Apple is already testing self-driving cars code-named Titan

The latest rumor surrounding Apple's fabled Project Titan car comes from the New York Times, which reports "dozens" of layoffs as parts of the initiative have been shut down. This follows an earlier Bloomberg report that under new leadership by Bob Mansfield, the focus has changed from building an entire car, to focusing on developing self-driving car tech.

The testing of autonomous vehicle software is indicative of a recent "reboot" in strategy for Apple, which is said to be moving away from building its own electric car to focus on developing self-driving software.

According to the NYT, the layoffs were described internally as being part of a reboot, while Apple figures out what it can bring to a self-driving car that will stick out (probably not an AUX cable).

Over the last couple of years, reports have surfaced of Apple poaching employees from other companies including Tesla and the makers of EV batteries, so new directives might leave some of them out of the plan. Still, the company is said to have fully autonomous vehicles in testing, however, like similar projects from Google and Uber, the question is when we'll see them on the road. 

Apple Hires BlackBerry Talent With Car Project Turning to Self-Driving Software - Bloomberg first reported the change in strategy back in July, stressing the mounting issues Apple’s Titan team has grappled with over the last 18 months as the division ballooned to more than 1,000 employees. Apple Inc. has hired the former head of BlackBerry Ltd.’s automotive software division as new leadership at the iPhone-maker’s car team places increased emphasis on developing self-driving technology, according to people familiar with the project.

Dan Dodge, the founder and former chief executive officer of QNX, the operating system developer that BlackBerry acquired in 2010, joined Apple earlier this year, the people said. He is part of a team headed by Bob Mansfield, who, since taking over leadership of the cars initiative -- dubbed Project Titan -- has heralded a shift in strategy, according to a person familiar with the plan.

The shift toward software is part of a new plan from longtime Apple executive Bob Mansfield. He came out of retirement to lead the Titan division after former project head Steven Zadesky left the company earlier this year. Mansfield’s refined focus has led to a number of job cuts, The New York Times reports, and it illustrates the difficulties of initially trying to develop an electric car and autonomous software simultaneously.

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Apple will release iOS 10 with new features to selected devices on September 13th

Apple will release iOS 10 to existing devices on September 13th. iOS 10 is the biggest update to Apple's mobile operating system so far, and it includes a significant update to the Siri digital assistant. Siri has been overhauled to improve image searches, handle transcribing voicemails, and even write your text messages. Apple is opening up Siri to developers so that you'll be able to ask the assistant to send a message to a friend on WhatsApp, or book an Uber with your voice.

There are major changes to the entire operating system outside of just Siri. Apple is extending its continuity effort by introducing a Universal Clipboard in iOS 10, so you can copy text or images from your iPhone and immediately paste them on your Mac. It's a neat feature that will cut down on the struggle of transferring content from a mobile device to a Mac. Apple is also introducing raise to wake with iOS 10, a feature that allows you to lift the phone from your pocket or a desk to see the lock screen and notifications.

The lock screen also includes a number of changes. Apple is expanding its use of widgets in iOS 10, and you'll be able to interact with notifications and widgets using 3D Touch so you don't even have to launch the app fully to respond to a message or check information. 

Apple's biggest changes in iOS 10 are reflected in the built-in apps. While you can now remove (technically hide) most built-in apps, Apple is refreshing its Photos, Phone, Maps, Music, News, Home, and Messages apps. Messages gets the biggest overhaul, with enlarged emoji, animations for messages, and Apple Music integration. Developers will also be able to integrate their apps into iMessage for the first time. Apple Maps is redesigned in iOS 10, with nearby restaurant suggestions, traffic information, and even the ability to find where you parked your car.

Apple Music has been redesigned from the ground up in iOS 10, with improvements to the entire UI and built-in lyrics. Just like Music, News is also getting a big update with breaking news notifications and subscriptions in iOS 10. Apple is also consolidating its HomeKit efforts into a new Home app that allows you to control and interact with compatible smart home devices.

iOS will be available on September 13th as a free for the following devices: iPhone 5 and higher, iPod touch 6th gen, iPad mini 2 and higher, and iPad 4th generation and the subsequent iPad Air and iPad Pro models.

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The replacement for Samsung Note 7 devices are with a blue S on the box

Buyers of the original Note 7 should be able to exchange the device for a replacement model wherever it was originally purchased. Following the recall, mobile carriers have also offered full refunds on the Note 7 and waived all restocking fees. In most cases, customers also have the option of trading it for a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge and being credited the difference in cost 

Samsung is nearly ready to begin shipping a new batch of Galaxy Note 7 devices that don't suffer from the "isolated battery cell issues" that led to a worldwide recall just one week ago

When the replacements are received by customers and retailers over the next couple weeks, the Note 7 box will be clearly marked to indicate that the battery inside is safe. You'll see a small black box on the white barcode label, but the more obvious identifier will be a circular sticker with a blue S in the middle. It'll look something like this:

That'll make it easier to distinguish which Note 7s don't pose a risk when you're looking at the packaging, but what if you've only got the phone itself? Samsung isn't making any changes to the Note 7's physical design. Instead, it'll be launching an IMEI database tool next week where consumers can type in their phone's unique IMEI number and see whether it's an original, recalled note or one of the safe replacement shipments. The IMEI can be found on the Note 7's barcode label, but you can also view it on the device itself by going to the settings menu.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Banned on Planes

In response to reports of explosive battery malfunctions in Samsung's Galaxy Note 7, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a statement advising airplane passengers not to use, or even pack the smartphones during air travel. "In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices," the statement reads, "the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage."

The announcement comes after Samsung suspended Galaxy Note 7 sales, and issued a global recall for devices already sold, a reaction to reports that some phone batteries exploded during charging. Samsung claimed that the number of incidents was low — 35 globally as of September 1st — and nobody appears to have been injured so far by a malfunctioning device, but at least two property-destroying fires have recently been blamed on the smartphone. In the light of those reports, it seems only sensible to stop people from bringing a potentially explosive device into the sky.

FAA Statement on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Devices https://t.co/NADpT5Jma4 pic.twitter.com/e9uJvNmUUq

— The FAA (@FAANews) September 8, 2016

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Norway’s editor-in-chief accused Mark Zuckerberg over censorship after Facebook deletes a historic image post from the Vietnam war

The editor-in-chief of Norway’s biggest newspaper has accused Mark Zuckerberg of abusing his power after Facebook deleted a post containing a historic image from the Vietnam war. Espen Egil Hansen, who is also CEO of Aftenposten, called Zuckerberg the "world’s most powerful editor," and said the decision to remove the photograph because it contained nudity (the image shows the aftermath of a napalm attack) was a serious error in judgement.

"If you will not distinguish between child pornography and documentary photographs from a war, this will simply promote stupidity and fail to bring human beings closer to each other," wrote Hansen in an open letter published online and on the front page of Aftenposten’s Friday print edition.

The Pulitzer prize-winning image was originally taken by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, and shows a naked 9-year-old Kim Phúc fleeing from a napalm bombing along with other children. The image, along with six more, was posted on Facebook by Norwegian writer Tom Egeland in a discussion of photographs that changed the history of warfare. Egeland’s account was suspended for the post, and when Aftenposten wrote a story on the suspension and shared it on the paper’s Facebook page that too was deleted.

"Any photographs of people displaying fully nude genitalia or buttocks, or fully nude female breast, will be removed," said Facebook in a warning sent to Aftenposten prior to the deletion.

In his open letter to Zuckerberg, Hansen says that Facebook is a useful tool for keeping in touch with friends and relatives, and a "nice channel for persons who wish to share music videos, family dinners and other experiences." However, he says the company needs to "offer more liberty in order to meet the entire width of cultural expressions," instead of sticking to one uniform set of rules that often ignore the context of images.


Facebook’s approach to editorial decision-making has been under scrutiny recently, especially with regards to the company’s trending news list. The company reportedly fired some 18 contractors tasked with curating topics for the list after accusations of bias, before replacing them with an algorithm.

This choice has led to a string of errors, including the sharing of hoax stories as if they were legitimate news items. These mistakes are ongoing, and just yesterday Facebook’s top story associated with Apple’s iPhone launch was a spoof article about a robot Siri that does household chores. Others have criticized Facebook’s algorithms for being prey to partisan publications that spin the news into shareable — but inaccurate — stories.

Posting the photo of Phúc, meanwhile, has turned into an act of protest in Norway. The Norwegian prime minister Erna Solberg even shared the image on the site, writing in a post: “Facebook is wrong to censor such pictures. It helps to slow freedom of speech." Solberg's post was later deleted as well. Phúc herself was reportedly "saddened" by Facebook's actions, with a spokesperson telling Norway's Dagsavisen: "Kim is saddened by those who would focus on the nudity in the historic picture rather than the powerful message it conveys."

Regarding Hansen’s letter, a spokesperson for Facebook told The Guardian: "While we recognize that this photo is iconic, it’s difficult to create a distinction between allowing a photograph of a nude child in one instance and not others."

"We try to find the right balance between enabling people to express themselves while maintaining a safe and respectful experience for our global community. Our solutions won’t always be perfect, but we will continue to try to improve our policies and the ways in which we apply them."

source: TheVerge

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InFocus IN116x: Beaming Your Most Important Content at an Incredibly Affordable Price

Never compromise your presentations with the new InFocus IN116x projector. Your most important content from text, graphics and videos come alive with its brightness and impeccable image clarity, less the cost of a high-end projector.

Top-notch Image Technology

A widescreen projector with 3200 ANSI lumens 1280x800 native resolution, the IN116x delivers crsip images even with the lights on. The vivid color reproduction, made possible by the DLP® technology with InFocus BrilliantColor™ implementation, brings life to your images while its high contrast ratio 15000:1 gives off that darker blacks and whiter whites for better color saturation contrast. You can choose the preset mode to give you the best image quality if you’re using a beige wall, whiteboard, blackboard or any other surface. 

Performance Features

The HDMI connectivity, along with VGA, composite and S-video inputs, is made for fast and high quality display. It’s also 3D-ready, so you never have to worry about your Blu-ray, PC or cable boxes content. Audio is not a problem too as its built-in speaker is sufficient for classroom or office requirement and the 3.5mm audio out port allows external speaker connection for audio amplification. 

A Compact Knock-down

The IN116x is light and easy to move from room to room, as it weighs only 5.4 lbs (2.45kg). The RS232 port allows easy installation and integration into various room control systems.

Unbeatably Low Price

With three modes to choose from, you can lower the usage of the lamp when it isn’t being used, allowing it to extend its life. In Eco Blanking mode, average lamp life is 10,000 hours, 6,000 hours in Eco Mode, and 5,000 hours in normal mode. Plus, there is no need to change filters. With amazing features priced at Php 31,500, the new InFocus IN116x projector can help you save today and in the future.

InFocus projectors are available at MSI-ECS. For product details and inquiries, please email inquiry@msi-ecs.com.ph or call (02) 688-3501 / 3512.

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The new Apple Watch performance and feature improvements

The next-gen Apple Watch, looks a lot like the old one, complete with the same two screen sizes and support for the same wristbands. The screen is brighter, sure, and the watch is also now offered in a durable white ceramic that doesn't look quite like the aluminum and stainless steel versions that came before it. 

Apple retooled the built-in speaker so that it ejects water after a swim workout, because there was no way of including a speaker that could somehow keep water from seeping in. That happens automatically when you end a swimming workout in the app. the watch's newly added GPS radio.

Even if the software update does help, watchOS3 will also make its way to the older watch, which is dropping in price to $269. The older watch is also getting upgraded to the same dual-core processor as the $369 Series 2, which makes it a great deal for people who haven't yet taken the plunge. With so many similarities,on the Series 2, and not the original which came out last year. WatchOS 3, which has a revamped user interface and promised performance improvements.

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The Latest Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Are Water-Resistant and Dual camera

Apple just introduced the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, the latest iterations of its premium smartphone. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus look remarkably similar to the phones they replace -- this is the smallest generational design.

The iPhone 7 Plus finally brings a dual camera to the iPhone line.The antenna bands on the back of the previous models have been made more discreet; they now hug the edges of the device. This repositioning has allowed Apple to squeeze in larger camera bumps on the back. To that end, Apple has thrown improved cameras into both its new phones. 

For both devices, the new FaceTime HD camera ups the resolution from 5 to 7 megapixels. The big-ticket item for the smaller model -- following the addition of 4K video last year -- is a new f/1.8 12-megapixel "low-light loving" camera with optical-image stabilization. There's also a new four-color LED flash, a "flicker-sensor" to avoid flickering lights in videos and RAW DNG capture, plus Apple says shutter lag is down to 25 milliseconds.

Optical-image stabilization has been around the 7 Plus is getting a new feature to differentiate itself: a dual-camera system. The new cameras, both at 12 megapixels, operate together in ways we've seen before from other manufacturers. They're set at different focal lengths -- one wide, the other telephoto -- which allows you to "optically zoom" to 2x by switching cameras. You do this by tapping on a button above the on-screen shutter key, and you can also swipe across to zoom digitally up to 10x. 

  For the first time in the iPhone's history, the new phones are "water and dust resistant," up to IP67 (i.e., splashproof, not submersible). As we expected, there's no headphone port to be seen, but there's at least a stereo speaker for the first time. The home button no longer physically clicks in, but a haptic-feedback mechanism will trick your finger into thinking it has.

 AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez:Tim Cook shows Maddie Ziegler the iPhone 7

The new iPhones are powered by Apple's latest in-house SoC, the A10 Fusion. As usual, Apple isn't giving firm figures on performance here. It says it's 64-bit, 4-core chip, with two high-power cores and two low-power cores to save battery life. The iPhone 7 lasts two hours more than the iPhone 6S, while the iPhone 7 Plus lasts one hour more than the iPhone 6S, apparently.

Apple's sticking with comparative and superlative statements, like "40 percent faster processing" and "two-thirds the power" graphics performance when compared to the 6S's A9. It's "the most powerful chip ever in a smartphone" and capable of rendering "400 flying monkeys" in Oz: Broken Kingdom.  

Apple has finally dropped its much-maligned 16GB storage option. The lowest storage tier is now 32GB, with the middle- and top-tier options sitting at 128GB and 256GB, respectively. Essentially, it's doubled everything.

There's no resolution bump -- we're still talking 1,334 x 750 for the 4.7-inch 7 and 1,920 x 1,080 for the 5.5-inch 7 Plus -- but there is an improvement in color gamut. Both phones now support the P3 color space, which debuted on the iMac range before heading to the iPad Pro 9.7.

Apple killed the headphone jack. It's betting that the future of headphones is wireless, and that's a fair bet. But the vast majority of headphones in stores (and in homes) are wired. To remedy that, it's packing in Lightning EarPods and this beautiful and elegant Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter in the box:

Apple says it's doing this because it has the "courage to move on, do something new that betters all of us." 

The wireless-headphone market isn't quite there yet, and the Lightning-headphone market barely exists. Apple has the power to boost that market, of course, and it's doing that with new $159 wireless earphones called "AirPods" as well as a ton of new wireless Beats headphones.


Pre-orders begin this Friday, and it'll be available on Sept. 16th. The iPhone 7 starts at $649 for the 32GB model while the iPhone 7 Plus starts at $769.

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Apple was leaving the 3.5mm analog audio jack behind. “It comes down to one word: Courage”

Phil Schiller today caused the largest collective eyeroll in the history of the world with his explanation of why Apple was leaving the 3.5mm analog audio jack behind. “It comes down to one word: Courage.”

Apple is taking the first step to make sure that never happens. They’re able to do this because no one can do anything about it. They’re in a position of immense power and they’re using that power to eliminate something good and replace it with something that makes them money.

Second, if it’s courageous to remove the headphone port, what is it when you include the ability to restore it in the box? I mean, judged by their own standards, that must be abject cowardice, right?

Apple Fully Wireless AirPods cost $159

But it isn’t courage. And Apple has behaved courageously before, at least within the limitations of how courageous a global corporation can be: I think it was courage (and self-interest) that made it fight the FBI the way it has. It was courageous to come out in favor of marriage equality and other civil rights issues.

Removing the headphone jack from the iPhone is not an act of courage, it’s an act of leverage.

The avalanche of gobbledygook Schiller unloaded onto the audience while attempting to justify replacing a 50-year-old standard port with a proprietary interface was meaningless. The Lightning port is totally unsuited to sending and receiving audio.

Audio is so simple to transmit in high fidelity that it can be done with a wire hanger. Using a powered, high-bandwidth data interface adds nothing but cost and complexity, and the space you save is minimal.


There’s some interesting functionality on-board, as well. There’s a certain benefit to the Apple synergy here — in this case, they pair pretty instantly with your iPhone the moment you open the charging case (which, incidentally looks almost exactly like Glide dental floss, because good design is timeless, etc.). They feature touch functionality, as well, so you can, say, double tap to activate Siri, who will take commands via the built-in mics.

Digital-to-analog conversion has to be done eventually, because speakers don’t produce sound waves with 1s and 0s. Whether you do it a millimeter from the speaker or three feet away in the phone itself is not important. It won’t affect the sound quality.

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DDoS attacks in Asia-Pacific region increased by 43% — IPC

According to IPC (IP Converge Data Services, Inc.), the country’s pioneer DDoS Mitigation service provider, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks increased 43% percent to 34,000 attacks in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, citing a report by its partner Nexusguard, global leader in DDoS mitigation.

The study was conducted throughout the second quarter of this year and revealed an 83% increase in attacks worldwide. Although the APAC region only saw an increase a bit over half of the global total, attack durations were longer compared to global incidents. Nexusguard says that this is most likely due to many attack tools with set duration periods.

The largest increase was seen in Hong Kong, where attacks rose an astonishing 57%. China, which saw a 50% increase in attacks, is the number one target in the region. According to the report, over the course of a month a Chinese website was attacked 41 times.

The Philippines on the other hand is one of the countries who experienced the least DDoS attacks, together with Indonesia and Malaysia.

Despite this, IPC strongly recommends that businesses be prepared by updating and strengthening their security systems. “The currently low numbers of the Philippines should not be taken as a signal to be complacent. Instead, the huge increase of DDoS attacks in the region and the world should be a wake-up call to businesses as we become more and more digitally active,” said Niño Valmonte, Director for Product Management & Marketing of IPC.

The report also revealed an alarming increase in public attacks, such as on the popular augmented reality video game Pokémon Go, which had a limited release in July. Nexusguard confirms that a group called “Poodle Corp.” is responsible for these attacks and they expect more attacks from them to increase their visibility and position themselves as DDoS-for-hire services.

In terms of method, attacks on the Network Time Protocol (NTP) dominated 90% of the attack types in the region, a stark contrast from the global distribution which experienced only 46% of this type of attack. The NTP is a protocol used for clock synchronization that is used by machines connected to the Internet to set their clocks accurately. Once attacked, hackers can gain access to hundreds of computers, depending on how many the NTP has interacted with. The quarter also saw the increased weaponization of ransomware within DDoS tools as a new “fad” for propagating home infections.

“We expect the upward trend in the frequency of attacks to continue this year, especially with more attention to the Summer Olympics and political dispute in the APAC region,” said Terrence Gareau, chief scientist at Nexusguard. “And as Pokémon Go gradually launches across the Asian market, Nexusguard analysts expect attack groups will launch more public attacks. This activity increases visibility and positioning as DDoS-for-hire services, the popularity of which we noted from the consistent time durations this quarter.”

“Almost every company is going digital these days and the more that this trend continues, the more cybercriminals will try to access your network. Once your company becomes digital, it is imperative to implement highly effective data security measures,” added Valmonte.

The solution to counter these attacks is a sound DDoS mitigation strategy. IPC is the first and only DDoS Mitigation service provider in the Philippines with round the clock DDoS attack monitoring and in-country attack mitigation for local enterprises and institutions. Branded as “inCAST” or In-Country Attack Scrubbing Tactics, the facility uses state-of-the-art equipment, manned by DDoS mitigation specialists so customers are assured of protection from looming attacks.

Learn more about IPC’s in-country DDoS mitigation services at ipc.ph/incast.


Full report here: https://www.nexusguard.com/hubfs/Nexusguard_Q2_2016_Threat_Report_APAC.pdf

About IPC®

IPC® (IP Converge Data Services, Inc.) is an Internet data center, telecommunications and cloud services company, providing local and regional enterprises with managed data services and business solutions at international standards. Certified with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems and ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management Systems, the foundation of IPC's business is customer satisfaction, ensured through high-quality on-time service delivery, best practices, and a personalized, "boutique" approach to clients. IPC is an ePLDT company.

To know more about us, visit www.ipc.ph, Like us on Facebook, and Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.   

​

Press Contact:                          Mika Calixterio

Marketing Communications Manager, IPC

mika.calixterio@ipc.ph  / +63 939 927 4737

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Amazon's latest Prime exclusive phone is the Moto G Play for $99.99

Amazon has today announced a new addition to its suite of "Prime exclusive" smartphones.

The new model is the Moto G Play, which sells for $99.99 and will start shipping on September 15th. Preorders for the phone start today.

The Moto G Play is the least expensive model in Lenovo's Moto G family and has lower-end specs than the Moto G, which is also available as a Prime exclusive. The Play has a 5-inch, 720p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage plus microSD card expansion, a 2,800mAh battery, an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a 5-megapixel front camera. It runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and is compatible with all four major networks in the US, including Sprint and Verizon. Amazon's Prime exclusive version is priced $50 below the standard version that does not have ads.

"Prime exclusive" smartphones unlocked phones that are discounted because they display ads for products and services from Amazon. Amazon says that its other Prime exclusive phones, the Blu R1 HD and Moto G, have been two of the best-selling unlocked phones on the site. The Blu is priced below the new G Play at $49.99, while the Moto G is more expensive at $149.99.

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A Russian YouTube star was sent to prison for years for playing Pokemon Go in church

A Russian YouTube star has been detained for two months and could face up to five years of prison time, reports The Guardian and many other outlets. His crime? Playing Pokémon Go in a church earlier this month. He was arrested under Article 282 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code, which prohibits “incitement of hatred or enmity, as well as abasement of human dignity.”

Sokolovsky has filed an appeal, according to the Associated Press. In the video that precipitated his arrest, he stood in front of the Church of All Saints and expressed doubt that he would be arrested, as The Moscow Times translates: “This is complete nonsense ... Who could get offended if you’re just walking around with your smart phone in a church?” As of this writing, the YouTube video is approaching a million views.

It’s not clear yet how this will shake out — at least beyond Sovolsky’s two-month detainment. The head of the religious affairs committee, Jaroslav Nilov, expressed doubt that simply using a phone in a church could constitute an insult.



The spokesperson for the Russian Orthodox Church, Vladimir Legoyda took more issue with the nature of the video than the precise game, calling Sokolovsky a blogger who “who works in the style of Charlie Hebdo.” It does seem clear that Sokolovsky was looking to challenge the authorities — earlier this summer Russian TV network Rossiya 24 warned specifically that playing Pokémon Go in churches could lead to jail time.

 The  Article 282 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code is same law which was used to jail two members of the Russian protest band Pussy Riot.

A Russian kid was sent to jail for playing Pokemon Go in church. He faces 5 years jail.#FreeSokolovskyhttps://t.co/Xy47YA8xJB

— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) September 3, 2016

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Researchers have created Carbon nanotube transistors promise faster and lower power consumption than silicon

University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have created what they say are the first carbon nanotube transistors to outpace modern silicon.

They promise not just faster performance and lower power consumption than silicon, but a way to prevent the stagnation of processor technology and the death of Moore's Law.

The trick was to find a way to find almost entirely pure carbon nanotubes, eliminating more of the imperfections that would limit their semiconducting traits. Scientists had to assemble the nanotubes on a wafer using an exact order and spacing through polymers, and cook the resulting arrays in a vacuum over to remove an insulating layer between the nanotubes and the electrodes needed for the transistor. The end product manages a current 1.9 times higher than in silicon.

There's plenty of refinement left before you see carbon nanotubes in practical chips. The team still has to adapt its current product to the geometry of a conventional silicon transistor, and it has to scale the technology in a way that would work for mass production. If the university manages to pull this off, though, the breakthrough could have a very tangible impact on just about every device you use. You could expect more raw number-crunching power, of course, but you'd also get longer battery life and faster wireless data. In short: it might be a brief glimpse of the future of computing.



source: University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Scientists build a laser from human blood

All told, the blood laser is far from creepy -- that unusual material choice could save lives. No, this isn't one of your childhood sci-fi dreams brought to life -- it's real. 

University of Michigan researchers have developed a medical observation laser where human blood is a key ingredient. When the team shined a laser into a small cavity full of dye-infused blood, they discovered that they could process the laser's light according to their needs. They could amplify the light to exaggerate small changes in cell activity, or filter it to reduce background noise. Existing techniques combine dyes with infrared or visible light in a way that makes it difficult to spot tiny differences.

This isn't the first time biological lasers have come to fruition. Harvard used proteins and kidney tissue for a laser back in 2011, and Michigan itself has worked with chlorophyll and gelatin. However, this latest breakthrough could be particularly helpful for doctors. It'd do a better job of tracking changes in cells or bodily tissues, for one. Surgeons could also use it to spot the very edge of a tumor, helping them remove every last bit of cancer.

Source : University of Michigan

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AMD ships its 7th-generation A-series chips that promise more performance for less power for PCs

The chip designer has started shipping its 7th-generation A-series processors in desktop PCs, starting with machines from HP and Lenovo. The CPUs are based around as many as four Excavator cores, rather than the coveted Zen cores you've heard about lately, but that should still get you a lot of performance per watt. If you believe AMD, its 35- and 65-watt processors deliver the kind of speed that previously took over 90 watts -- the A12-9800 is about as fast in a general computing benchmark (PCMark) as Intel's Core i5-6500, and roughly twice as fast in graphics (3DMark) if you're relying on integrated video.

On top of a newer DirectX 12-friendly graphics architecture, the new processors tout native video decoding for 4K video in both H.264 and H.265 formats, taking a large load off of your system while you're watching Ultra HD movies.



The efficiency angle is a familiar one for AMD, and not surprising given that it's the company's main advantage. You're still looking at higher-end Intel Core i5 and i7 chips if you're focused on raw performance in a desktop. With that said, this may be worthwhile if you want a glimpse at AMD's future. The 7th-gen A-series is the first processor line based on AMD's new AM4 platform and the interfaces that come with it, including support for USB 3.1 and NVMe solid-state drives. At least some of the technology you see here will carry on for multiple hardware generations.

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DTI chief says prepaid load shouldn't expire since it's already been paid for

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a report over the weekend that there should be no expiry dates on prepaid credits for phone and data services.

In a Manila Bulletin report, Lopez said the services have already been paid for by the consumer and the denial of use of these services after a set period is illogical.

"I do not see any reason why the buyer will be denied the use of the services or goods in the future," the DTI chief said.

At the budget hearing conducted by the House appropriations committee, Lopez said the DTI would continue to battle companies that may be impinging on consumer rights by setting expiry periods for their products.

Aside from prepaid mobile services, Lopez said warranties on sales and prepaid gift certificates by certain malls and establishments should also have no expiry dates.

DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya will oversee the department's efforts to curb these practices, added Lopez.

Bagong Henerasyon Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy had brought up the issue at the hearing.

Herrera-Dy said the practices remain rampant and establishments still "shortchange our consumers who are mostly unaware of their rights under the law," according to a report by Business Mirror.

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Smart, Globe release advisories on Samsung Galaxy Note7 recall

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine telcos Smart and Globe have issued advisories on replacing the Galaxy Note7, the subject of a major global recall by Korean tech giant Samsung.

Samsung on Friday, September 2, issued a global recall of their latest big-screen smartphone. The company released the model in mid-August in several territories, and has since sold 1 million units – a significant portion of the 2.5 million reported to have been already manufactured.

After a few units reportedly exploded while being charged, Samsung delved into the matter, found out that the cause was the battery, and made the decision to halt sales and replace all units worldwide – the Philippines included.

After the official announcement from Samsung, Smart and Globe released their advisories on replacing customers' Note7 units via their social media channels.

Smart has halted their sales of the phone model and has advised affected consumers to proceed to any Smart store for product assistance:

SMART ADVISORY on SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE7
Smart is fully aware of the reports about some user concerns on the new Samsung Galaxy Note7. Rest assured that the safety of our subscribers is our foremost priority.
In the light of the global announcement made by Samsung, Smart is taking the following actions:
1. We have stopped selling and releasing the Samsung Galaxy Note7.
2. We are requesting all our subscribers who purchased the handset from us to proceed to any Smart Store so we can assist them.
Please refer to the press release issued by Samsung: https://news.samsung.com/global/statement-on-galaxy-note7
Thank you very much.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications/photos/a.377239847310.156191.137599377310/10154459547982311/?type=3


Globe says they're waiting for the replacement units from Samsung:

You may have heard of Samsung's official announcement to voluntarily replace the Galaxy Note 7 of its customers. We're now working closely with them on the replacement process. So if you got a Note 7 from us, we'll take care of getting you a replacement as soon as Samsung provides the units.
You can also choose to replace your Note 7 with another device as long as it's available. We'll send you a text and call you directly within the next 3 days to know your preference.
If you want to keep using your Note 7, please keep safe by taking proper precautions, like using only the original battery charger that came with the unit.
If you have questions or clarifications, please get in touch with us via talk@globe.com.ph. To view Samsung’s official statement, visit http://news.samsung.com/global/statement-on-galaxy-note7. Thank you!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/globeph/photos/a.106835214747.95522.30433734747/10154126995099748/?type=3&theater

Locally, the replacement terms are still opaque. The US replacement program sets the precedent. In that market, Note7 buyers can choose to replace their unit with a new, fixed Note7, or the equally high-spec Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge.

Samsung says they could begin as early as next week to deliver the new Note7s but hasn't released word on when the S7 replacement units will be available.

Samsung is also giving US consumers a $25 gift card or credit worth $25 for use on their phone bill

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PNP Launches the “Text Bato” Hotline and “Itaga Mo Sa Bato” App with Local Telcos

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, September 5, launched a mobile app that lets subscribers connect directly to an emergency hotline platform, allowing for faster responses to emergencies.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has just launched the “Text Bato” hotline service, along with the “Itaga Mo Sa Bato” mobile app, and its 24/7 Police Quick Response Center.

Signing a memorandum with local telecoms PLDT, through their mobile subsidiary Smart, and Globe Telecom, PNP hopes that these initiatives will encourage ordinary citizens to “directly contact PNP Chief Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa” (and his police team) and report crime incidents and other law-enforcement concerns through their smartphones. The service will complement the existing 911 emergency hotline. 

Telecommunications companies Smart and Globe formalized a memorandum of agreement for the app and the quick response system. PNP Chief Police Director General Ronald M Dela Rosa; Smart VP for Public Affairs Mon Isberto; and Globe Telecom General Counsel Attorney Vicente Froilan Castelo, signed the joint accord at a symbolic ceremony in Camp Crame.

In a statement, the Android app has a couple of main features. One button enables users to send text reports to the police, while another button is set for automatic calling of the 911 emergency hotline.

Itaga Mo Sa Bato apps Google Playstore
 
The app also has a Police Alert system in place. The alert system tells the PNP Command Center's server about the type of emergency, name and address of establishment, contact number of reporter, contact number of nearest police or fire station, along with other important pieces of information.

Smart subscribers can text relevant police concerns by typing: BATO (space) their message then sending to 7444-2286.

For Globe subscribers can text message via 2286.
According to Globe, however, its is charging P2.50 per text message via 2286, noting the service took effect on Monday, September 5.

Police and telecom heads take a candid photo after signing a memorandum of agreement for the 'Itaga mo sa Bato' app. Photo by PNP-PIO.

Smart has also assigned a dedicated wireless device for PNP Chief dela Rosa himself to personally access all incoming messages and even have the option to directly reply to every message sender.

Once the reports reach the hotline, the “Text Bato” platform will reply a confirmation message to the sender with “PNPBATO” as the unique sender name. To combat pranksters, the PNP will then verify these reports to determine the appropriate course of action.

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