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Showing posts from March 28, 2018

Boeing production plant hit with WannaCry ransomware attack

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A Boeing production plant in Charleston, South Carolina was hit by the WannaCry ransomwear cyberattack on Wednesday, according to a report from the Seattle Times . Mike VanderWel, the chief engineer at Boeing Commercial Airplane production engineering, sent out a company-wide memo calling for “all hands on deck.” “It is metastasizing rapidly out of North Charleston and I just heard 777 (automated spar assembly tools) may have gone down,” reads VanderWel’s memo, according to the Seattle Times . The company worries the virus may hit equipment used in functional airplane tests, which could lead to it spreading to airplane software. WannaCry, which the Trump administration blames on the cyberterrorism unit of North Korea as of December 2017, a... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2GSjq55"

Xaomi’s Mi Gaming Laptop comes with Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics and costs $1,430

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Xiamo’s arrival to the PC gaming space is here , with the Chinese consumer electronic giant’s introduction of the appropriately named Mi Gaming Laptop, per Engadget . The device, which remains exclusive to the Chinese market for now, was introduced at the company’s Mi Mix 2S event alongside the Mi Mix 2S smartphone . As far as specs go, the device packs a 15.6-inch screen and Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics, with a 7th-generation Intel Core 7 processor. It comes with 16GB of RAM, a 256GB solid-state drive, and 1TB of hard disk storage. The whole package costs around RMB 8,999, or about $1,430. You can also get a cheaper, less powerful version of the Mi Gaming Laptop that comes with a Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2pNkq2Z"

Why a galaxy with no dark matter could make it hard to prove there’s no dark matter

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Space What’s the matter with dark matter? Astronomer Pieter van Dokkum and colleagues wanted to know more about how these huge, star sparse structures worked, but detailed observations of this galaxy recently… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2J0Cfn8"

Team Fortress 2 Update Released

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An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include: Matchmaking Changes Competitive Revamp The matchmaking system used for Competitive Mode has been overhauled. Players will now be ranked using a model based on the Glicko rating system used in CS:GO. The old 18 Competitive ranks have been consolidated into 13 new ranks. You can view the new ranks on the updated Competitive FAQ page (https://ift.tt/29inlu9) Competitive ranks have been reset and players must win 10 matches to earn a new Competitive rank Note: The previous system started everyone at Rank 1, and required - in most cases - considerable time for players to reach a rank that properly reflected their performance. The new system - by way of placement matches - considerably shortens the time required to reach an appropriate rank The requirements to access Competitive Mode have changed: If you do not own a Competitive M

A Palm smartphone reboot is reportedly coming to Verizon later this year

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Verizon may launch a new Palm device in the second half of this year, an anonymous source told Android Police . The rumor backs up what a TCL executive said last August, when he confirmed to Dutch publication Android Planet that the company would launch a Palm phone this year . TCL did not respond to comments when we reached out at the time, despite previous reports that the company had no plans for the Palm . There are little details beyond a supposed release date for this new device. According to Android Police’s report, the phone is expected to run on Android OS, and TCL has reportedly returned to Palm’s longtime partner, Verizon, for the impending release. The carrier sold most of the brand’s phones, including the Palm Pre 2. The... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2J2ffnH"

The complete guide to spring cleaning your computer

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DIY Blow away those digital cobwebs Your computer could use a spring clean just as much as your house. Here's how to tidy up the clutter and keep your machine running smoothly for the year ahead. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2pOlZwI"

Facebook temporarily blocks new apps from joining its platform

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Facebook paused its app review process last week to “implement new changes,” the company quietly announced yesterday. Facebook’s move to momentarily prevent new apps and chatbots onto its platform comes after the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal that’s unfolded over the last two weeks. The ongoing situation has embroiled the company in an existential crisis of unprecedented magnitude after up to 50 million Facebook users profiles’ were compromised by a third-party app. Last week, Facebook said it will further limit developers’ access to user data . Now, Facebook appears to be reevaluating how it approves apps due to how easily the third-party survey app, called “thisisyourdigitallife,” was able to mine data and sell it with... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2Ic3Hxa"

The big bang got its name from a man who thought the theory was total nonsense

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Space The phrase originated 69 years ago today. The big bang is one of those theories that even the most casual student of science finds familiar and, at least at face value, fairly easy to understand. So it might… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2GkoDkO"

Annual BBC report says the service is struggling to keep up with Netflix and Amazon

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In 2016, the British government released a new charter for the BBC , which established new fee rates, governance, and a new focus on its programming content. Today, the broadcaster released its second annual report , outlining its “creative plan” for the year, its budget, and how it’s working to compete against companies such as Amazon and Netflix. BBC chairman Sir David Clementi is frank in his assessment of the media landscape, saying “the media industry has continued to change at a remarkable pace. Global media giants are being bought and sold in a race for scale.” He notes that alongside these changes, viewing habits across multiple demographics are continuing to change, and he lays out a case for where the BBC fits into this larger... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2pRUfYm"

The Halide camera app for iPhone X shows we don’t have to fear the notch

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The Android fan community is having something of an emotional meltdown right now as it witnesses new phone after new phone embracing the notched screen design. Popularized by the iPhone X and Essential Phone last year, the notch at the top of the screen has been widely ridiculed as a dire offense against the principles of good design and x-axis symmetry. In short, people don’t like it. But there’s a certain inevitability to this notch-heavy future of ours, and I want to bring a cautious note of optimism to the conversation. Life with the notch isn’t so bad, and app developers can make it a hell of a lot better. My stance on the notch has been softening since I started using the iPhone X at the beginning of this year, and one of the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2GmC7wM"

Big box stores are dying. What do we do with all the bodies?

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Technology How to remove, reuse, or recycle these fallen retail giants. The big box store’s meteoric rise is matched only by its rapid decline. Architects, urban planners, and activists are now searching for ways to repurpose these retail… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2pKAHFU"

Pandora launches automatically generated personalized playlists

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Pandora has announced it is testing personalized playlists with select Pandora Premium users that are automatically generated based on a person’s individual listening habits, as reported by TechCrunch . The playlists will appear over time and auto-populate in up to 60 different categories, like “Your Party Soundtrack” or “Your Chill Soundtrack.” Pandora is leveraging its Music Genome Project to power these playlists. The Music Genome Project uses over 450 attributes, or “genes” that describe various elements of a song, like the type of background vocals or the gender of the lead vocalist, in order to classify songs. Pandora is then taking this raw data and using it in combination with a series of over 75 machine learning algorithms, c... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2pOlHGp"

Google Home can now play music through your other Bluetooth speakers

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Google’s Home, Home Mini, and Home Max speakers can now play music and other audio on the other Bluetooth speakers you might have around the house. This is particularly useful for people who own the Home Mini. The company’s affordable, compact speaker is perfect for querying Google Assistant, but lacks oomph and depth when it comes to playing music. Amazon already offers this option for its Alexa speakers. “We brought this feature to life after hearing how much you wanted to amp up the sound with your Google Home Mini,” the company said in a blog announcement . “Now any of your Google Home devices can connect to other Bluetooth speakers so you can control your entertainment experience simply using the sound of your voice.” You can also... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2IXeHQd"

Barnes and Noble’s new app makes finding your next read less overwhelming

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For publishers and authors, book discovery is a continual challenge. Sites like Amazon, Goodreads, and Smashwords contain hundreds of millions of books, which makes the task of connecting a reader to the right read difficult amid the clutter. This week, Barnes and Noble released a new app called Browsery that seeks to solve that problem by creating a community that offers recommendations to one another. It’s not a new concept; for example, Goodreads lets you track your progress in your current read, while also showing what your friends are reading and recommending. There’s also Litsy (which was recently acquired by another cataloging site LibraryThing ), that lets readers share images of what they’re reading along with short reviews.... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2GeRriI"

25 ways to organize all your stuff

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Gadgets The sweet satisfaction of having everything in its place. For those of us yearning for the sweet satisfaction of having everything in its place. Read on. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2GyvkDh"

Pre-Purchase Now - LEGO® The Incredibles

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LEGO® The Incredibles is Now Available for Pre-Purchase on Steam! Pre-purchase now and get early access to the Parr Family Vacation Character Pack! Experience the thrilling adventures of the Parr family as they conquer crime and family life through both Disney-Pixar films The Incredibles and The Incredibles 2, in a LEGO® world full of fun and humor. via Steam RSS News Feed "https://ift.tt/2GktHG0"

More Alexa-enabled lamps are coming

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I’m sure you’ve always wanted a lamp with Amazon’s Alexa assistant built in, and Amazon wants to make sure companies can sell you one. Today, the Alexa maker announced the first reference design for a smart lamp that includes a microphone, speaker, and support for Alexa. Amazon approves and tests third-party white-box solutions, so hardware sellers know the design is reliable. This particular lamp design comes from an ODM called Adition. It features two microphones, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and support for multiple music services. It also illuminates in a warm light with the ability to dim. Companies will be able to take this design, tweak it, and quickly bring an Alexa-enabled lamp of their own to market. Not many... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2E14i2f"

Daily Deal - Furi, 50% Off

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Today's Deal: Save 50% on Furi !* Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are! *Offer ends Friday at 10AM Pacific Time via Steam RSS News Feed "https://ift.tt/2GiwsvK"

Apple CEO Tim Cook pounds the privacy drum in wake of Facebook scandal

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Apple chief executive Tim Cook spoke out on privacy during an MSNBC interview hosted by Chris Hayes and Recode ’s Kara Swisher earlier today, saying that services that “[traffic] in your personal lives” are invading peoples’ privacy and emphasizing that Apple sees privacy as a “human right” and a “civil liberty.” He also said that he finds it “creepy” when “all of a sudden something is chasing me around the web,” referring to sophisticated ad targeting. Cook’s remarks come just as Facebook’s own chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, is reportedly expected to testify before Congress around the Cambridge Analytica data-sharing scandal. Facebook has been caught in a medial maelstrom over its lax approach to data sharing; specifically over the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2IcvnSH"

The deadliest animals in America, ranked

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Animals The most terrifying critters might be right in your backyard. There are plenty of ways to get killed by an animal in America—and plenty of scary species to choose from. But the most dangerous critters might not be the ones you’re… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2I7Ns47"

Snapchat is reportedly working on third-party access controls

Logitech’s new headset shows it’s serious about capturing the pro gaming market

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Logitech G announced a new wired gaming headset today: the Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset . It’s being marketed as a comfortable headset with a quality microphone and sound-isolating ear pads. Logitech says its leatherette ear pads should offer 50 percent more sound isolation than prior headsets. The removable microphone features a pop filter and noise cancellation, so users can communicate more clearly. It’s tough to evaluate a headset without using it, but Logitech bolsters its announcement with the news that it’s now the official headset of Electronic Sports League CS:GO Pro League, ESL One, and ESL Premiership. Logitech competes with multiple gaming accessory companies, like SteelSeries and HyperX, both of which sell quality gaming... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2pIJ7ha"

Tim Cook on building Apple’s next campus: ‘We’re not doing a beauty contest kind of thing’

Google’s LinkedIn competitor adds a tool for recruiters to reach out to past applicants with new jobs

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Google is building out its LinkedIn competitor Hire with a new feature designed to save hiring managers time when a new job becomes available. The new tool, called candidate discovery, lets recruiters sort through the applicant pool according to whether a candidate had been marked as a prospective, previously interviewed for a job, or received an offer from the company before. The goal, Google says, is to help recruiters easily re-engage with previous candidates who may be a fit for the company, but perhaps not for the exact job they had inquired about or applied to before. The tool will also let managers sort candidates by location, like “programming in Boston,” to narrow down prospective employees based on their skills and location,... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2Gm9Tlq"

The person behind the Like button says software is wasting our time

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Last year, when a series of former Facebook executives came forward to reveal misgivings about the world that social media had created, few names resonated more loudly than Justin Rosenstein’s. Rosenstein, who helped to develop the Like button at Facebook and previously worked on Gmail chat at Google, told The Guardian that he had taken several steps to eliminate social media distractions in his life, including limiting his time on Facebook and “banning himself from Snapchat.” “It is very common,” Rosenstein told the newspaper in October, “for humans to develop things with the best of intentions and for them to have unintended, negative consequences.” Half a year later, Rosenstein says he’s bringing his ideas about digital distractions... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2E2ORGC"

How Europe’s new privacy rule is reshaping the internet

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If you’ve been looking for it, you may have seen a lot of privacy policies change in the past few months. From Google to Slack, companies are quietly updating terms, rewriting contracts, and rolling out new personal data tools in preparation for a massive shift in the legal landscape. So far, it’s mostly been a problem for legal departments, but as policy changes and contract fights go public, it’s started affecting the average web user, too. The rule is called the General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR), and it’s poised to reshape some of the messiest parts of the internet. Here’s what you need to know about it. What is the GDPR? The General Data Protection Regulation is a rule passed by the European Union in 2016, setting new... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2uxhooy"

Apple is creating a center in Chicago where teachers can train to code

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Following Apple’s education-based event at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago, the company has announced it is working with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Northwestern University to create a hub for training teachers on its Everyone Can Code curriculum. The hub, called the Center For Excellence, will be located at Lane Tech. This collaboration is an extension of Apple’s existing Everyone Can Code program with the city of Chicago , announced last fall. The initiative promised to bring coding opportunities to Chicago’s 500,000 students by helping them learn Apple’s programming language, Swift, through a curriculum distributed to students at CPS and City Colleges of Chicago. Apple will work with Northwestern University to... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2E0SvB1"

There are still undiscovered species of clouds—and you can find them yourself

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Science Head in the clouds? Then it's time to make yourself a useful citizen scientist. Clouds form in a multitude of different shapes and sizes, their infinite combinations and position across the sky offering a visual drama in response to the light… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2GhaIQE"

Apple, everyone needs more free iCloud storage

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During yesterday’s education-focused event that saw the introduction of a new iPad, Apple executive Greg Joswiak revealed that the company is upgrading the amount of free iCloud storage given to students. Previously, managed student accounts had the same 5GB as regular consumers, but now, Apple is raising that limit to a much more spacious 200GB. This applies to students who have Apple IDs provided and administered by their school. That’s a great thing! Apple displayed a focused, determined approach to providing educators with powerful new hardware and improved classroom software. 200GB is an enormous amount of runway for collaboration and creation among students. But why shouldn’t people shelling out hundreds more for an iPhone have a... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2GBOisM"

A beginner's guide to flying your drone without crashing it

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DIY Safely take to the skies. So you've just purchased a shiny new drone. Follow these tips to fly your expensive device without endangering other people—or risking damaging your drone. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2J0vz8s"

Facebook responds to privacy crisis by making privacy tools easier to find

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Facebook adjusted its privacy settings page today, following the ongoing Cambridge Analytica data scandal. Most obviously, the privacy settings page now features shortcuts with images to make it easier to navigate, particularly on mobile. Users can enable two-factor authentication, control what they share or have shared, manage who can see their posts, and learn more about their ad preferences. The company’s also launching a new page called “Access Your Information,” on which users can further evaluate the information they’ve shared and manage it. From there, they can delete anything from their timeline or profile that they don’t want on Facebook. None of these features are new; they just make data management easier to parse and more... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2pJo8tE"

Apple leans on multimedia to convince schools that iPads are better than Chromebooks

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Apple has a Google problem — in education, that is. Google has won over a large portion of the education market in the US, something that can be credited to both the cheapness of web-based Chromebooks and the accessibility of Google’s apps. Apple knows this, so yesterday, it hosted a “field trip” — that’s actually what it was called — for press, teachers, and student journalists at a magnet high school in Chicago. The event may as well have been called “Sorry, you can’t make a cool video with a Chromebook.” That’s the point Apple seemed to want to underscore as it presented another iPad and a new and improved suite of apps for teachers and students. The new, $329 9.7-inch iPad ($299 for students) supports Apple’s fancy Pencil, as well... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "https://ift.tt/2GjLIV1"