Brazilian Supreme Court Upholds WhatsApp Users’ Right to Encrypted Chat
WhatsApp was forced offline in Brazil yesterday after Facebook failed to provide a court with chat logs related to a criminal investigation – only for the block to be lifted hours later.
The blocking order by Brazilian judge Daniela Barbosa came after Facebook argued that it could not provide the court with the requested data since all messages relayed through the service are end-to-end encrypted.
Barbosa apparently took issue with the nature of the response, accusing Facebook of treating the country like a “banana republic” and criticizing WhatsApp for replying to the court via email and in English, “as if this was the official language of this country.” She then ordered the company to pay $50,000 per day until it complied with the court order to release the information.
However, in a matter of hours, the judge’s order was struck down by the country’s Supreme Court, which ruled that the lower court’s order to ban WhatsApp was unreasonable and disproportionate. As TechCrunch notes, the ruling suggests Brazil’s highest court favors an open internet, even if that means embracing encryption.
This is the fourth time a judge has ordered that WhatsApp be taken offline in the country, only for access to be reinstated soon after. The last order occurred in May and blocked the messaging service in Brazil for 72 hours, affecting over 100 million people.
“In recent months, people from all across Brazil have rejected judicial blocks of services like WhatsApp,” said a WhatsApp spokesperson. “Indiscriminate steps like these threaten people’s ability to communicate, to run their businesses, and to live their lives. As we’ve said in the past, we cannot share information we don’t have access to.”
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Tag: WhatsApp
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BT down: this is why your broadband isn’t working
If you’re trying to get online with BT Broadband today, you might be experiencing some problems. The provider has confirmed that it’s suffering from network issues that are affecting subscribers across the UK. Website reporting service Down Detector has collated thousands of complaints from across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Leicester, Bristol and Nottingham.
The issue is linked to BT’s DNS servers, which help route traffic on the internet. Some users have reported that if you change your DNS server to Google’s Public DNS addresses (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), you may be able to get back online. VPN connections may also work too. We’ve contacted BT to ascertain how long it expects connections to be down, we’ll update this article when we know more.
Some BT Broadband customers have reported problems accessing websites this morning. Sorry, we’re aware of a problem & working to fix asap
— BTCare (@BTCare) July 20, 2016
Android Auto is heading to Koenigsegg, Lada, and Borgward
Upcoming Koenigsegg, Lada, and Borgward cars will feature Android Auto in-car infotainment systems. Koenigsegg is the most notable addition in the list, with the luxury manufacturer joining the likes of Lamborghini and Maserati in supporting the platform.
As spotted on Reddit, the latest addition brings the total number of manufacturers that have committed to Android Auto to over 50. Borgward is an interesting vendor in the list, as the company shut down in 1961. The brand has seen a resurgence last year, introducing new SUVs that will be available starting 2018. When it comes to Lada, Top Gear has you covered.
There you go folks. No reason not to buy the Regera now.
All About Android Auto
- Getting started with Android Auto
- List of compatible phones and cars
- Android Auto news
- Apps that work with Android Auto
- Join the Android Auto discussion!
Sky Q features coming to Sky+, here’s what to expect in Homepage refresh
Sky isn’t just concentrating on Sky Q these days, after all the vast majority of its customers have Sky+HD boxes. Sky Q might be getting 4K soon, but Sky+ customers will also benefit from a user interface refresh that’ll add several features to tie their boxes in with Sky’s premium service.
The latest software update has started rolling out to customers now, with everyone expected to have received it by the end of August. You might be one of the lucky few to see it on your Sky+HD box already. You need to have it hooked up to the internet to receive the update, but if you do and it’s still not arrived, you will get it over the next month.
So what new features are included? Here we explain what you will see on your box after the update.
Sky+HD changes: Redesigned Homepage
As well as look nicer, with a new design, the new Homepage gets an editorially curated Top Picks section. This is something that has been part of the Sky Q proposition from the start.
Top Picks will give you recommended viewing suggestions from a swathe of entertainment channels, including Sky Atlantic and Fox. It will also include TV box sets, sporting highlights, kids’ favourites and other content from throughout the catalogue depending on which channels and services you subscribe to.
Sky+HD changes: Download next
Another feature Sky Q customers will be making use of is the ability to download the next programme in a series while you are watching the previous one. For example, if you are watching Entourage from the box sets section, the next episode will download to your Sky+HD box automatically as you watch so you can just continue binge viewing.
Sky
Sky+HD changes: Continue watching
A Continue tab will be added to the Planner. It gives you the option to pick up from where you last left off in a series.
- What is Sky Q, how much does it cost and how can I get it?
- Sky Q review: The future of multi-room television?
- How to get your Sky Q box ready for 4K Ultra HD movies, sport and TV
- Sky Q summer update detailed: 4K Ultra HD, new episode pointers and more
Sky+HD changes: Viewing progress bar
A new blue bar appears across recordings in the Planner. It shows how far you’ve previously watched of a specific programme.
Sky+HD changes: Radio
The Radio section now has its own tab in the TV guide.
Sky+HD changes: Search
Search is now located at the top of the Homepage.
Sky+HD changes: Services Homepage
The Services Homepage has been redesigned and the Sky Guide can now be customised. The Services button on the remote control now gives you direct access to Accessibility, Parental Control & PIN, Radio, Settings Options, Get Sky Products, My Account and the Help menus.
You might find a few other small tweaks and fixes in the update. Sky will also bring further updates and features in time as it continues to support its boxes.
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC headphones review: Make some noise
It was 18-months ago that we reviewed the excellent Audio-Technica MSR7 over-ear headphones – and might impressed we were. Now it’s the turn of the MSR7NC which, as those additional two letters in the name denote, are the noise-cancelling version.
These wired headphones – there’s no Bluetooth wireless here, unlike some of the competition – stick to hard-wiring to deliver hi-resolution audio levels of listening, while sticking to a familiar design.
Priced at £250 are they worth the extra cash compared to the standard MSR7 model? We’ve been using a pair for a month to get the lowdown.
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC review: Design
The NC take the refined look of the MSR7 and simplify things further. The blue/red accent highlights of the originals are gone, instead its very much a mono black-and-silver finish. If you’re not a fan of overstated headphones, then they’ll be the perfect look.
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The earcups do each brandish large Audio-Technica logos, which are matte in finish to avoid looking garish. There are “L” and “R” markings on the outer sections that we think should be hidden away on the inside edge rather than for all to see – but at least they aren’t the literally spelled-out “left” and “right” markings as per the original MSR7.
The overall build is of good quality: the aluminium and magnesium housing feels solid, avoiding the plastics the company is often guilty of using en masse in its lower-spec models, while the ear cup padding is ample for a comfortable fit.
Fit is an important factor. With the ATH-MSR7NC you’ll want to make sure they’re accurately positioned for the optimum listen, given their scale, but we’ve not found them to slip around to excess during long periods of listen. And given how many times we’ve worn them for hours at a time, we’ve always felt comfortable and fresh after – the fit doesn’t pinch to excess, while the audio isn’t fatiguing.
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In the box there’s also a soft carry case, plus two 1.2m cables (one adds mic control for phones) and even an airplane adaptor, should you need it. There’s not the 3m cable of the original MSR7, though, which is a shame for home listeners wanting to wire-up to a system from a distance.
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC review: Hi-res audio
Whether you’re listening to regular MP3s from your smartphone, vinyl via an amp, or hi-res audio from a dedicated player, the Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC over-ears will cater for all – just like the originals did; the sound between the two models is indistinguishable in passive playback (we’ve got both pairs side-by-side).
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With 45mm drivers behind each earcup, said to deliver a frequency response from 5-40,000Hz, there’s the scope for brain-wobbling bass through to the high-end titters that extend beyond the range of human hearing – but within the necessary range to deliver hi-resolution audio, should you have such file formats available (or the likes of Tidal streaming).
As we said of the originals, despite this wide frequency range the MSR7NC over-ears don’t overdo things: they’re all about a neutral, balanced listen. You won’t get insane bass-in-yer-face excess, but rather a taut, balanced experience.
We can’t think of much we’ve not put to task through the MSR7NC. From the hammering heavy metal of Gojira, to the latest Hospital records albums, plus a little rewind back to Jamie XX’s original album – the MSR7 deliver enough grunt in all the right areas, including ample spatial sense from those large earcups.
Going on the more mellow, sedate front (well, ish), we’ve also pushed high-res Bjork through the cans to pick up the nuance of vocal harmonies and string-led pieces. Post-classic, if you will.
So whether you like classic, rock, pop, underground or anything else in-between (or even all genres), then these Audio-Technica headphones are prime candidates for all. It’s not often you’ll find headphones that can cope successfully across such a range.
Pocket-lint
Just as before, however, there’s a slight mid-high-end “push” that seemingly enhances sibilance; s-es and t-s can catch, while those over-compressed pianos might crackle a touch (in part that’s down to the mastering process). But that’s about as much as we can try to moan about – and it’s not really a heightened issue here beyond the competition.
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC review: Noise-cancelling
Now it goes without saying that the reason to buy the NC version of the MSR7 is for their noise-cancelling. Which, frankly, isn’t the most dramatic that we’ve ever heard – when we first received the headphones we weren’t sure that it made much difference, which is why extensive real-world testing has been so important, such as on plane journeys.
Pocket-lint
Overall it’ll depend on what you want from noise-cancellation. On the one hand there are headphones like the Sony MDR-100ABN which make your ears feel like they’ve been sucked into a air-tight vacuum, with impressive removal of external sound, but which decimate the balance and, frankly, are awful in their passive format. Other go-to travelling cans like the Bose QuietComfort QC35 are also great to drown out the outside world almost entirely.
By comparison the Audio-Technica MSR7NC sound captivating in their passive form, as we’ve highlighted above. With noise-cancelling activated surrounding “hisses” will be cut-out or partially subdued – the typical hum from trains, hiss from planes or (that lesser known nuisance) rush of air from cooker extraction fans. So it’s less dramatic than some, but makes for a more comfortable listen.
There’s another point to give the MSR7NC’s noise-cancelling some extra love: the microphone arrangement seemingly avoids that “tearing” sound you’ll get from blustering wind, which is typical of most, if not all, competitors we’ve come to test. That, for on-the-street use, is an added bonus.
Pocket-lint
Oh, and the on-board battery life lasts for up to 30-hours per charge via the microUSB connector. It’s as straightforward to operate as you could want too: a switch on the left earcup indicates charging (purple light) and active (blue light).
Verdict
Having used the Audio-Technica MSR7NC headphones for dozens of hours, if not hundreds, we continue to be drawn back to them as our go-to over-ear headphones. The reason is simple: they’re comfortable and they sound great – whatever we’ve thrown at them.
Now the NC part of the equation is what some will love, while others will see as a slip-up. On the one hand the subtle ability of the noise-cancelling is great for travelling, its no-nonsense operation and long-lasting on-board battery all being positives. On the other hand, if you prefer more dramatic noise-cancelling that extensively drowns out external sound then these probably aren’t he over-ears for you.
So they’re certainly excellent, but without a Bluetooth wireless feature or colour accent options for that extra level of visual interest, they (along with their higher price point) might make you think about purchasing the original MSR7 instead.
For us, though, the NC’s balance of noise-cancelling subtlety paired with big audio ability makes them ideal for the discerning listener. There’s a definite level of subjective opinion as to how these over-ear cans score, but for us they’re full-marks just as the originals were. One not to be overlooked.
Try Prisma’s machine-learned art filters on Android
The latest heavily-filtered trend in your Instagram feed, Prisma, is now headed to Android on beta. The Russian-made app uses machine learning to severely tweak your images to something that almost approximates art — and it’s addictive, smart and sometimes annoying if you like photos that look like, well, photos. Since launching on iOS a month ago, the app rocketed to the top of the charts in multiple countries, although another certain app has proved even more popular. The beta is available here, but the company says this is just the start: it’s also promised video filters and (zeitgeisty) 360-degree panoramas too.
According to TechCrunch, the company is working on making the most of its popularity, seeking out investors and there are even rumors of acquisitions — which would make sense with the likes of Facebook or SnapChat. Prisma offers a clever way of reinterpreting your photos, something that’s ideal for sharing on social networks. Founder Alexey Moiseenkov visited Facebook this week, and even showed off some Prisma-filtered video working within Facebook Live:
(Oh, and by the way, you can turn off that pesky Prisma watermark in the settings. The more you know.)
Sky+ gains a Top Picks section and more binge-watching features
As the viewing habits of its customers change, Sky has overhauled its programme guide and planner to better serve shows that people want to watch. The company’s new box, Sky Q, built on that by introducing Top Picks, a human-curated catalogue of programmes and movies that are too hot to miss. Now it’s rolling out to more customers as part of a new Sky+ update that makes it even easier to go on a binge-watching spree.
The rollout will see Top Picks placed at the bottom of the Sky+ homepage and will serve content from premium channels like Sky Atlantic and Sky Movies. But that’s not all. Sky customers can also enjoy the new “Download Next” feature, which automatically downloads and queues up the next episode of a series viewed via Catch Up, Sky Box Sets, Top Picks, Kids or Sports. Sky says the feature will be enabled by default but can be switched off via the Sky+ Customise menu.
Continuing on the binge-viewing theme, Sky will enable its “Continue Watching” feature that lets customers pick up from where the left, much in the same way as dedicated streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Video. Sky hopes that with its wide array of Box Sets and other exclusive content, you won’t want to binge on content offered by its rivals. The new features roll out from today and are expected to be available in millions of Sky+HD homes by the end of August.
Smart sutures can monitor wounds as they heal
Someday, the thread holding your skin and tissues together after a surgical suture could beam info about your wound straight to your doctor. A team of Tufts University engineers have created smart threads made out of various materials, from cotton to synthetics, by dipping them into physical and chemical sensing compounds. They can sense pressure, stress, strain, temperature, pH and glucose levels, among other diagnostic data. The smart suture on your body can send those info wirelessly to medical professionals’ phones or computers, so they can monitor how you’re healing and see if the wound is infected.
Unlike rigid implantable devices, engineers can use these threads to make smart devices with complex shapes that can, for instance, follow the contours of a specific organ. They can also be used to make smart bandages or to make clothes with built-in health monitors and other high-tech capabilities. The team still needs to do more tests for long-term biocompatibility before hospitals start stocking up on their high-tech threads. For now, you can read more about the current state of their creation on Microsystems & Nanoengineering.
Via: PopSci
Source: Tufts University
Popular Writing App ‘Scrivener’ Now Available for iOS
Popular writing environment Scrivener made its long-awaited debut on iOS this morning.
For those unfamiliar with the Mac application, Scrivener is a scalable long-form writing platform and author project management system featuring multiple editing and organization tools.
Note cards, character sketches, place descriptions, and research notes are just some of the options available to writers, with import options for media, web pages, PDFs, and more also forming part of the package.
As a standalone writing environment, the new Scrivener iOS app functions in much the same way, offering rich text editing with support for comments, footnotes, keywords, and so on.
Many of the features from the desktop version have also made the port, such as the Binder, Outliner, Corkboard, and Inspector, although certain features that require more screen space — the Corkboard, for instance — are iPad-only.
The app syncs with Scrivener for macOS (Scrivener v2.8) and Scrivener for Windows using Dropbox, or users can copy projects between devices via iTunes. As mentioned however, the iOS app also works as a standalone tool, featuring multiple manuscript compilation and print formats as well as project export options, such as ebook, ePub, and PDF.
Scrivener 2.8 for Mac is a free update for all registered users of Scrivener 2, and along with iOS support, it also includes a number of bug fixes and minor tweaks.
Scrivener for iOS was first announced back in 2011, with an early launch goal originally estimated to be “some time in 2012.” When that date slipped, lead developer Keith Blount kept fans updated on the troubled development of the app, with the iOS team running into coding issues and other setbacks over the years.
Scrivener for iOS costs $19.99 and is compatible with any device running iOS 9.0 or later. [Direct Link]
Tag: Scrivener
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Here are all the deals from Xiaomi’s anniversary sale in India
Xiaomi is celebrating its two-year anniversary in the Indian market by offering a series of offers and flash sales starting July 20. The three-day sale will see the Mi 5 being offered for ₹22,999, down from ₹24,999, as well as daily flash sales through which you can get your hands on phones and accessories for as low as ₹1.
Here’s what’s available starting July 20:
- Mi 5: ₹2,000 discount to ₹22,999, valid for three days (July 20-22)
- Mi 4: ₹4,000 discount to ₹10,999, available on Flipkart and Mi.com
- Mi 4i – ₹11,999 on Flipkart
- Mi Bluetooth Speaker for ₹1,999, a discount of ₹500.
- ₹1 flash sale:
- July 20th: 10 Mi 5 and 100 20000mAh Mi Power Banks
- July 21st: 10 Redmi Note 3 and 100 Mi Band 1A
- July 22nd: 10 Mi Max and 100 Mi Bluetooth Speaker
Xiaomi is launching the 10,000mAh Mi Power Bank, Mi Capsule Earphones, and Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro in gold during the three-day event. The vendor is also offering a series of app-based promotions that include:
- Buy Mi 5 Gold and get a pair of Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro Gold for free
- Get Mi LED Light Enhanced or Mi USB Fan for free with the purchase of 20000mAh Mi Power Bank
- Get Mi USB Cable and Mi USB Fan free absolutely free with the purchase of Mi 4i
- Buy Redmi Note 3 with a phone case and get Rs. 100 off the bundle
- Buy Mi Max with a phone case and get Rs. 50 off the bundle
The flash sales kick off at 2 p.m. IST, and given the nature of the products on offer, it’s advised you log in to your Mi account ahead of time. Are you guys looking to pick anything up during the sale?
See at Xiaomi
