitor for the price, and it shoves in Nvidia’s G-SYNC technology to boot. The resolution is a weird 2,560 x 1,080, technically making it a ultra-wide Full HD-class device. But that’s okay: there’s plenty to love at that size and resolution, and given that you can overclock the refresh rate to 200Hz via a DisplayPort connection, you get a lot of bang for the big bucks. But hey, if you’re willing to dish out another $200, an ultra-wide QHD version has your name on it here.
Outside the sheer size, curvature, and resolution, this panel is packed with game-centric features. There are five USB-A (Gen. 1) ports for starters along with a high contrast ratio, a four-millisecond response time, and support for 16.7 million colors. The two nine-watt speakers are backed by DTS Sound and Acer TrueHarmony technology to complement the high-definition graphics. Other goodies include on-screen crosshairs, dark boost level adjustment, precise color adjustments, and more.
Check out our review of the Predator Z35 here.
Display size (diagonal):
35 inches
Curvature:
2000R
Display type:
Vertical Alignment
Resolution:
2,560 x 1,080 @ 200Hz via DisplayPort (overclocked)
2,560 x 1,080 @ 60Hz via HDMI
Refresh rate control:
G-SYNC
Aspect ratio:
21:9
Pixel pitch:
0.32025mm
Maximum brightness:
300 nits
Contrast ratio:
3,000:1
Response time:
4ms
Supported colors:
16.7 million
Audio:
2x nine-watt speakers
Ports:
1x DisplayPort
1x HDMI
5x USB-A (Gen1)
Best FreeSync gaming monitor
Asus MG279Q
Why you should buy this: The MG279Q is a great, affordable solution for Radeon gamers, packing a QHD resolution at 144Hz if its connected via DisplayPort.
Target audience: AMD Radeon card owners with a budget capped at $600.
How much will it cost: $538 (Amazon)
Why we picked the Asus MG279Q:
Here’s the only display in our batch that supports AMD’s FreeSync technology, which will adjust the refresh rate to the output of a supporting AMD Radon graphics chip. The Asus panel is capable of supporting a QHD resolution at a 144Hz refresh rate through a DisplayPort connection, and a Full HD resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate via an HDMI connection.
Asus says this panel is eSports-ready due to its highly adjustable design. It also includes exclusive technologies to improve the viewing experience, such as a blue light filter, and flicker-free backlighting. It even provides a five-way navigation joystick to surf through the display’s settings, and access special features like on-screen crosshairs, a timer, an FPS counter, and more.
Display size (diagonal):
27 inches
Display type:
In-Plane Switching
Resolution:
2,560 x 1,440 @ 144Hz via DisplayPort
1,920 x 1,080 @ 120Hz via HDMI
Refresh rate control:
FreeSync
Aspect ratio:
16:9
Pixel pitch:
0.233mm
Maximum brightness:
350 nits
Contrast ratio:
1,000:1
Response time:
4ms gray to gray
Supported colors:
16.7 million
Audio:
2x two-watt speakers
Ports:
1x HDMI
1x MHL
1x Mini DisplayPort
1x DisplayPort
2x USB-A (Gen1)
Best budget gaming monitor
AOC G2770PQU
Why you should buy this: It’s a great 27-inch monitor for less than $260 with a fast response time and plenty of connectivity options.
Target audience: Any gamer who can’t afford to sink more than $250 on an external monitor.
How much will it cost: $240 (Amazon)
Why we picked the AOC G2770PQU:
This is the only display on our list that relies on older panel technology. You won’t get the same full viewing angles, but this display makes up for that loss by providing the fastest response time of the group at one millisecond. It also has the largest assortment of ports ranging from old-school VGA connectivity to the more recent DisplayPort v1.2 port. There are even four USB-A (2.0) ports to clean up your desktop environment.
The display’s big selling point is its 144Hz refresh rate, but there’s no built-in technology to sync that rate with graphics chips built by Nvidia or AMD. The one-millisecond response time is another big feature, which means a pixel can switch from one color to another and then back to the first color within a span of one millisecond. The result is cleaner movement on screen and less “smearing” or “ghosting.”
You can read more about this display in our review here.
Display size (diagonal):
27 inches
Display type:
Twisted Nematic
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080 @ 144Hz via DL-DVI, DisplayPort
Refresh rate control:
None
Aspect ratio:
16:9
Pixel pitch:
0.311mm
Maximum brightness:
300 nits
Contrast ratio:
50M:1 dynamic
Response time:
1ms gray to gray
Supported colors:
16.7 million
Audio:
2x two-watt speakers
Ports:
1x VGA
1x DL-DVI
1x HDMI
1x DisplayPort
4x USB-A 2.0
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Vietnamese hacker breaks into airport system, finds his way to prison
Hacking takes all kinds of forms, and sometimes it’s not personal data that’s at risk but rather sensitive commercial or government data that’s the target. That’s particularly true for companies and agencies that run important public services such as transportation, where information like security protocols could be valuable to certain nefarious parties. That’s what makes the theft of sensitive information from Australia’s Perth Airport so scary, and the arrest of the guilty hacker so encouraging.
According to Hot For Security, 31-year-old Le Duc Hoang Hai, a Vietnamese citizen, hacked into the airport’s systems and stole building plans and security information. His method wasn’t particularly technical, rather a byproduct of agencies using third-party contractors. Hai used a contractor’s login credentials to access the information rather than leveraging some complicated network vulnerability, and it’s not clear how he gained access to those credentials.
The good news is that Hai did not access any personal information, such as credit card data, and there is no evidence that he was able to sell the data prior to being arrested. In addition, there was no immediate risk to travelers from the hack according to The West Australian. Kevin Brown, the Perth airport’s chief executive, responded to queries, saying, “We completed a full and thorough risk assessment of the data that had been accessed to ensure there had been no threat to the safety of the traveling public. At no time was the safety or security of the airport, its staff, passengers or partners compromised.”
As Hot For Security points out, the use of contractors can be problematic simply because they may not be held to the same strict security standards as employees. Therefore, additional security measures such as two-factor authentication should be implemented to help keep networks protected no matter who is logging in.
This isn’t the first time that Hai has been guilty of illicit hacking. He is suspected of breaking into other organizations in his home country, such as banks, telecommunications companies, and even a military newspaper website. He was sentenced to four years in prison for this particular crime, however.
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The U.S. bans Kaspersky Lab software and services in federal agencies
Section 1634 of the government’s National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 now bans federal agencies from using software developed by Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab. The ban became law on Tuesday, December 12, signed by President Donald Trump, after the entire NDAA was introduced as a bill by the House of Representatives in June (H.R. 2810). It also covers plans for Army/Navy/Air Force programs, Reserve Forces, office personnel policy, military justice, and more.
The ban on using anything developed by Kaspersky Lab will begin October 1, 2018. It includes any company that serves as a successor, any company with a major part owned by Kaspersky, and any entity that controls/controlled by/under common control with Kaspersky Lab. Ultimately, the law covers any software that may be remotely related to the Russian computer security firm.
“No department, agency, organization, or other element of the Federal Government may use, whether directly or through work with or on behalf of another department, agency, organization, or element of the Federal Government, any hardware, software, or services developed or provided, in whole or in part,” the law states.
The government is now investigating the saturation of Kaspersky Lab’s software and services in federal agencies, and will submit a mostly unclassified report to congressional committees within 180 days. It will detail plans regarding the removal of software, prevention of the software, steps taken by supply chain risk management, monitoring information technology networks, and more.
“Considering the grave risk that Kaspersky Lab poses to our national security, it’s necessary that the current directive to remove Kaspersky Lab software from government computers be broadened and reinforced by statute,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). “The case against Kaspersky is well-documented and deeply concerning.”
Shaheen claimed in September that Kaspersky Lab has “extensive” ties to Russian intelligence. By removing the software and discontinuing services, she believes the government will eliminate a security vulnerability that is possibly in use by Russian intelligence. At her defense are six top intelligence officials, who said during a public hearing that they wouldn’t be comfortable installing Kaspersky Lab software in their agencies. Unfortunately, their reasons are classified.
Shaheen pointed out months ago that Kaspersky Lab founder Eugene Kaspersky was part of the former Soviet Union’s KGB, and then became a software engineer for the Soviet military intelligence. And despite Kaspersky’s claims otherwise, the U.S. government supposedly has evidence that Kaspersky Lab is tied to the KGB successor: Russia’s Federal Security Service.
After Shaheen’s report in September, Kaspersky Lab said it would provide its source code to third parties as part of a new “comprehensive transparency initiative” starting early next year. The company also said it would establish transparency centers across the globe with three located in Asia, Europe, and North America by 2020. Still, Washington wasn’t completely convinced, and is now banning Kaspersky Lab’s software and services.
Naturally, Kaspersky Lab isn’t happy and accuses Congress of singling the company out due to the location of its headquarters. But if Russian intelligence really is using Kaspersky Lab software to gain data from American federal agencies, then Section 1634 is long overdue.
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Want a lightsaber? Just roll up a piece of paper and InstaSaber will do the rest
Who didn’t, as a kid, wave around a folded sheet of paper and pretend they were brandishing their very own lightsaber? Well, to quote a famous Apple slogan, “there’s an app for that” — or, at least, there will be very soon. Created by developer Hart Woolery, the InstaSaber is an augmented reality app, set to arrive in the iOS app store soon, which lets you fire up your very own George Lucas-style laser sword from the comfort of your smartphone.
“It’s an iPhone app that turns a rolled up piece of paper into a virtual lightsaber,” Woolery told Digital Trends. “I think the best thing about it is that it brings a special effect that has typically been reserved for advanced video editors to a mass audience.”
Woolery describes himself as a big Star Wars fan, which isn’t totally surprising given that he’s just created an app inspired by the movies. However, he’s not just any old Star Wars geek, but one who — as the founder and CEO of computer vision company 2020CV — happens to have secured prior investment from Mark Cuban. In other words, he knows what he’s doing!
Despite Apple’s recent pushing of its ARKit augmented reality platform, Woolery says that the Instasaber app was created using the deep learning CoreML and Metal libraries. As seen in the preview, the app is somewhat bare bones at the moment, with the main hook being the fact that you get to wave around your folded sheet of paper in the real world, and then record fully rendered video, complete with appropriate sound effects. Going forward, though, Woolery says the plan is to add “lots more cool features” in the future. Whether that means using the saber to interact with other virtual objects remains to be seen, but we’re totally excited to see where this all goes.
There’s no definite release date scheduled, but expect this to land in the App Store in the near future. On the website, you can sign up to be notified when it finally arrives. Woolery says he plans to make it available for free, with in-app purchases allowing users to change their lightsaber color or extend the recording length of clips.
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Want a lightsaber? Just roll up a piece of paper and InstaSaber will do the rest
Who didn’t, as a kid, wave around a folded sheet of paper and pretend they were brandishing their very own lightsaber? Well, to quote a famous Apple slogan, “there’s an app for that” — or, at least, there will be very soon. Created by developer Hart Woolery, the InstaSaber is an augmented reality app, set to arrive in the iOS app store soon, which lets you fire up your very own George Lucas-style laser sword from the comfort of your smartphone.
“It’s an iPhone app that turns a rolled up piece of paper into a virtual lightsaber,” Woolery told Digital Trends. “I think the best thing about it is that it brings a special effect that has typically been reserved for advanced video editors to a mass audience.”
Woolery describes himself as a big Star Wars fan, which isn’t totally surprising given that he’s just created an app inspired by the movies. However, he’s not just any old Star Wars geek, but one who — as the founder and CEO of computer vision company 2020CV — happens to have secured prior investment from Mark Cuban. In other words, he knows what he’s doing!
Despite Apple’s recent pushing of its ARKit augmented reality platform, Woolery says that the Instasaber app was created using the deep learning CoreML and Metal libraries. As seen in the preview, the app is somewhat bare bones at the moment, with the main hook being the fact that you get to wave around your folded sheet of paper in the real world, and then record fully rendered video, complete with appropriate sound effects. Going forward, though, Woolery says the plan is to add “lots more cool features” in the future. Whether that means using the saber to interact with other virtual objects remains to be seen, but we’re totally excited to see where this all goes.
There’s no definite release date scheduled, but expect this to land in the App Store in the near future. On the website, you can sign up to be notified when it finally arrives. Woolery says he plans to make it available for free, with in-app purchases allowing users to change their lightsaber color or extend the recording length of clips.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Release your inner Jedi — or Sith Lord — with the best Star Wars Lightsabers
- Bring the power of the Force to your holidays with these Star Wars deals
- Apple AR glasses: News and rumors about ‘Project Mirrorshades’
- Apple iPhone XI? XL? X Plus? Sources say next model could be two models
- Stream yourself in a virtual costume with Instagram’s new live face filters
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