Storj is working to provide decentralized cloud storage in a gambit to provide a network free from censorship and monitoring. The key to this concept is for a peer-to-peer network to allow users to store their data on other people's computers in a distributed manner. This isn't exactly breaking the mold. Peer-to-peer cloud storage networks, such as Symform, have been around for years. However, Symform requires users to donate their own capacity in order to join the network, while Storj is offering to just buy spare capacity from anyone.

Storj has already raised roughly $215,000 through crowdfunding, but the donations were in Bitcoins, so that amount is subject to price variations. Renting out free drive space is purportedly easy, the person renting space simply installs software that receives files that have been split into easily digestible encrypted chunks. Data is then stored from other computers on the network, and is distributed in a parity-like scheme across multiple locations to provide access even if one user drops off the network.

Unfortunately, there are a slew of reasons to be skeptical of just renting out your free drive space. First, in order to receive payment the the HDD landlord has to cash out the payments in Storjcoin X, a digital currency similar to Bitcoin. Storjcoin's can be traded for cold hard cash, but noting the growing pains of several other digital currencies, HDD landlords may find it hard to get a reliable amount when converting the coins to cash. And thats just the tip of the storage iceberg.

President Barack Obama wants cybersecurity to have a more prominent role among companies and federal agencies, including cybersecurity information sharing. As part of the proposal, Obama wants streamlined threat intelligence sharing between the private sector and government agencies.

In addition, Obama wants to disrupt botnet operators - including the sale or rental of botnets for criminal use - to be investigated, disrupted and prosecuted by federal courts.

Obama yesterday announced an updated proposal so national data breach reporting is modified following a cyberattack and data breach. Instead of a mix of state laws, a single federal statute would be created, so businesses better understand their responsibilities while informing customers.

The PC version of Grand Theft Auto V has been delayed from January 27 until March 24, Rockstar Games confirmed on Tuesday morning. When the game finally does launch for the PC, there will be a customized GTA Online mode available, so gamers will be able to compete in online competitions against one another.

"Our apologies for the slight shift in the date but the game requires a few extra weeks of testing and polish to make it as good as can be," Rockstar Games noted in a statement. "Moving a release date is never a decision we take lightly and is a choice we make only when we know it is in the best interests of the game and our fans. Thanks everyone for your understanding and we assure you these few extra weeks will be worth it when the game does arrive in March."

The Microsoft Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game were released in September, and recently updated for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 gamers.

The number 13 is bad luck, again, as Microsoft is ending free support for Windows 7 today, the 13th of January. Speaking of bad luck, Microsoft is hoping the end of free support for Windows 7 will speed the transition to Windows 8, which has been rejected by discerning users worldwide. Thankfully for Microsoft, Windows 10 is on the horizon. Windows 10 is slated to be released later this year.

The end of free support also means that no new features will be added, so dont expect any further service packs in the future. Windows 7 sold over 100 million units in the initial six months of availability in 2009, largely due to customer dissatisfaction with the notoriously buggy Vista. Many are speculating that sales of Windows 10 will also be propelled by user distaste with Windows 8. Windows 7 has been truly successful for Microsoft, and it powers roughly half of the world's computers.

Microsoft continues to experience boom/bust cycles, with every other operating system revision appearing to be the one to buy. Microsoft's failed bid to create one operating system for all devices created a confusing environment for the majority of users. With many of the previously successful features reappearing in Windows 10, such as the start button and menus, it should be well received. Microsoft has also been offering the latest operating systems at much more reasonable price points, which should help foster widespread adoption of Windows 10.

Greenliant is introducing their new G7100 Series G-card, a high-capacity NVMe SSD that leverages an array of NANDrive SSDs in a PCIe form factor. Each NANDrive is it's own entity with its own embedded controller and ECC capability. This creates a scalable architecture that offers up to 2.75TB of storage.

The use of a distributed architecture provides built-in RAID functionality, which increases speed and improves reliability. Greenliant claims the new card offers an Uncorrectable Bit Error Rate (UBER) of 1 sector per 10E28, which is orders of magnitude higher than competing solutions. The G-card also features host power loss protection, and utilizes standard MLC NAND to deliver 10 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) of endurance. Speeds and feeds indicate the G-card won't set any performance records, but is geared more for reliability and an economical price point. The G-Card features 875 MB/s of sequential read speed, and 850 MB/s for sequential write. Random 4k reads weigh in at 130,000 IOPS, and random writes are 60,000 IOPS.

The card connects via the PCIe 2.0 connection at x4, and features a five-year warranty. The G-card is also bootable on multiple platforms.

What seemed to be a clever idea backfired on a man from Hong Kong. Chinese customs officials intercepted a Hong Kong man at the border with 94 iPhones, valued at over $49,000 (300,000 yuan), strapped to his body with tape and plastic. The event unfolded at the Futian crossing into Shenzhen as the man walked with two shopping bags. His labored breathing indicated he was bearing a heavy load, but after a cursory inspection officials determined there wasn't anything significant in his bags. A quick pass through a metal detector and customs officials found the culprit.

The man had a total of 94 iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S models strapped across his thighs, crotch, and body. iPhones are undoubtedly popular, many wait in line for days and pay exorbitant amounts of money for hard-to-find models around the globe. In Mainland China they also enjoy robust sales, with over 1 million iPhone and iPhone 6 units sold in six hours during the launch. This leads one to wonder just why they would be smuggling them when they are publicly available. It all boils down to taxes. Higher import taxes in Mainland China have driven a bustling electronics smuggling trade from Hong Kong. Since December alone, over 18 phone mules have been intercepted with over 282 iPhones, among other electronic goods.

There is no word on the fate of the unidentified phone mule, but he is currently being detained for questioning. It is reported that he has several smuggling incidents 'under his belt' already, so he will likely face prison time.

Although there is nothing official regarding General Motors and Google working together regarding autonomous vehicles, it's something GM would be interested in hearing more about. Google will take the stage later this week at the Detroit auto show, calling for potential automaker partners to work with.

"I'm not in charge of deciding what we will and won't do, but I'd say we'd certainly be open to having a discussion with them," said Jon Lauckner, chief technology officer of GM, speaking to Reuters. "You have to figure out how would something like that actually work? Would it be something where it would be an opportunity to work together in a joint development agreement?"

Self-driving technology, whether semi-autonomous or fully-autonomous, will only increase in upcoming years - receiving a larger amount of dedicated research.

The Spotify music streaming service reached 60 million subscribers, with 15 million paid users, the company said in a blog post. A paid subscription costs $9.99 per month per account, and Spotify hopes more of its listeners transition into paying subscribers.

"We had an amazing 2014 at Spotify and owe it all to you, the music fans who listen, discover, share and celebrate music and artists with us every day of the year," Spotify said in a blog post. It would appear Spotify's pre-Christmas offering of three months of subscription service for just $0.99 per month instead of the $9.99 normal price tag.

More than half of Spotify listeners use their smartphones and tablets to access the service, Spotify recently noted.

Microsoft and Turn 10 Studios have announced Forza Motorsport 6 will launch exclusively for the Microsoft Xbox One game console later this year.

The Ford GT, Shelby GT350 Mustang and F-150 Raptor will also make appearances in the video game, and 2015 is the 10th anniversary of the game franchise.

"Just as Ford has pushed the boundaries of car technology in GT, 'Forza Motorsport 6' will embrace that spirit of innovation as our most technically advanced racing simulation to date - offering a fun and realistic automotive experience for both car lovers and gamers," said Dan Greenawalt, creative director at Turn 10 Studios. "We're excited to unveil gameplay at E3 in June."

Considered the 'king of keys' when it comes to mechanical offerings, Cherry have just announced the release of their new MX Board 6.0, featuring their latest and most refined switches - self-named as RealKey Technology.

Including 100% N-key rollover, this RealKey Technology utilizes high bandwidth USB 3.0 connections to reduce keyboard latency, making key presses register quicker - don't be fooled however, this will not make you better at any computer game.

This keyboard is aimed at professional typists, software developers and gamers alike, providing a standard 102-keyset, macros and a red backlight. The MX Board 6.0 features a metal frame and a magnetically-attached wrist-rest.