Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘Software’

23
Oct

Android Marshmallow requires devices to show all battery stats


On top of the big changes coming with Android Marshmallow, Google is also forcing Android device makers to be more transparent about battery usage on all of their devices. Specifically, Google notes that devices “MUST be able to track hardware component power usage,” as well as attribute usage to individual apps, according to the Marshmallow Compatibility Definition Document. Up until now, some Android manufacturers have been able to obfuscate certain battery details, allowing them to potentially hide components or apps that could be draining battery life. The change will hopefully lead to more power efficient Android phones and tablets down the line. If anything, it’s surprising it’s taken this long for Google to clamp down on Android battery stats.

Via: Android Police

Source: Google

23
Oct

Android Marshmallow supports fingerprint authentication for Play Store purchases



http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();

Google obviously has a grand plan for fingerprint authentication on Android, and part of that plan has started to become obvious. Discovered now that the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are now available, it appears that Android Marshmallow supports fingerprint authentication for Play Store purchases. Should you decide to purchase something that would normally require you enter your password, the purchase dialog now gives you the option to authorize the purchase with your fingerprint signature. Obviously your phone has to have a fingerprint sensor in the first place, so most of us will be out of luck, but this will no doubt be a convenient feature for lots of Android users going forward.

Android Marshmallow supports fingerprint authentication for Play Store purchasesAll you need to do to enable this feature if you do have a Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P right now is enter your Settings menu and navigate the User Controls. In this menu, you’ll find the option to enable “Fingerprint authentication”, which is disabled by default, because reasons. After that, you’ll be able to use your finger to pay for anything from the Play Store, but a word of advice – you might want to check that your child’s fingerprint isn’t also recognized as your own.


What do you think about Android Marshmallow supporting fingerprint authentication in the Play Store? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Android Police

The post Android Marshmallow supports fingerprint authentication for Play Store purchases appeared first on AndroidSPIN.

23
Oct

Google’s redesigned Play store starts rolling out


After being teased last week by Google engineer Kirill Grouchnikov, the redesigned Play store has apparently started showing up on some Android devices. Android Central says the new mobile shop for apps, books, music, movies and more, which features a simplified tab-based interface, hit one of its smartphones last night. We checked ours to no avail, so you shouldn’t freak out if it’s not on yours either. Now that it’s out there for certain people, it won’t be too long before everyone can begin using it. Patience is a virtue.

Source: Android Central

23
Oct

Chrome for iPad now supports iOS 9’s multitasking features


With iOS 9, Apple introduced a handful of new multitasking features for the iPad, like the ability to run two apps side by side. Now Google’s Chrome browser is ready to take advantage of these, thanks to an refreshed version of its universal iOS application. Aside from being able to use the Split View mode mentioned earlier, Chrome on iPad also supports Slide Over, as shown above; and Picture-in-Picture, which lets you browse websites and watch a pop-up video simultaneously. That said, Split View only works on iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4 and the soon-to-be-released iPad Pro, but the other tidbits are compatible with any tablet running Apple’s latest mobile OS.

Via: 9to5Mac

Source: App Store

22
Oct

The problem with ‘pumpkin spice’ security bugs


Pumpkin Spice Sign, Whole Foods, Pics by Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube #Pumpkin #Spice

Bad Password is a hacking and security column by Violet Blue. Every week she’ll be exploring the trendy new cyberhysteria, the state of the infosec community and the ever-eroding thing that used to be called “privacy.” Bad Password cuts through the greed, fear mongering and jargon with expertise, a friendly voice and a little levelheaded perspective.

When asked, “Why give a vulnerability a website, logo and brand image?” many infosec professionals will confidently answer that flamboyant bugs raise awareness toward fixes. Fixing and patching, we’re led to believe, is almost as fun as a trip to the dentist. Which is true. Heartbleed, Shellshock, Stagefright, Sandworm, Rootpipe, Winshock and the truly terror-inducing nom-de-sploit POODLE are not, in fact, a list of situational phobias. These were named with intent to become PR markers — although looking at the way some of these vulns (vulnerabilities) got their names and brands, it seems like the focus was more on the credit for naming them, rather than the actual usefulness of trying to “pumpkin spice” a bug.

22
Oct

ICYMI: Pocket 3D scanner, light show record and more


ICYMI: Pocket 3D Scanner, Light Show Record and More

Today on In Case You Missed It: Russia set a world record for the largest projected light show that took 140 Panasonic projectors to display. A Kickstarter project for Ulo the security camera is truly one of the most adorable pieces of tech we’ve seen for quite some time. And the EORA 3D scanner attaches to a smartphone and can upload scans to 3D compatible printing services right from the app.

We also wanted you to take a look at this robot that was designed to dance along to J-pop music.

And unless you were hunkered down with Joe Biden, you definitely already saw that it was Back to the Future day yesterday: The day Marty traveled to in the future, inside a DeLorean. We couldn’t resist weaving in random clips because it gave us a reason to watch BTTF clips all day so for that, we have no regrets.

If you come across any interesting videos, we’d love to see them. Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag @engadget or @mskerryd.

22
Oct

Facebook site helps start your programming career


Education Initiative

Facebook knows that it can’t hire a more diverse workforce unless there’s a broader interest in computer science, and it just launched a website to help that happen. TechPrep provides resources to learners (and parents) who are curious about programming, but might not know where to start. It suggests services and gadgets based on your age, skill, and what you’re looking for. If you’re a teen just starting out, you’ll be pointed toward a simple programming language like Scratch. Come to the site as an adult with a bit of experience, meanwhile, and you may see a link to Arduino boards instead. It’s a small effort, but it could mean a lot if it starts you on a coding career that you wouldn’t have considered otherwise.

[Image credit: AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki]

Source: TechPrep, Facebook Newsroom

22
Oct

Plex’s redesigned desktop media player comes with 4K support


Just as it did in 2012, Plex is once again bringing a new look to its desktop app for PCs. Back then the service focused on offering more of a living room-friendly experience, hence the application being renamed to Home Theater. Now, Plex Media Player intends to keep that going, but with an improved user interface that matches its various TV apps that will “leave all that original code behind.” To help, it’s switched the media playback engine to mpv, and hired the primary contributor from that open source project as a full timer to help out. Aside from the redesigned and speedier UI, which brings it in line with Plex’s smart TV, console and set-top apps, there’s support for a “true” 4K interface, multi-channel music tracks and improved compatibility with H.265 video files, among other things. PlexPass subscribers can try out an early preview of the app now, before it releases for everyone later on. According to Plex, Home Theater will continue to be available and open source, though the firm doesn’t have any plans to continue developing for it.

Via: PC World

Source: Plex

22
Oct

WikiLeaks publishes CIA chief’s pilfered email attachments


There’s a reason your job wants you to use just your work email for employment-related items. It keeps your personal and career lives separate and lets your IT department lock down job-related correspondences. I’m sure the CIA has the same rules because, you know, national security. But that didn’t stop director John Brennan from using an Aol email account to conduct agency business. Because Brennan is such a high profile target, this should have been expected. The government has already had trouble with leaks of employee information including info on intelligence and military personnel. Now WikiLeaks has begun publishing attachments from the breach. Today it posted six documents and intends to add more to the list in the coming days.

The leaked documents include Brennan’s application for a “National Security Position”, two letters concerning torture and what should be deemed legal, and a paper on what the president should do about the conundrum of Iran. There’s also a paper on how US intelligence agencies should work together in the post 9/11 world and a fax concerning a tiff between the CIA and TAC (The Analysis Corporation).

The high school student that claims to have hacked Brennan’s accounts via social engineering of Verizon and Aol stated that he has roughly 40 documents from the breach. So expect more documents in the coming days.

What’s already been leaked is intriguing and helps frame how the head of the CIA works with other agencies, the senate and the president. Of course, Brennan and the government would rather none of this had been made public. Which is a good reminder why you should keep your personal and your work emails separate. Especially if you happen to run an intelligence agency.

[Image Credit: AFP/Getty Images]

Source: Wikileaks

22
Oct

WikiLeaks publishes CIA chief’s pilfered email attachments


There’s a reason your job wants you to use just your work email for employment-related items. It keeps your personal and career lives separate and lets your IT department lock down job-related correspondences. I’m sure the CIA has the same rules because, you know, national security. But that didn’t stop director John Brennan from using an Aol email account to conduct agency business. Because Brennan is such a high profile target, this should have been expected. The government has already had trouble with leaks of employee information including info on intelligence and military personnel. Now WikiLeaks has begun publishing attachments from the breach. Today it posted six documents and intends to add more to the list in the coming days.

The leaked documents include Brennan’s application for a “National Security Position”, two letters concerning torture and what should be deemed legal, and a paper on what the president should do about the conundrum of Iran. There’s also a paper on how US intelligence agencies should work together in the post 9/11 world and a fax concerning a tiff between the CIA and TAC (The Analysis Corporation).

The high school student that claims to have hacked Brennan’s accounts via social engineering of Verizon and Aol stated that he has roughly 40 documents from the breach. So expect more documents in the coming days.

What’s already been leaked is intriguing and helps frame how the head of the CIA works with other agencies, the senate and the president. Of course, Brennan and the government would rather none of this had been made public. Which is a good reminder why you should keep your personal and your work emails separate. Especially if you happen to run an intelligence agency.

[Image Credit: AFP/Getty Images]

Source: Wikileaks

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »