Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » novembre 13, 2014

BetaNews.Com (15 non lus)

Gain your customers' trust with ethical data use

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 11:11pm CET par Paul Cooper

Nick Bromley, a privacy consultant for the Greater London Authority, spoke at the NextGen 2014 conference about the importance of being an ethical company when it comes to gathering data on your customers, and how to retain their trust when it comes to data.

Here is what he had to say on the subject.

"If you look at the example of Estonia," Nick told us during his keynote, "they used to have an authoritarian regime in which personal privacy wasn’t guaranteed by law. So they’re very happy to have personal privacy today, but the most important thing in Estonia is transparency. So for instance a tax official can check your personal details, but if he does so, you’re notified that he’s checked it".

"It’s similar with speed cameras," he went on. "If you want to reduce speeding, you have to tell people that there’s a speed camera in a certain place. So privacy is important in Estonia, but transparency is what really makes it work. I think they’re leading the world, along with Germany, in how we treat personal privacy".

Nick drew a strong line between the spectacular overreach of US and UK intelligence organizations and the unfortunate scourge of companies acting cavalierly with their customers’ data.

"I’m sure everyone’s heard of Edward Snowden, and one of the most interesting things to come out of Laura Poitras’ recent film Citizen 4 is that not only are the government watching, but the scary thing is you don’t know when they’re watching".

So what advice did Nick have for business leaders on how to gain their customers’ trust when it comes to sharing data?

"Companies have to be clear in communication as to the source of data, as well as when, where and how your data might be used. You have to have a balanced relationship with the provider of the data, not an asymmetric one. That means that if someone sees a benefit to providing their data, and you can offer them a clear advantage, then they’re quite happy to go along with it. Organizations like GCHQ engage in a kind of bullying, in an asymmetric relationship with the providers of the data they use".

So what does it mean to be an ethical data gatherer?

"An ethical organization will never make a backroom deal to share data with partners. So do we want democracy on the Estonian model, or do we want an authoritarian state? Unfortunately I think we’re sleepwalking into the second one. The government of the future has to think clearly and engage in dialog with us over exactly how we want our data to be used. What GCHQ and other spy organizations are doing is quite simply an infringement of my human rights".

Scary stuff! What do you think makes a real ethical data company? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: Sergey Nivens/Shutterstock

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool out of beta

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 9:41pm CET par Mike Williams

Bitdefender has announced the final release of Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool, its free portable malware hunter.

As with the beta, the finished program is basic in the extreme. There’s no real-time protection, no Explorer integration, no choice about what to examine: just a single Scan button which checks your entire system.

Removal is a little more flexible. Anything dubious is listed, and you can choose what you keep, and what must go.

The insistence on scanning your full system drives means the program can take a while. Checking 459GB of files on our test system took around five minutes.

One notable plus seems to be the lack of false positives, at least in our initial testing. Our PC was packed with brand new, low-level and little-known software but the Removal Tool ignored all that, instead zooming in on the real threats.

The program is also portable, so convenient to use, and most unlikely to conflict with other security software.

Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool still isn’t the most essential of tools, but its core engine is a good one, and we’re going to keep a copy on hand for emergency use.
All Day I Dream About Sex -- adidas announces cases for Apple and Samsung devices

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 6:31pm CET par Brian Fagioli

When it comes to buying sneakers, there are only a few brands I will consider -- Nike, New Balance and adidas. While Nike is my favorite for being most comfortable, adidas is near and dear to my heart, mostly for Hip-Hop reasons. Yes, growing up in the 90s, I am a huge fan of rap music and Hip-Hop culture. Ever since Run DMC rapped about the iconic sneakers, they have been a permanent fixture in both Hip-Hop and pop-culture overall.

Today, adidas is going beyond your feet and to your devices. The sneaker company is releasing cases for popular phones and tablets from Apple and Samsung. Of course, the iconic three-strip design is represented.

"adidas Originals, the iconic lifestyle brand, introduces a collection of mobile device accessories to the U.S. market for those with style and originality for both fashion and sport. Now smartphone, tablet, and laptop users can transform their devices into an individualized and stylish looking accessory. The collection features cases for iPhone 6 / 6 Plus / Samsung S5, iPad Air, iPad Mini, 13inch /15 inch laptops, as well as mobile phone sleeves that cater to a variety of devices", says adidas.

The footwear company further explains, "the quality faux leather cases display the famous 3-Stripes which are stitched on top and have the globally-recognized Trefoil logo embossed in contrasting colors. The mobile phone cases are available in a variety of options: molded, booklet or flip. All feature the printed microfiber lining which protects your phone from scratches while the camera stays protected just beneath the case. A must-have mobile accessory for those who are fans of the adidas Originals brand".

While the cases look attractive, their protection is an unknown; until consumers and reviewers get their hands on them, it is a relative crap-shoot. With that said, they appear to be rather nice and I hope to try one on my iPad Air soon. They are priced reasonably -- between $35 and $60 and will be available in December at the Apple Online store and from adidas directly.

Would you buy an adidas phone or tablet case? Tell me in the comments.
adidas announces cases for Apple and Samsung devices

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 6:31pm CET par Brian Fagioli

When it comes to buying sneakers, there are only a few brands I will consider -- Nike, New Balance and adidas. While Nike is my favorite for being most comfortable, adidas is near and dear to my heart, mostly for Hip-Hop reasons. Yes, growing up in the 90s, I am a huge fan of rap music and Hip-Hop culture. Ever since Run DMC rapped about the iconic sneakers, they have been a permanent fixture in both Hip-Hop and pop-culture overall.

Today, adidas is going beyond your feet and to your devices. The sneaker company is releasing cases for popular phones and tablets from Apple and Samsung. Of course, the iconic three-stripe design is represented.

"adidas Originals, the iconic lifestyle brand, introduces a collection of mobile device accessories to the U.S. market for those with style and originality for both fashion and sport. Now smartphone, tablet, and laptop users can transform their devices into an individualized and stylish looking accessory. The collection features cases for iPhone 6 / 6 Plus / Samsung S5, iPad Air, iPad Mini, 13inch /15 inch laptops, as well as mobile phone sleeves that cater to a variety of devices", says adidas.

The footwear company further explains, "the quality faux leather cases display the famous 3-Stripes which are stitched on top and have the globally-recognized Trefoil logo embossed in contrasting colors. The mobile phone cases are available in a variety of options: molded, booklet or flip. All feature the printed microfiber lining which protects your phone from scratches while the camera stays protected just beneath the case. A must-have mobile accessory for those who are fans of the adidas Originals brand".

While the cases look attractive, their protection is an unknown; until consumers and reviewers get their hands on them, it is a relative crap-shoot. With that said, they appear to be rather nice and I hope to try one on my iPad Air soon. They are priced reasonably -- between $35 and $60 and will be available in December at the Apple Online store and from adidas directly.

Would you buy an adidas phone or tablet case? Tell me in the comments.
Steve Wozniak believes Apple should have brought out a phablet iPhone three years ago

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 5:55pm CET par Darren Allan

It was a mistake to leave the iPhone phablet so late in the day, according to Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who believes that Cupertino should have got a large-screened smartphone out there way before the company actually managed the feat.

Wozniak was taking to CNN Money, and he said that the iPhone 6 Plus had arrived no less than three years late.

"Apple could have had a much bigger share of the smartphone market if it had a larger-screen iPhone for the past three years," he observed. "It could have competed better with Samsung".

Of course, he didn’t pluck that figure out of the air -- three years ago is when Samsung first pushed out its original Note phablet, so he’s basically saying Apple should have been on the scene at the same time as its smartphone rival.

For a long time, Apple maintained smaller screens on its iPhones in the belief that this made them easier to use and handle, and it was only two years ago that Apple finally increased the screen size from 3.5in to 4in.

The new larger iPhones have certainly been popular, setting new Apple sales records (again), and we’ve seen stock issues concerning the phablet -- although that was to do with supply as much as demand.

Wozniak also shared his thoughts on the new Apple Watch, though that device and smartwatches in general have left him unmoved.

He said: "I kept saying that I’d like to have a smartphone on my wrist, so I bought a few smartwatches when they first came out. I got rid of them so quick. I got real negative on smartwatches".

Wozniak then called the Apple Watch a "luxury fitness band", but did admit he was going to give it a try, and that the device was "more distinctive than all the others".

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Microsoft acquisition boosts network defenses for enterprise customers

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 4:51pm CET par Ian Barker

With more businesses adopting cloud and hybrid environments, protecting data is more important than ever but it’s also more complex.

Microsoft is looking to improve protection for its enterprise customers with today's announcement that it has acquired Aorato, an innovator in enterprise security.

Writing on Microsoft's official blog, Takeshi Numoto, Corporate Vice President of Cloud and Enterprise Marketing says, "We all know corporate security is more important than ever. Nearly every day there are more headlines about breaches, fraud and data loss. Unfortunately, compromised passwords, stolen identities and network intrusion are a fact of life. Companies need new, intelligent solutions to help them adapt and defend themselves inside the network, not just at its edge".

Aorato's technology uses machine learning techniques to detect suspicious activity on a corporate network. It understands what normal behavior is and then identifies anomalies, so a company can quickly see suspicious activity and take appropriate protection measures.

It uses an Organizational Security Graph, which is a continuously-updated view of all of the people and machines accessing an organization's Windows Server Active Directory (AD). AD is used by most enterprises to store user identities and administer access to critical business applications and systems. Since it leverages this existing technology existing Microsoft enterprise customers should be able to easily take advantage of the Aorato system.

Numoto adds, "This will complement similar capabilities that we have developed for Azure Active Directory, our cloud-based identity and access management solution".

An announcement on Aorato's website says, "At our core, Aorato has always been focused on strengthening enterprise security, by giving customers deeper visibility into their Active Directory and identity infrastructure with an emphasis on user behavior intelligence and analytics. Joining Microsoft gives us a unique opportunity to pursue this vision, and help customers at the broadest possible scale".

Image Credit: rosedesigns / Shutterstock
Microsoft launches free Visual Studio Community 2013

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 3:54pm CET par Mike Williams

Microsoft has released Visual Studio Community 2013, a revamped edition of Visual Studio Professional 2013 which is free for individual and small business use (teams of up to five people).

It’s a versatile product. You can code apps and applications in C++, C#, VB, F#, HTML5, Python, JavaScript and more. Designers, editors, debuggers and profilers help to polish your work. There’s web tooling for ASP.NET, Node.js, and JavaScript, and Apache Cordova and Unity tools mean you can target iOS and Android, as well as Windows.

Bundled tools include Peek, Blend, Code Analysis and full C# refactoring, and if that’s not enough then there’s full access to Visual Studio’s 5000+ extensions.

This does make for an absolutely huge product. The installer is a tiny 1MB, but it may have to download gigabytes of files, depending on your installation choices, and that’s going to take a while.

When we tried installing every feature, for example, installation took around 2 hours with a basic (8Mbps) broadband connection, grabbed 15GB of hard drive space, and added 40+ components to the "installed application" lists on our test PC.

Visual Studio Community 2013 does put an enormous amount of power in your hands, though, and the licensing terms are generous, too.

Individuals and up to five people within non-enterprise organisations can use the product to create free or paid applications, and everyone else is able to use it for non-commercial purposes (teaching, open source products).

Community is a must-have for the serious Windows developer on a budget, then, but if you need a more leading-edge product then Microsoft has also released Visual Studio 2015 Preview. Highlights for us are a new support for building Android applications using C++ based off of Clang and LLVM, and an excellent Visual Studio Android emulator, but if you’re interested the Visual Studio Blog has more.
New solution secures and masks sensitive data for Amazon RDS databases

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 3:18pm CET par Ian Barker

Securing data and making sure that it's stored in compliance with regulatory standards is a key task for all businesses, but it relies on knowing where the information is stored in the first place.

That isn't always as easy as it sounds but a new solution from database security specialist GreenSQL allows enterprises to easily identify all sensitive and regulated data fields across their Amazon Relational Database Service databases.

The software scans RDS databases to automatically identify sensitive fields, providing rapid implementation of regulation compliance, reporting and auditing, enabling data masking policies and enforcing role-based access to data.

"Without touching the database or applications, organizations are now able to instantly discover and protect their most sensitive data and achieve regulatory compliance," says Amir Sadeh, CEO of GreenSQL. "Users of Amazon RDS are now able to use one-click activation of polices for database monitoring, enforcement of duties and data-masking for every sensitive data field in their organization’s databases".

The company has also launched Dynamic Data Masking to allow users and applications to fulfill their job functions without ever gaining access to sensitive data fields. This makes for easier, faster and cheaper regulatory compliance as it hides data from unauthorized persons without making changes to databases or applications. As the data is never exposed to unauthorized employees or applications this reduces the risk of theft or abuse of information.

The solution is policy-driven, meaning that data masking policies can be defined by data table column, user or user role, client IP address and/or client application. Based on these policies, protected data fields are masked or randomized in real-time using a context-relevant template, allowing users and applications to function normally.

"GreenSQL’s out-of-the-box solution enables enterprises to easily identify and mask all sensitive and regulated data fields in their RDS databases," says Sadeh. "Without touching the database or applications, organizations are now able to instantly protect their most sensitive data and achieve regulatory compliance, among other benefits".

Both solutions are being launched at the AWS re:Invent conference this week, for more information visit the GreenSQL website.

Image Credit: wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock
Phil Neville reveals how big data is now essential in professional soccer

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 2:20pm CET par Sam Pudwell

With high-tech player tracking and analysis systems gaining serious traction in the world of professional sport, data can now be used to instantly analyze player and team performance like never before.

But this hasn’t always been the case, as we found out from former Manchester United player and coach Phil Neville, who helped to shed some light on the role of big data in professional football and how it has changed throughout his career.

He started off by taking us back to Manchester United’s famous 1999 Champions League final win against Bayern Munich. As surprising as it might sound, he said that there was no data used at all back then.

The team just watched a video of one of Bayern’s previous matches, pointed out a few tactical areas that could be exploited and that was it.

Fast-forward fifteen years and things are very different. Today’s top clubs employ people specifically to analyze data collected on their own players and opposition teams and Neville went so far as to say that these days, "data analysts are almost as crucial as the manager".

Data is collected on everything: Match performance, training performance, blood tests, heart rates, sleep patterns and much more. But, as Neville rightly pointed out, "the key is knowing how to use the data".

If handled correctly, this information can be used to create individualized training programs, plan recovery and, perhaps most importantly, predict injury and illness.

There are several examples of players competing at the top level well into their 30’s (Ryan Giggs, Frank Lampard and Neville himself are prime examples) and this increased longevity is largely down to the role data analysis has played.

But it’s not only the players and coaches that are benefiting from big data. It’s also improving the fan experience, as it "helps the football world get clarity on situations", which greatly increases the appeal for spectators.

Neville finished by saying, "I can’t see a negative in this system" and, as coaches and managers continue to gain more and more insight into their players’ performances, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who disagrees.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Axway brings cloud B2B to Amazon Web Services

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 10:52am CET par Ian Barker

Enterprises can be reluctant to move some functions into the cloud because of security and other concerns. So services that can allay these fears have big potential in the market.

Data flow specialist Axway already hosts secure private cloud portfolio solutions with AWS and has now announced that it’s making a Cloud B2B service available.

The Axway Cloud B2B Service enables companies to securely manage and integrate with their B2B communities in the cloud without the additional investment in hardware or labor resources common with legacy solutions.

Antoine Rizk, VP, Global Go-To-Market Programs at Axway says, "The solution has low initial cost and is scalable to allow for seasonal peaks. This also means a cloud solution becomes affordable for smaller companies."

Rizk belives there is large potential for the product as B2B cloud services currently only account for around six percent of the enterprise software market and will grow to 18-20 percent over the next five years.

Axway offers subscription-based product configurations that enable organizations to seamlessly connect their on-premises systems to their partner communities. The Cloud B2B Service includes extensive reporting, alerting and monitoring capabilities that enable companies to onboard, manage and interact with their communities through a cloud-based infrastructure, enterprise application integration, and advanced community management.

As Axway hosts its secure private Cloud portfolio solutions with AWS, it has access to infrastructure regions located around the world, including Western Europe, which helps protect the data integrity of its customers at all times.

"We designed AWS to enable our customers and partners to manage their computing needs through a highly flexible model, paying only for resources used and allowing organizations to avoid costly and time consuming traditional infrastructure," says Brian Matsubara, Head of Global Technology Alliances at Amazon Web Services, Inc. "By moving to the cloud Axway is able to take advantage of the scalable, reliable, secure and flexible technologies offered by AWS to power their Axway Cloud B2B Service technology, allowing them to focus on serving customers around the world."

Axway Cloud B2B Service is available now on the AWS Marketplace as a SaaS offering, or for more information visit the Axway website.

Image Credit: Lightspring / Shutterstock
How to install (and upgrade to) Android 5.0 Lollipop on Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 10:25am CET par Mihaita Bamburic
After launching alongside Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, Android 5.0 Lollipop is now making its way to the rest of Google's family of smartphones and tablets. So, naturally, you want to get it up and running as soon as possible on your older Nexus devices, now that it is finally ready for prime time. And why wouldn't you? The latest version of Android packs lots of sweet changes, chief among them the new design language dubbed Material Design, the new, faster default runtime called ART, battery life improvements, 64-bit support, beefed-up security, new APIs and much, much more.

There are two ways you get Android 5.0 Lollipop on your Nexus device. You can use the OTA update file to upgrade or the factory image to make a clean install. This article will explain how can leverage both to run the latest version of Android on your Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10.

Backing Up

Before going any further, you should create a backup of your data. Make sure that everything you need is synced to the cloud or copied to another device (an external HDD or PC will do just fine). This backup will come in handy in case you need to restore some data after getting Android 5.0 Lollipop up and running, on your Nexus device, wish to go back to Android 4.4 KitKat or in the off-chance that things go awry.

Requirements

No matter if you want to make a clean install of Android 5.0 Lollipop, or upgrade from a previous version of Android, you will need Android SDK Tools (listed under the VIEW ALL DOWNLOADS AND SIZES section) and an archiving program, like 7-Zip or WinRAR, to start. (If you are using a Mac, the built-in archiving tool from OS X will do just fine.)

For a fresh install of Android 5.0 Lollipop you will also need the factory image, provided by Google, for your Nexus device. Check the Table of Contents section in the linked page for the download link.

Similarly, if you want to upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop, you will need to have the OTA update file for your Nexus device. It is worth mentioning that you can also upgrade using the Android 5.0 Lollipop factory image, but this is not a method Google stands by. I will also explain how this can be done, for those of you who are interested in it, but there are no guarantees that it will work as expected.

Here are the download links for the Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA update files (I will update the story with the links as they become available):
- 2012 Nexus 4
- 2012 Nexus 10
- 2012 Wi-Fi Nexus 7
- 2012 3G Nexus 7
- 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7
- 2013 4G Nexus 7
- 2013 Nexus 5
Getting Things Ready

Next, create a folder that you can quickly access. If you are using Windows, a good example of this would be a folder called Lollipop in the root of the C drive. Similarly, on OS X, you can create a folder called "Lollipop" in Downloads. It will be used to store files and tools needed for the job.

Afterwards, if you wish to make a clean install, extract the factory image and copy its contents to the Lollipop folder. However, for the upgrade, you will simple have to copy the OTA update file to the said folder.

Now, you need some tools and drivers from Google, which you can get through Android SDK Tools, to actually install Android 5.0 Lollipop or upgrade from a previous version of Android. If you are using Windows, install Android SDK Tools, open Android SDK Manager and then select the following items for download:
- Android SDK Platform-tools
- Google USB Driver
Then, go to where Android SDK Platform-tools is downloaded (the default location is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools") and copy the following files to the Lollipop folder:
- AdbWinApi.dll;
- AdbWinUsbApi.dll;
- fastboot.exe.
On OS X, things are somewhat different. Android SDK Tools is actually an archive, which you need to extract (do it in the Downloads folder to keep things simple). To open Android SDK Manager, go to the newly-created android-sdk-macosx folder, open the tools folder, then run android.

Because Google has not registered itself as a developer with Apple, you may need to go to the Security & Privacy menu, under System Settings, to allow the app to run. Additionally, you may need to install Java, if you have not done so already (likely not) -- the android app will tell you to go to Oracle's site to grab the necessary setup file.

However, if your Mac runs OS X 10.10 Yosemite, installing Java is a little trickier. You will first need to install the distribution from Apple's support site, and then install the version from Oracle's site. In the end, the android app will open and allow you to download Android SDK Platform-tools. Google's drivers are not needed in OS X, which make things easier somewhat.

Afterwards, a folder called "platform-tools" will appear in the android-sdk-macosx folder. From it, copy the adb and fastboot files to the Lollipop folder.

As I mentioned earlier, OS X does not require additional drivers. However, Windows does and here is what you need to do to install them correctly:
1. Connect your Nexus device to the PC, then power the smartphone or tablet off.
2. Turn on your Nexus device in fastboot mode. The key combination is either volume down + power (2012 and 2013 Nexus 7 and Nexus 4) or volume up + volume down + power (Nexus 5 and Nexus 10); all key combinations are listed here.
3. From Device Manager (Computer -> Properties -> Device Manager) identify your Nexus device (it will show up with a yellow exclamation mark icon).
4. Right click on it, select "Update Driver Software" and then select "Browse my computer for driver software".
5. Select "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer".
6. From "Have Disk..." option manually install the "android_winusb.inf" driver (the default location is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver"). Accept any prompts you may receive.
7. Select the "Android ADB Interface" option when presented. Again, accept any prompts you may receive.
Testing the Connection

Next, you should make sure that your Nexus device is able to communicate to the PC or Mac it is connected to. If you encounter any error, it will prevent you from installing or upgrading to Android 5.0 Lollipop.

To test the connection on Windows, go to the Lollipop folder, right-click inside it while pressing the Shift key and then select Open command window here. Then, type "fastboot devices" and hit the Enter key.

If the connection is working, a sequence of numbers and letters identifying your Nexus device will appear below the command. When nothing shows up, you have to go through the driver installation steps once again.

Things are similar in OS X, except you have to open a terminal window instead. To do so, open the Terminal app, from the Other folder under Launchpad. Then, use the "cd Downloads" and "cd Lollipop" commands (in this order) to navigate to the Lollipop folder. Then, use the "./fastboot devices" command to test the connection. You will get a similar result as if you were using Windows.

Clean Install

For a clean install of Android 5.0 Lollipop, things are relatively straightforward. The hard part is already over.

If you are using Windows, follow the next steps:
1. Connect your Nexus device to the PC in fastboot mode.
2. Open a command prompt window in the Lollipop folder.
3. Use the fastboot oem unlock command to unlock the bootloader.
4. If it is not already unlocked, a prompt will then show up on your Nexus device. Use the volume keys to select Yes and press the power button to validate this action. All data from the device will be erased -- this is when that backup starts to come in handy.
5. Use the flash-all.bat command to initiate a clean install of Android 5.0 Lollipop.
6. Optional step: use the fastboot oem lock command while in fastboot mode to re-lock the bootloader. This will not alter the state of the data stored on the device.
Things are slightly complicated if you are using OS X. That's because the script that handles the install -- flash-all.sh, in this case -- does not work, pure and simple. Luckily, you can fix it. (However, the explanations written above still apply, so read those instructions as well.)

To do so, open the script (it is located in the Lollipop folder) using a text editor and add "./" in front of all commands starting with "fastboot", so they actually start as "./fastboot". This will do the trick.

Then, follow the instructions below:
1. Connect your Nexus device to the Mac in fastboot mode (read the part about installing the Windows drivers to find out how).
2. Open a terminal window, then navigate to the Lollipop folder.
3. Use the "./fastboot oem unlock" command.
4. A prompt will then show up on the Nexus device. Use the volume keys to select Yes and press the power button to accept.
5. Use the "sh flash-all.sh" command.
6. Optional step: use the "./fastboot oem lock" command while in fastboot mode to re-lock the bootloader.
Android 5.0 Lollipop will start installing on your Nexus device. This will take a while, during which time your Nexus device will restart. After everything is finished, you will be taken through the initial setup.

Upgrading Using the OTA File

To upgrade your Nexus device to Android 5.0 Lollipop, you will have to sideload the OTA update file while in recovery mode. To enter recovery mode, your first have to be in fastboot mode. From there, use the volume keys to cycle through the available options. Once you find recovery mode, simply press the power key to enter. (Obviously, your Nexus device has to be connected to the PC or Mac to be able to sideload that OTA update file.)

Once you are in recovery mode, you will notice that there really are no options to choose from. So how can you sideload that OTA file? Well, press the power key and, immediately after, the volume up key; hold both. Only then will your Nexus device reveal the option that you need, namely "apply update from ADB". Hit the power key to activate.

Next, if you are using a PC, open a command prompt window in the Lollipop folder and then use the "adb sideload OTA.zip" command to sideload the OTA update file. Please note that I am using the name "OTA.zip" as an example. In reality, the OTA update file will have a much longer, different name. Use that name for that command to work. (Alternatively, you can rename it to "OTA.zip".)

From OS X, open a terminal window, navigate to the Lollipop folder and then use the "./adb sideload OTA.zip" command. What I said above in relation to the name of the OTA update file applies here as well.

After the command is used successfully, the OTA update file will be sideloaded on your Nexus device and your Nexus device will begin the update on its own. But, before that happens, you will be asked whether to wipe the cache or data (or both).

(My advice is to only wipe the cache, as wiping data means everything on the device will be gone. Plus, it does not make sense to upgrade your device to Android 5.0 Lollipop, only to remove all of your data in the process -- you might as well make a clean install.)

The whole thing may take a while to finish, depending on how much data (apps and games, mostly) is stored on your Nexus device.

Upgrading Using the Factory Image

Upgrading using the factory image is not all that different to making a clean install, as explained in the corresponding section of this guide. I should point out that it is only effective as long as the bootloader is already unlocked. Otherwise, it is equivalent to making a clean install, at best.

The only difference is that you will have to modify the script file to enable the upgrade option. To do so, open it using a text editor, identify the "fastboot -w update" sequence, remove the "-w" so it reads as "fastboot update" and save the changes.

Please note that if you are using a Mac, you will still need to make the other changes I noted -- regarding the fastboot commands -- in the section explaining how to make a clean install. Otherwise, the script will do nothing when triggered.

Personally, I have had mixed results using this method in the past. When it worked, it was as effective as using the OTA update file. When it did not work, it messed up everything on my Nexus device and I had to make a clean install. Proceed at your own risk.
Ear-o-Smart: earrings that monitor your fitness levels hit Kickstarter

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 10:00am CET par Claire Woffenden

Developers of ‘the world’s first smart earring’ are hoping to raise over $30,000 on the Kickstarter crowd-funding website as part of a vision to "take fitness monitoring to the next level".

With most fitness and activity tracking devices typically worn on the wrist, developers of the Ear-o-Smart earring believe the wearable electronics market is missing a trick.

The Ear-o-Smart earring from Canadian start-up BioSensive Technologies connects to a smartphone with Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology and monitors heart rate, calories, and activity level.

Like most fitness monitors, the Ear-o-Smart uses PPG (photoplethysmogram) technology to monitor pulse through blood flow in the skin. But according to BioSensive, ear-lobe based sensors provide better accuracy because of the quality of contact between the skin, as well as looking better than clunky wrist-monitors.

"We believe that wearable electronics should be embedded into the products we use in our everyday lives; for that reason, we created Ear-o-Smart”, said Ravinder Saini, president at BioSensive Technologies. “We believe that sharing knowledge of our patent-pending invention might herald the onset of new kinds of wearable devices in the market that previously, no one ever imagined".

The earring, which uses a 1225 coin cell battery, incorporates three stacked PCBs (printed circuit boards) one over the other. With a diameter of 16mm, one PCB contains the coin cell battery, a second PCB contains components such as CC2541 Bluetooth data transfer and an antenna while the third PCB contains an AFE4400 heart rate monitor and sensors.

BackerClub.co has featured the Ear-o-Smart project, which launches on Kickstarter this Thursday. BioSensive is hoping for pledges in return for Ear-o-Smart PCBs and access to video training modules in which investors can learn the basics on how to make their own hardware.

"We want to help society by packing all the knowledge which we gained during our two years of research within five hours of video tutorials", said Saini. "We will cover topics on how to create your own hardware and would also provide important tips that you need to consider when you are planning to design fitness monitor. This $180 CAD kit which would include the Ear-o-Smart boards would definitely help geeks to take fitness monitoring to next level".

Earlier this week, an Israeli developer of bio-sensing technology unveiled the LifeBEAM Bluetooth smart hat and visor, which can monitor heart rate, calories and activity levels.

Photo Credit: Rafal Olkis/Shutterstock
Exclusive: Get 6 months of Bitdefender Total Security 2015 -- FREE!

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 9:00am CET par Wayne Williams
Bitdefender Total Security 2015 helps you fight off the most sophisticated e-threats, from viruses to identity thieves and every trick in-between. Designed for the best user experience, the program offers full anti-malware defense as well as other advanced safeguards including dedicated online banking and e-shopping security, device anti-theft, highly secured online backup and sync, social networking protection, and more.

It retails for $59.95, but you can try it completely free for six months. This is the very latest version of the software too, and the full thing -- not some cut down, feature limited version.

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Microsoft ships 10 million Xbox One consoles -- should Sony be scared? Absolutely

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 2:40am CET par Brian Fagioli

Today marks a monumental moment for Microsoft -- 10 million Xbox consoles have been shipped to stores. I don't care who you are, you must admit that is an impressive feat. Of course, Sony reached that milestone months earlier, but this should not detract from Microsoft's achievement.

Quite frankly, the video game console race is a jog, not a sprint. In other words, the PlayStation 4's early lead is not guaranteed forever; the Xbox One is still in the game (pun intended). Not only is the Xbox One now $50 less expensive than the PS4, but it has some exclusive titles that will have gamers overlooking its competitor, such as Halo and Sunset Overdrive. Yep, Sony should definitely be worried.

"Yesterday, we celebrated the arrival of the iconic Halo franchise on Xbox One, as Halo: The Master Chief Collection launched to millions of excited fans and an impressive Metacritic score of 89. Sunset Overdrive was recently named by IGN as the 'Game of the Month' for October. The new Xbox One bundles, which feature some of this holiday's most anticipated games including Assassin’s Creed Unity, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Sunset Overdrive, hit store shelves with a limited time offer of $50 off any Xbox One of your choice. Starting as low as $349 in the US, the Xbox One is more affordable than ever this holiday season", says Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President of Devices and Studios.

Mehdi further explains, "the response to this wave of blockbuster game releases and new bundles has been amazing, and sales have skyrocketed since the new price took effect on Nov. 2. Compared to the previous week, Xbox One sales in the US have more than tripled, which is exciting as more and more friends will be playing together this holiday. As we head into the busy holiday season Xbox One led generation 8 console sales in the US for the past two weeks. Shortly, we will have sold in to retailers more than 10 million Xbox One consoles".

Don't get me wrong, I don't know which console will "win" the war and quite frankly, I don't even know if there needs to be a winner. Hell, I don't own either console. Ultimately, gamers are the victors, as they are treated to a slew of quality games. Still, with that said, the Xbox One's new lower price makes it very attractive and Sunset Overdrive looks friggin' amazing. Yes, Sony has the lead, but for how long?

Photo Credit: deepblue-photographer /Shutterstock
Google wants US Privacy Act extended to Europe

Publié: novembre 13, 2014, 1:59am CET par Mark Wilson

Privacy is in the news more than ever before, and high-profile companies are falling over themselves to show just how much they care about protecting the rights of their users. We've witnessed all of the transparency reports about government data requests after the Snowden revelations. We've seen Facebook trying to create a safer email standard. We've seen privacy violations by government websites, and we've seen how those in positions of power believe that privacy is not an absolute right.

Google -- ever the master of PR -- thinks that it's time more was done to protect the privacy of internet users; specifically those in Europe. Google feels that the US Privacy Act should be extended to cover citizens of the EU. But what does this actually mean?

At the moment, people in Europe do not have the right to challenge how their data is being used in a US court. This is a right enjoyed by those in the US and Google says that it is only right for it to be extended to people in other parts of the world. US citizens can already challenge the use of their personal data in European Courts, and Google's Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, explains that the favor should be returned:

"Right now, European citizens do not have the right to challenge misuse of their data by the US government in US courts -- even though American citizens already enjoy this right in most European countries. It's why Google supports legislation to extend the US Privacy Act to EU citizens. The Obama Administration has already pledged its support for this change and we look forward to to working with Congress to try and make this happen".

It's a view shared by Barack Obama who only recently expressed his vision for a free and open internet. The president said that everyone has "legitimate privacy interests in the handling of their personal information", but Google puts it a bit differently. Drummond says that while there are real threats in the world, the balance has "tipped too far in favor of the state and away from the rights of the individual".

European Commission representatives are due to visit Washington DC, but whether this amounts to anything, or if Google's dream becomes a reality, remains to be seen.

Photo credit: ljh images / Shutterstock