Android L's newest security feature: out-of-the-box encryption

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/18/android-l-encryption-out-of-the-box/

Apple isn't the only one that's making its software a lot more secure, and erm, fed-proof -- Google's upcoming Android platform will apparently be encrypted by default, according to The Washington Post. The publication didn't clarify whether it's Android's full-disk encryption, which Google first rolled out in 2011, but it did say that nobody can access the encrypted device (not even the company), unless they know its four-digit pin. Does that mean users will be forced to nominate a passcode upon setup? We don't know for sure, but with encryption in place, Mountain View (just like Apple) won't be able to assist authorities in searching your phone, so long as you keep your passcode a secret.

Company spokeswoman Niki Christoff told the Post that keys/passcodes are not stored online or anywhere off your device, so Google has no way to share them. Also, with this update, you won't even have to think or figure out how to switch encryption on, since you're protected from the start. Google has apparently been developing this Android L feature for months, because while feds generally can't search phones without a warrant, it wants its software to be more resistant to government snooping.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Google

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Source: Washington Post

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Not all of Samsung's curved displays are gigantic

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/18/samsung-curved-monitor/

Want a curved display from Samsung but don't quite have the scratch to bring one of its gigantic models home? Maybe try the 27-inch S27D590C monitor on for size when it releases at some ambiguous point in the future. The firm seems to be targeting gamers specifically with the monitor, saying that the curve creates a wider field of view (178 degrees horizontally and vertically, if you're curious) and gives the screen a "3D-like" effect when you're playing shooters and racing games, among other genres. There's even a one-button game mode that makes a few adjustments to compensate for motion blur, color and contrast too. Unlike Dell's not-flat display, however, this one's limited to a paltry 1,920 x 1,080 lines of resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This'll probably be fine for us commoners, sure, but it might not be enough for the PC Master Race.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung

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Source: Samsung, Flickr

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Researchers use cell-phone data, not precogs, to predict crime in London

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/18/london-crime-prediction/

Just this year we've seen open data give rise to recreations of Denmark in Minecraft, the ability to compare cities at the same scale and also collections of geo-mapped tweets and traffic lights. But what about a practical application for all of that info, one that has a more tangible benefit to society, like, say, crime prediction? That's what the University of Trento in Italy had in mind with its "Once Upon a Crime" study. The researchers coupled freely available (and anonymous, aggregated) demographic and mobile phone data with real crime data to forecast where in London an infraction might occur. Just how accurate was it? The Italian scientists say that their predictive algorithm was on-point, accurately anticipating whether an area would have either high or low levels of vice, 70 percent of the time. No, it's not quite enough to let Chief Anderton and co. start running wild just yet, but it could be a way to help cities struggling with budget woes decide what areas need more (or fewer) police patrols.

[Image credit: Getty Images]

Filed under: Cellphones

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Via: Slashdot

Source: Arxiv (PDF)

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It only takes $9,000 to join this social network

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/17/netropolitan-social-network-for-rich/

True or False: You don't go on Facebook anymore, because it's such a drag not being able to talk about your private jet's new upholstery. After all, a few of your old friends post regularly about student debt and (gasp) mortgage payments, and it'll make you look like an insensitive prick.

If you answered True, this new social network called Netropolitan hopes you'll be willing to pony up a whopping $9,000 up front to rub virtual elbows with the equally rich. Netropolitan's website describes it as "an online country club for people with more money than time" and is open to anyone over 21 with cash to throw around. There's no need to add friends, since you can see everyone else's post once you get it, but you can form groups around common interests (which, by the way, you can also do on Facebook for free).

This new social network for the elite was created by James Touchi-Peters, a former conductor of the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra, because he "saw a need for an environment where you could talk about the finer things in life without backlash," according to CNN. He promises the website will show no ads and will offer a round-the-clock tech support to help you navigate the website. Netropolitan's still in its very early stages, but if it lasts, you'll have to pay a hefty $3,000 more per year to be able to stay.

If the website's WordPress backend or .info TLD don't suit your taste, though, you can always choose from the other exclusive social networks. There's ASmallWorld, which was once described as the "MySpace for millionaires" and Affluence.org, which you can join for free if you can prove a $3 million net worth. Finally, there's Topcom, which is like Facebook, Twitter and Skype combined, but only for the top 200 world leaders.

Filed under: Internet

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Via: CNN

Source: Netropolitan

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Amazon's New Kindle Fire HDX Tablet Is Lighter And Has A Sharper Screen Than The iPad Air (AMZN)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/new-amazon-fire-hdx-tablet-2014-9

Amazon is refreshing its line of high-end Kindle Fire HDX tablets with a new 8.9-inch model that's faster and sleeker than its predecessor for the same price of $379.  

The Fire HDX has a quad-core processor with a graphics engine that's 70% speedier than the one in the last device. The Fire HDX 8.9  is also equipped to support super-fast Wi-Fi, and is the first tablet with Dolby Atmos, which means that when you listen to headphones, the sound will seem like it's coming from different directions.

Even with the fast processor, the tablet's battery can support up to 12 hours of reading, watching videos, and listening to music, Amazon says. A new feature called Smart Suspend also helps the tablet save battery: It will turn your wireless connection on and off when it's not in use, so you'll still get notifications but won't drain the device. 

Amazon also boasts that the new device is 20% lighter than the iPad Air and that its display has 30% more pixels than the iPad's Retina display, making it super-crisp with beautiful colors. The screen also has something that Amazon calls "Dynamic Light Control," which means that it changes the white part of the display based on the light surrounding it to mimic as well as possible what an actual page of a book would look like. This makes it easier on your eyes because it's more like reading a normal printed book.

We tried to capture what that means here. The device in the middle is an iPad — notice how it looks more blue and less warm than the Fire HDX, on the left:

The Fire HDX tablet is running an updated version of Amazon's operating-system, a forked version of Android KitKat that the company is calling Fire OS 4 "Sangria." Like Amazon's new Fire smartphone, this tablet w! ill supp ort Firefly, a feature which lets users scan objects like books, movies, posters, QR codes, and household goods to give you more information about them or make a purchase on Amazon.com. Firefly also comes with a new translation feature: You can take a picture of something in a different language, and the tablet will spit out the English translation. 

One of the great features from Sangria is called Family Library. It lets family members easily share content like books, movies, and games, even if they use different Amazon accounts. This feature could come in handy, for example, if you and your partner wanted to read an e-book at the same time, but only wanted to buy one copy.

Amazon is definitely marketing this device to families, so you can also create up to six profiles on each tablet — two "adults" and four "kids."

Like the last Kindle HDX tablets, this new version has front and rear facing cameras, but it also come with free, unlimited cloud storage, so you don't have to worry about running out of space if you're a photo-fanatic. 

Finally, Amazon built a new, super-light keyboard for people who think they'll be using their tablet for work. It comes with the most popular Android Office app, WPS Office:

 The Fire HDX 8.9 costs $379 and is available for pre-order now. It will start shipping in October. 

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