Author: kenmay

SpaceX wants to launch 4,425 internet satellites

SpaceX has just asked the FCC for permission to launch 4, 425 satellites that can provide high-speed (1 Gbps) internet around the globe. That’s more than thrice the current number of active satellites orbiting our planet, based on the data posted by the Union of Concerned Scientists. SpaceX chief Elon Musk first talked about the project back in 2015, wherein he revealed that it would cost the company $10 billion and that it will operate out of the private space corp’s new Seattle office. One of its earliest investors is Google, which contributed $1 billion to the initiative. The satellites the company plans to launch will be much bigger than CubeSats at 850 pounds each and will be designed to last five to seven years before they decay. They’ll be orbiting our planet from 714 to 823 miles above the surface, higher than the space station that typically maintains an altitude of around 268 miles. According to the FCC filing, the project has two phases: SpaceX will initially launch 800 satellites that can provide internet services in the US and other locations. Once all 4, 425 satellites are in orbit — it could take five years to launch them all — the array will be able to provide 1 Gbps connection to users across the globe. Besides providing details about the project, the FCC filing has also revealed the kind of power Elon Musk wields over SpaceX. Apparently, Musk has a 54 percent stake in the space corporation, more than twice his 22 percent stake in Tesla. Source: FCC , Business Insider , SpaceX

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SpaceX wants to launch 4,425 internet satellites

This DIY Electric Skateboard Is Powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero

If you’re looking for a fun weekend project and have a Pi Zero lying around, consider making your own electric, powered skateboard like this one from The Raspberry Pi Guy. Controlled with an old Wiimote and capable of 30 km/h (about 19 mph), it’s not a bad way to get around town. Read more…

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This DIY Electric Skateboard Is Powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero

World’s largest music torrent site goes dark, disputes report about server seizure [Updated]

It took nearly 10 years, but authorities have finally targeted and taken down What.cd, which had risen to become the Internet’s largest invite-only, music-trading torrent site. The news was confirmed by the tracker’s official Twitter account on Thursday via two posts: “We are not likely to return any time soon in our current form. All site and user data has been destroyed. So long, and thanks for all the fish.” Read 7 remaining paragraphs | Comments

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World’s largest music torrent site goes dark, disputes report about server seizure [Updated]

Metallica and The Roots play "Enter Sandman" on toy and classroom instruments

On The Tonight Show last night, Metallica, promoting their new album ” Hardwired…to Self-Destruct ,” played their old ditty “Enter Sandman” in an entirely new way. We’re off to never never land. James Hetfield – Vocals, Toy clarinet Jimmy Fallon – Vocals, Bass Drum, Casio Keyboard, Kazoo Lars Ulrich – Fisher Price Drum, Toy Cymbals Kirk Hammett – Melodica Robert Trujillo – Baby Electric Axe Questlove – Hand Clappers, Kazoo Kamal Gray – Xylophone James Poyser – Melodica Captain Kirk – Ukulele Tuba Gooding Jr. – Kazoo, Banana Shaker, Apple Shaker Mark Kelley – Kazoo Frank Knuckles – Bongos Black Thought – Tambourine, Brown Hat

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Metallica and The Roots play "Enter Sandman" on toy and classroom instruments

Meet PoisonTap, the $5 tool that ransacks password-protected computers

Enlarge (credit: Samy Kamkar) The perils of leaving computers unattended just got worse, thanks to a newly released exploit tool that takes only 30 seconds to install a privacy-invading backdoor, even when the machine is locked with a strong password. PoisonTap, as the tool has been dubbed, runs freely available software on a $5/£4  Raspberry Pi Zero device . Once the payment card-sized computer is plugged into a computer’s USB slot, it intercepts all unencrypted Web traffic, including any authentication cookies used to log in to private accounts. PoisonTap then sends that data to a server under the attacker’s control. The hack also installs a backdoor that makes the owner’s Web browser and local network remotely controllable by the attacker. (credit: Samy Kamkar) PoisonTap is the latest creation of Samy Kamkar, the engineer behind a long line of low-cost hacks, including a password-pilfering keylogger disguised as a USB charger , a key-sized dongle that jimmies open electronically locked cars and garages , and a DIY stalker app that mined Google Streetview . While inspiring for their creativity and elegance, Kamkar’s inventions also underscore the security and privacy tradeoffs that arise from an increasingly computerized world. PoisonTap continues this cautionary theme by challenging the practice of password-protecting an unattended computer rather than shutting it off or, a safer bet still, toting it to the restroom or lunch room. Read 11 remaining paragraphs | Comments

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Meet PoisonTap, the $5 tool that ransacks password-protected computers

Police Raid Pirate Site, Seize 60 Servers Following MPAA Complaint

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TorrentFreak: When it comes to shutting down pirate sites, few groups have a longer history than the Motion Picture Association of America. The Hollywood organization has dozens of pirate scalps under its belt and today is able to claim another. Serving more than a million users every day, FS.to was one of Ukraine’s largest pirate sites. Ranked the country’s 21st most popular site overall, the movie-focused platform attracted the attention of the MPAA and local rights holders alike. That has resulted in one of the biggest raids ever seen in the country. According to the cyber crime division of Ukraine’s national police, an operation shut down the platform Monday following a complaint from Hollywood. The authorities say that 19 people suspected of running the site via a network of local and offshore companies were arrested. The operation to shut the site appears to have been significant. Raids took place at the offices and homes of the suspects, plus datacenters where equipment running the site was installed. Thus far around 60 servers have been seized from a range of local ISPs but the operation is still ongoing so the tally could increase. Local sources indicate that the authorities have linked local Internet company Ferazko Holding Inc. with FS since it owns several of the site’s domains including FS.to, BRB.to and FS.ua. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Police Raid Pirate Site, Seize 60 Servers Following MPAA Complaint

Domino’s starts delivering pizza by drone, but only in New Zealand

If you measure the future in terms how pizza is delivered, the future is now: Domino’s now delivers via autonomous drone. Today, the pizza chain officially launched its drone delivery service in New Zealand. The pizzaria chain has been working with Flirtey on the program for awhile now, but has only just started offering it to a select group of customers. “Drones offer the promise of safer, faster deliveries to an expanded delivery area, ” Domino’s group CEO Don Meiji says. “Meaning more customers can expect to receive a freshly-made order within our ultimate target of 10 minutes.” Drone deliveries are being integrated into the company’s online ordering system, and the company says it hopes to expand the drone deliveries to a wider area soon. The company didn’t announce any plans to bring drone delivery to the United States, but Flirtey is working on it. Earlier this year, the company performed its first FAA-sanctioned delivery in Nevada , carrying emergency food, water and a first-aid kit to an empty house. That’s promising, but it will probably be awhile before you can order-in by air — US Drone standards are pretty strict. Source: PRNewswire

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Domino’s starts delivering pizza by drone, but only in New Zealand

Royal Navy Giving Up Anti-Ship Missiles, Will Rely On Cannons For Naval Combat

cold fjord writes: It will soon be a bit more difficult for Britain’s Royal Navy to rule the waves as it gives up anti-ship missiles as a result of budget cuts. That will force the Royal Navy to go “old school” and rely upon naval gunfire for ship-to-ship combat. Cannon fire as the primary means of ship-to-ship combat has been largely obsolete since the 1950s following the invention of guided missiles in World War 2. Prior to that, cannon fire had been the primary means of naval combat for hundreds of years. Although the Royal Navy ranged up to 16″ guns on battleships, the largest gun currently in active service is a 4.5″ gun. That will leave the Royal Navy unable to engage targets beyond approximately 17 miles / 27 km, whereas Harpoon missiles provide an 80 mile / 130 m range. The loss of anti-ship missile capability will begin in 2018 and may last for 10 years for warships, and 2 years for helicopters. The Sun quotes a naval insider who said: “It’s like Nelson saying, ‘don’t worry, I don’t need canons, we’ve got muskets.'” The loss of missile capability heaps more misfortune upon a naval force that recently has seen its available frontline combat force drop to an unprecedented 24 warships. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Royal Navy Giving Up Anti-Ship Missiles, Will Rely On Cannons For Naval Combat