Popular Android Package Uses Just XOR — and That’s Not the Worst Part

siddesu writes A popular ‘encryption’ package for Android that even charges a yearly subscription fee of $8, actually does nothing more than give false sense of security to its users. Not only is the app using a worthless encryption method, it also uses weak keys and ‘encrypts’ only a small portion of the files. One wonders how much snake oil flows through the app stores, from ‘battery savers’ to ‘antivirus’. What is the most worthless app purchase you made? Did you ask for a refund? Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Popular Android Package Uses Just XOR — and That’s Not the Worst Part

Apple Patents A Light-Splitting iPhone Camera Sensor System

 Apple has secured a new patent (via AppleInsider) for a special three sensor camera designed for thin, wireless devices like the iPhone. The three sensors would each capture a separate color component, as divided by a special light-splitting cube that would divide up light entering the camera into red, green and blue (or other color set) wavelengths. Why? Better resolution and lower noise… Read More

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Apple Patents A Light-Splitting iPhone Camera Sensor System

Does USB Type C Herald the End of Apple’s Proprietary Connectors?

An anonymous reader writes The Verge has an interesting editorial about the USB Type C connector on the new Macbook, and what this might mean for Apple’s Lightning and Thunderbolt connectors. The former is functionally identical to USB Type C, and the latter has yet to prove popular in the external media and “docking” applications for which it was originally intended. Will Apple phase out these ports in favour of a single, widely-accepted, but novel standard? Or do we face a dystopian future where Apple sells cords with USB Type C on one end, and Lightning on the other? Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Does USB Type C Herald the End of Apple’s Proprietary Connectors?

Your Entire PC In a Mouse

slash-sa writes: A Polish software and hardware developer has created a prototype computer which is entirely housed within a mouse. Dubbed the Mouse-Box, it works like a conventional mouse, but contains a processor, flash storage, an HDMI connection, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It is connected to a monitor via the HDMI interface and connects to an Internet connection through standard Wi-Fi. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Your Entire PC In a Mouse

This Crazy Machine Wants to Be a ​Keurig For Complete Meals

Say what you will about the quality of coffee that comes out of pod-based machines like the Keurig, the machines have caught on like wildfire. They’re fast, they’re easy to use, and you can instantly brew up almost flavor or type of coffee you like. And soon, dinner prep might be just as easy as using a Keurig machine, if the ambitious creators of the Cooki are able to make their machine a reality. Read more…

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This Crazy Machine Wants to Be a ​Keurig For Complete Meals

Sony’s Flagship 4K TV Is Thinner Than an iPhone 6 Plus

I mean, sure, technically we knew that Sony’s flagship XBR-X900C Ultra HD television was a ridiculous 4.9mm thin the moment Sony announced it. Technically. But it’s another thing entirely to see what that means: it’s thinner than an iPhone 6 Plus. Read more…

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Sony’s Flagship 4K TV Is Thinner Than an iPhone 6 Plus

The Best Command Line Replacements for Bloated Desktop Apps

Command line utilities are often reserved for only the geekiest amongst us, but many of them are actually a lot better than desktop alternatives. In fact, many are easier to use, waste less resources, and often have more keyboard shortcuts. Let’s take a look at a few of the best. Read more…

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The Best Command Line Replacements for Bloated Desktop Apps