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Car safety system monitors your body language to prevent accidents

Many collision avoidance systems watch out for other cars or pedestrians to keep you safe. But this new one called Brains4Cars being developed by Cornell and Stanford University researchers adds a camera that monitors you (or the driver’s, if it’s someone else) body language, as well. The computer that’s watching you on cam can detect your face and head movements to find cues on whether you’re turning or changing lanes. With data from a radar and another camera keeping an eye on the environment, the system can warn you if it’s too dangerous to turn. For instance, if you’re turning left, the left side of the steering wheel or seat can vibrate as a warning — the researchers believe sound and visual signals could be incorporated into the system, as well. In addition, the system can also pull GPS info and issue a notification if you’ve taken the wrong turn, or if you’re driving the wrong way down a one-way street. To develop the system’s algorithm, the researchers recorded 10 people’s driving activities for two months. They then used the data to analyze a separate set of driving videos. The result? Their algorithm was able to predict the driver’s actions 3.53 seconds in advance and got it right 77.4 percent of the time. Obviously, it’s nowhere near perfect yet — shadows seem to confuse the system’s face detector, and it can’t predict turns when the driver doesn’t move his head to peek at incoming traffic. The researchers are working on it, though, and are also looking to add more features including tactile sensors on the steering wheel and brake pedal, as well as infrared sensors. They’re also considering the ability to detect whether you’re looking at a phone or smartwatch to warn you against texting and driving at the same time. Filed under: Transportation Comments Source: Cornell , Brains4cars

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Car safety system monitors your body language to prevent accidents

Yup, there’s a Sodastream for cocktails

Our modern consumer age hasn’t been kind to SodaStream, since bottles of soda are cheap enough that you don’t need to make your own at home. Thankfully, the company has finally worked out that cola-addicted teens aren’t its future customers, but drunk adults who want something fancy for cocktail parties . That’s why the firm has teamed up with name-brand designer Yves Behar (he’s previously designed the SodaStream Source ) to develop the SodaStream Mix, which is one part CO2 injector and one part internet of things device. You see, Mix can’t be a buzzy new gadget unless it’s connected to the cloud (it is), and the company has also baked in Bluetooth and app compatibility as well. Touch the screen and cycle through to the alcohol section and you’ll be presented with a variety of recipes for you to follow. When done, insert the mix into the SodaStream and hey, the hardware will carbonate it. The company promises that the device can compensate for the differing fluid density levels of each drink, so it’ll ramp up (or down) the fizz for a drink with pulped fruit compared to a whiskey sour. There’s no word yet on how much this costs, or even if you’ll be able to buy it, but there’s one idea we want to leave you with: Fizzy Cocktails. Filed under: Misc Comments Via: Cool Hunting Source: SodaStream

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Yup, there’s a Sodastream for cocktails

Data breaches exposed 29 million US health records in 4 years

If there are any doubts left that health care data breaches are a major problem , the medical industry just put them to rest. Researchers have published a study showing that a whopping 29.1 million American health records were compromised between 2010 and 2013. Most of them (58 percent) were exposed through theft, but the rest were revealed through a mix of hacks and carelessness, including workers who gave unauthorized access or didn’t properly get rid of info they no longer needed. As you might imagine, providers aren’t happy. An opinion piece accompanying the study argues that your personal health data is “not safe” despite the existence of rules meant to protect it, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. If both the government and companies don’t put “much more focused attention” on keeping data secure, they argue, these incidents are only going to continue. [Image credit: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez] Filed under: Internet Comments Via: The Verge Source: JAMA (1) , (2)

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Data breaches exposed 29 million US health records in 4 years

Chess champ’s high-tech cheating scheme involved an iPod touch

Georgian chess champion Gaioz Nigalidze has been kicked out and banned from the Dubai Open Chess Tournament after he was caught cheating. What exactly did he do, you ask? Well, he got help from a chess app running on an iPod touch. His opponent, Armenian grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, grew suspicious as Nigalidze literally ran to the toilet a few times (remember, a match can go on for hours) and visited the same cubicle. Game officials eventually inspected the cubicle and found the device hidden behind the bowl and wrapped in toilet paper, along with a pair of headphones. Nigalidze denied it was his, but upon further inspection, authorities found that its social media apps were logged into the Georgian champ’s accounts. They also found his board mirrored on an open chess app. It’s been 18 years since IBM’s Deep Blue computer managed to beat chess world champion Garry Kasparov. Now, even small smart devices are powerful enough to quickly analyze chess moves. English grandmaster Nigel Short says it’s too easy to cheat with a phone (or in this case, a media player) these days. “My dog could win a major tournament using one of these devices, ” he told The Washington Post . “Or my grandmother. Anybody could do this.” Seeing as Dubai Open is awarding the grand winner $12, 000 in cash, a lot of unscrupulous or desperate people would cheat, if given the chance. It’s unclear if Nigalidze has done this before, and if he did, to what extent. Nevertheless, his whole career is now under scrutiny, and fellow grandmasters want him to be penalized heavily to deter more people from cheating. He isn’t the first and the only person to cheat on a chess tournament with the aid of a high-tech device, you see. In 2002, an American player tried to pull off something similar, checking out simulations in the bathroom in the middle of a match. Indian player Umakant Sharma was caught cheating in 2006 by communicating with accomplices through a tiny Bluetooth headpiece hidden inside a cloth cap. And then in 2008, the Dubai Chess Club banned an Iranian player after it was discovered that a partner was sending him moves through text messages while watching a live stream of the game. [Image credit: Dubai Chess & Culture Club (1) , (2) ] Filed under: Cellphones , Mobile , Apple Comments Source: The Wall Street Journal , The Telegraph , Dubai Chess & Culture Club

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Chess champ’s high-tech cheating scheme involved an iPod touch

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge is ridiculously expensive to make

It’s no secret that Samsung’s curvy Galaxy S6 Edge costs a pretty penny, but there’s now a good explanation as to why. IHS estimates that the raw price of assembly for a 64GB Verizon model is $290. That’s more expensive to make than not just the Galaxy S5 ($256 when new), but also the 128GB iPhone 6 Plus ($263) — if true, Samsung is giving up a lot of profit to make this exotic hardware affordable. The bendy AMOLED screen is unsurprisingly the costliest element here with an estimated $85 price, although the Exynos 7 processor ($30), 3GB of DDR4 memory ($27) and flash storage ($25) certainly aren’t cheap. It’s hard to know just how accurate this manufacturing bill is. Samsung makes its own parts, after all, and it could have scored a deal to get components at a lower rate. And as always, the cost of assembly doesn’t tell you the full story. That $290 doesn’t include patent licensing, development or other expenses needed to put the S6 Edge in your pocket. Even so, it’s apparent that Samsung is still willing to sacrifice its bottom line to one-up the competition. Filed under: Cellphones , Mobile , Samsung Comments Source: Recode

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Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge is ridiculously expensive to make

Kaspersky releases decryption tool that unlocks ransomware

You never should have clicked on the email attachment from that Nairobian prince. Now ransomware’s got you locked out of your own computer and is demanding money before you can use it again. But before you reach for you wallet, take a look at this decryption key generator that Kaspersky has built. The Netherland’s National High Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) recently got its hands on a CoinVault command-and-control server (a type of ransomware that has been infecting Windows systems since last November) and, upon examining it, discovered a large database of decryption keys. The NHTCU shared this information with Kaspersky which used it to build the Noransomware decryption tool . Granted, the program isn’t 100 percent effective yet — it’s not like the NHTCU got all of the potential keys off of that one server or anything — but as police forces around the world continue to investigate the CoinVault ransom campaign, Kaspersky expects to grow the key database and further improve the tool’s functionality. Plus, it’s still better than paying some schmuck hacker to give you back your digital dominion. Filed under: Internet Comments Via: PC World Source: National High Crime Detection Unit , No Ransomware

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Kaspersky releases decryption tool that unlocks ransomware

DARPA creating software that won’t need upgrades for a century

Software upgrades and outdated applications that don’t work on new platforms are just a fact of life for people who use computers and other devices. DARPA, however, wants to change that by making software systems that can run for over a century without getting updates from their developers and despite upgrades in hardware. Pentagon’s mad science department has recently announced that it has begun a four-year research to figure out what algorithms are necessary to create software that “can dynamically adapt to changes.” The agency calls the project “Building Resource Adaptive Software Systems or BRASS, ” and it knows it won’t be easy. In fact, DARPA’s expecting to build everything from the ground up. In return, though, we could see a whole new list of programs with longer lifespans that are easier to maintain. “The goal of the Building Resource Adaptive Software Systems program (BRASS) is to realize foundational advances in the design and implementation of long-lived, survivable and complex software systems that are robust to changes in the physical and logical resources provided by their ecosystem, ” part of its official description says. The agency has started accepting research proposals for every aspect of the project, from which it’ll find the most promising to fund. DARPA is hoping that BRASS will ultimately lead to military computers and machines that don’t need to stop running for upgrades, as the process can be costly. Sounds a bit terrifying, considering the project aims to build software that can evolve on its own, much like those villainous programs in movies that gained sentience as time went on. Filed under: Science Comments Source: DARPA (1) , (2) , FedBizOpps

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DARPA creating software that won’t need upgrades for a century

Apple’s iOS 8.4 beta includes a brand-new music player

Think that iOS’ music player is overdue for a remake? You’re going to get your wish. Apple has released the first iOS 8.4 beta to developers, and its centerpiece is a shiny, new Music app. The refresh includes at least a few long-sought changes, including some borrowed from iTunes: There’s a mini player that sticks around while you’re browsing, global search and an “Up Next” song queue. You’ll also see a sleeker iTunes Radio interface that helps you discover new tracks. There’s no sign of the Beats-based music service rumored to come alongside 8.4, but that’s not supposed to show up until Apple’s developer conference at the earliest — if it exists, it’s probably going to stay under wraps for a little while. [Image credit: 9to5Mac ] Filed under: Cellphones , Tablets , Mobile , Apple Comments Source: 9to5Mac

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Apple’s iOS 8.4 beta includes a brand-new music player

DirecTV’s app is ready to stream 90 channels anywhere you go

We haven’t seen many updates for DirecTV’s streaming services in a while, but this week it added a slew of new channels for customers to watch live even when they’re away from home. The 22 additions include MTV, TNT, Nickelodeon, BET, Cartoon Network and more ready for viewing on computers, tablets or phones. DirecTV also has the Genie DVRs that can shift recordings to your mobile device, but as the competition with internet TV services heats up the satellite company is finally ready to push a few more updates. All of those features work through the DirecTV apps, but it’s worth noting that recently DirecTV has cut deals so its subscribers can use their logins to stream channels (on their own apps) that its app doesn’t support yet, like Disney and ABC. Filed under: Home Entertainment , HD Comments Source: DirecTV , FAQ

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DirecTV’s app is ready to stream 90 channels anywhere you go

Publishers are fighting to keep abandoned games dead

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit group that defends civil liberties in the digital world, is facing off against the Entertainment Software Association, the organization that represents most major video game publishers in the US. The EFF wants to allow players to put abandoned games back online and has asked the US Copyright Office for an exemption from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This would allow players to legally modify the code of online games that are no longer supported by publishers, in the hope of reconnecting these titles to new, third-party servers. This includes games like Battlefield 1942 , Star Wars: Battlefront , SOCOM 4 , Resistance: Fall of Man and Mario Kart Wii . Many modern games rely on servers to function; if Activision pulled the plug on Destiny , for example, even its single-player campaign would disappear, since the entire game needs an online connection. “This exemption would serve player communities that wish to continue using their purchased games, as well as archivists, historians, and other academic researchers who preserve and study videogames and are currently inhibited by legal uncertainty, ” the EFF writes . The ESA opposes the exemption, arguing that modifying game code is “hacking” and would encourage piracy. Plus, in order to make some of these games work on systems like the Xbox 360 or Wii, users would need to jailbreak these consoles. “Granting the proposed exemption would enable — and indeed encourage — the play of pirated games and the unlawful reproduction and distribution of infringing content, ” the ESA says . Note that it’s not up to the EFF or the ESA to decide this issue — that will be handled this year by the US Copyright Office, which examines exemption requests every three years. The EFF has since responded to the ESA’s arguments against its proposed exemption, noting that the gaming industry was built on “tinkering” and hobbyist-style hacking. As the EFF puts it: “Games abandoned by their producers are one area where Section 1201 is seriously interfering with important, lawful activities — like continuing to play the games you already own.” Filed under: Gaming , HD Comments Via: PC World Source: EFF , ESA

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Publishers are fighting to keep abandoned games dead