12345. Such an amazingly hard password, something that no one else on Earth has probably ever used. Well, except for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Anonymous broke into the mail server of the Syrian Ministry of Presidential Affairs, where they gained access to 78 inboxes of Assad's staff, according to a report from Israeli daily Haaretz.
The password '12345' was associated with several of the e-mail accounts. Victims of Anonymous' latest attack were Mansour Fadlallah Azzam, who is the Minister of Presidential Affairs, as well as Bouthaina Shaaban, who is Assad's media adviser.
Haaretz obtained, and published one e-mail that included documents intended to prepare al-Assad for his December 2011 interview with Barbara Walters. In the interview, he said that the Syrian government was not killing its own people:
We don't kill our people. No government in the world kills its people, unless it's led by a crazy person.
I've been waiting for this new Spider-Man movie for a while now, where it completely reboots the franchise and takes a different "untold story" when compared to the Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man movies. This one is directed by Marc Webb, and stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field and more.
The trailer is above, in all its 1080p glory and looks, well, amazing! The various teasers and smaller trailers haven't shown off anywhere near as much material. We get to see some special FX, the big bad, more Spider-Man, Peter, back story, and more.
We even see the cocky Spider-Man, which is more in line with the comics, another great thing to see. The Lizard is the big reveal here, which is shown gloriously as a tease in the trailer. The scope of the film looks bigger than shown before, I thought it would start off as a slower paced movie, but with the police scene by itself, it seems we're in for a fair amount of action, which is great. Check out the trailer, now!
Motorola is currently fighting Microsoft in a German court over some patents, where the court is inclined to side with Motorola. This could see Microsoft pay Motorola royalties of 2.25-percent in sales of Windows 7, and Xbox 360, among other products. The news comes from Florian Mueller, an intellectual property analyst who tracks worldwide patent disputes in his Foss Patents blog.
Mueller is quoted:
A short summary of today's trial (technically four trials, but organized as one because of overlapping issues) is that the court is inclined to rule, with a decision scheduled for April 17, 2012, that Microsoft Windows 7, Internet Explorer 9, the Windows Media Player and the Xbox 360 infringe on those two patents.
The two patents in question relate to a video compression and decompression technology, covering methods for reducing the amount of bandwidth required for video that is streamed online. It is said that Microsoft violated the patents which are used in its technologies and software including Windows 7, Internet Explorer 9, Windows Media Player and the Xbox 360.
Continue reading 'Motorola is the new Apple, wants royalties from Xbox, Windows 7' (full post) BREAKING: Germany-based computer hardware retailer, Caseking, have just acquired British-based Overclockers. Overclockers UK have had a long-standing achievement of being one of the biggest sellers of computer hardware in the UK.
They've been in a band of just a few, with companies such as Ebuyer, Scan Computers International, Novatech, and Aria PC in selling PC hardware. Overclockers UK have been around since 1999, and have had their HQ in Newcastle-under-lyme.
The takeover involves 40 members of staff who currently work for Overclockers UK, but at the moment it is not known what the acquisition has in store for both Overclockers UK and its employees. The value of the deal is not exactly known either, but it is estimated to come in at 'less than €50 million'. The deal took place on February 1, 2012, and as you probably have guessed, both companies have been quiet about it.
We all know AMD has and still is, going through some troubling times, but there is hopefully some light at the end of that bulldozed tunnel. The bad news continues today with the exit door opening for its chief sales officer, Emilio Ghilardi.
AMD announced the departure just after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, where current CEO Rory Read will take over Ghilardi's sales responsibilities in the meantime, there is a search for a replacement. Ghilardi had worked for AMD since 2008, and started as senior vice president and general manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Just a year later he was promoted to chief sales officer.
It's not known what move is next for AMD, when they're set to adopt an "ambidextrous" strategy when it comes to using chips from other companies. The next few months should be some interesting times from the underdog, whether we see them move into areas where they aren't fighting the big bad, Intel. It could be a smart move, where you can't win, go into a market where you have more chance, and less competition. Sounds good to me.
The latest happenings in the technology world, February 7th, 2012.
GPUs:
XFX HD 7970 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation - Hardware Canucks
Storage:
OWC Mercury Electra 240GB - PureOverclock
Intel 520 SSD Series 240 GB - Technic3D | Techgage | Hardware Secrets | Overclockers Club | Benchmark Reviews
Continue reading 'Tuesday Morning Roundup' (full post) Today's Deal of the Day is Office Depot - 17.3" LED-backlit HP g7-1310us Laptop with 2nd Gen Intel Core i3, 6GB Memory, 640GB HD, DVD Burner, Wireless-N, Bluetooth, Webcam, and More for $449.99 after Rebate with FREE Delivery!
This 17.3" LED-backlit 1600 x 900 resolution HP g7-1310us laptop features a 2nd generation 2.3Ghz Intel Core i3-2350M, 6GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640GB hard drive, 8x DVD+/-RW DL, 802.11b/g/n wireless, multi-in-1 media card reader, HDMI output, webcam, Bluetooth, 6-cell LiOh battery, Windows 7 Home Premium x64, and a 1 year warranty. A $50 rebate takes the price down to $449.99.
Get it from your Office Depot for $629.99 - $130 instant savings = $499.99, ending 2/11/12).
HP G7-13100US A6Z19UA#ABA LAPTOP REBATE DEAL
Send in the $50 rebate, taking the price down to $499.99, expiring 6/9/12.
HP G7-13100US A6Z19UA#ABA LAPTOP REBATE
Our Download of the Day is: Hamachi 2.1.0.158.
LogMeIn Hamachi is a VPN service that easily sets up in 10 minutes, and enables secure remote access to your business network, anywhere there's an Internet connection.
It works with your existing firewall, and requires no additional configuration. Hamachi is the first networking application to deliver an unprecedented level of direct peer-to-peer connectivity. It is simple, secure, and cost-effective.
Advantages of LogMeIn Hamachi:
LAN over the Internet - Arrange multiple computers into their own secure network, just as if they were connected by a physical cable.
Files and Network Drives - Access critical files and network drives.
Zero-configuration - Works without having to adjust a firewall or router.
Security - Industry leading encryption and authentication.
Cost Effective - Free for non-commercial use.
Continue reading 'Download of the Day: Hamachi 2.1.0.158' (full post) Our Mobile App of the Day is Mine Gold 2 (Gold Miner 2) for Android.
Mine Gold 2
Use the claw and reel to mine gold and other treasures out of earth.
Collect as much money as possible before time run out in each level.
Between levels you can buy some items that can help you in next level.
Controls:
*Tap the screen to release the claw when it swings back and forth.
*Tap the screen to throw bomb(amount>0) when reel up target.
Features:
* Bonus mechanism
* Up to 10 props
* More funny targets
Continue reading 'Mobile App of the Day: Mine Gold 2 (Gold Miner 2)' (full post) Microsoft launched one of the most recognisable components of computing, the Start button. It was launched 17 years ago, with a huge advertising campaign, where its hard for people to not know the Start button now.
When it comes to Windows 8, Microsoft are changing it up, not just a bit, but considerably. The removal of the Start button marks a serious change, where the Start button is replaced by the "hot corner." Instead of clicking the Start button to show the full-screen Metro-style Start Screen, you just flick your mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen, or touch it with your finger, and voila - Metro-style Start Screen.
Why would Microsoft do such a thing? Well, they save some on-screen pixels by removing it. That's it. Imagine long-time Windows users, booting up for the first time, not aware of this news and virtually unprepared for there to not be a Start button. They would think the OS is faulty, or a non-legit version. New users, would be OK, but how would they know to push to the bottom left of the screen to display the Metro interface?
Continue reading 'Microsoft says "What do you want to kill today?", replies with "the Start button in Windows 8"' (full post) Considering LimeWire has been dead for quite sometime now, after the RIAA settled with LimeWire last year to the sweet tune of $105 million, Twentieth Century Fox, Viacom, Disney, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. now want some of that tasty LimeWire blood.
First up, we need to consider, its not like LimeWire had $105 million in cash laying around, so these lawsuits are nothing but praise for the MPAA/RIAA to show off "we sued a company for pirating!" but what actually gets done about it? People are sued, but its like taking blood from a stone. The stone has no blood, LimeWire has no cash. Why sue?
The complaint, published by Courthouse News reads:
The illegality of LimeWire has been fully and finally adjudicated by the Court. In a related case, Arista Records LLC v. Lime Group LLC ...the court found defendants liable for engaging in and facilitating massive copyright infringement.
The complaint lists 53 infringed works including shows such as South Park and Family Guy, as well as movies such as Avatar, Shrek and Harry Potter.
3D printers have come a long way now, and in 2012, they're ready to do something quite miraculous. An 83-year-old woman is set to be the first to receive a titanium jaw crafted by one of these 3D printers.
The method was developed by the BIOMED Research Institute at Hasselt University in Belgium and what the printer does is create the low jaw replacement from layer-upon-layer of titanium dust. This is made possible by using a computer-controller laser that ensures the correct molecules are fused together.
The result, is a perfect titanium jaw which takes just hours to built, versus previous options where it would take days. Of course this new nail-biter weighs a bit more than its natural bone-based predecessor, but that doesn't stop the patient from returning close to "normal speaking and swallowing" the day after the operation.
Motorola have been stirring up some problems for Apple in Germany, where they won an injunction on iCloud and also enforced a previous ruling where it requires Apple to pull some iPhone mobiles from stores in Germany. The sales ban last just hours, after which Apple managed to win a suspension later in the day.
New details have emerged from the battle between Motorola and Apple, where they've said that Motorola Mobility's legal complaints against Apple, want 2.25-percent of Apple's sales of wireless devices in exchange for a patent license covering Motorola's intellectual property. If Motorola wins this, they could receive $2.1 billion in retroactive fees from iPhone revenues dating back to 2007, which amount to a slither under $93 billion. This is before factoring in 3G iPad sales.
Which patent do Motorola have a grip over Apple on? Its 3G/UMTS patent, has recently been declared essential in implementing open industry standards and because of that, Motorola must license it under FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms to any competitor that requires it.
Apple has denied the fee, and is now filing motions to obtain information from other handset vendors such as Nokia, HTC, LG, and Sony Ericsson to find out what sort of royalty fees they're paying to Motorola. If Apple proves that Motorola are abusing its FRAND patents, then it could throw Motorola into an anti-trust investigation with the European Commission.
Microsoft's Major Nelson has announced through Twitter, a release date for Microsoft Flight. Microsoft Flight is a free-to-play title, that will launch on this leap years day on February 29th. Microsoft Flight was developed by Microsoft Studios, and is being made available on the Games for Windows LIVE service, and is being marketed toward experienced enthusiasts, as well as novices.
This is a step in a different direction, as previous Flight Simulator games were serious simulations, but Microsoft promises fan of the original will "feel right at home." Microsoft Flight introduces region-specific weather patterns, foliage, terrain and landmarks. Games for Windows LIVE intros access to achievements, additional free content such as missions, an online pilot profile, and an extra plane: the Bowing Stearman.
Additional purchases are possible, like new aircraft and regions, which is made possible through your LIVE account. Interestingly, Microsoft Flight is not a replacement for the discontinued Flight Simulator franchise, but a new take on the game.
First up, here's some salt. See your shoulder? Throw some over it. Now we can get into the news, SemiAccurate have luckily enough, had their eyes on NVIDIA's Kepler/GK104 chip. The chip they saw, they measured, which is great news for us.
Measurements of GK104 come in at roughly 18-19mm * 18-19mm, putting the range from 324-361mm^2. This is bigger than SA were expecting, but compared to AMD's Tahiti, it actually measures in smaller. Performance on GK104 is said to be quite good, and it should be around the same efficiency as AMD's current chips, but this time, in favor of Team Green, will reportedly draw a fair bit less power.
GK104, if priced correctly, could be the 2012 mid-range super GPU. That is, if NVIDIA can keep GK104 together and not let anything slip from its current yield. Things can change rapidly, but if they don't, we could see some very amazing things from Team Green. It's almost time to get out those green flags, people.
It pains me to have a title like that, and before I started typing up this piece, I thought to myself "can they really take 90-percent of the profits?" But if you look at their history in 2011, it can only be a huge possibility that Samsung and Apple take a chunk of the market, as they are the most dominant.
UBS analyst, Maynard Um has taken a look at the numbers and found that smartphones are now accounting for 30-percent of the cell phone market, but with these numbers even more impressive: smartphones make up "over 75-percent of industry revenues."
Um also says that we need to take a look at just Apple and Samsung, as the two giants "now account for over 55-percent of industry revenues and over 90-percent of total [profits before tax]." Is it hard to imagine? We should expect the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III this year, which are set to become to two next-gen pillars for each company. Bring it on!
HTC have been in the ring, taking punches from Apple and Samsung, but that hasn't stopped them continuing their fight in the mobile industry. After some financial stumbles in 2011, because of the constant onslaught from Apple and Samsung, as well as the spying allegations from the security breach of "Carrier IQ", HTC have seen better days.
HTC are set to unveil at least four new high-end handsets at the Mobile World Congress 2012 which is held in Barcelona, Spain and runs between February 27th to March 1st. HTC is expected to unveil an ultra-thin smartphone code-named HTC "Ville," which is said to be competition for Motorola's Droid RAZR. "Edge" is meant to be unveiled, which should be a quad-core smartphone, one of the world's first.
Some analysts are saying that HTC's future phones could be the ones to push them back onto the winning path. Marc Einstein, Tokyo-based Industry Manager for Mobile and Wireless Communications for Frost and Sullivan has said to Reuters:
The smartphone industry is so fast moving, I wouldn't count them out.
BTJunkie was one of top five BitTorrent sites out there, and has after 7 years in operation, decided to voluntarily shut down. This closure is sure to be in relation from the growing pressure from authorities in the U.S. and around the world, with MegaUpload taking the first big blow, as well as The Pirate Bay.
BTJunkie wasn't attacked by the authorities, so this looks like a preemptive move to avoid future legal action, and/or arrests. BTJunkie had boasted 80 million users at one point, and in its farewell message, BTJunkie wrote:
This is the end of the line my friends. The decision does not come easy, but we've decided to voluntarily shut down. We've been fighting for years for your right to communicate, but it's time to move on. It's been an experience of a lifetime, we wish you all the best!
Every time a new tech product comes out that I want, I make an excuse to how I can justify its purchase. Two Christmas' ago, I got myself some GTX 570s in SLI, just after my birthday last year, a Galaxy S II, and my birthday coming in March (March 12th to be precise, so all of your presents get to me on time) and now there's something I want.
9to5Google reported on this back in December, with some early information:
They are in late prototype stages of wearable glasses that look similar to thick-rimmed glasses that "normal people" wear. However, these provide a display with a heads up computer interface. There are a few buttons on the arms of the glasses, but otherwise, they could be mistaken for normal glasses. Additionally, we are not sure of the technology being employed here, but it is likely a transparent LCD or AMOLED display such as the one demonstrated below: In addition, we have heard that this device is not an "Android peripheral" as the NYT stated. According to our source, it communicates directly with the Cloud over IP. Although, the "Google Goggles" could use a phone's Internet connection, through Wi-Fi or a low power Bluetooth 4.0.
Continue reading 'Google HUD eyeglasses, augmented reality is coming soon' (full post) Team Fortress 2 went free-to-play last year, and with the game to never really stop gaining momentum, the TF2 team have kind of announced their working on something "brand new" for 2012. They can't say what it is, but it's said to be "really cool."
We should also expect the last "Meet the Team" short, where this year, Valve finally unleash the Pyro story. What to expect from that? We don't know, but in Valve fashion, it should be pretty epic. Finally, there's also The Second Annual Saxxy Awards, with this years awards being bigger and better, due to the imminent unveiling of another secret.
What do you expect from Team Fortress 2? Maybe an announcement of a new game mode? The announcement has to be contained within TF2, in my opinion. I wouldn't mind seeing a next-generation Source engine with Half-Life 3, as well as sequels/huge upgrades to their famous games such as TF2, Left 4 Dead, etc.
