Telegram is being ordered by Russia to hand over user encryption keys

Telegram will appeal the new ruling, but this still isn’t a good sign.

Telegram, the ultra-popular messaging app that’s most well-known for user security and privacy, may have to hand over its user’s encryption keys to the Russian government. It was reported on March 20 that Telegram had lost an appeal in court against Russia’s Federal Security Service (the spiritual successor to the KGB) which is asking for encryption keys as a result of President Vladimir Putin wanting access to his citizen’s digital communications.

Alla Nazarova, the Supreme Court Judge in Russia, rejected Telegram’s appeal, but there could still be some hope. Telegram says that it’ll be appealing the new ruling, but should Russia deem this as a non-compliance case, Telegram could potentially be blocked altogether from the country.

In 2016, Vladimir Putin signed a series of laws that required messaging apps/services to give the government a way to decrypt any and all user conversations as a way to fight terrorism. Telegram chose to not hand over this information in 2017, and as such, was fined $14,000.

Telegram could potentially be blocked from Russia.

The Federal Security Service (also known as the FSB) claims that it having access to encryption keys doesn’t violate user privacy and that collecting people’s data still requires a separate court order. However, per Telegram’s lawyer, Ramil Akhmetgaliev –

The FSB’s argument that encryption keys can’t be considered private information defended by the Constitution is cunning. It’s like saying, ‘I’ve got a password from your email, but I don’t control your email, I just have the possibility to control.

Russia is one of Telegram’s most popular markets with over 9.5 million Russian users, and it’ll be interesting to see where we go from here. It’s nice to think that Telegram will be able to fight its way out of these demands, but the likelihood of that happening doesn’t seem all that great at the moment.

Android Wear needs way more than just a Wear OS rebrand

Google Wifi vs. Orbi vs. Eero vs. AmpliFi: Wireless Mesh Network Face-off

There are some great mesh systems to choose from; which is the right one for you?

Most people don’t put enough thought into their wireless router. Things like the layout of your house, how its built, and how many stories it is all matter when you want good Wi-Fi from one end to the other. Or maybe you need to plug something into a router with a network cable in one room but still want great Wi-Fi everywhere else. With so many things to get connected and so many different ways to connect them, having a good home network is important. Naturally, we all want our Wi-Fi to be fast and strong, and we’re quick to fuss when it’s not. Even when it’s our own fault.

This is where Wireless Mesh networking comes into play. Sometimes one central wireless access point that sends out a powerful signal in all directions is perfect. But often a mesh system that can smother everywhere in your home with a Wi-Fi signal is better. There’s a big difference between Wi-Fi in your house that works and Wi-Fi in your house that works well.

Router vs. Mesh Networking: What’s best for your home Wi-Fi network?

If you’ve decided to go with a mesh system, you’re then faced with the question of which you should buy. None of them are cheap and most of us don’t want to perform a few multiple-hundred dollar experiments. We’re going to look at four popular models and give you some information so you can make the right choice.

Google Wifi

Google has a vested interest in everyone being on the internet, and they’ve made a great wireless mesh system to help make it happen no matter where in your house you happen to be sitting. Google Wifi is fast, easy to setup, and even easier to get into the settings thanks to their smartphone app.

Pros

• It looks good — this matters because ideally, you’ll have the satellites out in the open where everyone can see them.
  • Constant updates
  • Setup is so easy it’s almost automatic

Cons

• Few advanced features
• Requires a Google account and a smartphone to set up and use
• If you lose a connection to the internet, settings and options are very limited

If you use Google products, you’ll probably love Google Wifi. Everything about the product will be familiar, from the way it looks to the way the app works.

Setup is simple. Power up one of the units and connect it to your modem, then download the app (there’s a card enclosed in the box that points you in the right direction). You’ll get a notification that starts the process with a single tap, then walks you through setting up the other two and gives performance tips.

Each unit covers about 1,200 square feet with a strong signal and moving through your house switches you from one to the next seamlessly. The app has some features like being able to prioritize one device over the others for a set amount of time (perfect for streaming HD video) or parental controls but lacks advanced networking features like dedicated port forwarding. The biggest drawback is what happens if you lose your internet connection — you have very limited access to the settings as they are hosted on your online Google account.

Perhaps the biggest draw of Google Wifi is the prompt updates. They’re seamless and a proper update schedule means your network is more secure even if they aren’t always filled with new features. Check it out at Best Buy for $259.

See at Best Buy

Orbi

Netgear’s Orbi isn’t really a mesh wireless system, but it acts the same way and extends your network by using satellite units. Those sattellites just aren’t connected to each other, only the base. It is a tri-band system that will give you fast newtork speeds everywhere in your house, which is what really matters.

Pros

• No account required
• No speed loss from mesh forwarding
• The base and satellitle are pre-programmed to work together

Cons

• It’s big
• It’s expensive if you need a second sattellite
• Setup can be confusing because there are so many options

First things first — if you need advanced settings on your Wi-Fi network and want a mesh(-like) system, Orbi is the one you want to buy no questions asked. Using your web browser to log into the router brings you to the familiar Netgear setup and admin page that you’re probably already familiar with, including options that no other consumer mesh product offers like advanced QoS and forwarding.

With that out of the way, the Orbi system has one other thing going for it that might make a difference — no speed loss because of bi-directional communication. Orbi uses a dedicated band for communication between the units, while some other consumer mesh products use the same band your network data does, which causes a 50% loss in throughput for each “hop.” This isn’t noticeable for most of us as it’s still faster than data can be processed after the loss, but it could make a difference when transferring large files or streaming data inside your network.

There are also two things that aren’t great — the sheer size of each unit (easily 3 times bigger than the others on this list) and the price. A three-pack costs about $300 and extra satellites start at $140 for the 1,500 sq. ft. unit.

See at Amazon

eero (2nd Gen.)

Eero was one of the first consumer-grade mesh wireless systems, and the second generation system is even better. Like the Orbi, it’s a true tri-band mesh system with a dedicated band for communication between devices, but the units themselves are small and look good.

Pros

• Can use an unlimited amount of beacons
• Each beacon looks great
• Easy and secure setup

Cons

• Beacons have no Ethernet ports
• Requires a smartphone to set up
• Limited settings

The eero system is my personal favorite, even though I’m embedded in the Google ecosystem. I’m not recommending it over any of the others, though, because what I liked was the polish of the app and the hardware compared to the competition while using the 2016 model. Things have come a long way for all manufacturers since.

With that out of the way, there is a lot to like about eero. It delivers a fast network even at an extreme distance due to it’s dedicated communication band and ability to use as many beacons as you need, and it still looks great with a wonderful smartphone app. Though we do need to mention (once again) that the potential speed loss of not having a tri-band system isn’t something you’re ever likely to notice. But you will notice a great app.

Set up is also a breeze, and almost as easy as Google Wifi’s method. Install the app (and you have to use an app) and it walks you through the entire process using friendly, easy to understand language. If you aren’t familiar with networking terms you’ll appreciate the friendly touch, and if you are, you’ll appreciate how well the company breaks it down for those that aren’t.

An eero system is a little more expensive though, with a three-pack (one base and two beacons) costing about $370. And like Google Wifi, there aren’t enough settings to satisfy extreme users. One other thing — the beacons don’t have any Ethernet ports so if you were planning to run a cable to your entertainment stand or game console, you’ll need to connect to a base unit. Extra base units

See at Amazon

AmpliFi HD

The AmpliFi HD looks different from the other products on this list. Each satellite plugs directly into a wall outlet like the eero beacons, but each AmpliFi satellite has a directional “antenna” on a swivel. This makes is easier to find a place for them or harder, depending on where you need them. It delivers good, strong whole-house Wi-Fi like the other products on this list.

Pros

• Five Gigabit Ethernet ports on the base like a traditional router
• Smartphone app or account not required
• More advanced settings than eero or Google Wifi

Cons

• Satellites are large and require mounting on a wall outlet
• Satellites have no Ethernet ports
• Satellites aren’t as attractive as the competition (but are interesting to some)

The AmpliFi HD boasts a 20,000-square-foot coverage area from a single base and two satellites. Our testing leads us to believe it, as a usable signal extended further down the street than we thought possible. That’s enough reason for some of us to buy it — you might also be able to have great Wi-Fi in your workshop or any outbuilding (or share Wi-Fi with your neighbor). Part of this is because of the unique satellite configuration. Rather than a smallish puck designed to sit on a table somewhere, each is a tall, two-piece wand that needs to be plugged directly into an outlet.

There’s also a coolness factor missing from the others on our list with AmpliFi’s touchscreen display on the base that can monitor network speeds or show the time (it can also be shut off). This can be quite handy if the base is set somewhere like a desk in a home office and can double as a clock, besides having access to some user settings. Speaking of settings, you’ll find more advanced ones on the AmpliFi HD than you will on Google Wifi or eero, but not as many as the Orbi. It’s a good balance for the average home user with something like a dedicated media server.

One thing to consider here is that the AmpliFi HD isn’t exactly childproof. The satellites will be plugged in where a curious little one can reach them and look interesting enough to make sure they notice them. The are two-piece units held together by a strong magnet so they won’t be harmed if someone grabs the antenna and tugs on it, but electricity and toddlers don’t mix. If you don’t have little ones crawling or walking around you might like the look, though. Pricing starts at $313.

See at Amazon

Our verdict

It depends a lot on what you’re looking for. If you want the most plug-and-play model, Google Wifi is one of those gems that anyone can install. It’s also the cheapest option, though a Google account is required and internet access almost a must (and absolutely required for setup). Eero is what you’ll need if you need extra beacons, but while they look great they don’t have any Ethernet ports for your TV or Xbox and base units (which do have ports) are expensive. Orbi is great for someone running a server or has other needs for advanced QoS and forwarding options, but is big, bulky and expensive. Finally, AmpliFi covers your house, yard and maybe even your neighbor but isn’t perfect for homes with small children.

I’ve personally used each of these products in my house. I also work from home and need a fast and reliable network between my office and my cable modem. All four of these products are excellent and deliver exactly what they promise — a fast network connection everywhere in your home.

In the end, I choose Google Wi-Fi even though the requirement of having a Google account and losing features if you aren’t connected to the internet are things I don’t care for. I’m OK with the information Google collects and the methods they use to do it (you can read that right here) but I disagree with it in principle. The “good” outweighs the “bad” or me, though.

• Google Wi-Fi is cheap and adding a fourth satellite (or a Google OnHub) is easy. And also cheap.
• Each satellite has a network port for a cat 5/cat 6 cable.

I was able to extend my network out to an outbuilding area by running a cable underground in some conduit and plugging each end into a Google Wi-Fi unit. The two “meshes” work seamlessly this way and I saved a good bit of money. Most people won’t need anything like this, but the same idea applies if you want a wired connection to something like an Xbox or television and still extend the mesh network in the room it’s in.

But really, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices. Each has one or two drawbacks as well as a few strong points but they all deliver where it counts: providing a strong, fast network connection.

Updated March 2018: Added some further impressions after long-term use and checked pricing and availability of each.

Take 15% off any eBay order over $25 today only

Get that item you’ve had your eye on for a while now.

Today eBay is taking 15% off just about everything with the code PSRPINGTIME. You will need to make a minimum purchase of $25, and you can only save up to $50 off with the code. You can only use the code once on one shopping cart. While it can be used sitewide, the few excluded categories include Coins & Paper Money, Gift Cards & Coupons, and Real Estate. This deal expires at 10 p.m. Eastern tonight, March 20.

Visit Thrifter because we will be uncovering every great deal we can find with this code.

We know eBay had a 20% off sale that you let save up to $100 off a little over a week ago. That was rare to see at all because the majority of eBay sales are on very specific products or from a very specific list of sellers. It’s very unusual for eBay to discount the entire site. Seeing another sale so quickly, even if it’s 5% less, just means eBay had a lot of unexpected success the first time around. We do not expect to see another code anytime soon. So, if you didn’t grab an item you were eyeing during the last sale the spirits of the eBay have blessed you with a second chance. The discount won’t be quite as high, but then there are a lot of devices you can find on eBay that never go on sale anywhere else.

If you’re a little unsure about eBay itself, remember that this sale isn’t dealing with auctions. You don’t have to bid on your favorite items and wait to see who else bids. We’re talking about “Buy It Now” products. Also, many major retailers like Best Buy and Newegg have eBay storefronts where you can find a lot of the items from their main web sites. Stick to those stores, top-rated sellers, and people with a lot of great feedback from the last six months or so. You’ll be taking a lot less a risk that way.

A few of the deals we expect to see on sale:

• Bose QuietComfort 35 II wireless headphones – $297.49 (from $350)
• Xbox Live Gold membership 12 months – $43.14 (from $50.75)
• Sea of Thieves for Xbox One – $50.99 (from $60)
• Samsung 860 EVO 500GB solid state drive – $127.49 (from $150)

Keep track of all the best eBay deals as we find them on Thrifter.

Engadget giveaway: Win a Samsung Galaxy S9 courtesy of Speck!

Samsung’s recently released Galaxy S9 smartphones have received a good amount of praise, often listed among the best Android devices you can buy. The camera performs well in low light and you get speedy overall performance packed into a sleek design. These features do come at a premium price and anyone making the investment should know that a case is a wise move.

That’s why this week, Speck has offered a Samsung Galaxy S9 in midnight black along with its own Presidio Folio Leather case (also black) for one lucky reader. This is the company’s first 10-foot drop protective folio case, so it should keep your handset safe in most daily scenarios. It also includes a hidden slot for three cards, helping your phone double as wallet and portable computer. (The case will also be available for the iPhone X, if Android’s not your thing.) You have up to three chances at winning a Samsung Galaxy S9 and Speck Presidio Folio Leather case when you hit up the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
• Contest is open to all residents of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
• Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphone (Black, 64GB, Unlocked, $719.99 approximate value) and one Speck Presidio FOLIO LEATHER case (Black, $54.95 approximate value).
• If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
• This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
• The full list of rules, in all of its legalese glory, can be found here.
• Entries can be submitted until March 21st at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!

Insta360 One update adds ‘pro-level’ video stabilization

The Insta360 One made quite an impression when it launched about half a year ago, but even with its 4K 360 capture and bullet-time trick, there was always room for improvement. Today, this camera is receiving a major update that adds a much improved “FlowState” video stabilization, along with two new tools that should make fix-frame video editing more intuitive. The company went as far as calling this “pro-level” package a “gimbal killer,” and indeed, the official video does show some impressive sample clips, but it wasn’t until I tried it myself — thanks to the help of my dog — that I was convinced.

The One’s new stabilization trick relies on both a new firmware plus a new version of the iOS app (available later this week), though the company stopped short at sharing the technical details — not even a single hint. I was given a near-final version of both pieces of software right ahead of the launch, so with my device updated, I mounted it onto a harness on my dog and then let him roam free.

Afterwards, I plugged the One into my iPhone, exported the same clip from both the old app and the new app, and then combined the clips in Adobe Premiere Pro to create a side-by-side comparison video. As you can see, the new stabilization is surprisingly effective, even when my dog was running at full speed — the trees and buildings don’t bounce around like jelly. The same goes for the 360 version of the video processed by the new app.

In addition, the mobile app has a couple of new FreeCapture tools for turning 360 clips into fix-frame videos: “Pivot Points” lets you set center points at specific frames, which then generate a smooth camera panning movement; and “SmartTrack” lets you pick a key object for the app to track automatically. Both features, along with the old handheld mode (now dubbed “ViewFinder”), can be used interchangeably in a single clip; and you can toggle them at any time by simply pressing down at your desired spot in the video. In fact, for my comparison video earlier, I used the old app’s manual ViewFinder mode to recreate the pivot point path in my other clip. If you’re a fan of hyperlapse, you can also apply this effect — from 2x all the way up to 64x — using the “Edit” tool when exporting fix-frame clips.

What remains to be seen is how well the new stabilization works in dimmer environments. At the time of writing, the software I tested was not yet optimized for stabilizing indoor footage, but the company promised that this will be ready when the updated app becomes available in the App Store. Until then, feel free to check out Insta360’s own comparison video of the One versus a smartphone on a gimbal below.

TCL’s wallet-friendly 6-Series Roku TVs will be available by May 1st

Earlier this year, TCL announced that it was once again teaming with Roku on a line of affordably priced 4K TVs. We now know that the 6-Series television sets will debut by May 1st, though some of the pricing is still unclear.

TCL’s previous venture, the P-Series, really impressed reviewers with its affordable price point, bright screen and good contrast, but it was limited to just one size: 55 inches. The new 6-Series will be available in both 55 and 65 inches. The Verge reports that the price point on the 55-inch 6-Series will be $650, the same as the P-Series. It’s unclear how much the 65-inch model will cost.

The 6-Series is a premium line, which features Dolby Vision and an attractive brushed metal design. The displays will also come with a Roku TV voice remote, three HDMI ports, 802.11ac WiFi and Ethernet. TCL has put extra effort into improving the picture quality for this line, with HDR Pro Gamma and Contrast Control Zone technology. The 6-Series will have better control over backlighting than the P-Series, which means deeper blacks, even when another part of the image is bright.

Source: TCL

Samsung’s first 3D Cinema LED screen launches in Swiss theater

Want to watch 3D movies at the theater without the picture quality limitations that come with projectors? You’ll want to plan a trip to Switzerland. Samsung’s 34-foot 3D Cinema LED screen has premiered at Arena Cinemas’ Silhcity theater in Zurich, promising moviegoers 3D without the usual drawbacks (and, hopefully, a few perks). It promises 10 times the peak brightness of projectors while retaining the full 4K resolution and consistent picture quality, avoiding the usual problems with dim, low-resolution 3D images that vary based on where you’re sitting. HDR video support and JBL Professional audio help, too.

This first practical rollout also increases the chances that you’ll get into the theater in the first place. Silhcity no longer needs a projector closet in the revamped theater, making room for more seats.

The question, of course, is whether or not these screens will see widespread adoption. Even the 2D-only Cinema LED screens are available in just three cities (Seoul, Busan and Shanghai). Samsung will have to convince theater operators that it’s worth upgrading, and that may be a tough sell if they’re already doing plenty of business with projectors. You may be more likely to see LED screens in brand new or revamped theaters where a new screen was always going to be in the cards.

Source: Samsung Newsroom

Police chief says Uber ‘likely not’ at fault in pedestrian accident

Yesterday, Uber called a halt to all self-driving tests after a highly publicized crash in Tempe, AZ, on Sunday evening. Now, it looks as though Uber might not be at fault for the accident. Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir told the San Francisco Chronicle that, based on footage from the vehicle’s on-board cameras, “it’s very clear it would have been difficult to avoid this collision in any kind of mode (autonomous or human-driven) based on how [the pedestrian] came from the shadows right into the roadway.”

The vehicle did have a human operator in the car, but it was in autonomous mode. The driver, Rafaela Vasquez, said that “it was like a flash,” when the person abruptly stepped out from a center median in front of the car. “His first alert to the collision was the sound of the collision,” Moir stated to the San Francisco Chronicle. The vehicle was traveling 38 mph in a 35 zone. The pedestrian did not appear to be using a crosswalk, though apparently the street design did make it appear as if that section was inviting people to cross.

A super-weird aspect of this crash site is that it occurred at a place where a beautiful brick-paved diagonal walking path was provided across the median, along with a sign instructing people not to use it. This is beyond pedestrian-hostile design; it’s damn-near entrapment. pic.twitter.com/ZaHw9bIIrR

— 🚗🚌🚚🚲 (@EricPaulDennis) March 20, 2018

The Tempe police is actively working with the National Transportation Safety Board and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to determine who is at fault for the accident. “I suspect preliminarily it appears that the Uber would likely not be at fault in this accident,” Moir stated. However, after the Chronicle’s story, the Tempe Police Department issued a statement that said, “Tempe Police Department does not determine fault in vehicular collisions.”

If Uber is found liable for the collision, it could have quite an effect on both the company and the larger business of self-driving cars. Uber’s autonomous vehicles have had previous self-driving accidents, and the company was never held liable. However, this is the first incident involving a fatality, so you can bet all the companies currently conducting self-driving tests will be watching this case very closely.

Via: The Verge

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Google puts $300 million towards fighting fake news

Like Facebook and Twitter, Google has come under fire for its role in spreading misinformation and it has taken steps to address the problem. Over the past few months, the company has teamed up with fact-checking networks, started showing more publisher info, introduced trust icons and revamped its “snippets” feature to purge it of fake news. But Google says its previous efforts may not be enough to combat the spread of misinformation. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish what’s true (and not true) online,” Google said in a blog post today. “Business models for journalism continue to change drastically. The rapid evolution of technology is challenging all institutions, including the news industry, to keep pace.” So to continue its efforts, the company is launching Google News Initiative (GNI).

GNI will focus on three main objectives — to elevate and strengthen quality journalism, evolve business models to drive sustainable growth and empower news organizations through technological innovation. In regards to the first objective, Google says it created Disinfo Lab — an effort to combat mis- and disinformation during breaking news moments and elections. It will work alongside Harvard University’s First Draft project. Google is also partnering with the Poynter Institute, Stanford University and the Local Media Association to develop MediaWise, an initiative aimed at boosting young consumers’ digital literacy. And for its own products, Google is tweaking its systems to surface more authoritative content during breaking news moments since it says that’s when bad actors often target its platforms.

Additionally, Google will try to streamline and simplify the process of subscribing to media publishers through a new service called Subscribe with Google. With a machine learning model that it has been developing, it will also help publishers spot consumers who may be likely to subscribe. The company has also created a new dashboard that will help news organizations gain a deeper understanding of their audiences. Lastly, today, Google launched Outline — an open-source tool that will help news organizations set up their own VPN on a private server.

Google says it will dedicate $300 million over the next three years towards these efforts. “The commitments we’re making through the Google News Initiative demonstrate that news and quality journalism is a top priority for Google,” Google said. “We know that success can only be achieved by working together, and we look forward to collaborating with the news industry to build a stronger future for journalism.”

Source: Google

Elevation Lab Launches New Versatile ‘CordDock’ for iPhone With Detachable Cord

Elevation Lab, a company known for its range of popular docks and stands for Apple devices, today announced the launch of its latest iPhone dock, the CordDock.

The CordDock aims to combine the benefits of charging via a cord with the benefits of a dock, allowing the iPhone plugged into the cord dock to be picked up and used while charging if desired.

Elevation Lab designed the CordDock with the same grippy NanoPad micro air-suction used in the ElevationDock 4, so your iPhone can be picked up and detached from the dock one-handed while it’s still plugged in. When picking up the iPhone to use it, there’s no need to unplug the cord — the CordDock makes it so you can continue to charge even if you need to send a message, read an email, or play a game.

To use the CordDock, which has a slim footprint with a braided Lightning cable and two adjustable wheels at the back, you simply need to rotate the iPhone forward to keep the cord plugged in. Two spring-loaded ball detents keep the cord in position during standard dock charging, and release the cord when force is applied to undock the iPhone. To undock entirely, pull up on the phone as you would with any dock.

The CordDock can fit iPhone cases up to 4mm thick, which Elevation Lab says should work with everything besides the thick OtterBox cases. This is not a wireless charging device, which is an option with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, but is instead designed for customers who prefer to use wired charging but need more versatility than a dock can traditionally provide.

CordDock is available for purchase from the Elevation Lab website for $39 starting today.

Tag: Elevation Lab
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