Monthly Archives: August 2015

OwnStar car hacker can remotely unlock BMWs, Benz and Chrysler

OwnStar car hacker can remotely unlock BMWs, Benz and Chrysler

Cars, , , , , ,

Last month security researcher Samy Kamkar announced a vulnerability that allowed him to remotely unlock OnStar-enabled GM cars. While that issue has been fixed, it looks like the same vulnerability found in OnStar is also present in BMW Remote, Mercedes’ mbrace and Chrysler’s Uconnect. Kamkar told Engadget via email, “the issue itself is the same exact SSL certificate issue that affected OnStar/GM (which they’ve resolved two weeks ago). It was barely any tweaking of the original system — a few lines of code to add support per vehicle.” Uh oh.
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https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/13/ownstar-hack/

Dell's business Chromebook is good enough that consumers will like it too

Dell’s business Chromebook is good enough that consumers will like it too

Computers & IT, , , , , ,

Dell’s latest Chromebook, the Chromebook 13, was designed specifically for businesses. But with a high-res, high-quality screen and a durable design reminiscent of Dell’s other notebooks, it actually looks like the Chrome OS laptop we lay people have always wanted. In particular, it borrows the same carbon fiber weave you know and love from the XPS 13, and it’s built on a sturdy magnesium-alloy chassis.
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https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/13/dell-chromebook-13/

Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge+ is a super-sized sequel that plays it safe

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge+ is a super-sized sequel that plays it safe

Phones, , , , , ,

It’s been less than six months since Samsung pulled back the curtain on the eye-catchingGalaxy S6 Edge, and now it’s getting a very familiar-looking sibling. Say hello to the Galaxy S6 Edge+, a super-sized sequel that powers up the original formula with a larger screen, more RAM to help its multitasking prowess and… well, not a whole lot else. Oh, and before we go any further, you’ll be able to pick one up from all five major US carriers starting on August 21st .
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http://engadget.com/2015/08/13/samsung-galaxy-s6-edge-plus-hands-on-preview/

Samsung teases round Gear S2 smartwatch

Samsung teases round Gear S2 smartwatch

Wearables, , , , , , ,

Samsung has dropped a surprise at its Unpacked 2015 event by showing off a new Gear S2 smartwatch. The model appears to be a far cry from the original Gear S, however. Samsung has upped the style quotient considerably with a round watch face, metal body and new user interface. Given the naming convention (it lacks the “Galaxy” moniker that generally denotes Android), it likely runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS rather than Android Wear, like the original Gear S.
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https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/13/samsung-galaxy-gear-s2-smartwatch/

Meet the Galaxy Note 5: Samsung's most elegant phablet yetMeet the Galaxy Note 5: Samsung's most elegant phablet yet

Meet the Galaxy Note 5: Samsung’s most elegant phablet yet

Phones, , , , ,

In case the news hasn’t already been spoiled for you, Samsung just officially revealed two new phablets, and the updated Galaxy Note 5 is easily the more fascinating of the pair. It’s the sleekest, most powerful Note yet (obviously), but — more importantly — it’s also the most elegant. In fact, after spending a little time with the Note 5, it began to feel like the sort of device that might change a Note naysayer’s mind about the “giant screen-writing phone” formula entirely.
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https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/13/samsung-galaxy-note-5-hands-on-preview/

Fixing 'Stagefright' flaw on Android is harder than we thought

Fixing ‘Stagefright’ flaw on Android is harder than we thought

Wearables,

The Stagefright vulnerability for Android won’t seem to want to go away. According toExodus Intelligence researchers one of the patched issued by Google could still allow access to Android devices. The researchers told Engadget via email, “the summary is that the Stagefright vulnerability is still exploitable and the 4-line patch that was implemented is faulty. We have been able to trigger the fault that still affects over 950 million Android devices.” The issue with the patch was reported to Google which open sourced the patch for the patch this morning.
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https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/13/stagefright-patch/

New Mercedes-Benz C300 coupe emulates pricier S-class

New Mercedes-Benz C300 coupe emulates pricier S-class

Cars, ,

Mercedes-Benz’s latest S-class sets an impressive standard for high-tech comfort, but at around $100,000, sits above the general public’s purchasing power. The newly announced C-class coupe offers many of the high-tech features as its bigger brother, but should come in substantially cheaper.

The new C-class coupe, to be sold in the US as the C300 and C300 4Matic, is the coupe version of the current generation C-class sedan. That model fits into the midsize segment in the US. The coupe version makes use of a more raked roofline and two-door cabin access. It sits 0.6 inch lower than the sedan, emphasizing the sport-oriented nature of the car, and can be optioned with Mercedes-Benz’s exceptional air suspension, with sport and comfort settings.
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https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/new-mercedes-benz-c300-coupe-emulates-pricier-s-class/

New rumors fill in blanks for rumored LG and Huawei Nexus phones

New rumors fill in blanks for rumored LG and Huawei Nexus phones

Phones, , , , ,

The picture gets a little bit clearer for two rumored Nexus smartphones today as reliable Twitter source @onleaks shares new unconfirmed details.

We’re getting to that point of the year where we look for new handsets from Google and its partners. Often released in conjunction with the latest Android OS, Google’s Nexus phone line is typically refreshed in the fall. Sold directly to consumers, these models are unlocked and typically priced lower than top phones from other vendors.
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https://www.cnet.com/news/new-reports-fill-in-blanks-for-rumored-lg-and-huawei-nexus-phones/

Huawei may be ready to launch its watch

Huawei may be ready to launch its watch

Wearables, , , , ,

Huawei announced its intentions to release a smartwatch at Mobile World Congress in March. We may soon see this smartwatch made available to buy.

One of Huawei’s US sites has a picture of the Huawei Watch and says, “It’s right around the corner.”

The wearable has already passed FCC certification, which also points to a launch date in the near future.
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https://www.irishexaminer.com/

SONY XPERIA Z3

Sony Xperia Z3+ is waterproof

Phones, , , , , , , , ,

Smartphone companies are now in the habit of releasing flagship devices with incremental upgrades, and no one does it better than Sony.

From its original Xperia Z, which came out at the beginning of 2013, to Z1, Z2, Z3 and the just-released Z3+, each progressive release, which came roughly six months after the one before, has been only a small advancement over the previous model in terms of hardware.
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https://www.asiaone.com/

Microsoft's Surface Hub collaboration tool delayed until 2016

Microsoft’s Surface Hub collaborationa tool delayed until 2016

Wearables, , ,

People who pre-ordered the Surface Hub from Microsoft were notified Wednesday that their mega-display and conference room collaboration tool won’t arrive until 2016, at least four months after Microsoft originally planned.

Pre-orders for the Surface Hub, which is a massive touch-sensitive and camera-equipped display designed to help people work together in an office and across the Web, opened July 1. Following strong demand for the devices, Microsoft said two weeks later that it would be reworking its manufacturing processes to keep up with interest, and would have to delay the devices’ roll-out. Wednesday’s announcement means companies that planned to install the devices know when to expect their new hardware.
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https://www.pcworld.com/article/2970592/microsofts-surface-hub-collaboration-tool-delayed-until-2016.html

Apple Inc. Files Patent For Flexible Display Similar To Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

Apple Inc. Files Patent For Flexible Display Similar To Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has filed a patent that reveals that it is working on a device with flexible display, something that has been seen in the Edge versions of Samsung Group’s (OTCMKTS:SSNLF) Galaxy S6 and Note 4 series.

Business Insider spotted the patent first, which reveals OLED displays that respond to touch, and can potentially fit around edges of many Apple devices, such as iPhone and iPad. Since the edges provide extra screen space, Apple can put it to various interesting uses.
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https://www.bidnessetc.com/

New 65-plate: Volvo XC90 is a Swede dream compared to nightmare IKEA

New 65-plate: Volvo XC90 is a Swede dream compared to nightmare IKEA

Cars, ,

While visits to the furniture store are a dreaded chore, travelling in luxury and style is a joy in the Swedes’ 4×4.

“DARLING, we need to go to IKEA”. The most dreaded words any bloke can hear on a Saturday morning.

Then it’s find bit of furniture, write down the aisle and location number, get lost in the maze of a warehouse, then pick up all the various items flat-packed – and break your back putting it into the back of the car.
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/

Google hopes Chromebook will expand share of workplace market

Google hopes Chromebook will expand share of workplace market

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , ,

Google’s latest Chromebook laptop will be specially designed for corporate customers in an effort to get more workers off machines powered by Microsoft’s dominant Windows software.

The Chromebook unveiled Thursday will be made by Dell and will go on sale Sept. 17. Prices will range from $400 to $900, a step up from a line of bare-bones Chromebooks that have been selling for as low as $150 since Google teamed up with Hisense and Haier to make those devices.

The cheap Chromebooks have helped make the laptops popular in classrooms, but they haven’t made many inroads in offices.
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https://www.slashgear.com/

Civ: Beyond Earth Free This Weekend, Rising Tide Expansion on Sale

Civ: Beyond Earth Free This Weekend, Rising Tide Expansion on Sale

Wearables, ,

2K today announced that preorders for the first Civilization: Beyond Earth expansion, Rising Tide, are live. Alongside that, it’s kicked off a free Steam weekend event, allowing anyone to play Beyond Earth for free and then pick up the full version (and Rising Tide) at a discount.

The weekend event is now live; if you don’t already own it, you can head to Steam, download Beyond Earth, and play as much as you want for free until Sunday, August 16. This is the full version of the game, which–being a Civilization game–offers dozens, if not hundreds of hours of gameplay.
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https://www.gamespot.com/articles/civ-beyond-earth-free-this-weekend-rising-tide-exp/1100-6429734/

Lexus LX 570 facelifted for 2016

Lexus LX 570 facelifted for 2016

Cars, , , , , ,
Heavy-duty luxury SUV gains new eight-speed automatic and driver-assist safety technology

Lexus has released information and images for its updated LX 570 SUV, which is scheduled to make its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance this weekend.

The manufacturer has made “sweeping” changes to the look of the 200 Series LandCruiser-based SUV, with only the door panels carried over from the previous model year. A revised grille, new LED headlight clusters, fog lights, restyled 20-inch alloy wheels, revised tail lights and rear bumper are the major points of difference from the previous model.
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http://motoring.com.au/

What Happened to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox Live? New Updates and Information Available

What Happened to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox Live? New Updates and Information Available

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The transition from single player arcade games to online multiplayer was heavily sought out by fans as consoles got better and games got better. Tired of the split screen multiplayer or just single player games in general, video game fans were anxious for change. Thankfully their cries were heard in the form of the Xbox in 2002 with the service being refined in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s next console, the Xbox 360. In direct competition with the online multiplayer service demonstrated on the Xbox 360, the Playstation 3 was also released the same year demonstrating PSN or Playstation Network, Sony’s equivalent to Xbox Live. Then following both consoles, Nintendo incorporated online functionality in their Wii and Nintendo 3ds systems.
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https://gazettereview.com/

Samsung launches 2 big screen devices to rival iPhone

Samsung launches 2 big screen devices to rival iPhone

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Samsung has unveiled an even bigger version of its flagship curved screen smartphone together with a new “phablet,” as it bets on larger displays to lure users away from Apple’s iPhones.

The dual-curved screen S6 Edge Plus follows on from its predecessor the S6 Edge, which was unveiled earlier this year, but with a bigger 5.7 inch display. The South Korean electronics giant also launched a 5.7 inch phablet called the Galaxy Note 5.
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https://www.cnbctv18.com/smart-tech/samsung-launches-2-big-screen-devices-to-rival-iphone-19993.htm

Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Note 5 details revealed

Wearables, , , , , , , ,

Both have 5.7-inch screens

If you’re not content with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, we have some new details for Samsung’s next top-end phones, the Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus.

These are Samsung’s larger-screen alternatives to the current top-end crop. Both phones have 5.7-inch screens, of 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution just like the S6.
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https://www.t3.com/news/galaxy-s6-edge-plus-and-note-5

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus renders leak

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If the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge just aren’t cutting it for you, then fear not because Samsung has got two new high-end smartphones on the way that should fill the void, and some.

We’re talking about the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus; two of the most anticipated phablets of 2015. And going from these new snaps, we’re sure as hell excited.

Courtesy of the notorious @Evleaks – a.k.a tech tipster Evan Blass – we’ve got our best look yet at the duo as they strut their stuff in a high-definition press render. And we’re loving them.
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https://www.t3.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-5-and-s6-edge-plus-renders-leak

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5 coming with smaller batteries?

Phones, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
It looks like you’re going to be reaching for that charger more often than not, if a leak from serial tipster Evan Blass is to be believed.

The ever-brief tweeter ‘confirmed’ that the phones will come with a 3000mAh battery, which would be an odd move from Samsung given the Galaxy Note 4 arrived with a 3220mAh power pack last year.

While this is just arriving from a single tweet, Blass does have form in this area having leaked information on everything from Samsung to HTC to Windows Phones ahead of their launch for years. It’s fair to say the brands get sweaty every time he rolls together 140 characters.
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https://www.t3.com/

A flip iPhone is nowhere near as cool as it sounds

Phones, , , , ,
It’s never going to happen, but we can dream. Today we’ve seen an impressive concept of a flip iPhone from Apple, harking back to the days of the Motorola Razr V3.

Concept artist Martin Hajek has made the idea of a flip iPhone a reality in his new photo gallery.

The flip iPhone will mean the second screen reaches your ear and the lower half is right by your lips – it’ll feel like a real phone.
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https://www.t3.com/

Lenovo responds to Service Engine BIOS software debacle

Lenovo responds to Service Engine BIOS software debacle

Wearables, , , ,

Just when the Superfish fiasco has blown over, Lenovo is yet again being dragged into the hot seat for yet another potential security risk done for the sake of installing bloatware. The Lenovo Service Engine or LSE, which for sure will soon have a more degratory moniker, was discovered to be modifying particular Windows system files, which in turn downloads a special Lenovo software (a.k.a blaotware). The real kicker here is that LSE continues to work its magic behind the scenes even if you reformat and reinstall Windows.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-responds-to-service-engine-bios-software-debacle-12396812/

Nikon P900, S6700 camera updates fix trio of bugs

Nikon P900, S6700 camera updates fix trio of bugs

Cameras, , , , , ,

If you have either the Nikon S6700 or the Nikon P900 cameras, you may have experienced one of a few different problems that make photography very difficult and at times impossible. Both Coolpix models have experienced issues, but the Coolpix P900 arguably was the worse as there were a pair of issues revolving around the remote control. The Coolpix S6700 model, meanwhile, could occasionally freeze without retracting the lens when powered on. Nikon has pushed out updates to fix both of those problems.
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https://www.slashgear.com/nikon-p900-s6700-camera-updates-fix-trio-of-bugs-12396791/

LG now has a Hi-Fi music service for premium smartphones

LG now has a Hi-Fi music service for premium smartphones

Wearables, , , ,

Unlike Samsung, LG isn’t usually so obsessed with rolling out its own brand or version of any and all services, but now it is surprisingly making an exception. Taking on not just Samsung but perhaps even more Sony and perhaps a bit ofApple, the Korean OEM is announcing a new music service that delivers Hi-Fi quality tracks to users with “premium” LG smartphones. This is definitely a new venture for LG, who hasn’t exactly expressed any inkling towards such an offer, at least not on smartphones.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lg-now-has-a-hi-fi-music-service-for-premium-smartphones-13396820/

Lenovo to lay off 10% of staff, let Motorola lead mobile

Lenovo to lay off 10% of staff, let Motorola lead mobile

Phones, , ,

It feels only like yesterday that Lenovo was celebrating a revenue jump in 2014. Releasing the figures for the first quarter of 2015, however, things have taken a drastic downward turn. Although the company’s quarterly revenue saw a 3 percent increase in year-over-year numbers at $10.7 billion, it missed analyst expectations of an $11.29 billion figure. Worse, its actual net income took a steep dive to $105 million, a 50 percent decline from the same period last year. In short, Lenovo needs to take equally drastic measures.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-to-lay-off-10-of-staff-let-motorola-lead-mobile-13396818/

Redmi Note 2 and Mi Wi-Fi Nano launch in China

Redmi Note 2 and Mi Wi-Fi Nano launch in China

Phones, , , , , , ,

About this time last month the Redmi Note 2 smartphone was crossing TENAAto get the certifications it needed to launch. When that device showed up it was missing the fingerprint scanner that we had expected to see it bear. If you liked what you saw at TENAA, and happen to live in China the Redmi Note 2 is launching today.

 

The global launch for the smartphone will happen on August 19. The smartphone brings with it MIUI 7 operating system that promises to be faster and more efficient than previous versions. The smartphone has a MTK Helio X10 2.0GHz octa-core processor and 2GB of RAM.
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https://www.slashgear.com/redmi-note-2-and-mi-wi-fi-nano-launch-in-china-13396825/

Apple Boot Camp updated with Windows 10 support

Apple Boot Camp updated with Windows 10 support

Wearables, , , , , , ,

Apple has released a new update for its Boot Camp software, which allows users to install Microsoft’s Windows operating system on a partitioned hard drive and take advantage of a dual setup, according to a new document on the company’s Support page. Bringing Boot Camp up to version 6, the update’s main new feature is support for 64-bit versions of the newly-released Windows 10. The update is being released as a standard OS X system update, however it’s gradually rolling out to users.
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https://www.slashgear.com/

Sony tells VAIO owners to hold off on Windows 10

Sony tells VAIO owners to hold off on Windows 10

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Most manufacturers are eager to jump on the Windows 10 bandwagon but one former PC maker doesn’t seem to be in a rush. Although it has already sold off its VAIO PC business to a Japanese company, Sony is still required to support its existing models in the market. As part of that, it will, of course, need to roll out Windows 10 eventually. “Eventually” here being sometime in Fall apparently. Sony is warning users to stay away from Windows 10 at least for the time being.
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https://www.slashgear.com/sony-tells-vaio-owners-to-hold-off-on-windows-10-13396814/

Xperia Z5 Plus tipped to get 4K display

Xperia Z5 Plus tipped to get 4K display

Phones, , , , , , , ,

It’s more than a bit odd to me that the resolution of many tablets and smartphones is higher than the resolution that many of us enjoy on our computers. Word is circulating that Sony Mobile might be among the first smartphone makers in the world to launch a smartphone that rocks a 4K UHD display. The smartphone rumored to be getting that 4K screen is the Xperia X5 Plus.

 

The tidbit about the 4K screen surfaced in the user-agent profile for all variants of the smartphone. That profile data clearly lists a screen resolution of 2160 x 3840. The profile data also claims that the smartphone will run a Snapdragon 810 MSM8944 chipset.
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https://www.slashgear.com/xperia-z5-plus-tipped-to-get-4k-display-13396828/