Congress demands answers over Gmail fiasco, data collection on phones
Congress is now demanding answers from Apple and Google regarding data collection on iOS and Android devices. Both Apple CEO Tim Cook and Alphabet CEO Larry Page received letters from the Energy and Commerce Committee seeking explanations about how these devices use recorded audio and more.
Timehop data breach may have compromised 21 million email addresses
Timehop revealed that it experienced a cyberattack that occurred on July 4 after the company discovered suspicious activity on its servers. The attacker was able to breach Timehop's network by obtaining an administrative login credential that was not secured by multi-factor authentication.
Fans petition Microsoft to save the Surface Phone from cancellation
Fans of the Surface Phone are hoping that a new petition will deter Microsoft from canceling the device. The Surface Phone was rumored to launch later this year with a pocketable and innovative dual-screen design. It was said to be canceled because Microsoft did not see a compelling reason to bring it to market.
Your body heat can help attackers steal your password in new attack
Hackers have a new way to steal your login by looking at heat traces left behind on each key using a $400 FLIR infrared camera. Touch typists are less susceptible to this type of attack than those who hunt and peck at each key, but those who type with acrylic nails are virtually immune to this type of password theft.
EU decides to save Wikipedia and internet memes, for now
Members of European Parliament voted against a controversial copyright law that was designed to protect content owners and publishers, but could also make it difficult to share memes and internet news. If passed, the law could also shut down Wikipedia. Parliament will revisit the vote in September after more debate.
Microsoft’s Surface Tablet clears final hurdle before launch
Microsoft may be close to launching the Surface Tablet. The device, which is known by Model 1824, has just recently been cleared by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, indicating that a launch could be happening soon. The FCC filing suggests that Microsoft may rely on Intel chips to power its low-cost slate.
Despite promising to stop sharing your data, Facebook continues to do so
Facebook wasn't fully honest when it said that it would restrict its data sharing practice in 2015. In its letter to Congress, Facebook revealed that data sharing actually continued, and that 61 technology companies have had access to its users' friends data, including names, genders, and birth dates.
Data breach reveals some police departments aren’t prepared for active shooters
A massive data breach affecting active shooter training facility ALERRT could provide insights into how some police departments across the country are unprepared of handling active shooter situations. The leak also contained personal information about officers, which could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands.
A second massive Comcast outage leaves customers without service this month
Comcast is experiencing a second massive outage this month. The outage is taking out phone, internet, and video service for both residential and business customers across the country. Comcast blames a partner for accidentally cutting its fiber line, though an estimate was not provided for when service is expected to be restored.
Microsoft calls its foldable Andromeda device “disruptive”
Leaked internal documents reveal that Microsoft considers its highly anticipated dual-screen Andromeda a disruptive device that will usher in a new form factor. Considered a pocketable PC, Andromeda is expected to help Microsoft bridge the gap between phones and laptops, and it could launch later this year.
Microsoft’s foldable Andromeda PC could transform into five distinct modes
Microsoft's highly anticipated Andromeda computing device may be the ultimate convertible, as it can transform into one of five modes. Microsoft may also be planning different usage experiences based on the orientation of the screens. In comparison, today's convertible laptops can only switch between three modes.
Windows 10 Mail will let you handwrite your email with a stylus
Now, you don't even have to send a thank you note through the post office. Microsoft is updating its Mail and Calendar clients on Windows 10 to support handwriting, allowing you to jot down your appointments or pen that personal note with your stylus. The update is rolling out members of the Windows Insider program.
Mac owners can now test MacOS Mojave with Apple’s new public beta
You can now be among the first to test out Apple's newest MacOS Mojave operating system and experience the new dark mode. Apple is now opening up the MacOS Mojave public beta, and it's inviting users to test out the OS to provide feedback ahead of the software's release this fall, but be sure to backup your data!
Firefox’s new Monitor service will let you know if you’ve been hacked
Firefox will alert its users if they've been hacked. By integrating popular web service Have I Been Pwned with Firefox Monitor, users can check to see if their email address is part of a larger data dump on the dark web. If it is, you'll get a notification in your inbox and tips on how to secure your accounts.
Happy 20th birthday, Windows 98! Here’s why we loved you
Windows 98 turns 20 today! Despite being two decades old, the OS brought important changes and innovations that we still feel today. While a customizable Start menu and Quick Launch shortcuts in the taskbar made Windows 98 feel more personal, support for USB peripherals made the OS feel even more powerful.
MacBook DIY keyboard repairs don’t void your chance of a free replacement
Apple has a fix for sticky keys on the latest MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards. Apple will repair or replace the keyboard on affected laptops for up to four years from the date of purchase. It's unclear, however, if the repair addresses the underlying reason of why the keyboards are failing in the first place.
Microsoft’s new USB-C port could enable even slimmer Surface products
Microsoft could make even thinner Surface Pros, Surface Books, Surface Tablets, and Surface Phones in the future thanks to a new USB-C design patent. By removing the top and bottom plates of a USB-C port enclosure, Microsoft's Surface products could benefit from a stronger port design and thinner form factor.
IBM’s new supercomputer doesn’t just take orders — it can argue back
Robots are finally smart enough to understand humans and talk back. By leveraging artificial intelligence, IBM's Project Debater is a supercomputer that can take on human opponents in a debate -- and win! Although humans have better delivery, Project Debater was able to make better arguments with more facts.
Iowa man gets 20-year prison sentence for trying to steal a domain at gunpoint
Sherman Hopkins Jr of Iowa got a 20-year prison sentence for attempting to steal the dotiforstate.com domain during an armed home invasion robbery in 2017. During the incident, Hopkins shot the victim once in the leg, but the victim wrestled the gun from him. Hopkins was subsequently shot multiple times in the chest.
SwiftKey is coming to Windows 10 to improve touchscreen typing
Microsoft’s latest Insider Preview build of Windows 10 makes it easier to type on glass. SwiftKey integration is now part of Insider Preview build 17692, bringing support for swiping gestures, autocorrect, and word prediction. This should help Windows tablets and convertibles be more competitive against Android slates and iPads.
Samsung’s speedier Chromebook Plus V2 now comes with a second camera
Samsung's Chromebook Plus V2 will arrive on June 24 at $499 at Best Buy with new features. The second-gen Chromebook Plus V2 will retain the stylus, convertible form factor, and premium build from the original, but now comes with a faster Intel processor, spill-resistant keyboard, and a secondary camera.
Comcast gives the internet a victory, ends throttling — for now
Comcast gave the internet a victory and ends its practice of throttling heavy users, citing a stronger network that's capable of handling congestion. However, Comcast also said that it reserves the right to reverse its decision. Heavy users are still subjected to data caps and overage charges.
Microsoft Office’s new redesign puts web and desktop versions on equal footing
Microsoft is giving Office a big overhaul, and a new ribbon will accompany the new design. As part of its efforts to bring consistency to various versions of Office designed for the web, mobile, and desktop platforms, Microsoft will roll out a smarter search box, new icon colors and graphics, and a new ribbon.
Intel’s powerful new 8-core processor could land in desktops this September
After unveiling a 28-core processor at Computex, Intel may be working on two high-end processors that will give desktop owners more computing power. An eight-core processor based on the Coffee Lake Refresh architecture is slated for mainstream users this September, while enthusiasts may get a 22-core chip this fall.
New Chrome OS features make your Chromebook a better Windows replacement
Google is paving the way for more apps to make their way over to Chromebooks, after having brought support for Android apps previously. With the release of Chrome OS 67, Progressive Web Apps can now run on Chromebook hardware. The update will roll out to Chromebooks over the next several days.
Apple could make MagSafe a reality on USB-C MacBooks if it really wanted
Apple has a patent that could bring back MagSafe functionality to the company's newest MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. While Apple's latest notebooks abandoned all legacy ports -- including the MagSafe -- in an effort to embrace the USB-C future, Apple's innovation calls for an adapter that can bring back MagSafe.
Another Facebook fail: Bug caused it to publicly share 14M private messages
Facebook blamed a bug for making the private posts from 14 million users public during a four-day period. Facebook said it has fixed the problem and is beginning to notify affected users to check their posts. The latest incident comes with the now infamous Cambridge Analytica breach still fresh in people's minds.
Google prepares an always-connected Chromebook to take on Microsoft
Google is working on adding eSIM and Project Fi support to future Chromebooks, which will challenge Microsoft's Always Connected PC platform. A code commit reveals Google's ambition in in adding LTE data connectivity, and by not requiring a physical SIM cards, Chromebook manufacturers can save space on their devices.
Congress has until Monday to save net neutrality and keep the internet open
With net neutrality set to expire Monday, June 11, Senate Democrats are calling on House Speaker Paul Ryan to schedule a vote in the House of Representatives to preserve rules governing an open internet. Even if the bill passes the House of Representatives, it still needs President Trump's signature to become law.
Microsoft’s Surface Pen may never need recharging in the future
Microsoft's patent for a solar-powered Surface Pen means you'll never need to recharge or replace the battery in your stylus again. Rather than collect ambient light and convert it into energy, Microsoft's invention calls for the Surface Pen to collect light emitted from the LCD screen on your Surface Pro.
FBI: Reboot, reset your router immediately to prevent cyberattacks
To protect yourself from the VPNFilter malware, the FBI urges all users to reboot their routers. To be extra cautious, you can also perform a factory reset to restore your router to factory conditions and permanently clear out all traces of the malware. If infected, the malware can steal and wipe out your data.
Intel hopes to kick-start dual-screen Windows 10 market with its own designs
Intel is looking to kick-start the dual-screen computing trend with its Tiger Rapids concept. Combining a traditional LCD panel with an E Ink display, Tiger Rapids is geared toward digital inking and is powered by Intel's Kaby Lake processors. The secondary E Ink display gives this concept 15 hours of battery life.