Tag: culture

Run 500 hard-to-find Apple II programs in your web browser

Sure, it’s easy to find ways to run classic Apple II programs like The Oregon Trail or Prince of Persia . But what about that obscure educational title you remember using as a kid? Is it doomed to be forgotten? You might not have to worry. The Internet Archive has announced that its web-based emulation catalog now includes over 500 relatively tough-to-find Apple II programs that might otherwise have disappeared forever. If you remember using the likes of The Quarter Mile or The Observatory , you can fire it up without having to dig your old computer out of storage. In many cases, it’s almost surprising that the programs are available at all. They come from an era when copy protection frequently involved hardware-specific tricks, and attempts to crack them often broke code or included unsightly credits to the cracking teams involved. Here, that isn’t an issue — the goal is to preserve the software as faithfully as possible. The Internet Archive likely can’t save everything even it keeps expanding its library, but it could prevent large swaths of Apple II history from being reduced to memories. Source: Internet Archive

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Run 500 hard-to-find Apple II programs in your web browser

First known Mac ransomware reaches the wild

While ransomware has sadly been a reality on smartphones and Windows PCs for a while, you haven’t really had to worry about it on a Mac… until now, that is. Palo Alto Networks claims to have discovered the first known instance of OS X-oriented ransomware in the wild, “KeRanger.” If you install software infected with the code (in this case, a version of the BitTorrent client Transmission ), it’ll encrypt your files after three days and demand that you pay a digital currency ransom to regain control. In practice, you’re likely already safe from KeRanger. Transmission has released a new version of its app that should be safe, and Apple has revoked a security certificate from another developer that KeRanger used to slip past OS X’s native defenses. Even so, this is a not-so-friendly reminder that malware of all stripes can potentially infect any given platform — you can’t assume that your operating system’s inherent security features (or simply avoiding the most targeted platform) will keep you safe. Source: Reuters

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First known Mac ransomware reaches the wild

Quantum computer revolves around just 5 atoms

It’s no mean feat to find the factors of a very large number — even a supercomputer can take years to find all the multipliers. However, MIT researchers have found a way to clear this massive hurdle. They’ve built a quantum computer that discovers number factors using just five atoms. Four of the atoms are turned into logic gates using laser pulses that put them into superpositions (where they maintain two different energy states at once), while the fifth atom stores and delivers answers. The result is a computer that not only calculates solutions much more efficiently than existing quantum systems, but scales relatively easily. Need to get the factors for a larger number? Introduce more atoms. It’s a one-trick pony at the moment (it can only get factors for the number 15), and a truly complex computer would require “thousands” of simultaneous laser blasts to work. However, it could have big ramifications for the security world. A sufficiently powerful machine could end the use of any encryption that depends on factoring — a government agency or hacking team could easily crack codes that are otherwise near-impenetrable. On a basic level, this quantum factoring could also help solve math problems involving extremely large numbers (say, universe-scale calculations) that would normally be too daunting. Source: MIT News

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Quantum computer revolves around just 5 atoms

$350 million Nintendo land coming to Universal Japan’s park

When Nintendo announced it was granting Universal Studios the rights to some of its properties for theme park rides, it was anyone’s guess where they’d show up first. Now we know that they’ll debut in the gaming juggernaut’s back yard: Japan. Regional news outlet Sankei (Japanese) reports that the attraction is scheduled for completion by 2020, the year Tokyo is slated to host the Olympics. And lest you think this will be a simple statue of Princess Peach and a Mario Kart -themed go-kart track, the publication says this should be on par with the likes of Universal’s Harry Potter -themed zone but focused entirely on everyone’s favorite Italian plumber. Hell, it could even be called “Super Mario World.” Crazier things have happened! Need more evidence for how serious of a deal this is? Universal is putting up ¥40 billion ($351, 509, 200) — given Nintendo’s current financial woes , the company is probably happy someone else is footing the bill. For that amount, maybe we’ll see a full scale version of the entire Mushroom Kingdom in a few years. 4) Busy start of 2016 for Nintendo. See the picture below for details (from Sankei: https://t.co/NRejTXGL6Q ) // end pic.twitter.com/EMHunhgYFa — Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) March 5, 2016 Via: Dr. Serkan Toto (Twitter) Source: Sankei (Japanese)

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$350 million Nintendo land coming to Universal Japan’s park

The next Windows 10 update is all about Cortana

Cortana has learned three languages in the latest Windows 10 update, which is available today for Insider members in the program’s Fast ring. Cortana now supports Spanish (Mexico), Portuguese (Brazil) and French (Canada) languages, each with its own specialized flair. “Cortana is fond of pasteis which is a common food found in many regions across Brazil, ” Microsoft’s blog post reads. “And in Mexico, we added local flavor to reflect the accent and language of the country.” In today’s preview build, users can also set simple reminders with Cortana, including events that don’t have due dates. It’s possible to return to these reminders later to set specific parameters. In future updates, Cortana “will be able to retrieve these upon request, just like a real personal assistant would, ” the Windows team promises. Microsoft is also updating the Lock and logon screens — they’ll now have the same background (the one chosen for the Lock screen). The company is also working to streamline the transition between the Lock and logon screens. The latest update squashes a few bugs, including a glitch where Cortana showed reminders for events that were already completed. Some PCs bluescreened after downloading certain drivers from Windows Update, but this build should take care of that problem. Additionally, all Windows Insiders will now receive Windows 10 firmware updates automatically as they become available. Source: Windows

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The next Windows 10 update is all about Cortana

Vivo Xplay5 boasts 6GB RAM and a familiar curved screen

If you need an excuse to acquire a new exotic Chinese smartphone, then how about 6GB of RAM? Not only is Vivo’s new Xplay5 the first mobile device to announce this spec, but it’s also the second non-Samsung device — following the BlackBerry Priv — to pack a screen that’s curved on both sides. Judging by its familiar metallic design, you’d easily think that the Xplay5 is the bastard child of the Galaxy S6 Edge (front) and the iPhone (back) after a one night stand in Dongguan (the S7 Edge’s chamfer isn’t as shiny). Despite the unfortunate similarities, this is still a surprisingly decent product in terms of hardware and specs — much like how its predecessor, the Xplay3S , managed to wow us a little over two years ago. The dual-SIM Xplay5 comes in two flavors. The “Flagship Edition” features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 chipset, 6GB of speedy LPDDR4 RAM, 128GB of internal storage and a “HiFi 3.0” package consisting of two ES9028 SABRE Mobile DAC chips plus three OPA1612 amplifiers for improved audio quality overall. As for the regular model, you get the mid-range Snapdragon 652 , a “mere” 4GB of RAM, also 128GB of storage and a different combination of audio chips (CS4398 plus AD45257). Both versions sport a 5.43-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution (2, 560 x 1, 440) along with a fingerprint reader on the back. For photography, a 16-megapixel f/2.0 Sony IMX298-powered main camera with phase detection auto-focus plus dual-tone LED flash, and a generous 8-megapixel f/2.4 front-facing camera for you selfie addicts. The built-in 3, 600mAh battery should be plentiful, and the rapid charging support comes in handy (we’ve yet to confirm whether it’s the Quick Charge 2.0 or 3.0 standard). What’s a bit disappointing is the lack of NFC and USB Type-C here, as well as the fact that the Xplay5 only comes with Android 5.1 (under Vivo’s skin, of course). While no date has been mentioned for the “Flagship Edition” just yet, the regular model is already up for pre-order. It’s no Xiaomi; you’ll need to pay up 3, 698 yuan or about $560, or you can wait for a while to save up 4, 288 yuan or about $650 for that beast of a phone. Both are available in gold and pink. Source: Vivo

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Vivo Xplay5 boasts 6GB RAM and a familiar curved screen

One Animal in Zootopia Has More Individual Hairs Than Every Character in Frozen Combined

Computer animation evolves at an alarming rate. One year, a movie like Frozen or Big Hero 6 looks like the peak of what’s possible. Then, only a year later, the next thing goes way beyond that. In this case, the next thing is Zootopia , and in this movie a single giraffe has more individual hairs on it—nine million—than every single character in either Frozen, Big Hero 6, or Wreck-It Ralph . Read more…

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One Animal in Zootopia Has More Individual Hairs Than Every Character in Frozen Combined

Netflix to stream original anime by ‘Attack on Titan’ producer

Netflix is preparing to release its new, 12-part original anime series Perfect Bones. It’s not the streaming service’s first original anime, but it’s the first time the company is launching a whole series in 190 countries simultaneously. Netflix’s first “original” title, Knights of Sidonia, can be more appropriately described as an exclusive, since it already aired in Japan before it arrived on the platform. This one will completely bypass Japanese TV. Netflix VP Erik Barmack said in a statement: In an era where the Internet knows no bounds, we are proud to deliver high quality original Anime to fans all over the world, at the exact same time , no matter where they live whether it be Japan, France, Mexico, the US, and beyond. Perfect Bones is directed by Kazuto Nakazawa (who also did Kill Bill 1’s animated sequence) for Production I.G. That’s the famed anime studio behind several popular titles, including Attack on Titan and Psycho Pass , as well as sci-fi classic Ghost in the Shell . In the world of Perfect Bones, geneticists are on a quest to create the “perfect human” to maintain universal peace. Unfortunately, their research subjects are kidnapped by an evil organization that plan to use them to achieve a “new world order.” Netflix didn’t say when the series will be available, so keep a close eye on the app or website to catch it as soon it’s up. Source: Netflix

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Netflix to stream original anime by ‘Attack on Titan’ producer

Google is shutting down its car insurance comparison service

Google is sending one of its lesser-known tools called Compare to the slaughterhouse. We don’t blame you if you’ve never heard of it before — in the email sent to the service’s partners and posted by Search Engine Land , the big G said it “hasn’t driven the success [Google] hoped for.” Compare gives you a way to view several offers from car insurance, mortgage lending and credit card companies in the US and the UK. You only have to type in some info, such as your car’s make and model, to make it work. It’s still up and running if you want to try it out , but don’t expect too much. The tech giant has initiated the shutdown process today, and it will be completely offline by March 23rd. One of the difficulties Google encountered, according to The Wall Street Journal , is that auto insurance typically requires state-by-state approval. The publication also noted that Google failed to convince some big insurers and lenders to be part of Compare, leading to limited choices and people seeking answers elsewhere. Google didn’t reveal whether it plans to pursue the niche again in the future — Compare itself is the new version of Google Advisor — and only said that it’s focusing on AdWords for now. Here’s the full email to partners posted by Search Engine Land : Dear Partner, Beginning on February 23, 2016, we will start ramping down the Google Compare product, which is currently live in both the US and UK. We plan to terminate the service as of March 23, 2016. As you know, Google Compare (formerly Google Advisor in the U.S.) has been a specialized, standalone service that enables consumers to get quotes from a number of providers for financial products such as car and travel insurance, credit cards and mortgages. Despite people turning to Google for financial services information, the Google Compare service itself hasn’t driven the success we hoped for. We greatly appreciate your partnership and understand that this decision will be disappointing to some. But after a lot of careful consideration, we’ve decided that focusing more intently on AdWords and future innovations will enable us to provide fresh, comprehensive answers to Google users, and to provide our financial services partners with the best return on investment. We’re grateful for all the feedback that you have provided over the course of this product’s development, and we are looking forward to partnering with you to achieve greater success in the future. We will work with you during this transition and beyond. Please reach out to your Google representative if you have any questions and to discuss the next steps. The Google Compare Team Via: The Wall Street Journal Source: Search Engine Land

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Google is shutting down its car insurance comparison service

Netflix is going all in on HDR and more original content

After revealing an ambitious plan for global expansion earlier this year , Netflix is now looking to focus on what’s arguably the most important part of its business: content. In a recent meeting at Mobile World Congress 2016 , the video giant shared more details about what subscribers should expect next. And that mostly revolves around making a bigger push for original shows, improving the Netflix mobile apps on iOS and Android, as well as bringing support for high dynamic range (HDR) programming. The company hasn’t been shy to divulge its appreciation for HDR, but it’s going all out on the technology in 2016. “We started exploring HDR content about one year ago, ” says Chris Jaffe, vice president of user interface innovation at Netflix, “it is the [obvious] next-level resolution in the playback experience.” Over the coming months, there will be many HDR shows available on the platform, including Marco Polo season one and the highly anticipated second season of Daredevil . But Jaffe knows it won’t be easy, particularly due to the amount of internet bandwidth required by this type of content. As such, he says, Netflix has already worked out various compression algorithms , which adjust the quality of the video based on its complexity and still serve it up at a high resolution. So long as you have 16-20 Mbps connection, the experience should suffer from a minimum buffering woes. Of course, Ultra HD content plays a major role in Netflix’s strategy too, and there are more than 600 hours of 4K programming expected to hit the streaming service in 2016. Additionally, Jaffe says Netflix is launching 30 shows this year, including new seasons for existing series like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black , plus 10 original movies and a number of documentaries and exclusive content for kids . “[We have] 75 million members around the world; essentially that means 75 million different experiences, ” he says about the challenge Netflix faces to have something for everyone, from movies and TV shows to the algorithm used to recommend what you should watch. On the mobile side, Netflix is expected to rollout a revamped iOS app tomorrow, featuring support for Arabic and auto-play episodes. Later this year, both the iOS and Android applications will let also you manage your data usage, in case you have a cap on your smartphone or tablet plan and want to limit streams to a certain quality. Meanwhile, if you have a Chromecast, you can expect a second-screen experience for to arrive “shortly, ” which is going to give you access to IMDB-like metadata from your iOS or Android device. It’ll come in handy during those times when you don’t know who an actor is, or want to know what other movies they are in — the benefit here is you’re able to do it directly from the app. You have to give it to Netflix for its appetite to keep growing across the board, but you also have to ask yourself if it’s trying to do too much all at once. As always, however, only time will tell. For now, if you’re a Netflix buff , there’s no reason you shouldn’t be excited about the company’s plans for the near future. [Image credits: Netflix, Getty Images]

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Netflix is going all in on HDR and more original content