Tag: throw-new

FCC starts the process for making ‘5G’ gigabit mobile data a reality

We’re barely seeing 4G take hold here in the States and the FCC has begun the process to push into 5G for mobile data. The government’s communications council voted unanimously to start looking into accessing the higher-than-24GHz frequency spectrum that was previously thought to be, as Reuters notes , unusable by mobile networks. So what are the benefits? Gigabit internet connections on the go, for starters — something our current sub-3GHz spectrum can’t quite handle — similar to the ones Samsung just tested . Yeah, now you’re excited. The feds believe that using these “millimeter waves” would allow for higher bandwidth for more people and devices at speeds that outclass most homes’ broadband. However, these waves only work over short distances for now and require line of sight for their point-to-point microwave connections. And that, my friends, is what the FCC is hoping to fix in the interim. What the vote means is that the groundwork is being laid, and research to make sure the tech is actually feasible now has the green light. For now it’s anyone’s guess (some estimates say by 2020) when we’ll actually start surfing the mobile web at Google Fiber speeds while we’re out and about — millimeter waves may be fast, but the wheels of bureaucracy are not. [Image credit: Rennett Stowe / Flickr ] Filed under: Cellphones , Tablets , Wireless , Mobile Comments Source: FCC (1) , (2)

Excerpt from:
FCC starts the process for making ‘5G’ gigabit mobile data a reality

Local multiplayer is coming to Android games

Ever wish that you could just whip out your Android device and harass a passer-by to play games with you? It’s the sort of thing that Nintendo DS users, for example, have been using thanks to that company’s StreetPass feature, but, until now, hasn’t been available on Google’s smartphones. Now, however, the company has an added an update to its games infrastructure that enables “ambient, real-time” games with more than one user – so long that the game relies upon Google’s home-grown multiplayer backend . Still, maybe don’t sprint into the street and start challenging people to a dual, because they might get the wrong idea. Filed under: Cellphones , Gaming , Mobile , Google Comments Source: Android Developers (G+)

More:
Local multiplayer is coming to Android games

Twitter: Yes, you’re all going to see tweets from people you don’t follow

Remember when tweets started appearing in your Twitter feed from people you weren’t even following? Well, it’s no longer an experiment. In a post outlining Twitter’s “spirit of experimentation”, the social network says it’s happening across all accounts now, in the interest of surfacing tweets it “think(s) you’d enjoy.” While many of Twitter’s power-users might sigh collectively, Twitter is likely hoping it’ll offer up faster follows, a richer experience and (possibly) boost activity, especially for those users that aren’t already following hundreds of accounts. Alas, it’s not an optional thing, and is now an integral part of everyone’s Twitter timeline — alongside those occasional promoted tweets and retweets. Filed under: Internet Comments Source: Twitter (1) , (2)

Read the original post:
Twitter: Yes, you’re all going to see tweets from people you don’t follow

The FBI wants access to your encrypted phone data

The FBI isn’t happy with recent decisions by Apple and Google to secure communications by default, saying it could lead to “a very dark place.” That was the gist of a recent talk by director James Comey, who expressed frustration at the inability of law enforcement to keep up with technology. Both tech giants recently said they’d encrypt devices by default, meaning even the companies themselves can’t access photos, emails or other data on your device — let alone law enforcement. Comey also complained that there are now too many message and calling tools for the FBI to keep up with, and many companies are unable or unwilling to give backdoor access. He cited several cases in which phone data helped law enforcement crack cases, but during a Q&A, couldn’t cite a single example of how encrypted data hindered it. As such, Comey called on Congress to update the 20-year-old Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) to reflect modern times. So far, the White House has declined recent requests to revise CALEA, and many privacy advocates have called the FBI’s latest plea disingenuous. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said “federal law explicitly protects the rights of companies to add encryption with no backdoors, ” adding that such access makes devices more vulnerable to hackers. It gave kudos to Apple and Google for their latest encryption initiatives, saying “others in the tech industry (should) follow their lead.” For a deeper dive, check out a video of the talk below. Filed under: Cellphones , Misc Comments Source: Brookings Institute

View post:
The FBI wants access to your encrypted phone data

Lockheed Martin thinks it can give the world unlimited clean energy in 20 years

Remember back in the ’50s, when official-sounding newsreels promised that we’d have new-kew-lur-powered cars by the ’70s and no-one would ever be unhappy? Probably not, since we’ve probably gotten that skewed sense of history from watching too many episodes of Futurama . Still, several decades behind schedule, the promise of clean and unlimited energy might finally be looming upon the horizon, thanks to Lockheed Martin . The defense behemoth believes that it might have a working prototype of its Compact Fusion Reactor in a decade, which might just save the world as we know it. For those not in the know, nuclear power is great, but there are many reasons why we’ve never ditched coal and gas in favor of it. For one, there’s a risk of a meltdown , the process produces hard-to-dispose-of nuclear waste and throws out highly lethal radiation at all times. Fusion , on the other hand, does none of these, and could theoretically be shrunk down to the point where it could power an airplane that never needs to land in order to refuel. A team at the company’s skunk works, lead by Dr. Thomas McGuire, has cherry-picked elements from previous fusion experiments to build a magnetic containment chamber that’s 90 percent smaller than previous devices. The reactor’s small size means that it’s possible to turn prototypes around in under a year, and McGuire believes that Lockheed Martin will be able to demonstrate true fusion energy by 2020. The system also promises to be able to plug into the existing gas turbine power infrastructure, which would instantly eliminate carbon emissions in the sector, and, even better, enhances “energy security, ” which is a euphemism for not buying coal and gas from your political enemies. [Image Credit: Eric Schulzinger / Lockheed Martin] Filed under: Science Comments Via: The Washington Post , Aviation Week Source: Lockheed Martin

View article:
Lockheed Martin thinks it can give the world unlimited clean energy in 20 years

‘808’ documentary details the rise of the legendary drum machine

Chances are you’ve heard Roland’s iconic TR-808 drum machine at some point during your music streaming. While the name may not ring a bell, artists and producers have been using its trademark sounds since 1980. We’re talking the likes of Afrika Bambaataa, Beastie Boys and Kanye West. In fact, the piece of kit has amassed such a massive reputation that the company trotted out a new version last year. Now, the machine is getting a documentary that will chronicle its rise. Set to hit theaters in 2015, 808 details the music that got its sonic chops from Roland’s device, including interviews from Rick Rubin, Phil Collins, Fatboy Slim, Questlove, Diplo and many more. Fans of the TR-808 recall that it was discontinued at the height of its popularity, and the film chats with Roland founder Ikutaro “Mr. K” Kakehashi to find out how that came to pass. The documentary is an effort from Atlantic Records’ film arm, and is being directed by Alexander Dunn. Can’t wait for it to hit the big screen? Catch the trailer just after the break. Filed under: Misc , HD Comments Via: Rolling Stone Source: YouTube

View article:
‘808’ documentary details the rise of the legendary drum machine

Uber launches UberPlus in LA for ‘balling on a budget’

In an appearance-obsessed city like Los Angeles , image, dahling , is everything. That’s why you can’t simply take a taxi between auditions, the juice bar and hanging out at your agent’s office. Your ride should be stylish , but thrifty, since an UberBlack would empty your bank account in the better part of a week. That’s why Uber is launching UberPlus, a service that slots in between Uber X and UberBlack and offers “balling on a budget.” Rather than rolling up in a Prius, you’ll have a pick of lower-level executive rides like a BMW 3 Series, C-Class Benz or an Audi A4. Even better, is that UberPlus’ minimum fee is just $5, $3 less than UberBlack, which is good, since the only thing standing between you and moving back home is the residuals from that vitamin infomercial. Filed under: Cellphones , Transportation Comments Via: Uber LA (Twitter) , Gizmodo Source: Uber

Read More:
Uber launches UberPlus in LA for ‘balling on a budget’

Apple Pay launches Monday with support from Starbucks, Macy’s and others

Apple has just kicked off the iPad extravaganza with a big piece of news about its Apple Pay initiative. It’ll launch this Monday, and now has the support of 500 US banks along with major retailers like Starbucks, Macy’s, McDonald’s, Disney, Walgreens and Target. To remind you, Pay will make it possible to use your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus at the till (or online) instead of pulling out a credit card, since they’re the first Apple handsets with contactless NFC. It’ll work in conjunction with the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, and let you use any credit cards you’ve stored in Passbook . Meanwhile, the new iPhones’ Secure Element chip encryption is fenced off from iOS and iCloud, so that even Apple itself can’t see confidential purchase information. If you’re good with all that, you can give it a crack starting October 20th — a partial list of retailers is available here . Filed under: Cellphones , Tablets , Wireless , Apple Comments

See more here:
Apple Pay launches Monday with support from Starbucks, Macy’s and others

Apple reveals the 27-inch iMac with Retina Display starting at $2,499

A stable of new iPads wasn’t all Apple had up its sleeve today . The folks in Cupertino have also been hard at work on a desktop update, and the iMac is the beneficiary. If you’ll recall, Apple quietly trotted out a more affordable version of the machine back in June, but this fall’s release packs a much bigger punch. With the latest model, the company’s all-in-one option gets a boost in the screen department with the addition of a Retina panel. That 27-inch oxide TFT display is what Apple’s calling “Retina 5K, ” touting a 5, 120 x 2, 880 resolution with 67 percent more pixels than 4K. The added real estate means that you’ll be able to do things like edit 4K video in Final Cut Pro X while still having plenty of room for all the tools you’ll need. Even with all of that new screen power, the new iMac is said to be 30 percent more energy efficient. The outer edge is also 5mm thick, keeping the trim frame all the way around. As far as the internals go, there’s an quad-core 3.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor that can be upgraded to a 4GHz i7. There’s AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics by default, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive and Thunderbolt 2 ports that offer 20 Gbps transfers. For those who need more power, the new desktops can be equipped with your choice of up to 32GB of RAM, AMD Radeon R9 M295X graphics, a 3TB Fusion Drive and 1TB of PCIe flash storage. And of course, it’ll come with OS X Yosemite. The best part? You can hand over your funds for the iMac with Retina display starting today, and the base model is priced at $2, 499. If you’re not convinced that you need to splurge for that newfangled display tech, the existing 27-inch option is now $1, 799 and the 21.5-inch is $1, 099. Filed under: Desktops , Apple Comments Source: http://www.apple.com/imac-with-retina/

Link:
Apple reveals the 27-inch iMac with Retina Display starting at $2,499

PS4 2.0: MP3s, themes and better dashboard organization

We’re creeping up to the PlayStation 4’s one year anniversary and the system is finally getting its 2.0 firmware update . Even better, there are a bunch of surprises; let’s dive in. First up we have the expected: SharePlay which lets you virtually pass the controller for help, YouTube exports and themes . A post PlayStation Blog notes that in addition to those, a USB music player, the ability to change colors of the PS4 dashboard (if custom themes aren’t your thing), as well as improvements to streaming are en route. There’s content organization, voice commands and, last but not least, a new backup feature that lets you archive all your settings, media and data to a USB device coming too. Like the Xbox One patch that hit this week , this adds a whole slew of features that ideally would have been available when the system launched last year. Join us after the jump for a breakdown, yeah? PS4 System Software 2.00 new features: http://t.co/sjlyHsde67 USB Music Player, broadcasting enhancements, more pic.twitter.com/ZwFbiJRKlN – PlayStation (@PlayStation) October 16, 2014 Sony came under some fire from fans when it was announced that the only way to listen to music on the PS4 was with a Music Unlimited subscription . That changes with this patch, though, and soon you’ll be able to plug in a USB device full of MP3, MP4, MP4A and 3GP files and listen to your heart’s content. The PS Blog says that music can’t be copied to the system’s hard drive, nor can it be used in conjunction with Music Unlimited. When we’ll see CD support is anyone’s guess, however. We’re betting that custom playlists won’t be available in-game either. Not happy with the theme pictured below? Well, you can opt for a handful of solid colors for the system UI like those at the bottom of this post. The patch also addresses a major gripe many have had with the system since launch: decluttering the system dashboard. Now the dashboard will only show the 15 most-used games and apps, with the rest going into the Library, which also is getting some new sorting options. What’s more, lets say you’ve been stocking up on the pretty great, free releases each month that are a part of your PS Plus subscription but you’re running out of storage on your console. Well, from the PlayStation Store you’ll be able to add them to your Library without downloading — perfect for grabbing stuff before it’s no longer free and saving for later, or once you install a bigger hard drive. Speaking of which, the 2.0 patch also adds the ability to back your system data, media and settings to a USB device. This should make transferring all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the past year to a roomier HDD a while lot faster and much more convenient if you’re living under a data cap. There’s a ton more than that, though! For the rest of the patch notes be sure to hit the PS Blog — sadly, however, it’s missing a release date. Filed under: Gaming , Home Entertainment , HD , Sony Comments Via: PlayStation (Twitter) Source: PlayStation Blog

See original article:
PS4 2.0: MP3s, themes and better dashboard organization