NVIDIA will end 32-bit OS GeForce support this month

NVIDIA recently warned that the end was nigh for GeForce support on 32-bit operating systems, and it has now put dates to that event. It will halt GeForce GPU driver support at the end of April, meaning users will lose access to new GeForce Experience features and game ready updates. Moreover, NVIDIA will end security updates by January 2019, so continuing to use your 32-bit OS with a GeForce card beyond that date could actually put it at risk.

There’s probably still a fair few folks using 32-bit versions of Windows or Linux, despite the fact that a 64-bit version of Windows XP was released on October 25th, 2001. I doubt that many of those are gamers, but there’s always that person who only plays certain games “and they run just fine so why should I change?”

NVIDIA is killing driver support or both newer GTX cards and Fermi models used on lower-end system. That will affect 32-bit versions of Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, Linux and FreeBSD. That means it’s probably time for an upgrade, unless you’re playing games in a cave and not connected to the internet.

Via: Hot Hardware

Source: NVIDIA

Sony’s pro 4K camcorder has Netflix-friendly ‘Instant HDR’

HDR has become just as important as 4K for streaming and Blu-Ray users who care about seeing films and series the way the creators intended. Manufacturers therefore have to cater to producers who want it, as we’re seeing with Sony’s new $4,750 FS5 II camcorder launched at NAB 2018. It supports RAW 4K (via an external recorder) like RED, Arri and other rivals, but includes a twist with Instant HDR. That makes it possible to both output HDR live for broadcast or previews on set, while retaining detail for finessing in post-production.

The FS5-II canhandle 60 fps high-framerate 4K recording, shoot 4K 120 fps in four-second bursts, and output 240 fps 1080p for eight seconds. Internally, it can handle 8-bit 4K at 30fps, or HD at up to 120 fps. However, many production pros will probably attach an Atomos Ninja or other device and record RAW 4K using Apple’s new ProRes RAW or regular ProRes recording formats. It also packs new color science that improves skin tones, a common complaint about the last model.

Sony said that the FS5-II is Netflix-approved in all 4K modes and is already being used on multiple series. However, it’s not much of an improvement over the last model, as News Shooter notes, since most of the features, apart from 120 fps internal HD recording, came to the previous model via (paid) firmware updates. Unlike Panasonic with the GH5 and GH5s, Sony avoids putting features like 10-bit internal recording on its A7 lineup to avoid cannibalizing its pricey professional products.

Sony also launched a pair of smaller camcorders. The PXW-Z280 uses three half-inch CMOS sensors, and can record 4:2:2 10-bit 4K at 60 fps, while the PXW-Z190 uses three 1/3-inch chips and can also handle 4:2:2 10-bit 4K video.

Via: Cinema 5D

Source: Sony

Irrigation robots could help grow wine grapes in California

We all know by now that robots are the future of farming, and things are no different for winemakers in The Golden State. Faced with the shortage of water and workers, they asked researchers from the University of California to create an irrigation system that needs minimal human input. What the team came up with is a system called Robot-Assisted Precision Irrigation Delivery (RAPID) that uses a machine to monitor and adjust water emitters attached to irrigation lines.

The researchers have been working to advance and refine the system since 2016, and RAPID is actually the second version of the project. In a new report, IEEE talks about where the researchers are with it, a bit over a year after it received a $1 million grant from the Department of Agriculture. The publication says team leader and UC professor Stefano Carpin is currently testing the system using a unmanned ground vehicle, but that he intends to build a specialized machine for it.

The RAPID robot will have GPS, so it can map its route around vineyards, and will rely on drone and satellite imagery to monitor the weather. It will also have a “grasping hand” in order to be able to turn the water emitters to increase or decrease the flow of water. See, current drip irrigation systems deliver the same amount of water to the whole vineyard. That is far from ideal since soil moisture levels and other conditions could differ between blocks of land when you have hectares upon hectares of crops. Carpin wants the RAPID machine to be able to customize the water output for each block, so the growers’ grapes can get the optimal amount wherever they’re planted.

The scientist told IEEE that he expects to be done with a prototype of his robot next year, when his team will also be installing adjustable emitters to the irrigation pipes. He expects to start testing the system on an actual farm by the summer of 2020.

Source: IEEE

Telegram app is a favorite of Kremlin officials, but Russia wants to block it

prykhodov/123rf.com

Telegram has denied a request by the Russian state security service to provide backdoor access to encrypted messages on the popular messaging app. Reuters report that Roskomnadzor, the state’s communications authority, has responded by filing a lawsuit on Friday to block access to the company’s services.

The FSB, the Russian security service, has claimed that it needs access to the encrypted messages to counter terrorist plots. It cited the explosion on the St. Petersburg metro system in 2017 as an example, saying the attackers used Telegram to plan the bombing.

In a statement to The Independent, a lawyer for Dubai-based Telegram argued that the Russians’ demands were “technically impossible,” because Telegram uses end-to-end encryption. “It’s very important for us to understand what they have requested, and the legal and evidential basis they are using,” said Ramil Akhmetgalieyev.

Threats to block Telegram unless it gives up private data of its users won't bear fruit. Telegram will stand for freedom and privacy.

— Pavel Durov (@durov) March 20, 2018

Partly because of Telegram’s strong message encryption, the app has also become a widely used unofficial government communication system within the Kremlin. The service, which boasts 200 million users, now features “channels,” which are used in Russia as unofficial anonymous political blogs to circulate talking points and boost voter turnout.

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov even counts on Telegram to organize his daily press briefings. “We use it, it’s very convenient, but the law is the law and we might have to look at different options,” he said.

It’s also unclear how Russia would actually ban the service, as Telegram could bypass the restrictions — unless Russia blocked all messenger traffic within the country. Andrei Soldatov, a Russian telecommunications analyst, told The Independent that the Kremlin is reluctant to go that far.

“There have been all kinds of talks and conversations, and more talks and conversations again, but no one seems ready to make a move against the tech giants,” he said. “People understand that is a political decision taken at the very top.”

If a ban is enacted, Russia would join the ranks of other totalitarian nations such as China, Bahrain, Iran, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan who have blocked or attempted to block Telegram.

German Klimenko, Vladimir Putin’s internet adviser, says there’s an easy solution — just use the Russian equivalent of AOL’s Instant Messenger instead. “People have forgotten about ICQ [a 21-year-old instant messaging service],” he said. “It’s a fully-fledged messenger, and absolutely in no way inferior to Telegram for the average user.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• Looking for online privacy and security? Here are the best VPNs for Android
• Salon will mine digital currency on your PC if you opt to disable ads
• Yes, Facebook is reading the messages you send through Messenger
• Nest Secure review
• How to block calls on an iPhone — let us count the ways

Chrome is scanning Windows, but it may be a bug

A few days ago, Kelly Shortridge, a product manager at SecurityScorecard, discovered that Chrome was running AV scans of Windows devices.

I was wondering why my Canarytoken (a file folder) was triggering & discovered the culprit was chrome.exe. Turns out @googlechrome quietly began performing AV scans on Windows devices last fall. Wtf m8? This isn’t a system dir, either, it’s in Documents pic.twitter.com/IQZPSVpkz7

— Kelly Shortridge (@swagitda_) March 29, 2018

This isn’t normal behavior from a web browser, but it does have a fairly benign explanation. Namely, it appears to be a bug related to some antivirus features that Google added to the Windows version of Chrome last year. The Chrome Cleanup tool is meant to help users restore control of hijacked systems. Justin Schuh, Google’s security lead, initially said that these scans were part of this anti-virus software.

“CCT isn’t a system-wide scan or filter,” Schuh tweeted. “It runs weekly, at background priority and normal user privs, for up to 15 mins. It scans browser hijacking points, which may cause it to follow links elsewhere. The engine is a heavily sandboxed subset of ESET.”

It turns out that wasn’t the real problem, however. Google later discovered that a bug was causing Chrome to begin file checks upon startup. The tool is meant to scan previously downloaded files, but a bug moved the scan to the start-up path, meaning it runs scans every time Chrome is opened. This can cause Windows computers to slow down when starting the browser. Google has said that it will patch the bug in a future patch. Clearing your download history might help reduce the slowdowns in the meantime.

Followed up with @swagitda_ and it turns out the log events weren’t CCT scans. Chrome existence-checks (code below) previously downloaded files, but a bug moved the checks into the startup path. Clearing download history stops the checks. Bug filed here: https://t.co/gLNHJRSGq2pic.twitter.com/r0aeVAsurr

— Justin Schuh

Even with these issues, Chrome is still a solid browser. If you’d rather explore some other options, you can check out our guide to the best web browsers in order to find one that suits you better.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Chrome’s built-in scanning tool is now causing a privacy uproar
• The best web browsers
• A sneaky extension for Chrome, Firefox prevents its removal, hijacks browser
• Microsoft misses another Edge-related 90-day security disclosure deadline
• Escape reality with the best augmented reality apps for Android and iOS

Epic Games hauls in $15 million from ‘Fortnite’ on iOS in just three weeks

Sensor Tower

It may be “free to play,” but that doesn’t mean it’s not making a ton of money. Fortnite was released on iOS platforms last month, and in the first three weeks, Epic Games has made a pile of cash just from in-app purchases.

According to Sensor Tower, a site that tracks app growth, revenue for the game has exploded, increasing 197 percent since Epic lifted the invite-only restriction. Total mobile worldwide revenue passed $15 million in only 20 days, with Epic pocketing $10.5 million of that total.

Even more surprising, Fortnite has quickly become the top-grossing game on iPhone, besting such venerable cash cows as Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans. Those games have been out for several years, but they’ve consistently maintained their top spots until Fortnite burst onto the scene. Globally, the game has racked up more than 11 million installs since its launch.

Fortnite: Battle Royale is a mode popularized by Playerunknown Battlegrounds, which drops 100 players onto a map in a giant free-for-all until one person is left standing. A steadily encroaching blue wall pushes everyone into a smaller and smaller area, and it results in a frantic mix of run-n-gun shooting and building defensive structures.

The in-app purchases don’t give any gameplay advantage; they’re mostly things like colorful costumes and victory dances for taunting a fallen foe. Epic Games is even looking for a new victory dance to add to the game with their #boogiedown contest.

Part of what’s driving the in-app purchases is the ability to carry over the progress and costumes you purchase to other platforms. So when you switch over to PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, you’ve got that new dance that you purchased on your phone the previous night.

Battle Royale is free to play, but you can also purchase the original Save the World mode, which pits you and some friends against endless hordes of zombies.

Some old-school gamers haven’t quite bought into the attraction of a multiplayer shooter on mobile, but there’s no denying Fortnite has become one of the surprise gaming stories of 2018. We found the game undeniably fun, despite the rather sloppy gunplay and mechanics that don’t quite realize their full potential.

Fortnite is Epic Games’ biggest success, and it may just be getting started. The revenue numbers are certain to grow in the future with the upcoming release on Google Play for Android platforms.

Editors’ Recommendations

• If you can #BoogieDown, ‘Fortnite’ wants your best moves
• Epic Games is pulling the plug on ‘Paragon’ after the success of ‘Fortnite’
• You can sign up for the ‘Fortnite: Battle Royale’ mobile beta right now
• ’Fortnite’ review
• ‘Fortnite’ is now available for free to all iOS users, coming to Android soon

An ultrawide monitor made me fitter, happier, and more productive

One of the best decisions I’ve made.

Fitter, happier
More productive
Comfortable
Not drinking too much
Regular exercise at the gym, three days a week
– Radiohead

A few months ago, I decided to augment my home office setup with two dedicated monitors that would attach to whatever computer I was using at the time, be it my mainline MacBook Pro, my Pixelbook, or, increasingly, my beloved Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon. Given the expanding breadth of my job responsibilities, I needed more physical screen real estate, and two widescreen monitors — a couple of 24-inch Dell UltraSharps — would do the trick.

But then I happened upon what I still consider to be one of the most beautiful pieces of technology I’ve ever seen. I walked into a friend’s office and saw his Dell UltraSharp 38 curved monitor and knew I had to have it. With a 21:9 aspect ratio, the monitor looks comically misshapen when you take it out of the box, but when you’re sitting in front of it, the subtle bend envelops you, wrapping you in its near-4K resolution. And it completely changed the way I work.

See, a monitor this size allows you to divide your workspace into distinct quadrants without having to maneuver between two physical spaces. It’s a subtle distinction, but when placing two windows side by side, it has a notable effect on my ability to parse what’s on the screen. (It doesn’t hurt that the IPS panel, which supports a 99% sRGB color gamut, is stunning, and has 5ms latency.) That’s sitting right in front of it.

This is the most beautiful monitor I’ve ever seen.

But given its massive size, the monitor also serves double duty as a television, which I use to full effect while sitting on the exercise bike at the other end of my office. With DisplayPort, USB-C, HDMI, and multiple USB 3.0 ports, the UltraSharp 38 charges my computers when connected, and it even provides decent sound from its stereo speakers. It’s quite literally the perfect monitor. (I guess the bezels could be slightly thinner, but they’re barely noticeable given the amount of screen you get).

I don’t think I can ever go back to a regular widescreen monitor setup. The UltraWide 38 is expensive, at around $1100, but it’s an investment that should last a long, long time. And if you don’t need the absurd amount of space, Dell sells a 34-inch version for a more reasonable $800. You can also find smaller, cheaper ultrawides from companies like LG, Samsung, and Acer.

The main draw of such a monitor is the ability to luxuriate in its space. You can simply do so much in the space you have, and even though the UltraSharp 38 isn’t technically a 4K monitor, every film I’ve watched on it looks so good, I don’t care. More importantly, I feel like this is the right form factor for my environment, and lets me do more within my . For someone who spends most of his life in front of a monitor, that’s exactly what I need.

See at Dell

A few other things to note this week.

• We’re about a month away from Google I/O, and it looks increasingly like we’ll be overlapping with a few big-time phone launches, including the OnePlus 6 and LG G7 ThinQ.
• I’m intrigued by what I’ve seen from OnePlus this time around — there seems to be a concerted effort to justify what appears to be a looming price increase from the series, and I just hope that the camera quality matches the other upgrades.
• Speaking of camera quality, I am ridiculously excited to get my Huawei P20 Pro review device this week. Expect so many photos!
• I’m holding out hope that LG doesn’t end up adding the ThinQ branding to all of its phones this year, but it’s looking increasingly like that will be the case. LG has no problem shooting itself in the foot and limping away relatively unscathed, though.
• This… does not surprise me.

Uber’s Southeast Asia merger delayed pending reviews

Uber is normally glad when its service keeps running in a given country, but not this time around. The Philippines has ordered Uber to keep its local service active while antitrust investigators review the merger with Grab’s Southeast Asia business. The ridesharing outfit had already agreed to delay its shutdown in Singapore, regulators said, so it would be feasible to ask for a similar move in the Philippines.

It’s a last-minute move: the shutdown was supposed to take place April 8th. If and when Uber can close up shop will depend on the review, and there’s no guarantee it will work in the company’s favor when competition officials are concerned that Grab might “harm the riding public” with a monopoly.

Uber has declined to comment. We’d expect it to push hard for the merger, though. As in China and Russia, the company is backing out to save money and guarantee revenue in regions where a rival dominates. While this would give Grab an even larger slice of the market, there might not be much point to fighting what could be a losing battle.

Source: Reuters

Mercedes prepares electric equivalent to its S-Class luxury sedan

Mercedes-Benz is joining the ranks of car manufacturers working on hyper-luxurious EVs. In a chat with Autocar, the company’s large car division leader Michael Kelz promised an electric car “at the level” of the high-end S-Class sedan. The exec unsurprisingly isn’t providing many details, but confirmed its EQ S name (the company had trademarked the badging earlier) and noted that it wouldn’t share the S-Class’ underpinnings — the conventional car just can’t accommodate a pure electric design. We’d expect the EQ design language to find its way into this model as well.

The company had previously promised electric versions of all its cars by 2022, but the EQ S could be ready as soon as 2020.

This isn’t exactly democratizing EVs (that’s up to the sibling Smart brand). However, the EQ S could still be important. Technology from Mercedes’ highest-end vehicles sometimes filters down to other models, for starters. Also, having an S-Class parallel could give EVs a degree of prestige they haven’t had before — this would be one of the first EVs for customers with their own chauffeurs.

Via: Roadshow

Source: Autocar

Apple may unveil red iPhone 8 and 8 Plus models this week

Apple may be poised to spice up the iPhone 8’s color selection much as it did for the 7 series last year. MacRumors has obtained a Virgin Mobile memo claiming (Product) Red versions of the 8 and 8 Plus will be announced soon, possibly as early as April 9th. It’s not clear whether they’ll ship this week (Virgin would be taking pre-orders), but we wouldn’t expect a lengthy delay between the press release and availability. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (who has historically been an accurate source of Apple leaks) backed up the story.

Notably, there’s no mention of a similarly crimson-shaded iPhone X. Sorry, folks, you might have to be content with the existing monochromatic options. Not that it would be shocking — the X is an expensive handset to start with, and it may be a tougher sell in a special edition color. This doesn’t completely rule out extra colors, but we wouldn’t count on them.

If the leak is accurate, Apple is pursuing a familiar strategy for device makers: it’s rolling out new color options to put its hardware back in the spotlight and entice buyers who wanted livelier options. It’s not going to have the same effect as introducing a brand new iPhone, but it might rekindle enough interest to keep sales steady until the usual fall refresh.

Source: MacRumors