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Computers/Internet (General/Chat)

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  • Apple releases iOS 9.3.1 with fix for bug that causes tapping links to crash iPhones

    03/31/2016 10:53:08 PM PDT · by Swordmaker · 6 replies
    TechCrunch ^ | March 31, 2016 | by Romain Dillet
    Well that was quick. A couple of days after a bug affecting iOS started making the news, Apple has released a fix. iOS 9.3.1, now available on the iPhone and iPad, fixes this bug. The changelog is quite short as there’s only one item. “Fixes an issue that caused apps to be unresponsive after tapping on links in Safari and other apps,” it says.As a reminder, many users reported on Apple’s forums that Safari or any other app would crash if they tapped on a link. It turns out some third-party app developers started abusing an iOS 9 feature, universal...
  • Even Engineers Are Completely Baffled By This New Magnet Technology

    03/31/2016 10:29:32 AM PDT · by Red Badger · 119 replies
    damn.com ^ | 03-31-2016 | Staff
    When you think of magnets you probably imagine being a kid in class playing with them for the first time, figuring out that forces we can’t see have the ability to manipulate physical objects. We can make things affected by the magnetic waves, but not until recently have we been able to “program” them. A highly innovative company from Alabama have introduced to the world “Polymagnets,” and they’re incredible. They’re guaranteed to be one of the coolest things you see today!
  • CITI: The 'Uber moment' for banks is coming — and more than a million people could lose their jobs

    03/31/2016 7:49:10 AM PDT · by SeekAndFind · 25 replies
    Business Insider ^ | 03/31/2016 | Portia Crowe
    Banks are quickly approaching their "automation tipping point," and they could soon reduce headcount by as much as 30%. That's according to a new Citi Global Perspectives & Solutions (GPS) report on how financial technology is disrupting banks. "Banks' Uber moment will mean a disintermediation of bank branches rather than the banks themselves," the report said. "Specifically, it will mean the shift to mobile distribution being the main channel of interaction between customers and the bank," the report reads. That means that there will be less need for bank branches, and the people who work inside them. "We believe that...
  • SCO Again Returns From Dead, Plans Appeal

    03/31/2016 7:34:40 AM PDT · by ShadowAce · 27 replies
    FOSS Force ^ | 30 March 2016 | Staff
    FOSS Force has learned that we shouldn’t write obituaries until we actually see a death certificate. SCO intends to file an appeal over the dismissal of its case against IBM. On Feburary 29, we told you that SCO was “undeniably and reliably dead” after the company signed off on Judge David Nuffer’s dismissal of what remained of its case against IBM. Guess what? We were wrong. The once upon a time Linux and Unix company, which developed and distributed the Caldera GNU/Linux distribution, evidently has not yet been pulled from life support. On Tuesday, the company filed notification that it...
  • Waze will warn when your lead foot has you speeding

    03/30/2016 10:28:47 AM PDT · by BenLurkin · 35 replies
    cnet ^ | 03/31/2016 | lance whitney
    The crowdsourced driving app, owned by Google, already offers up the best routes to your destination by gathering data from fellow users on accidents, traffic jams, road closures and other hazards. Now, at least in some countries, it will also let you know when you're pushing the speed limit. If you're driving too fast, a visual warning will pop up on the app's screen showing your speed. The warning stays there until you slow down to below the speed limit. You can customize the app to warn you if you reach the speed limit or if you shoot past it...
  • Ubuntu Linux Is Coming To Windows 10 — Microsoft Partners With Canonical (Ezpected...)

    03/30/2016 9:23:26 AM PDT · by Ernest_at_the_Beach · 70 replies
    fossbytes.com ^ | Mar 30, 2016 | Adarsh Verma
    Short Bytes: Microsoft and Canonical, Ubuntu Linux’s parent company, are partnering to allow you to use Ubuntu on Windows 10. The official announcement is expected to be made at Microsoft’s BUILD 2016 developer conference later today. This partnership is expected to integrate Windows and Linux on the developer desktop.
  • Huma

    03/30/2016 8:51:23 AM PDT · by blueunicorn6 · 39 replies
    blueunicorn6 | 3/30/2016 | blueunicorn6
    Didn't Hillary's Assistant Campaign Manager, Huma Weiner, push some woman in the face a few months ago? Where is the assault charge for that?
  • (Satire) Unlocked iPhone Worthless After F.B.I. Spills Glass of Water on It (Link Only)

    03/29/2016 7:40:55 PM PDT · by Swordmaker · 41 replies
    The New Yorker — The Borowitz Report | March 29, 2016 | BY ANDY BOROWITZ
    Unlocked iPhone Worthless After F.B.I. Spills Glass of Water on It — by Andy Borowitz — The New Yorker — The Borowitz Report. Link only due to copyright issue.
  • Did the FBI Just Unleash a Hacker Army on Apple?

    03/29/2016 6:19:06 PM PDT · by dennisw · 54 replies
    thedailybeast ^ | 3.29.16 | Shane Harris
    When the tech giant wouldn’t unlock a San Bernardino terrorist’s iPhone, the FBI initiated legal action—then found another way to get the information it needed. In the end, the FBI didn’t need Apple’s help to extract information from a dead terrorist’s iPhone. Hackers, the FBI says, did the government’s work for it. On Monday, the Justice Department asked a judge in California to put aside a search warrant compelling Apple to assist law enforcement in obtaining information from the phone used by dead San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook. The reason: Apple’s help was no longer required. That’s because tech...
  • Windows 10 passes 20% share in the U.S.

    03/29/2016 4:52:48 PM PDT · by SeekAndFind · 60 replies
    Computer World ^ | 03/29/2016 | Gregg Keizer
    One in five Windows-powered devices steered to a host of U.S. government websites in March ran Windows 10, according to preliminary data. For the first time, Windows 10 accounted for more than one-fifth of the visits to sites tracked by the Digital Analytics Program (DAP), which mines traffic to more than 4,000 websites on over 400 different domains maintained by U.S. government agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service and the National Weather Service. The bulk of the visits to DAP websites originate in the U.S. Through Thursday, Windows 10 recorded 20.2% of visits in March by Windows PCs, smartphones...
  • Apple Update Software downloads Win32/herz trojan virus

    03/29/2016 2:42:37 PM PDT · by CedarDave · 33 replies
    Self | March 29, 2016 | Self
    Running Windows 7. Plugged in my iphone to download some work photos, and an update from Apple popped up to update itunes and video software. I started the download and my AVG business antivirus detected the win32/herz virus and deleted it. Checking on the name and it appears to be a particularly nasty virus. If any Apple fans on here know how to notify Apple, I'll be glad to send the URL link. It starts with swcdn.apple.com/... and seems to be a legitimate link.
  • So Your Router Is Skynet – A Layman’s Guide

    03/29/2016 4:59:37 AM PDT · by ShadowAce · 16 replies
    Freedom Penguin ^ | 27 March 2016 | Matt Hartley
    By now, most of you are aware that TP-Link has decided to ban (custom) open-source firmware for their devices. So what was TP-Link thinking when they turned their backs on flashing routers with custom firmware? Some might suggest it’s the ambiguity in the new FCC rules that put a now much disliked router vendor over the edge. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter has nothing to do with TP-Link. No, the networking device company was merely a diversion for what I’m about to share with you. I would encourage you to read on, but I must warn you that you...
  • Apple re-releases iOS 9.3 for older iPhones and iPads affected by Activation Lock issue

    03/28/2016 7:54:42 PM PDT · by Swordmaker · 9 replies
    9 to 5 Mac ^ | March 28, 2016 | by Benjamin Mayo
    Apple has released an updated build of iOS 9.3 for users affected by an activation bug, first reported last week. Although the version number is still 9.3, the update features a new build number, 13E5237, to signify the change. The issue prevented some iPhone and iPad owners from successfully completing the upgrade steps for iOS 9.3 if they could not recall their Apple ID info immediately, to pass Activation Lock. Apple stopped signing iOS 9.3 for older devices due to this bricking bug. Affected customers can now download the new firmware to upgrade to iOS 9.3. This may involve DFU mode and a cable to download the new firmware via iTunes, if currently...
  • Malware Blocking .gov Websites When Visiting Free Republic (Vanity)

    03/28/2016 7:21:08 PM PDT · by PeteePie · 22 replies
    None | 3/28/2016 | Pete
    There's no link associated with this post. A few times now I've clicked on my Free Republic book mark and as soon as the page loads, my Malware reports "Malicious site blocked; mod.gov.al" Anyone have any ideas or insight on that? I wouldn't alert on it were it not for the .gov domain.
  • It's Over: The FBI says it has hacked into the San Bernardino shooter's phone without Apple's help

    03/28/2016 4:42:23 PM PDT · by SeekAndFind · 41 replies
    Business Insider ^ | 03/28/2016 | Kif Leswing
    Apple won a major victory in its showdown with the government when the US Justice Department (DOJ) abandoned its plans on Monday to force the company to write software to bypass iPhone security measures. The Justice Department told a federal court on Monday that it no longer needed Apple's help to access data on an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters, and requested that its original order for Apple's technical assistance be withdrawn. According to the DOJ, the reason it withdrew is because it was successfully able to access the data on the iPhone without Apple's help....
  • And now Apple is going to stop the FBI getting into iCloud data too

    03/28/2016 10:22:38 AM PDT · by Swordmaker · 34 replies
    GrahamCluely ^ | March 25, 2016 | by David Bisson
    Apple announces plans to hand over iCloud encryption key management to users Apple has announced its plans to transfer iCloud encryption key management to account holders, a move which could stand in the way of or even prevent the FBI and other law enforcement agencies from requesting users' information.The tech giant currently manages the encryption key management for all iCloud account holders.eWeek reports that because of this level of control, Apple provided federal authorities with several iCloud backups of Syed Rizwan Farook, an individual who participated in a mass shooting and attempted bombing in San Bernardino, California back in December....
  • Microsoft built a special government-approved version of Windows 10 for China

    03/28/2016 10:02:27 AM PDT · by Swordmaker · 24 replies
    The Next Web ^ | March 28, 2016 | by AMANDA CONNOLLY
    Being notoriously strict about censorship, China makes it difficult for companies to launch their products there. It’s a major stumbling block for businesses that want to take a stab at the largest market in the world.Often, companies will have to bend to suit the requirements of China’s government and that’s exactly what Microsoft has done. Ralph Haupter, Microsoft’s CEO for the Greater China region has revealed that the company’s made a Chinese government-approved version of Windows 10. Partnering with a state-run technology and defense company, CETC, Microsoft created its specialized version of Windows, officially called Zhuangongban, to comply with...
  • Seeking advice for resurrecting an old PC, laptop.

    03/28/2016 9:16:01 AM PDT · by Zeneta · 66 replies
    Me | today | Zeneta
    OK, so, I've just acquired an old Dell Laptop and I'm trying to set it up with the ultimate goal of using this machine and it's s-video output to my smart TV. I want to use my smart TV as "Monitor" that I can control with/from a PC and use the mouse and a keyboard as opposed to the "On-screen" controls that I have with the remote. First things first. It's a Dell, Inspiron 1720 Intel core 2 duo CPU T5250 @ 1.50 Ghz 2.00 GB of RAM (this may have been upgraded) 146 GB hard Drive (this may have...
  • Screen Cleaner,

    03/27/2016 8:31:19 PM PDT · by V K Lee · 10 replies
    The cutest dog you ever did see. Lick 'em Fido
  • Zero-day exploit can bypass rootless on Mac to modify the system without detection

    03/27/2016 12:18:07 AM PDT · by Swordmaker · 16 replies
    Digital Trends ^ | March 25, 2016 | By Justin Pot
    A zero-day exploit affecting Mac OS X allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on any binary. That’s not good, and it gets worse. The exploit bypasses System Identity Protection (SIP, sometimes called rootless), and is almost impossible to trace once implemented. Apple has been notified and a patch is on the way.“Our researchers recently uncovered a major flaw which allows for local privilege escalation and bypass of System Integrity Protection, Apple’s newest protection feature,” wrote SentinelOne in a blog post announcing the discovery. A talk given by Pedro Vilaça at SyScan360, a security conference in downtown Singapore this week, outlined...