Apple iPhone: 10 years down, CEO says the “best is yet to come”

By tech2 News Staff /  09 Jan 2017 , 08:45

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Apple’s iPhone, a device that many consider to be a game changer in the smartphone space. While the iPhone has changed a lot in the past ten years, Apple CEO Tim Cook on the occassion of the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, said that “The best is yet to come.”

Apple commemorated the 10 anniversary of its hero product, by reminiscing about how Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone to the world, “a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone and a breakthrough internet communications device.” The company has sold billions of iPhone units since then turning the iPhone into a platform of with its own unique hardware and software services along with integration of other Apple exclusive features.

The company in a presser also mentioned that its iPhone inspired new products like the iPad and the Apple Watch and of course all of those apps that come from a unified iOS App Store.

“iPhone is an essential part of our customers’ lives, and today more than ever it is redefining the way we communicate, entertain, work and live,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone set the standard for mobile computing in its first decade and we are just getting started. The best is yet to come.”

“It is amazing that from the very first iPhone through to today’s newest iPhone 7 Plus, it has remained the gold standard by which all other smartphones are judged. For many of us, iPhone has become the most essential device in our lives and we love it,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“iPhone is how we make voice and FaceTime calls, how we shoot and share Live Photos and 4K videos, how we listen to streaming music, how we use social media, how we play games, how we get directions and find new places, how we pay for things, how we surf the web, do email, manage our contacts and calendars, how we listen to podcasts, watch TV, movies and sports, and how we manage our fitness and health. iPhone has become all of these things and more. And I believe we are just getting started.”

While it may sound like a pretty picture, the iPhone, Apple’s hero product after the iPod is indeed losing steam. Sales have been slowing down and CEO Tim Cook recently took a pay cut following what was the first sales slump in 15 years. Indeed all eyes are on the special 10 anniversary iPhone (codenamed ‘Ferrari’)that is expected to showcase exotic technologies, which should help Apple keep the sales momentum going till the next year’s iPhone that is expected to be a complete redesign.

Solar storms can vaporise soil in regions on the moon never reached by sunlight: Nasa study

Image: Nasa

By tech2 News Staff /  09 Jan 2017 , 14:53

Intense solar activity, such as solar storms, solar flares or coronal mass ejections send out streams of ions and electrons into space. The atmosphere of the Earth shields the planet from the radiation. However, the Moon does not have an atmosphere and the particles slam into the surface and accumulate there.

The positively charged ions do not penetrate much into the surface, and get collected in a layer close to the surface. The smaller, negatively charged electrons penetrate through the layer, and form a layer deeper into the surface. The two layers have opposite charges, so they tend to attract and balance out each other. There are regions on the moon where the sun light never reaches. These regions are called Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) and are located near the poles of the Moon.

PSRs on the Moon. Image: Nasa Goddard/LRO mission

The PSRs are band conductors of electricity because of how frigid they are. The accumulated charges do not dissipate quickly in these regions, especially after periods of intense solar activity. The accumulated charges results sudden electric discharges, similar to lightning flashes, and are called dielectric breakdown. The phenomenon is not new to science, and is one of the major reasons for anomalies in spacecraft.

The dielectric breakdowns can pulverise the regolith, vaporising or melting the rock and sand, and even causing the material to blow up. The process is believed to change the landscape as much as meteoroid impacts, which is about ten percent of the surface. PSRs are important to understand the history of the Moon, because of their mostly pristine conditions. Scientists however, need to understand what kind of processes can affect PSRs, including meteoroid impact events and solar flares.

The explosions are tiny. Image: Nasa/Andrew Jordan

The possibility of dielectric breakdowns affecting the PSRs was discovered using simulations. There might be “sparked” material in the samples obtained by the Apollo mission, but it is difficult to ascertain if the material has been affected by dielectric breakdowns or meteoroid impacts. Studies are being conducted to understand how dielectric breakdowns affect the material, and if there are any tell-tale signatures of such activity. The paper has been published in Icarus, and is titled Dielectric breakdown weathering of Lunar regolith.

Andrew Jordan of the University of New Hampshire, and lead author of the paper says “Lab experiments show that dielectric breakdown is an explosive process on a tiny scale. During breakdown, channels could be melted and vaporized through the grains of soil. Some of the grains may even be blown apart by the tiny explosion. The PSRs are important locations on the moon, because they contain clues to the moon’s history, such as the role that easily vaporized material like water has played. But to decipher that history, we need to know in what ways PSRs are not pristine; that is, how they have been weathered by the space environment, including solar storms and meteoroid impacts.”

The next step is to gather the evidence. Data gathered from Nasa’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) indicates that the soil in the PSRs are more fluffy than the soil elsewhere on the Moon. The findings are in line with what the simulations suggest. However, further experiments are needed to verify if in fact dielectric breakdowns are responsible for the fluffiness in the material. The experiments are under way. According to the team, the two week long Lunar night means that areas on the Moon, that are not PSRs may also get cold enough for dielectric breakdowns.

Ransomware: Over 27,000 databases managed by MongoDB held to ransom; 99,000 still vulnerable

Image: Reuters

By tech2 News Staff /  09 Jan 2017 , 13:27

Tens of thousands of online databases have been breached by what appears to be a single hacker or group of hackers. The databases in question appear to be managed by MongoDB, a database application.

A hacker or hackers going by the handle Harak1r1 has spent the last week or more gaining access to MongoDB-based databases and then threatening to either delete or encrypt the entire database. In exchange, Harak1r1 has demanded money in the form of BitCoin (0.2 BTC to be exact).

@sawaba @SteveD3 @LawrenceHecht @achillean @akmalchaudhri That is why I am looking at different sources like Zoomeye (99,491 candidates) pic.twitter.com/VApFdRbF7g

— Victor Gevers (@0xDUDE) January 5, 2017

Latest reports suggest that over 27,000 databases (up from around 10,000 just a few hours ago) have so far been breached and, as ArsTechnica points out, 99,000 are vulnerable. The number of hackers/groups has gone up to at least 15, reports The Register. The ransom for the databases has also gone up to 1BTC (around Rs 61,000).

The problem appears to be restricted to MongoDB-based databases, but doesn’t seem to be a vulnerability in the application itself. The application needs to be configured properly for maximum security and it looks like misconfigured databases are the reason for this sudden spurt in breaches.

MongoDB has published a blog post explaining the situation, how you can prevent it and steps to check the integrity of your data.

If you remember the recent hacks in India by hacker group calling itself Legion, the group claimed to have compromised databases belonging to banking institutions, government email servers and the databases of Apollo hospitals.

Databases are the ledgers of the internet. If they’re compromised, a great deal of personal information will be at risk.

Nokia’s ‘Viki’ digital assistant will take on Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa in the near future

Image: Weibo

By tech2 News Staff /  09 Jan 2017 , 12:35

It certainly looks like the future of the smartphone is the digital assistant. The space is currently ruled by Google Now and Siri. Alexa and Cortana aren’t far behind either. Joining the fray, possibly, is Nokia’s own assistant and this one’s called Viki.

Google Assistant is an evolution of Google Now, but isn’t available on many devices yet.

GSMInfo.nl spotted Viki in a trademark filing made by Nokia. The trademark application was for the name Viki, and describes a software for “the creation and monitoring of mobile and web assistants working with digital knowledge and combining all data sources into a single chat and voice-based interface.”

Nokia, which recently revived its brand with the launch of the Android powered Nokia 6 in China, seems to have its heart in the right place. Samsung is also aware of the impending, AI-powered future and has been working on its own digital assistants for a while now (dubbed Bixby and Kestra).

As far as we’re aware, Viki is still only a name on a trademark application and we don’t even know the work that has been done on this AI.

There is also no timeline on if and when Viki will make its way to Nokia’s devices.

Golden Globe Awards 2017: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter to be part of red carpet and backstage at the awards

  08 Jan 2017 , 15:04

For the first time, social media giant Facbook and its photo-sharing service Instagram will showcase videos and photos from the red carpet as well as from backstage during the 74th Golden Globe Awards 2017.

In a partnership with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), Facebook will let fans watch full 360-degree videos of celebrities’ red-carpet experience while Instagram is teaming up with fashion photography duo Mert and Marcus to shoot the action backstage as the Golden Globe Awards goes live from California on January 8 (4:30AM India time on Monday).

“The goal is to make Facebook and Instagram go-to hubs for video and other content from the Golden Globes and celebrities — and further the company’s broader aims of boosting user engagement and growth on both platforms,” a report in Variety said on Friday.

Twitter has also partnered with HFPA to host a live-stream of the red carpet.

The collaboration comes after Facebook served as an exclusive streaming platform for the 2017 Golden Globes nominations.

Instagram will post photos from the show exclusively to the Golden Globes’ account on Instagram throughout the event.

“Instagram is also curating an exclusive video experience on the app’s “explore” tab that will go live on 8 January. Throughout the day, the Golden Globes channel will present exclusive video content from celebrities, media personalities and industry insiders,” the report added.

IANS

Apple team to meet government panel on 25 January to discuss its plans for manufacturing in India

  08 Jan 2017 , 12:18

A team of the US-based iPhone maker Apple will meet a group of senior officials from ministries, including IT and finance, on 25 January to discuss its demands for setting up a manufacturing unit in the country.

Officials from departments of commerce, industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), revenue, environment and forest, electronics and information technology (DeITY) will take part in the deliberations.

In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for several tax and other incentives, including long-term duty exemptions, to enter the manufacturing sector in India.

(Also Read: Apple demands for tax concessions and sops could adversely affect Make In India campaign)

However, the sources said the technology major should set up the manufacturing unit in India without seeking additional support.

As many as 42 companies are making mobile phones in India, including Chinese firm Huawei and Xiaomi, and no firm has approached the government for any additional incentives.

Currently, the government provides support by way of benefits under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS) to boost electronic manufacturing.

The scheme offers financial incentives to offset disability and attract investments in the electronics hardware segment. It also gives subsidy for investments in special economic zones, among other benefits.

Apple’s products are manufactured in six countries, including Korea, Japan and the US.

Earlier, the finance ministry in May had rejected relaxing the 30 per cent domestic sourcing norms as sought by the iPhone and iPad maker as a pre-condition of bringing in FDI to set up single-brand retail stores in the country.

The company had sought exemption on the ground that it makes state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology products for which local sourcing is not possible.

The government had also turned down the firm’s proposal to import refurbished phones and sell them in India.

The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries like China, Germany, the US, the UK and France, among others. It has no wholly-owned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro.

The government has announced incentives to promote electronic manufacturing in India and reduce the import bill.

PTI

FBI releases documents with deleted details, pertaining to the the San Bernandino iPhone hacking case

#FBI

Image Credit: REUTERS

  08 Jan 2017 , 12:06

The FBI has released 100 pages of heavily censored documents related to its agreement with an unidentified vendor to hack into an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino, California, shooters, but it did not identify whom it paid to perform the work or how much it cost.

The records were provided Friday in response to a federal lawsuit filed against the FBI by The Associated Press, Vice Media and Gannett, the parent company of USA Today.

The media organizations sued in September to learn how much the FBI paid and who it hired to break into the phone of Syed Rizwan Farook, who along with his wife killed 14 people at a holiday gathering of county workers in December 2015. The FBI for weeks had maintained that only Apple Inc. could access the information on its phone, which was protected by encryption, but ultimately broke or bypassed Apple’s digital locks with the help of an unnamed third party.

The FBI, in its records release Friday, censored critical details that would have shown how much the FBI paid, whom it hired and how it opened the phone. The files had been marked “secret” before they were turned over under the lawsuit.

The files make clear that the FBI signed a nondisclosure agreement with the vendor. The records also show that the FBI received at least three inquiries from companies interested in developing a product to unlock the phone, but none had the ability to come up with a solution fast enough for the FBI.

The FBI also said in contracting documents that it did not solicit competing bids or proposals because it thought widely disclosing the bureau’s needs could harm national security.

The lawsuit was filed months after the FBI’s sudden announcement in March that it had purchased a tool from an unidentified third party to open Farook’s phone. The disclosure aborted a court fight that began when a federal judge had directed Apple to help the FBI break into the phone.

The suit by the media organizations argued there was no legal basis to withhold the information and challenged the adequacy of the FBI’s search for relevant records. It also said the public had a right to know whether the vendor has adequate security measures, is a proper recipient of government funds and will act only in the public interest.

In refusing to provide the records, the FBI said the records had been compiled for law enforcement purposes and might interfere with ongoing enforcement proceedings, even though at the time the shooters were both dead and there were no indications others were involved.

It was the third lawsuit the AP has filed against the Obama administration under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Associated Press

Russian authorities ask Apple and Google to remove LinkedIn from their app stores

Image: Reuters

  08 Jan 2017 , 11:57

Accusing LinkedIn of flouting local laws that require internet firms to store data on citizens within the nations borders, the Russian authorities have asked Apple and Google to remove the professional networking site app from their online stores.

Recently, a Russian court blocked the Microsoft-owned LinkedIn service for breaching the country’s data protection rules. According to The New York Times, Apple has confirmed that it was asked to remove its LinkedIn app in Russia about a month ago.

“However, Google has not confirmed if it had removed LinkedIn in Russia but said that it adhered to Russian local laws,” the report added. Meanwhile, LinkedIn responded that the company was “disappointed” with the decision by Russian regulators to block the service.

“It denies access to our members in Russia and the companies that use LinkedIn to grow their businesses,” Nicole Leverich, a spokeswoman for LinkedIn, was quoted as saying. LinkedIn has several million users in Russia.
Earlier this week, Apple removed the New York Times from its app store following a request from Chinese authorities claiming the app was in violation of regulations.

China is known for banning digital sites like Facebook and Google that it believes harm its national security or promote misinformation. The Wall Street Journal’s Chinese-language site has been blocked since 2014.

IANS