videos – Page 12 – Tech Today w/ Ken May

Scientists stretch metal to make it stronger

You’d think that stretching metal would make it weaker, but just the opposite is true… on a very small scale. Researchers have developed a technique that pulls nanoscopic metal crystals to eliminate defects. By gently and repeatedly stretching the crystal, scientists move “dislocations” (rows of atom-level defects) to free surfaces, where they’re ultimately forced out. The result is a metal that is considerably less likely to crack or otherwise fail over time. You may not see this technique used to improve larger (that is, visible) metal, like what you see in buildings or vehicles. The same trick that improves nanoscale metal tends to make things worse at the macro level. However, it could be very helpful for processors and any other device where even the tiniest breaks could cause big problems. Don’t be surprised if you’re one day using electronics that last for years longer than you’re used to. Source: Carnegie Mellon University , PNAS

New Homeland Security policy demands warrants before deploying StingRays

The Department of Homeland Security announced a substantial policy change Wednesday regarding how it employs cellphone-tracking tools like the StingRay system. These cell-site simulators have been in use for more than a decade. They allow law enforcement to find cell phones either by directly searching for a known device or find an unknown device by sniffing for signaling information from the simulator’s immediate vicinity and triangulating that data. The new policy explicitly demands that DHS personnelle acquire a warrant before deploying the devices unless an exception, such as the imminent loss of human life, destruction of evidence, or to prevent the escape of a fugitive felon. Wednesday’s announcement follows a similar decision by the Department of Justice last month. [Image Credit: Getty] Via: Verge Source: Department of Homeland Security

More here:
New Homeland Security policy demands warrants before deploying StingRays

Nike’s power-laced ‘Back to the Future’ shoes arrive in 2016

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few hours, then you know today is Back to the Future Day . In the trilogy’s second film , Michael J. Fox’s character Martin Seamus McFly, better known as Marty, gave us a glimpse of how things would look on October 21st, 2015. And even though the future according to the movie may have not been fully accurate (which is okay), Marty’s power-laced Nike sneakers are indeed a reality . While the sportswear juggernaut did release the Mag in 2011 , that version didn’t use the self-lacing technology we saw in Back to the Future Part II . But don’t worry, the actual Marty McFly shoes are coming in spring 2016, Nike has confirmed. Tinker Hatfield, Nike’s VP of creative concepts and the man who designed the Mags, also sent a letter to Fox saying , “Although the project started as science fiction, we’re now proud to turn that fiction into fact.” “The first pair of self-lacing Nike Mag shoes is in New York City, ” a Nike representative said to Engadget early Wednesday. As for where exactly the limited edition sneakers are, well, interestingly enough, Fox is scheduled to be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight. Yes, this means the 2015 Nike Mag is likely going to make its debut on the show — and it looks like Fox is already wearing the pair . Naturally, there’s no word on pricing, but in similar fashion to the originals, they will be sold at auction to benefit the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. Michael J. Fox models the first self-lacing @Nike Mag pic.twitter.com/bgPWM5CKBE — michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) October 21, 2015 Source: Nike

Google Introduces YouTube Red, a Subscription for Ad-Free and Offline Videos

Tired of waiting to skip ads in YouTube? Wish you could save YouTube videos and music offline or keep playing when your mobile screen turns off? YouTube Red might be the subscription for you—and it includes a Google Play Music subscription for the same price as Play Music alone. Read more…

Read this article:
Google Introduces YouTube Red, a Subscription for Ad-Free and Offline Videos

Fitbit trackers can be hacked in ’10 seconds’

Fitbit trackers have a whopper of a vulnerability that can let somebody within Bluetooth range quickly hack them, according to security company Fortinet . Worse yet, once the attackers are in, the device will infect any computer that tries to sync with the device. Via Twitter , Senior Fortinet researcher Axelle Apvrille told Engadget “you don’t need physical access (to the tracker), but you do need to be close (Bluetooth range). It does not matter if it is paired (to another device) or not.” When in range, a bad actor could infect the device in as little as 10 seconds. Apvrille informed Fitbit of the vulnerability back in March, but the wearable outfit has yet to fix the issue, according to the Register . In addition, the vulnerability remains in the wearable even after it’s reset. Once infected, the device can install a virus, trojan or other vulnerability on your computer, even days later. “An attacker sends an infected packet to a fitness tracker nearby at Bluetooth distance then the rest of the attack occurs by itself, without any special need for the attacker being near, ” Apvrille said . While the Fitbit uses encryption, the Bluetooth transmitter itself is apparently wide open, allowing attackers in. If you want to find out more, Apvrille will present her findings via a video demonstration at the 2015.Hack.lu conference tomorrow in Luxembourg. @AaronIsSocial you don’t need physical access, but you need to be close (bluetooth range). It does not matter if it is paired or not. — Axelle Ap. (@cryptax) October 21, 2015 Via: The Register Source: Axelle Apvrille (Twitter)

View post:
Fitbit trackers can be hacked in ’10 seconds’

iOS and OS X updates arrive with a ton of new emoji

If you’ve ever wanted to text taco pics from your iPhone or give the middle finger from your Mac, today’s your lucky day. Apple has released iOS 9.1 and OS X El Capitan 10.11.1 , both of which add a slew of new Unicode emoji ranging from Mexican food through to rude gestures. There are some important under-the-hood fixes, too. Your iPhone 6s or 6s Plus is now smart enough to stop recording Live Photos when you lower the device, and OS X shouldn’t run into trouble with Office 2016 . Whichever platform you’re using, you’ll likely want to update pronto — if just to see the cutesy characters you’d otherwise miss. [Image credit: Emojipedia ] Source: MacRumors (1) , (2)

Continued here:
iOS and OS X updates arrive with a ton of new emoji

Waze’s maps and traffic app gets a cleaner and smarter design

Waze is one of the most popular maps and traffic apps on iOS and Android. For good reason, too: It’s fast, intuitive and, often times, more accurate than the highly rated Google Maps. Today, Waze’s making its mobile application even better, thanks to an overhaul designed to offer a cleaner, prettier user interface and quicker access to useful actions. With a single tap, you can now send directions, location or estimated time of arrival to your contacts. You can also get traffic-based reminders, making it easier to get to any destination on time — as long as your calendar is synced with Waze. Last but not least, this new version of the app “significantly” reduces battery consumption, according to the company; if true, that’ll definitely be appreciated by users who rely on the app for their daily commutes or casual trips. The 4.0 update is already available for iOS , while Android’s expected to get it ” soon .” [Image credits: AFP/Getty Images] Source: Waze

Original post:
Waze’s maps and traffic app gets a cleaner and smarter design

Xiaomi will let you replace the brains in its new smart TV

Xiaomi is more than just a phone manufacturer — it makes almost every kind of consumer electronics now, including TVs , wearables and GoPro-style action cameras . Today, the company is expanding its living room lineup with a 60-inch 4K TV , which measures 11.6mm at its thinnest point and costs only RMB 4, 999 (roughly $786). That’s a lot of display for your money, although it’s not quite as sleek as the $645 Mi TV 2S Xiaomi announced in July. Plenty of dongles and set-top boxes can transform your old TV into a “smart” one — but what if you could do away with them entirely, and get the same features out of a TV speaker instead? That’s the idea behind Xiaomi’s “Mi TV Bar, ” anyway. To the naked eye it looks like a classic soundbar, but inside there’s a MStar 6A928 processor, 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 8GB of flash storage. Once connected through the Mi Port — which also carries power — you’ll gain access to MIUI TV, Xiaomi’s Android-based smart TV platform. It’s designed to work in conjunction with the Mi TV 3, although you can also buy it separately and hook it up to any TV, monitor or projector. According to Xiaomi, a TV’s motherboard usually accounts for 20 percent of its overall cost — and it’s also a part that customers have to replace every 18 months. By taking the related components out and putting them in a separate device, Xiaomi hopes they’ll be easier to upgrade and replace — meaning you, the consumer, can just focus on buying (and keeping) a stellar display. It’s the same argument behind modern TV set-top boxes, although here you’re also getting a beefy speaker thrown in too. It’ll set you back RMB 999 ($157) on its own — for comparison, the new Apple TV costs $149 in the US, while Amazon’s 4K Fire TV is up for $100. These devices are meant for China, however, and we don’t expect either of them to be sold in the US or Europe anytime soon. Xiaomi might have online accessory stores for both of these markets, but it’s a long way off selling all of its electronic wares to the world. Source: Xiaomi

View original post here:
Xiaomi will let you replace the brains in its new smart TV

Amazon’s grocery service now requires a $299 yearly membership

Amazon warned late last year that it would eventually require a $299 yearly membership just to use its AmazonFresh grocery delivery service. And like or not, the internet giant is making good on its word: shoppers in New York City, Philadelphia and Seattle (and possibly other cities) are finding out that they need that pricey Prime Fresh subscription before they can go food shopping. The outlay gives you free delivery on all orders over $50, on top of the benefits of a regular Amazon Prime membership, but it’s now considerably more expensive if you only occasionally want groceries shipped to your door. So far, tests that would open the door to standard Prime members (who’d always pay delivery fees) haven’t led to anything concrete. The pricing doesn’t stack up well next to rivals like Instacart, which both costs less up front ($99 per year) and waives the delivery fees at a lower threshold ($35). However, it’s doubtful that Amazon will have a change of heart in the near future. The company is one of the old hands in the online grocery delivery business, and it had a long time to do the math — it’s likely convinced that an all-encompassing $299 plan is more sustainable than a groceries-only option. [Image credit: Andrew Hitchcock, Flickr ] Via: GeekWire Source: AmazonFresh

Excerpt from:
Amazon’s grocery service now requires a $299 yearly membership

Tennessee’s 10Gbps broadband is $299 a month

Remember back when Chattanooga, Tennessee fought the FCC and Comcast earlier this year over broadband regulations ? Of course you do. Now the city’s back in the news because it’s offering 10Gbps internet service that spreads across some 600 square miles and is accessible by “every” home and business. It’ll cost those 170, 000 homes and businesses, though. According to a release from local utility company EPB, that blazing fast speed will run $299 a month (pretty similar to Comcast ) with gratis installation and without a contract. There’ll apparently be 5Gbps and 10Gbps options for small businesses and 3Gbps, 5Gbps and 10Gbps pro-level packages for enterprise. Those prices will vary, but almost positively won’t be “cheap” for folks like you and me by any stretch of the imagination. [Image credit: Associated Press]

View post:
Tennessee’s 10Gbps broadband is $299 a month