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• 

  Android M to be revealed May 28 at Google I/O?

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 10:47pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Countless Android users are still waiting for Lollipop to roll out to their handsets, but already there is talk of the successor -- Android M. Coming up at the end of this month, Google I/O is a developer conference hosted by the search giant in San Francisco and today the full schedule for the event appeared online.

  An event on May 28 with the title Android for Work update is of particular interest as there is a strong hint that details of Android M will be revealed. Although it seems that Google may have let something slip a little early -- the session that refers to the next version of Android has since vanished from the schedule, but the description is interesting nonetheless.

  Originally pencilled in for 2:30PM on the first day of the event, the session will include talk about the follow up to Android 5.0 Lollipop. The description reads (or read): "Android M is bringing the power of Android to all kinds of workplaces. This opens huge new markets for hundreds of millions of devices to workers at small businesses, deskless workers, logistics and warehousing jobs; all be empowered by adoption of Android devices at Work".

  There is a separate session called "What's new in Android" which would seem to be the natural home for news about the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, but all references to Android M appear to have been erased from the schedule now. It's not clear whether this is because Google gave away more than it meant to ahead of the event, or because of a genuine error -- but it's only three weeks until we find out for sure.

  Nothing concrete is known about Android M (could it be Mars, Milky Way, M&Ms?) but it is likely that there will be a focus on security in a bid to increase adoption in the workplace. Could we see a demo of Android M in action at Google I/O? Only time will tell...

  
• 

  U.S. smartphone market is phabulous

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 10:11pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

  

  Alongside Euro-zone cell phone data, U.S. first-quarter 2015 phablet shipments are out from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. Depending on how the numbers are cut, fanboys can rally for their platform.

  Spurred by iPhone 6 Plus, iOS showed strong performance, representing 44 percent of phablet sales. However, the number of iOS smartphone switchers from Android fell -- to 11.4 percent from 14.6 percent year over year -- supporting early anecdotal evidence that existing Apple customers are the most-likely 6 Plus buyers. Also confirming: Android smartphone conversions from iOS fell from 9.8 percent to 5.9 percent.

  Broadly, phablets accounted for 21 percent of U.S. smartphone sales during the quarter, up from 6 percent a year earlier. Forty-seven percent of purchasers choosing larger Androids and 43 percent iPhones cited screen size as major preference influencing their buying choice.

  Android smartphone sales share skimped up two-tenths of a point to 58.1 percent. LG lead the market, with share rising to 10.8 percent from 7.4 percent. Samsung secured second-place, despite sales strain during the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge transition.

  Among the big four carriers, T-Mobile delivered strongest Samsung smartphone sales share: 42 percent. By contrast, iPhone dominated the other three: AT&T (59 percent); Sprint (50 percent); Verizon (43 percent). In it's raw release, Kantar didn't explain why iPhone topped Verizon sales with less than 50 percent share.

  With respect to broader expanse of new or existing customers, Kantar only revealed iPhone: 64 percent for the 5 or newer model and 18 percent for the 6 and 6 Plus.

  Photo Credit: Maurizio Pesce

  
• 

  Europe moves to end geo-blocking online content

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 7:40pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  While the internet is supposed to be an open-access resource, there is a great deal of content which can only be accessed in certain parts of the world. To comply with licensing rules, broadcasters in particular will often restrict access to their services to specific countries, but in Europe there are plans to bring such geo-blocking to an end.

  Described as "a discriminatory practice used for commercial reasons" geo-blocking is derided by the European Commission as little more than a money-making venture. The aim is to create what has been dubbed a Digital Single Market, breaking down barriers and simplifying regulation.

  The Commission says that the current system serves both businesses and consumers poorly, and suggests that moving to a Digital Single Market will not only help to create jobs, but also boost the European economy by €415 billion per year. In addition to removing obstacles that stand between consumers and services, the Commission wants to create a more level playing field for digital service providers in Europe.

  The move could mean that services such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix are available throughout Europe with the same content in each country. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "I want to see every consumer getting the best deals and every business accessing the widest market -- wherever they are in Europe".

  As part of the Digital Single Market Strategy, a total of sixteen goals for the end of 2016 have been set out. In addition to ending geo-blocking, there's also the promise of easier cross-border e-commerce. Plans to overhaul copyright laws will create a unified European system are likely to be welcomed by consumers, as is a comprehensive review of service providers and how they compete with each other.

  Mark Skilton from Warwick Business School said:

  The EU’s Digital Single Market initiative aims to redress the balance that has seen US tech giants dominate the online world. The EU’s review of online practices will force companies to define their original service location and bias to help build a level playing field. The Google antitrust case is one such example. The EU is hoping that creating a single digital market will help European companies grow and take on the likes of Facebook, which holds 78 per cent of the social influence market, and Google.

  Photo credit: ixpert / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Intel releases Xeon E7 v3 processors featuring up to 18 cores

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 7:10pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Dual-core? Quad-core? Octa-core? Yesterday's news (I kid, I kid...). Why do I say this? Intel, one of the top processor manufacturers (arguably the best) has released some new Xeon processors with up to 18 dual-threaded cores. Yes, you are reading that correctly -- 18! While Xeon processors are not meant for consumers, they can be used by them, although pricing usually prevents that.

  The cost of these new Xeon E7 v3 processors start at $1,224 and go all the way up to $7,175. While this is likely -- OK, definitely -- way too expensive for people like you and I, for the Enterprise, this may be acceptable for workstations and server environments.

  Diane Bryant, SVP and GM of the Data Center Group, Intel says, "in the digital services economy, success or failure can depend on how quickly businesses act on insight from vast stores of data. The Intel Xeon processor E7 v3 family is the engine for accelerating business intelligence through real-time analytics, enabling businesses to improve customer satisfaction through more personalized products and services, generate new revenue streams and enhance operational efficiency".

  Intel shares the following information on the new chips.

  • With 20 new performance world records across a broad range of mission-critical applications, the new processor family achieves a 40 percent average performance improvement compared to the prior generation.
  • The processor family delivers up to 6x improvement in business processing application performance for in-memory transactional workloads optimized with the new Intel Transactional Synchronization Extensions (Intel TSX).
  • With up to 18 cores, a 20 percent increase in cores compared to the prior generation, and up to 45 megabytes of last-level cache, the processor family can deliver up to 70 percent more decision support analytic sessions per hour.
  • Product family delivers up to 10x greater performance per dollar while driving up to an 85 percent lower total cost of ownership compared to alternative RISC architectures by reducing the cost of hardware acquisition and power and cooling.
  • The processors support configurations up to 32 sockets with support for the industry's largest memory capacity per socket (8-socket systems are capable of supporting up to 12 terabytes of DDR3 or DDR4 memory technology).
  • New security and reliability capabilities, including increased cryptographic performance via the latest Intel Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel AES-NI), as well as additional micro-architectural improvements. Intel Run Sure Technology, a unique set of reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features for the Intel Xeon processor E7 family, is enhanced with new features designed to further ensure "five nines" availability for mission-critical applications.
  • Product family comprises 12 processor models, including multiple segment optimized processors such as two high-frequency models that are designed for a subset of database applications requiring the fastest cores available.
  • Starting today, 17 system manufacturers from around the world will begin announcing Intel Xeon processor E7 v3 family-based platforms. These manufacturers include Bull, Cisco, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, Huawei, Inspur, Lenovo, NEC, Oracle, PowerLeade, Quanta, SGI, Sugon, Supermicro and ZTE.

  

  Processor	Number of Cores	TDP
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8890 v3 (45M Cache, 2.50 GHz)	18	165 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8880L v3 (45M Cache, 2.00 GHz)	18	115 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8880 v3 (45M Cache, 2.30 GHz)	18	150 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8870 v3 (45M Cache, 2.10 GHz)	18	140 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8867 v3 (45M Cache, 2.50 GHz)	16	165 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8860 v3 (40M Cache, 2.20 GHz)	16	140 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-4850 v3 (35M Cache, 2.20 GHz)	14	115 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-4830 v3 (30M Cache, 2.10 GHz)	12	115 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-4820 v3 (25M Cache, 1.90 GHz)	10	115 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8891 v3 (45M Cache, 2.80 GHz)	10	165 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-4809 v3 (20M Cache, 2.00 GHz)	8	115 W
  Intel® Xeon® Processor E7-8893 v3 (45M Cache, 3.20 GHz)	4	140 W

  So, will your next gaming machine be powered by an 18 core Xeon? Probably not (unless you are a maniac like Barnacules!). Hopefully 18 core chips will trickle down to consumers in the future, though.

  Keep in mind the focus of these processors -- business. IT managers may be hesitant to spend the big bucks on such expensive chips, but depending on the business needs, it may be worth it. Time is money and if you can get results quicker, it may be a valuable investment.

  Do you work in IT in a decision-making role? Will you be taking advantage of Xeon E7 v3 processors? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  Another 'massive security risk' found in Lenovo computers, company issues a patch

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 7:09pm CEST par Manish Singh

  

  Lenovo seems to be having a bad year. It hasn’t been long since the largest PC vendor was caught shipping its laptops with "Superfish" adware, and now we’re learning about some new vulnerabilities found in its computers. But before you slam your fist on your computer desk in dismay, the good news is that Lenovo has the patch ready, and you can download it right away.

  Security firm IOActive reports vulnerabilities in Lenovo’s system update file. In a report titled "Lenovo’s System Update Uses a Predictable Security Token", the firm notes (PDF) that these vulnerabilities could allow hackers to bypass validation checks, and replace legitimate Lenovo applications with malicious programs and allow hackers to remotely run programs.

  "Arbitrarily executing commands sent by a malicious unprivileged user represents a massive security risk. Lenovo does attempt to restrict access to the System Update Service by requiring clients of the named pipe to authenticate by including a security token with the command the unprivileged user wishes to execute", the company says.

  "Unfortunately this token is a predictable token and can be generated by any user without requiring any elevated permissions. As a result, an attacker who is unprivileged can perform the same operations as the System Update. The attacker can create a valid token and include it with a command to be executed. The SUService.exe will then execute the command as the SYSTEM user".

  IOActive notified Lenovo regarding these vulnerabilities in February, and the computer manufacturer rolled out a patch for it in April. We contacted Lenovo and a spokesperson told us that users will be notified about this update, and alternatively they can download the patch manually from company’s website. In a statement to BetaNews, the company urges users to update their computers. "Lenovo encourages its users to keep their systems up to date by allowing automatic updates to run when prompted".

  If you have a Lenovo PC, we advise you to snag the latest update which replaces the token authentication method. It is available through the System Update. Alternatively, you can download it from here.

  Do you think these incidences will damage the company's reputation? Let us know your views in the comments section below.

  Photo credit: Olivier Le Moal / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Who needs the cloud when you've got Sunshine?

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 6:36pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Sunshine is a free app for sharing files directly between any Android, iOS, Windows or OS X device. No upload/ download hassles, no concerns about who else can access your files, just quickly transfer whatever you need from one system to another.

  The process starts by creating a Sunshine account. Oddly, you can only do this from iOS or Android apps, but it’s simple enough -- just the usual "email, password" dialog -- and you’re ready to go.

  The mobile apps make it easy to select whatever pictures or videos you’d like to send, either by selecting them individually or grouped by date.

  The desktop side works a little differently, unfortunately. Instead of, say, dragging and dropping the files you need to transfer, you must instead specify up to five folders with the files you’d like to share.

  Once you’re set up, there are options to send files to your own devices, to others with Sunshine accounts, or anyone else via a file sharing link. There are strict limitations here -- you can share files from your mobile device to 3 people, from your desktop to a maximum of 10 -- but that’s probably not going to be a major issue. (And if it is, cloud storage may be a better option after all.)

  The transfer process is straightforward enough. You can see any connected devices and files are sent at network speeds. And as a bonus, you can even use the app to stream media to a Smart TV or any other DLNA-enabled device.

  Sunshine’s interface isn’t great, there are inconsistencies, limitations, and it’s not as easy to use as it could be. But for simple media sharing between mobile devices and desktops it works just fine, and although Google Play reviews suggest problems in some situations it still scores 4 stars right now (the same at the App Store). If you don’t currently have anything similar then it’s worth a try.

  
• 

  Europeans leaving Android smartphones for iPhones

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 3:19pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Apple's latest iPhones continue to be in high-demand in Europe half a year after their launch, leading up to a market share boost on the old continent according to a new report from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. And it is happening at the expense of Android, which, while still the most-popular smartphone operating system in Europe, is seeing part of its local users fleeing to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

  In Q1 2015, iPhones claimed 20.3 percent of the European smartphone market, a 1.8 percentage points increase over Q1 2014. During the first quarter of the year, 32.4 percent of new customers were Android defectors.

  Android also ceded market share to Windows Phone, which, just like iOS, grew by 1.8 percentage points year-over-year, reaching 9.9 percent market share in Q1 2015. Google's mobile operating system declined to 68.4 percent market share, shaving off 3.1 percentage points year-over-year.

  Even after losing to iPhones and Windows Phones, Android is still the leading choice for European consumers. Diversity plays a key role, giving consumers more options at different price-points compared to the competition. Until that changes, no competitor can truly challenge Android's dominance. (The report is focused on the five-largest European markets, namely France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.)

  "In Great Britain, while 25.6 percent of new iOS buyers switched from Android during the quarter, Android’s leadership remains strong, thanks to the price options consumers have in both the contract and prepay market", says Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Europe's Dominic Sunnebo. "Thirty-five percent of consumers who bought an Android smartphone in Q1 2015 said their decision was driven by receiving a good price on the phone. Another 29 percent said that getting a good deal on the tariff/contract was a factor in their purchase".

  The market where iPhones posted the strongest market share increase (6.9 percentage points) is Great Britain, while for Android the highest year-over-year increase was in Spain (just 0.9 percentage points). Apple's smartphones lost most market share in France (4 percentage points), while for Android the weak spot was Germany (5.7 percentage points).

  Outside of the old continent, iPhones performed strongly in China, Apple's now-biggest market from a volume standpoint, and Australia, while losing ground in US and Japan.

  "In urban China, Apple consolidated its leadership in smartphones, growing its share to 26.1 percent, up from 17.9 percent for the same period in 2014", says Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Asia's Tamsin Timpson. "Thirty-eight percent of iPhone buyers were recommended an Apple device by someone they know, while 23 percent recall seeing an ad". Apple is said to be reaching "beyond the more affluent buyers", which will only help the company further grow in the biggest smartphone market worldwide.

  In China, iPhones gained market share from Android -- but not from Windows Phone -- and other platforms. Windows Phone remains at a steady 1.2 percent market share, while Android is at 72 percent market share (down 8 percentage points).

  Meanwhile, in Australia iPhones saw a market share increase to 38.4 percent, up 5.3 percentage points. Windows Phone is also growing, albeit at a slower rate, increasing its market share to 7.3 percent, up 0.4 percentage points. Android is down to 52.3 percent market share, losing 5 percentage points year-over-year.

  In US, things have barely changed. Android is up 0.2 percentage points, to 58.1 percent market share, while iPhones are down by the same amount, to 36.5 percent market share. Windows Phone is also down, by 0.1 percentage points, to 4.3 percent market share, which it lost to other, less popular, platforms.

  The year-over-year differences are much higher in Japan. In the land of the rising sun, Android is up 10.2 percentage points, to 52.3 percent market share, while iPhones are down 12.5 percentage points, to 45.1 percent market share. Windows Phone is actually less popular here than so called "other" platforms, with a market share of just 0.4 percent, up 0.1 percentage points year-over-year.

  Kantar Worldpanel ComTech notes that "If we dig a little deeper, it is easy to see the strong value proposition that the Lumia portfolio offers, as Windows phone sales in the US skew towards the prepay market (20 percent) and installment plans (51 percent). Microsoft is betting that new Windows 10 functions and the ability for developers to easily port Android apps to Windows will make the Windows ecosystem more appealing". It remains to be seen just how big of an impact that will have over Windows smartphone sales after Microsoft's upcoming operating system, in smartphone trim, launches.

  
• 

  Generate amazing fractal art with Mandelbulb 3D

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 3:12pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Talk to mathematicians and they’ll do their best to explain how beautiful their chosen field can be, but it probably won’t make any difference: if you’re not quite so expert, you won’t have the faintest idea what they’re talking about.

  3D Fractals have the power to change all that. Some will appreciate the way they shift the geometrical properties of the complex plane and shift them into 3D space. But the rest of us can enjoy spectacular fractal art which is a mix of H R Giger’s sketchpad, old sci-fi novel cover art, and the weirdest dreams Terry Gilliam has ever had.

  Mandelbulb 3D is a free portable application for Windows and Mac which can help you discover and generate fractal scenes of your own. It’s not a polished commercial product (the download link is on a forum thread, the interface is a cluttered mess), but can still produce some amazing results: landscapes, deep space scenes, strangely organic shapes, more (the Mandelbulb website has lots of examples).

  If you’re not the mathematical type then the program can seem intimidating, at least initially. The interface is crammed with panels, buttons, values and options, and it’s not at all obvious how to begin.

  Fortunately it’s easier than it looks, at least for basic operations. The program opens with a basic 2D formula, and producing your first fractal object is as simple as clicking "Calculate 3D".

  Click "Formulas", hover your mouse over one of the formula types (3D, 3Da, 4D etc) and select a new formula. You don’t have to understand anything about it, just click "Calculate 3D" again to produce a very different image. Tweak the formula figures to change how it looks, maybe adjust the image size to suit your needs, and save anything you like as an image, ready to share with others.

  Better still, the MandelBulb site has plenty of example images you can use. Click something you like on this page, and you’ll see both the source image and the settings that generated it. Select and copy the settings to the clipboard, click Open > Text > Calculate 3D in Mandelbulb 3D and it’ll generate a local copy of the image, ready for you to customize and explore further.

  Mandelbulb 3D’s interface really needs work, but it’s still not too difficult to use and you’ll be creating fractal masterpieces within minutes. Go take a look.

  
• 

  Working in IT is getting more stressful

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 3:08pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Do you feel more stressed at work? If your job is in IT then the answer is probably yes, according to a new survey from security and email specialist GFI Software.

  The study of over 200 IT administrators in the US finds that 78 percent of those surveyed experience workplace stress, while almost 82 percent of respondents are actively considering leaving their current IT job due to workplace stress and dissatisfaction with working conditions, up from 78.5 percent in 2014.

  Key findings include that 45 percent of respondents have missed social functions due to overrunning issues and tight deadlines at work, up from 38 percent in 2014. A further 40 percent also report missing time with their children due to work demands eating into their personal time.

  Losing sleep due to work pressure is reported by 38 percent of IT staff and the number of respondents experiencing stress related illnesses increased slightly, to 27 percent from 25 percent in 2014. A further 19 percent continue to report feeling in poor physical condition due to work demands, up two percent from last year.

  More than 25 percent report that a relationship or friendship has failed or been severely damaged due to work commitments intruding on personal life.

  "Even in an industry like IT that's well-known for being extremely stressful and highly demanding of its workforce, the findings of this year's IT Stress Survey makes for worrying reading. The 2015 survey results clearly show a substantial deterioration of the work/life balance and job satisfaction among the US IT workforce -- quite concerning at a time when the IT sector is playing such a pivotal role in the growth of our economy," says Sergio Galindo, general manager of GFI Software.

  The biggest driver of stress is cited by 28 percent as unreasonable demands and pressure from management, though this is down from 36 percent last year. Stress caused by end users is increasing, however, rising from 16 percent last year to 23 percent.

  Galindo adds, "Smart employers understand that an over-stressed and unhappy workforce means less productivity, and the higher levels of illness, mistakes and staff turnover directly related to stress can have a very significant and direct cost to the bottom line. Investing in worker happiness and in systems to simplify the job of the IT department is often far cheaper than replacing over-stressed or unhappy staff".

  More information along with the full report is available from the GFI website and there's a summary of the results in infographic form below.

  

  Photo Credit: sunabesyou/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Oculus Rift starts shipping Q1 2016

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 2:43pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  There's now less than a year until people will be able to get their hands on Facebook's virtual reality headset, Oculus Rift. Writing on Twitter, Oculus VR's vice president of product Nate Mitchell confirmed that the device will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2016.

  The announcement was echoed on the official Oculus Twitter feed as well as in an official blog post. While the launch is slightly later than many people had hoped -- initial plans had the release pegged for some time in the latter half of 2015 -- it brings to an end months of guessing.

  The company says that the release product will be based on the Crescent Bay prototype that developers have already had a chance to play with, and that pre-orders will start later this year. It's a virtual reality system that the manufacturers say will completely "reimagine what gaming can be", and more details are due to be released next week about full technical specifications.

  Nate's announcement on Twitter was met enthusiastically by eager fans:

  Extremely excited to announce that the Oculus Rift will be shipping Q1 2016! We can't wait to get it in your hands. pic.twitter.com/TVquKTQJjx

  — Nate Mitchell (@natemitchell) May 6, 2015

  While based on a previous prototype, Oculus says that the unit features "improved tracking system that supports both seated and standing experiences, as well as a highly refined industrial design, and updated ergonomics for a more natural fit".

  There is no word on pricing yet, but this is expected to follow in the coming weeks along with details about games and VR "experiences" that are in the pipeline.

  
• 

  Dropbox for iOS adds new Recents tab, supports comments

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 2:40pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Dropbox has unveiled Dropbox for iOS 3.9.0, a significant update to its client for iPhone and iPad. The new build debuts three new features and improvements.

  There’s a new Recents tab option added to the home screen to provide an alternative way of browsing documents, while users can now add comments to documents from directly within the app. The app also segues in with existing Microsoft Office iOS apps for easy access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

  Once upgraded, users should discover a new Recents tab, which -- after a short pause the first time the new version of the app is opened -- appears next to the existing options of Files, Photos, Favorites and Settings. This displays files in the order they were last opened or updated.

  Version 3.9 also incorporates the new commenting feature -- recently unveiled via Dropbox’s web interface -- into the app. When browsing a document, users can tap the speech bubble to leave a comment for other users. Directly reference other Dropbox users by typing "@" followed by their username -- once posted, these users are notified of the comment via push notifications, making it easy for them to review and respond.

  The app also rolls out the ability to edit Dropbox-hosted Office documents using the relevant Office app (Word, Excel or PowerPoint). By opening the document via Dropbox, users ensure that any changes they make using the iOS Office app is saved directly back into Dropbox. Users should -- over the next few weeks as the feature rolls out -- also be able to create new Office documents from scratch simply by browsing to the relevant folder, then tapping "Create New File".

  If the relevant app isn’t installed when users attempt to access the feature, they’ll be signposted to the App Store to download and install them. Office apps are free to use, but some features are restricted to those with a paid-for Office 365 account.

  Version 3.9 also adds support for the 1Password login extension, which will allows users of the service to create and access 1Password items from within Dropbox itself. The update is rounded off with the usual vague promise of "behind the scenes changes to make the app more reliable".

  Dropbox for iOS 3.9.0 is available now as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. Some features -- notably the Action Extension -- require iOS 8 or later.

  
• 

  France gains sweeping NSA-style surveillance powers

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 1:46pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  The French government has voted in favor of greater powers of surveillance, giving it intelligence-gathering capabilities on a par with the NSA. The move came in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack which led to the deaths of 12 people and prompted the Je Suis Charlie support campaign.

  The new laws allow for NSA-style mass collection of metadata online as well as setting up the National Commission for Control of Intelligence Techniques (CNCTR) to oversee data collection. It has been criticized by some as being the French equivalent of the Patriot Act and the ruling Socialist Party is accused of prying too far into the private lives of normal people in the name of counter-terrorism.

  As is to be expected, the move has outraged civil liberties groups as well as -- oddly -- the far right Marion Marechal-Le Pen who said French citizens should not have to choose between security and privacy. As well as setting up the CNCTR to oversee the activities of France's intelligence services, the new laws determine how public complaints will be handled.

  As is often the justification for the activities of the NSA and other similar agencies, the French government sold the need for increased surveillance powers off the back of terrorist attacks. The government also said that it wanted to bring the surveillance of modern communication methods into an existing legal framework, but critics say the laws -- which "define the purposes for which secret intelligence-gathering may be used" -- go too far.

  The delicate subject matter that prompted the law to be rethought -- cartoons featured in the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo that mocked the prophet Mohammed -- means that the privacy versus national security debate has not been split along the usual party political or ideological lines. Left- and right-leaning parties united to vote through the law 438 votes to 86, with notable opposition coming from the Greens and the Left Front.

  Outside of government, however, there is vocal opposition to the laws. While there is sympathy for the reasons behind the law change, privacy advocates and civil liberties groups are unhappy with how it has been approached. It's something that Privacy International has described as a "dangerous and broad surveillance bill".

  Photo credit: Yulia_B / Shutterstock

  
• 

  IBM and Facebook team up to offer tailored marketing

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 1:37pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  All advertisers are keen to use the power of the Internet to deliver the right message at the right time. From today IBM and Facebook will be collaborating on the delivery of tailored marketing to help with that process.

  IBM's marketing cloud clients will be able to utilize Facebook's powerful ad capabilities such as Custom Audiences, along with IBM's deep analytics and design features, to target their customers across applications, devices and time.

  Using IBM's new Journey Designer, brands will be able to create personalized customer experiences and then use Journey Analytics to gain an understanding of how customers responded.

  By combining Facebook's ad technologies with IBM's Journey Analytics, brands can more accurately determine which groups of customers are among the 1.44 billion people active on Facebook and establish links between their interests and interactions across multiple channels. IBM's Journey Designer solution will then help brands to deliver more compelling messages on Facebook and other mediums.

  IBM has also announced that Facebook will be the first company to join its new IBM Commerce THINKLab, a research and collaboration environment in which companies will work directly with brands to accelerate development of new technologies designed to personalize customer experiences.

  "Our partnership with IBM will help top brands achieve personalization at scale by using IBM’s marketing cloud to find and engage their target audiences on Facebook, as well as solve their vexing challenges by consulting with IBM Commerce THINKLab," says Blake Chandlee, VP of Partnerships for Facebook. "We will also be working closely with IBM Commerce THINKLab to help deliver people-based marketing that’s optimized to achieve each brand’s business goals".

  IBM will use deep analytics, on top of Facebook's anonymized and aggregate audience insights along with additional information from IBM’s marketing cloud to give marketers a clearer picture of their target audiences. They'll also be able to replicate proven campaigns beyond Facebook to other brand channels including their own stores, websites and mobile apps. All of which means better targeted ads.

  "Brands understand the increasing need to provide customers with powerful and personalized experiences to nurture loyalty", says Deepak Advani, General Manager, IBM Commerce. "Through this collaboration, consumer product companies and retailers will be able to quickly and easily gain deeper insight into what their customers expect and provide them with compelling experiences that bridge the physical and virtual divide".

  You can get more information about IBM cloud marketing solutions on the company's website.

  Image Credit: IBM UK

  
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  Wappalyzer uncovers the technologies powering a website

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 10:11am CEST par Mike Williams

  

  If you’re a web developer, interested in security, or just trying to troubleshoot a server problem, then it can sometimes be useful to see exactly what’s powering a website.

  Wappalyzer is a free browser extension for Chrome and Firefox which identifies servers, content management systems, eCommerce platforms, analytics tools, advertising frameworks and more.

  The extension adds multiple icons to your Firefox address bar, each one representing a common web component (PHP, jQuery etc). There’s also a separate Wappalyzer icon, and clicking this displays the full list, sometimes with their version numbers.

  Clicking the name of any package displays some statistics about it: the total number of sites where it’s been detected, the sites where it’s most often been found, how its use has varied over time.

  If you’re thinking that means Wappalyzer must send its detection results back to the developer, then you’re right. This is done anonymously, though, so doesn’t constitute any significant privacy risk, and if you’re still unhappy then it’s easy to disable (click the icon, select Settings, clear "Anonymously send reports…").

  The average user probably won’t care much about any of this, but if you need this kind of low-level server data then Wappalyzer for Chrome and Firefox makes it available at a click.

  
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  The UK could face 'internet rationing' in years to come

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 8:48am CEST par Darren Allan

  

  The UK’s internet infrastructure is in danger of beginning to seriously creak under the sheer weight of the bandwidth demands put on it -- and the power demands of keeping the net running are also set to cause big strains on the country’s suppliers, with the possible outcome of 'internet rationing'.

  The warning that dire straits are looming for the UK’s comms networks will be given to The Royal Society this week, with Professors Andrew Ellis, Sir David Payne and David Saad having organized a meeting to discuss the evidently considerable problems our online expansion is causing.

  The Telegraph spotted the details of the meeting, which will discuss how "communications networks face a potentially disastrous 'capacity crunch'".

  The official spiel stated: "This meeting will combine research in cutting edge information theory adapted to account for the nonlinear dynamics of optical systems, radical network architectures grounded in mathematics to enhance utilization of the finite capacity, advanced material science to provide new tools and uniquely economic analysis to scope the urgency of the issues".

  It will look at the impact of capacity growth on national telecoms networks, future traffic demands in terms of media (streaming video will of course be a major strain), energy sector challenges and physical limitations to network capacity, among many other issues.

  Apparently current optical cable and switches will reach their capacity for data throughput as 2020 rolls around, meaning new cables will have to be laid, and the expense of this may lead to "sharp rises" in the cost of broadband subscriptions, according to Ellis. Additional cables will likely be flooded in short order given the rate demand is growing at, he further noted.

  Power consumption is also a major worry, with the internet currently using 8 percent of the national grid according to Ellis, with demand ramping up hugely. It’s here where we face the specter of some kind of rationing, perhaps, in the future, as Ellis stated: "It is growing so fast, currently at an exponential rate, that, in theory, it could be using all the UK power generation by 2035. We cannot make all that extra power, so we will have to restrict or reduce access, perhaps by metering consumers so they pay for what they use".

  The message is that we need to act quickly to face these issues before they become real problems down the line.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
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  Create and share concept maps online with CmapTools

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 8:28am CEST par Mike Williams

  

  CmapTools is a free cross-platform application (Windows, OS X, iPad) for creating and sharing concept maps, structured diagrams which represent various concepts and show how they’re linked.

  Essentially they’re a simple type of mind map which can help you with anything from brainstorming new ideas to teaching knowledge models to others. And if that still doesn’t help -- or you’d just like to see one yourself -- then CmapTools has a concept map about itself which you can view here.

  As you’ll see, the example is a fairly simple diagram. The key extra is that it does allow you to link to other maps and web pages (click one of the example icons, then the link), which means you’re able to build models with whatever depth you find necessary.

  Creating these diagrams is reasonably straightforward. The CmapTools interface is a little clunky, but once you get to the drawing part, it’s just a matter of double-clicking to create concepts, clicking and dragging to connect them, and typing text labels as appropriate.

  Right-clicking then provides more options to add links, tooltip text, set a custom background and generally configure the map to suit your needs.

  The finished map can be saved locally as an image, PDF or HTML file, but perhaps the real value here is that you’re able to publish it online, an easy way to share your ideas or collaborate with others (if they also have the program).

  This isn’t the most polished of products. Something like Edraw Mind Map can create concept maps and many other diagram types, while you could present simple charts online with little more than a few Google Docs drawings. Still, if you’ll make use of its web publishing and collaboration tools then CmapTools also deserves a closer look.

  
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  IOGEAR GearPower Mobile Power Station USB battery pack [Review]

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 3:41am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Removable batteries in smartphones are becoming quite the rarity. While Apple never offered such a thing on the iPhone, it was once very common on Android devices. While some smartphones running Google's mobile operating system still have this feature, it is far less prevalent (the upcoming LG G4 is a surprising exception). Unfortunately, the battery life of these devices can be very short; making it through a full work day can be challenging. Since you cannot swap the battery, what are you supposed to do?

  You need a USB battery pack. These battery boosters are all the rage nowadays; Amazon and other manufacturers are littered with them. Deciding on a model can be tough, but luckily, I discovered a winner -- the IOGEAR GearPower Mobile Power Station. It has made my Nexus 6 more usable when on the go. Battery anxiety, be gone!

  Upon removing it from the packaging, I was impressed by the pretty design and small size. Its white plastic body is very Apple-esque, which I don't mind, despite using it with an Android device. Quite frankly, the appearance shouldn't make much of a difference.

  What really matters are the specs and how well it works. The model I am reviewing is 12,000mAh and has two USB output ports. One port is 5V1A while the other is 5V2.1A. The former is designed for smartphones, while the latter is for tablets; the 5V2.1A port may charge certain smartphones faster though. The micro USB input port is for charging the unit itself.

  Yes, you can charge two devices at once. With that said, single men and women can definitely use it as a way to meet someone -- sharing a charge is a great introduction.

  Before testing it, I charged it overnight before going to sleep. It had juice from the factory, but I wanted it at full capacity for initial use. What's particularly cool is the 4 bar LED indicator, which is hidden behind the plastic body and and activated by pressing a button. When the LED light is off, it looks like there is no indicator at all. When charging, it flashes to indicate the level. It is actually a very interesting design choice.

  

  During the day, when my Nexus 6's battery became dangerously low, I pulled out the Mobile Power Station and connected it to the phone with a USB cable. I then pressed the only button on it, and like magic, my Nexus began charging! I am able to fully charge my Nexus 6 about three times before the Mobile Power Station needs a charge itself. With that said, I mostly use it to charge my Nexus 6 when the battery gets low -- not empty.

  Not only did this keep my phone from going dead, but it increased my productivity by retaining my mobility. In other words, I was able to stay mobile rather than stationary and tethered to a random outlet. Nothing is worse than being surrounded by smelly hipsters in a coffee shop while charging your smartphone.

  By keeping the IOGEAR battery pack in my bag, I can always be confident that I can stay in communication with the world. While some people will decry the need to stay connected, I reply by saying it can save your life. While that may seem extreme, consider yourself or a family member in an emergency and unable to call 911 because the phone battery is dead. By putting this in a child's backpack, spouse's car, or in a drawer at home, you may prevent a bad situation.

  

  Also important is build quality, and the IOGEAR GearPower Capacity Mobile Power Station did not disappoint here either. While not encased in durable rubber, it proved tough when I dropped it multiple times (oops!). Forgetting it was connected, I would often get up from a table and it would crash to the ground. One time it fell from my lap when exiting a train on the Long Island Rail Road. Not only did it survive these drops, but it stayed relatively scuff free, showing only minor scratches.

  Overall, the build quality, dependability and performance make it a definite recommendation. Hell, it's even attractive if that matters to you. Best of all, the 12,000mAh variant can be bought online for around $65 -- a reasonable price for piece of mind.

  If you are interested in buying one, you can check it out here. Yes, it also comes in 7,000 and 10,000mAh, but if you are going to spend the money, you might as well splurge on the largest capacity, right?

  
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  Microsoft cannot trademark Skype in Europe

  Publié: mai 6, 2015, 1:10am CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  It's a name that is, for many people, synonymous with voice and video chats: Skype. But in Europe, Microsoft has just been told that the name of its communication tool cannot be trademarked because it is too similar to that of broadcaster Sky.

  Microsoft has previously been forced to rename its cloud storage service SkyDrive to OneDrive, but at the moment there is no suggestion that Skype will have to be renamed. The company has indicated that it intends to appeal against the ruling.

  Speaking about the Skype name and logo, the General Court of the European Union said that "conceptually, the figurative element conveys no concept, except perhaps that of a cloud. [It] would further increase the likelihood of the element 'Sky' being recognised within the word element 'Skype', for clouds are to be found 'in the sky' and thus may readily be associated with the word sky".

  The case dates back ten years when it was first ruled that Skype was too similar to Sky to be granted a trademark in the European Union. Despite the lack of trademark, other companies would not necessarily be able to create products and services of their own called Skype without fear of repercussions.

  Microsoft remains defiant, saying:

  The case was not a legal challenge to Skype's use of the mark, it was only against the registration. We're confident that no confusion exists between these brands and services and will appeal. This decision does not require us to alter product names in any way.