Archive for December, 2013
Mars Express Orbiter Buzzes Martian Moon Phobos
On Sunday, at 5:17 p.m. GMT (12:17 p.m. EST), Europe’s Mars Express orbiter successfully completed a daring low-pass of Mars’ largest moon Phobos. Continue reading →
Steam Machine Teardown
If last month’s round of next-gen console launches left you in a fog, prepare yourself for the incoming Steam Machine. Valve has released only 300 beta kits into the wild, so grab your companion cube and hold tight—we’re about to open one up. Continue reading →
Mac Pro Late 2013 Teardown
After making its debut during the WWDC 2013 Keynote, the reimagined, reformulated Mac Pro finally arrived at iFixit’s doorstep. Join us as we turn the (very) Late 2013 Mac Pro inside-out. Continue reading →
Jabra Solemate Mini Bluetooth speaker review
Jabra released the Solemate, which is a portable Bluetooth speaker, and later followed up with a smaller and larger version. Continue reading →
Samsung is building a metal smartphone… but it’s not the Galaxy S5
We feel pretty confident that Samsung’s Galaxy S5 will be a killer smartphone but one question remains: Will Samsung finally follow in the footsteps of the iPhone 5s and the HTC One and use a premium aluminum build or will it stick with its tried-and-true plastic formula? Continue reading →
Inside TAO: Documents Reveal Top NSA Hacking Unit
The NSA’s TAO hacking unit is considered to be the intelligence agency’s top secret weapon. It maintains its own covert network, infiltrates computers around the world and even intercepts shipping deliveries to plant back doors in electronics ordered by those it is targeting. Continue reading →
The NSA can reportedly gain backdoor access to the iPhone, among many other tech products
The National Security Agency knows no boundaries — and has tools for spying that span computers, keyboards, firewalls and servers, or nearly all the security architecture created by major tech companies. Continue reading →
Sony Xperia Z Ultra gets a 4000 mAh battery case from Mugen
The rise of powerful smartphones has led to the rise of a breed of phone cases that include an extra battery for some added juice. Continue reading →
Cydia Substrate Updated To 0.9.5000 For A7 Support With 7.0.4 Jailbreak
Only minutes ago, in a late night/early morning release, Saurik (the creator of Cydia) pushed out an update to Cydia Substrate: version 0.9.5000. Continue reading →
DROID Maxx, DROID Ultra, DROID Mini KitKat Update Pulled After Bricking Reports
The last thing you want to do when installing a fresh version of Android on your phone is to accidentally brick the device. That’s apparently exactly what’s happening to owners of Verizon’s Motorola DROID Maxx, DROID Mini and Motorola DROID Ultra who are trying to install Android 4.4 KitKat. Continue reading →
Google Acquires Boston Dynamics, Bolstering Robotics Ambitions
Google has confirmed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics, the engineering firm famous for creating some of the world's most advanced quadruped and humanoid robots, including BigDog, Cheetah, and Atlas. The move underscores Google's aggressive expansion into robotics, led by former Android chief Andy Rubin. While financial terms were not disclosed, this marks the eighth robotics company Google has purchased in the past six months, signaling a serious commitment to the field.
Boston Dynamics, originally spun out of MIT, has long been funded primarily by military contracts from DARPA. Its robots are known for their startling agility and lifelike movements, often showcased in viral videos. Google has stated that it will honor existing military contracts but does not plan to become a defense contractor itself. Instead, the company is expected to leverage Boston Dynamics' expertise for consumer and industrial applications, though specific projects have not been revealed. Continue reading →
Target Confirms Massive Data Breach Affecting 40 Million Customers
Retail giant Target has confirmed a massive data breach that compromised credit and debit card information for approximately 40 million customers who shopped at its U.S. stores between November 27 and December 15, 2013. The stolen data includes customer names, card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes, potentially allowing criminals to create counterfeit cards. Target is working with federal law enforcement and a leading third-party forensics firm to investigate the breach.
The breach is believed to have originated from malware installed on point-of-sale (POS) systems in Target stores. Security experts note that such attacks are increasingly common, as POS systems often run outdated software and are connected to the internet. Target has advised customers to monitor their accounts for suspicious activity and has set up a hotline for affected individuals. The company also announced that customers will not be held responsible for fraudulent charges. Continue reading →
Android 4.4.1 Update Brings Camera Improvements to Nexus 5
Google has started rolling out Android 4.4.1 to Nexus 5 devices, focusing primarily on camera enhancements. The update, which is expected to reach other Nexus devices soon, addresses several complaints about the Nexus 5's camera performance, including slower autofocus, shutter lag, and inconsistent exposure. Early reports indicate that the update significantly improves autofocus speed and overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
In addition to camera fixes, Android 4.4.1 includes minor bug fixes and performance improvements. The update also brings a new version of the Google Camera app with a revised UI, making it easier to access settings and switch between photo and video modes. Some users have noted that HDR+ mode now processes images more quickly, reducing the time between shots. Google is expected to release Android 4.4.2 soon with further refinements.
- Faster autofocus and reduced shutter lag
- Improved HDR+ processing
- New camera app interface
- General performance and stability fixes
Continue reading →
Samsung Galaxy S5 Rumored to Feature Iris Scanner
Fresh rumors suggest that Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S5 may include an iris scanner for biometric authentication, potentially replacing or supplementing the fingerprint sensor found on the iPhone 5s. According to unnamed sources, Samsung has been working on iris recognition technology for several years and may finally integrate it into its next flagship smartphone. The Galaxy S5 is expected to be announced in early 2014, possibly at Mobile World Congress in February.
Iris scanning offers a high level of security and can work from a short distance, unlike fingerprint sensors that require direct contact. However, integrating such technology into a smartphone presents challenges, including the need for a dedicated camera and infrared illumination. Samsung has reportedly developed a compact module that could fit into the phone's front bezel. If implemented, the Galaxy S5 would be among the first mass-market smartphones to feature iris recognition, potentially giving Samsung a competitive edge in mobile security. Continue reading →