Tag: public-access

Add-on promises to stabilize video from nearly any camera

It’s possible to stabilize your phone videos through Hyperlapse , and dedicated video editors can smooth out other shaky clips with enough time and effort. But what if you want a simple way to eliminate jitters no matter which camera you’re using? SteadXP believes it can help. It’s crowdfunding a namesake device that brings three-axis video stabilization to virtually any camera, whether it’s an action cam, a DSLR or a pro-grade cinema cam. While many of these shooters have some kind of stabilization, SteadXP’s device uses motion tracking with after-the-fact software analysis to deliver the kind of graceful, movie-like stabilization that would normally require a gimbal or steadicam . And importantly, you don’t have to settle for one take on your footage. While SteadXP doesn’t play nicely with zooms and takes some time to compute the final results, you can reframe your subject to get the intended look. It’ll even suggest different trajectories (such as one that keeps the horizon level) to achieve particular effects. If you like the concept, you might want to act quickly and score a discount. SteadXP is promising a GoPro-compatible model with a €140 pledge ($159) or a DSLR/mirrorless version with a €230 ($261) pledge, but you’ll have to pay €30 more if you miss out on these early bird offerings. You won’t have to wait too long to give the stabilizer a shot, at least. Regular shipments will start in March if all goes well, and those willing to pony up additional cash (at least €200, or $227) can participate in a beta test beginning this January. If you frequently record your outdoor adventures and would rather not make viewers feel queasy, this gadget is likely worth a closer look. Filed under: Cameras , Peripherals Comments Via: The Verge Source: Kickstarter Tags: actioncamera, crowdfunding, dslr, gopro, ImageStabilization, kickstarter, mirrorless, photography, stabilization, steadxp, video

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Add-on promises to stabilize video from nearly any camera

Honda will test self-driving cars on California streets

Honda just took a big step toward getting its self-driving car technology on to American roads. The automaker has quietly received the approval needed to test its autonomous cars on California streets, letting these robotic rides venture beyond a closed-off facility in Concord. The company is relatively late to the party — Audi, Lexus and other brands have had the state’s A-OK for a while. Still, we’re not going to knock Honda when this will eventually lead to more variety in hands-off vehicles. Filed under: Transportation Comments Via: Reuters , Ars Technica Source: California DMV Tags: acura, autonomous, california, car, honda, self-driving, self-drivingcar, transportation, vehicle

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Honda will test self-driving cars on California streets

Google Fiber considering Irvine, Louisville, and San Diego for expansion

Google has announced that it is considering rolling out its high-speed Fiber internet service to three additional American cities . The company stated on its Fiber blog on Thursday that it hopes to enter a joint planning process with the cities of Irvine, California; Louisville, Kentucky; and San Diego, California. “We’ll work with Irvine, Louisville and San Diego to conduct a detailed study of factors that affect construction, ” wrote Jill Szuchmacher, Director, Google Fiber Expansion, “such as local topography, housing density, and the condition of existing infrastructure.” This isn’t a guarantee that the cities will actually receive the service (just as Portland, San Jose and Phoenix are still in the planning stages), only that Google is considering expansion into those regions. With each city offering unique benefits and challenges, there is no set timetable for any of them moving forward. [Image Credit: Lede – Bloomberg via Getty Images, inline – Google Fiber] Filed under: Internet , Google Comments Source: Google Fiber Tags: fiber, FiberOptic, gigabit, google, Google Fiber, Irvine, California, Louisville, Kentucky, San Diego, San Jose, California

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Google Fiber considering Irvine, Louisville, and San Diego for expansion

California Unemployment office says Uber driver was an employee

If you ask Uber, none of their drivers are employees — just independent contractors who happen to use their network to get fares. If you’ve been watching the news though, you know some drivers disagree: filing lawsuits both in California and the UK for the right to be recognized as employees. Those drivers just got some vindication, by way of the California unemployment office. According to the Employment Development Department, at least one former Uber driver qualifies for unemployment benefits. According to Reuters , the EDD decided that a former Uber driver in southern California was an employee; the decision was held up twice by a administrative law judge when Uber appealed. Apparently, Uber’s control over the driver was a deciding factor — the company gets to define fares, bar drivers from picking non-Uber passengers and can even charge drivers a cancellation fee for choosing not to pick up a fare. That’s “in fact an employer / employee relationship, ” according to the decision. Uber says this ruling doesn’t have any impact on pending litigation, but it’s certainly a feather in the hat of drivers who want a more traditional relationship with the company. We’ll have to wait and see how that turns out as the class-action lawsuit moves forward. Filed under: Misc , Transportation Comments Source: Reuters Tags: edd, lawsuit, uber, unemployment

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California Unemployment office says Uber driver was an employee

3D-printable files of TSA master baggage keys are out for download

If you never trusted your luggage lock much to begin with, then you’re going to warily look at it in suspicion from now on. Some security enthusiasts took that photo of TSA’s master baggage keys that The Washington Post published and turned them into 3D-printable CAD files — in fact, they’ve recently uploaded them on GitHub , making them freely available to everyone. The person who released the files told Wired that while he tried to be as accurate as he could, he didn’t exactly expect the keys to work. Thing is, at least one of them did work: Bernard Bolduc, who describes himself as a “Unix wizard and security geek” on Twitter printed out a key and tried it on his TSA-approved lock. The result? He told Wired it took him one try to open the lock even though the key was made of common PLA plastic using commercially available printer. He didn’t even have to tweak the design in any way. We can assume that the rest of the files can be used to print out keys that can open other types of locks that the TSA uses to check baggage at airports. Sure luggage locks were never really lockpick-proof, but it’s still unfortunate how the agency made it even easier for thieves to open travelers’ suitcases. OMG, it’s actually working!!! pic.twitter.com/rotJPJqjTg — Bernard Bolduc (@bernard) September 9, 2015 [Image credit: Getty/Zoonar RF] Filed under: Misc Comments Source: GitHub Tags: 3dprint, security, tsa

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3D-printable files of TSA master baggage keys are out for download

Adblock Browser officially launches on iOS and Android

With more than 400 million desktop installations in its pocket, it was only a matter of time until Adblock Plus became available on mobile devices. Eyeo, the company behind the extension, first tested the water back in 2013, but when Google pulled the app, it decided that incorporating its filters into Adblock Browser was the best way to go. After months of testing, the app has finally launched on iOS and Android devices, promising to let users “browse fast, safe and free of annoying ads” on their smartphone or tablet. Like its desktop counterpart, Adblock Browser can block all ads or let users choose to whitelist their favorite sites in order to ensure they continue to receive advertising revenue . It claims to speed up page loads, save data and conserve up to 20 percent of battery life by people choose whether they wish to restrict tracking cookies, malware domains and social media sharing buttons. The launch comes just a day before Apple holds its latest iPhone event, where it’s expected to explain how iOS 9 users will be able to block content from loading in the default browser app. With Adblock’s new browser and Apple backing the use of web filters, more mobile users may choose to block ads and impact the income of online publishers as a result. Filed under: Cellphones , Internet , Software , Mobile , Google Comments Via: Adblock Plus Source: Adblock Browser (iOS) , (Google Play) Tags: adblock, adblockbrowser, adblockplus, android, browser, google, ios, mobilepostcross

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Adblock Browser officially launches on iOS and Android

Pandora’s One Day Pass is 24-hours of ad-free listening for 99 cents

If you find yourself in need of 24-hour access to ad-free music streaming , Pandora now offers an option with its new One Day Pass. For 99 cents, you’ll gain access for the Pandora you know and love without all of the distracting advertisements the free tier includes. This means that for under a dollar, you can switch over to the one-day option for times ( dinner parties , etc.) when you’d rather not have tunes interrupted by the occasional marketing pitch. Pandora’s One Day Pass will be available for listeners in the US Thursday, September 10th through the streaming service’s Android and iOS apps . Filed under: Software , Mobile Comments Source: Pandora Tags: audio, internet, internetradio, mobilepostcross, music, musicstreaming, onedaypass, pandora, software

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Pandora’s One Day Pass is 24-hours of ad-free listening for 99 cents

The 2016 Toyota Prius is here

The spy photos were right. The teaser images we saw of the new, fourth-gen Toyota Prius correctly previewed the model that was unveiled in Las Vegas tonight. Despite the overwhelmingly negative reactions from our readers, Toyota says the new look for the world’s best-selling hybrid has a “striking exterior design” and is “easy on the eyes.” To each their own.Slideshow-318163 When Toyota showed off the hydrogen-powered Mirai, it said that the design was meant to evoke, “the flowing shape of a droplet of water to express the vehicle’s characteristic of drawing in air and emitting water.” Toyota says the new Prius is a “sibling” to the Mirai, and the design claim is that the car was “Inspired by a runner in the starting blocks, ” and that, “the sporty design conveys a feeling of forward motion.” Whatever the inspiration, the two vehicles look similar. The new Prius is a bit bigger than the outgoing, third-gen version: 2.4 inches longer, 0.6 inches wider, and 0.8 inches lower, to be exact. This is the global vehicle built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA). Toyota claims the new platform gives the Prius a lower center of gravity which, when combined with the new, responsive suspension package, will, “dial up the driving excitement.” Inside we see the same center-mounted dash layout from previous Priuses. The glossy white plastic surrounding the gear selector is a bit reminiscent of the first-gen Chevy Volt , too. Overall, we like the clean, uncluttered layout. The exterior will come in seven colors, including the new Hypersonic Red. Unfortunately, Toyota isn’t giving us specifics of the powertrain or fuel economy of the new Prius. Fortunately, the company is making the previously rumored 10-percent miles per gallon improvement over the third-gen model official. Since the current Prius gets 51 mpg city, 48 highway and 50 combined, we can look forward to something like 56/53/55 city/highway/combined fuel economy for the new Prius. Even more exciting for hypermilers , an available Eco trim “will achieve an even greater improvement.” Anyone want to bet if the Eco Prius will hit 60 mpg in the city? Filed under: Transportation Comments Source: Toyota Tags: 2016Prius, autoblog, EV, hybrid, official, partner, Prius, syndicated, toyota, video

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The 2016 Toyota Prius is here

Android Lollipop is the OS of choice for one in five users

If you own an Android device, find four similarly outfitted friends and line up, shoulder-to-shoulder. Look to your left. Look to your right. Chances are, one of you has Lollipop, the latest Android mobile operating system. Twenty-one percent of Android devices use Lollipop, according to the company’s own breakdown . This figure is up significantly from May, when Android reported just nine percent of its devices used the new OS. The largest share of the Android OS pie goes to Kit Kat, with 39 percent, followed by Jelly Bean with 32 percent. Android’s next update is called ” Marshmallow ” and while it doesn’t yet have a release date, it should hit devices soon. Marshmallow’s focus is ” polish and quality , ” according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai. We checked out the M Preview version in June and found that ” when M works well, it works really well .” A few notes regarding today’s numbers: The Nexus 9 , Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge all come with Lollipop right out of the box. Also, Android’s figures reflect “devices running the latest Google Play Store app, which is compatible with Android 2.2 and higher.” That means older devices, or those without Google Play, aren’t counted in this particular survey. Filed under: Gaming , HD , Google Comments Via: VentureBeat Source: Android Tags: android, google, hdpostcross, lollipop, marshmallow, OS

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Android Lollipop is the OS of choice for one in five users

Root password flaw leaves wireless Seagate drives open to attack

Own a wireless hard drive? Was it made by Seagate ? You’ll want to download an update. Researchers at Tangible security have discovered a vulnerability in certain Seagate wireless drives that could give unauthorized users root access to the device. The flaw? A default username and password that activates undocumented Telnet services. It’s a terrifyingly simple vulnerability. Luckily, the fix is almost as simple — all you have to do is patch your drive’s firmware. Security researchers say the vulnerability can be found in Seagate Wireless Mobile storage, Wireless Plus Mobile Storage and LaCie FUEL drives dating back to last October, but warns that other drives may be affected as well. The report also highlights two other possible attacks that exploit the firmware’s file-sharing protocols. Seagate has already tested and confirmed the flaws, and issued firmware update 3.4.1.105 as a fix. Have a Seagate drive? Why are you still readying this? Click here and update, already. Comments Via: CERT Source: Seagate , Tangible Security Tags:

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Root password flaw leaves wireless Seagate drives open to attack