All too often the fact that human lives are increasingly enmeshed with and dependent on ever more complex, and ever more inscrutable, technologies is considered a good thing. Negatives don’t generally get dwelled on. And for the most part people are expected to move along, or be moved along by the tech. Read More
Right now two-factor authentication is the best way of protecting your Google account, where you need your email address, your password, and a specific code generated by your phone to gain access to your Google stuff on a new computer - if your password leaks out, you should still be covered.
Now Bloomberg is reporting that Google has something even more secure in the pipeline: it's called the Advanced Protection Program and it uses physical security keys you carry around with you to access your account rather than a code from your mobile.
You can actually already use a USB dongle to prove you are who you say you are and gain access to your Google account on a new computer, but apparently the new Advanced Protection goes even further, and has extra features like limiting the amount of data that third-party plug-ins can get hold of.
However, it's not clear whether everyone will be able to switch to the new program. "The company plans to market the product to corporate executives, politicians and others with heightened security concerns," says Bloomberg, as per its anonymous sources.
There's certainly been no slowdown in the number of large-scale hacks and security incidents we're seeing, covering everything from leaked television shows to interference in elections. Google obviously thinks something needs to be done.
We don't know exactly when the new features are going to be unveiled but it sounds like this is something Google is getting ready to launch in the near future. We'll have to wait and see whether carrying around USB keys proves any more secure than current methods.
http://ift.tt/2wqjDGC
Amazon barely said a word about it amid this week's Echo smart speaker announcements and squabbles with Google over YouTube videos, but there's a new version of the company's Android-based Fire OS headed to the Fire TV.
The bulk of the details are relatively hidden in Amazon's developer documentation, where the company announced Fire OS 6 will be based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat.
Unfortunately, it looks as though you can only update to the new system if you have the third-generation Fire TV. As Amazon says on the developer page, "At this time, the previous Fire TV devices will not uplevel to Fire OS 6."
That could mean a significant leap in features for Fire OS in general, as Fire OS 5 was based on Android 5.1 or 6.0, depending on the device.
The new OS brings Android TV features like picture-in-picture, which allows videos to keep playing in a small window while you browse other content.
Third-party apps that support live video streams will also have access to time-shifting, which lets viewers pause and rewind live feeds.
Fire TV owners will also get to take advantage of content recording, which allows multiple programs to be recorded at once. For that matter, they'll also get to schedule recordings ahead of time, much as you would with DVR.
Amazon already changed the overall look of Fire TV interface earlier this month, so you likely won't see much of a visual change when your update your device.
As for Amazon Fire tablets? It's currently not clear if current models will get the updated OS as well, but Amazon should reveal that information in the near future.
http://ift.tt/2ydoeAm
Emilio Ferrara has been thinking about botnets for over a decade. As the first social networks climbed out of the mire, he noticed that they were very easy to game. Now, it seems, all of those early tools have finally been weaponized. I spoke to Ferrara about his research work as well as his fascinating study that found that Twitter bots can be used for good. In this episode of Technopia we… Read More
Facebook has its own version of Apple’s Face ID. If you get locked out of your Facebook account, the company is testing a way to regain access by using your face to verify your identity. That could be especially useful if you’re somewhere that you can’t receive two-factor authentication SMS, like on a plane or while traveling abroad, or if you lose access to your email… Read More
French startup Heetch has been around for quite a few years. While things were running smoothly, the company had to start over mostly from scratch. In March 2017, a court in Paris ruled that Heetch had been illegally operating a transportation company. The startup is now rising from the ashes and raising $12 million from Felix Capital, Via ID and Alven Capital to fund its new service. According… Read More http://ift.tt/2xLQJE4
It's hard to imagine anything less child-friendly than an uncensored internet. A rabid wolf, maybe, or a playground floored with broken glass and razor wire. The more connected we become the more we need everybody online - and that means trying to ensure that our children aren't exposed to the very worst content, ideas and behaviour that exist online.
Software can't do everything, of course, but it can help to make parents' lives much easier. These are our picks of the best parental control tools for Windows, macOS and mobile devices.
Most parental control software is aimed at Windows, but Qustodio (think 'custodian') is also available for Mac, Android, iOS, Kindle and (weirdly) Nook.
The free version is one of the most comprehensive parental control apps around, enabling you to set rules and time schedules, block pornography and other unsuitable content. If you go for the paid-for version, you'll also get SMS monitoring, social media features and per-app controls.
Its raft of features and support for a wide range of platforms make Qustodio the best free parental control software, but there are some other excellent free programs available, some of which may be better suited to your individual needs as a parent. Read on for our top choices.
Download here: Qustodio
FamilyShield is a free service from OpenDNS. Its parental control tools automatically block domains that OpenDNS has flagged under the headings "tasteless, proxy/anonymizer, sexuality, or pornography".
One of the big pluses here is that while FamilyShield can run on PCs and mobile devices, you can also apply it to your network router and filter all the traffic that passes through it – it's just a matter of changing the DNS server numbers in your control panel.
This has the happy benefit of improving DNS lookup speeds on some ISPs. By filtering everything at the router level, every device on your network benefits from the filters.
Download here: OpenDNS Family Shield
Nothing gets past Kidlogger. This free parental control software not only tracks what your children type and which websites they visit – it also keeps a record of which programs they use and any screengrabs they take.
If you're concerned about who your kids might be talking to online, there's even a voice-activated sound recorder. If your children are a little older and more responsible, you can pick and choose which options to monitor and give them a little privacy.
The free software only covers one device and lacks some of the sneakier features of the premium editions (including silent monitoring of WhatsApp conversations and the ability to listen to Skype calls), but it's still a well-rounded tool if you're concerned about your kids' safety.
Download here: Kidlogger
Keyloggers have something of a bad reputation online, as they're often used by crooks hoping to capture passwords and bank details, but they can be a force for good too, and Spyrix Free Keylogger enables you to see what your children have been up to.
Although it's dubbed parental control software, the free version of Spyrix really a monitoring program; it doesn't stop the kids getting up to no good, but it does let you see exactly what they've done. If you want content blocking too, premium subscriptions start at US$59 (about £45, AU$75).
The absence of filtering means Spyrix might not be the best choice for younger kids' computers, but it may be useful for older children if you suspect online bullying or other unpleasantness.
Download here: Spyrix Free Keylogger
The problem with many parental control apps is that they're most effective for older children: while filtering adult content and other unpleasantness is obviously a good thing, there's plenty of stuff that isn't adult that can still scare younger children silly.
Zoodles (nothing to do with zucchini noodles) addresses that by combining filtered browsing and a dedicated web browser to create a walled garden: everything in it is safe for kids and there's no risk of anything awful popping up.
In addition to Windows, Zoodles is also available for Mac, Android and iOS, and a brand new version is currently in development.
Download here: Zoodles
http://ift.tt/2i9rzUI
TechCrunch has learned that Apple has acquired a small French startup called Regaind, according to multiple sources. As always, Apple is very quiet when it comes to acquisitions, but it’s always interesting to learn more about Apple’s interests. We’ve reached out to Apple and the company sent us the following statement: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time… Read More http://ift.tt/2x1YtD5
The SNES Classic Edition is out today, and is probably currently en route to those lucky enough to have scored a pre-order, and being picked up by bleary-eyed fans who set up early at game store locations around the world. Reviews have been almost universally positive for the small console, which is not surprising, so a lot of folks will probably also be in the market for accessories –… Read More
http://ift.tt/2xLd2cM
ApowerEdit is a brilliant video editor. It's packed with powerful tools to make your projects look and sound amazing, and it's so easy to use, even beginners will pick it up in minutes.
A one-year subscription to ApowerEdit usually costs US$47.94 (AU$60.17 £35.33), but TechRadar readers can sign up free for a limited time using the special offer code A9AAF-4A273-RC2HL-754E0 (see instructions below).
This offer ends on Sunday 1 October, so download and register your copy now.
To get your free VIP account, download and install ApowerEdit, then launch the program. Select an aspect ratio to start a new project and you’ll be prompted to log in. Select ‘Log in & sign up’, then click ‘Sign up’.
Enter your email address and a password, then click ‘Sign up’. Enter the six-digit verification code that’s sent to your email address (if you can’t find it, check your spam folder), then click 'OK'.
Now click the account icon (shaped like a person) in the upper right of the window, click your account name and click ‘Activate’. Enter the activation code A9AAF-4A273-RC2HL-754E0, then click ‘Confirm’.
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around, plus special deals exclusively for TechRadar readers. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
http://ift.tt/2fWO15k
Uber’s new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi will go to London to meet with the city’s transport commissioner following the regulator’s decision to withdraw licensing. Read More http://ift.tt/2xCPs2S
Rovio, maker of the Angry Birds gaming franchise, saw a small pop of 6 percent in its first day of trading as a public company. After pricing its IPO at €11.50 per share — the top of its range — yesterday, today the stock opened on the Nasdaq Nordic exchange at €12.20, and at the current price of €12.23, the company has a market cap of $1.1 billion (€952 million).… Read More
Rovio, maker of the Angry Birds gaming franchise, saw a small pop of 6 percent in its first day of trading as a public company. After pricing its IPO at €11.50 per share — the top of its range — yesterday, today the stock opened on the Nasdaq Nordic exchange at €12.20, and at the current price of €12.23, the company has a market cap of $1.1 billion (€952 million).… Read More
http://ift.tt/2x1oTjx
Rovio, maker of the Angry Birds gaming franchise, saw a small pop of 6 percent in its first day of trading as a public company. After pricing its IPO at €11.50 per share — the top of its range — yesterday, today the stock opened on the Nasdaq Nordic exchange at €12.20, and at the current price of €12.23, the company has a market cap of $1.1 billion (€952 million).… Read More http://ift.tt/2x1oTjx
Angry Birds-maker Rovio Entertainment priced its IPO at 11.50 euros, at the top of its proposed range. It raises 30 million euros in proceeds. This values the company a little above $1 billion, just half of the $2 billion the company was previously said to be hoping for. The company previously raised at least $42 million in venture funding from Accel, Atomico, Felicis Ventures and… Read More
http://ift.tt/2k7K0PJ
Facebook is rolling out a new feature to help connect blood donors with blood recipients in India. Ahead of the National Blood Donor Day on October 1st, this new feature on Facebook places a special post on the home page. Depending on the requirements, Facebook requests blood of certain group and in the required locations, and based on donor profiles, it sends out notifications to qualifying donors.
Leveraging its social connect for a good cause, Facebook is trying to make it easier for donors, recipients and organizations to achieve their respective goals. Taking note of the fact that there is a shortage of safe blood in the country, Facebook has teamed up with health industry experts and non-profit organizations to make sure that this new feature is safe for donors as well as recipients.
Facebook will start letting users sign up as blood donors starting from October 1st, on the National Blood Donor Day. Facebook will display a message in the news feed to encourage users to participate in this drive. The social network notes that all information in this regard will remain private and set to “Only me” by default. Users will be given the option to share their donor status on their timelines, which could lead to other users in the network to also sign up as donors.
Blood recipients and organizations can create a post when in need to blood, in which they can share their requirements, area, blood type etc. Once Facebook has this data, it will then compare it with qualifying blood donors based on the blood type, location, quantity etc. If a blood donor is okay with the request, they can respond through WhatsApp, a call or through Messenger. The blood donor’s information remains private even at this stage, helping privacy conscious users donate blood without worrying about divulging their information.
It’s worth noting that users have been trying to connect with each other for a variety of causes, blood donation being one of them. Several user-created pages are dedicated solely for this purpose on Facebook and even on Twitter, helping connect blood donors with recipients. With the kind of tools that Facebook has, this attempt to connect two parties for such an important aspect is a good move that can be a win-win for everyone involved.
http://ift.tt/2xNeqfs
With the release of a brand new software update, Nvidia has brought Google Assistant support to its Android-powered Shield TV.
With this integration, Shield TV owners can now enjoy hands-free control of their media, perform voice searches and control their smart home. In fact, it sounds very much like the Shield TV is now a viable Google Home alternative, able to do everything the smart speaker can do with the exception of a small number of features such as set timers and make phone calls.
Considering it's available in configurations for under £200/$200 this makes the Shield TV a very competitive streaming device. Remember that it can also stream media in 4K and HDR, act as a Chromecast, make it possible to access your favorite Android apps, and stream PC games from a nearby computer or Nvidia’s cloud-based servers.
If you have a Google Home in addition to a Shield TV, you’ll be able to cast audio to the speaker as well as play, pause, skip, fast-forward and control the volume of what you’re watching using only your voice.
The great thing about being able to use Google Assistant on the Shield TV is that you’ll be able to see Google Assistant’s feedback on your TV screen as well as hear it. For example, if you ask Google Assistant for the weather forecast it’ll be able to cast a full week’s weather report onto your screen as well as tell you what the weather will be that day.
If you don’t have a smart speaker, the Shield’s gaming controller has a built-in microphone which means you’ll still be able to initiate hands-free controls by saying “Okay Google” just as you would with the Home speaker.
Your TV doesn’t have to be on to do this, either, making it useful if you simply want to change your smart thermostat setting or turn your connected lights out at the end of a night of binge watching.
As well as Google Assistant support, Nvidia is also bringing in Samsung SmartThings support to extend the device’s smart home control capabilities. Soon, the company will release a dongle that can be plugged into one of the Shield’s USB ports. This dongle will make it possible to control Zigbee and Z-Wave smarthome devices and make the Shield as capable as the standalone SmartThings hub.
The Shield 6.0 software is now available to download on all Shield TV devices.
http://ift.tt/2xNSDED
Social media giants have again been put on notice that they need to do more to speed up removals of hate speech and other illegal content from their platforms in the European Union. The bloc’s executive body, the European Commission today announced a set of “guidelines and principles” aimed at pushing tech platforms to be more pro-active about takedowns of content deemed… Read More http://ift.tt/2xFhlVg
Facebook has made no secret of its wish to do more in the online recruitment market — encroaching on territory today dominated by LinkedIn, the leader in tapping social networking graphs to boost job-hunting. Today, Facebook is taking the next step in that process. Facebook will now integrate with ZipRecruiter — an aggregator that allows those looking to fill jobs to post ads to… Read More
Congressional investigations into Russia’s role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election are looking at the spread of misinformation on a number of online services — not just Facebook. In fact, Twitter is meeting with Congressional staffers today. Recode’s Tony Romm says Twitter’s Vice President of Policy Colin Corwell is currently in a closed-door meeting with the… Read More
Social media giants have again been put on notice that they need to do more to speed up removals of hate speech and other illegal content from their platforms in the European Union. The bloc’s executive body, the European Commission today announced a set of “guidelines and principles” aimed at pushing tech platforms to be more pro-active about takedowns of content deemed… Read More
Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption II is probably one of the most hotly anticipated games of next year, and now there’s a trailer for it showing some actual visuals from the game. The trailer gives us our first sense of story, too, which basically looks like it’s about outlaws getting up to no good in the Old West and then trying to outlaw the law, and rivals. The sequel to Red… Read More
http://ift.tt/2wZ4QSC
Riding high on the success (and mind-boggling scarcity) of the NES Classic Edition, Nintendo surprised no one with the announcement of the SNES Classic Edition, a tiny version of the classic Super Nintendo console that comes with 21 of its greatest hits built in. But a few new features and departures from the original make it a distinct product — and one very much worth your $80. Read More
http://ift.tt/2xEG0tg
A quarter of Americans listen to podcasts each month, but far fewer make them. Anchor is a startup that is looking to change that with its app that makes it easy to record and distribute content. Anchor also has a discovery platform, which allows users to find audio across categories like news, sports, music and tech. The New York-based team is announcing $10 million in Series A funding, led by… Read More
Snapchat is taking its World Lenses augmented reality feature and opening them up to brands. Snap’s Imran Khan just announced the availability of the new advertising product on stage at Advertising Week New York, along with launch partners Warner Bros and Bud Light, both of which will be debuting branded 3D World Lenses as part of marketing campaigns. The new sponsored 3D World Lenses… Read More
