Thursday, September 27, 2012

Now, get insured against Facebook hacking

A UK-based information privacy company has launched Britain’s first social media insurance, which would protect web users against reputational damage, account hacking and ID theft, in case their social site accounts are hacked. Hacking of users accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites are quite common, where another user logs in and posts derogatory or offensive messages, and can cause huge damage to an individual or business’s image.

Justin Basini, CEO of the company providing the service, ALLOW, said that insurance “perhaps wouldn’t have been needed a few years ago.”

“That’s all changed now. Every internet user faces a certain level of risk that one day a digital criminal will target them or that they will suffer damage to their reputation,” the Daily Mail quoted Basini, as saying.

The cover, at a cost of 3.99 pounds a month, will pay for legal advice and support if someone suffers an online attack and seeks some form of redress.

The insurance includes the cost of disabling accounts, suppressing offensive material and stopping any legal action triggered by hacking, for example if a hacker posts illegal material under a victim’s name, the paper said.

The insurance is available via the ALLOW Protect service, which also allows users to monitor how their personal data is used online, it added.

-HT

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A Class to Teach You How to Use Google

Think you know how to use Google? Think again.

One of the search engine’s biggest strengths is its simplicity — type anything into the search box and you’re off. But people could get a lot more out of Google, the company says, if they learned a few expert techniques, like searching by color, time or image. So Google is offering a free online course to teach search skills.

“It’s like a car you never take out of first gear,” said Dan Russell, whose title at Google is the joyful-sounding über tech lead for search quality and user happiness. “Sure, you can drive around town just fine, but if I show you second or third gear, you can get a lot more done. You could be a Formula One racing car driver. There’s all kinds of stuff there, but man, once I show it to you, you’ve got power.”

Google first offered the class in July, when 155,000 people signed up and improved their search skills 40 percent on average, according to assessments before and after the course. Registration for the next course began Tuesday morning and the first class is Sept. 24. There are three classes a week for two weeks, each a 50-minute video plus quizzes. Students can watch the videos anytime, but if they watch them at class time, they can participate in forums with other students and teaching assistants. (People can also watch the videos without signing up for the course, but they will not get a certificate of completion — potentially the new sign of cache alongside college diplomas on office walls.)

When Mr. Russell is not teaching, he studies how people use Google. What he has discovered, which he says is true across computer applications, is that most people learn the minimum amount that they need to get the job done and then stop exploring. They rarely change default settings, for example, or try out advanced features.

But do people really need a course to teach them how to use Google? Not at the most basic level, Mr. Russell said, but Google often adds new features and people can get more out of the search engine if they know about them. For example, he said, many people don’t realize that they can drag an image into the search box to find out what it is, rearrange news results by date or convert 20,000 leagues to miles. (Gadgetwise has a few tips.)

“If you don’t have any idea what’s possible, you won’t think to frame your questions that way,” he said. “It’s for everyday people who really want to make their Google searching more effective, more efficient and more accurate.”

The people who signed up to learn how to use Google the first time were diverse in age and experience — not just people new to the Internet — and 65 percent were outside the United States.

As for Google, anything that increases usage is good for the bottom line, Mr. Russell said.

Mr. Russell has long taught classes about Google to teachers and librarians, but Google had the idea for a class for the public after witnessing the popularity of a Stanford online class on artificial intelligence taught by two Google scientists. If people were interested in learning about something as complicated as artificial intelligence, many more were surely interested in learning about something much simpler, how to search Google. Google also plans to make available its software for teaching these types of courses, which are called massive online open courseware, and to offer more online courses itself. Next up: an advanced search class.

-By Claire Cain Miller, @NyTimes

Using a Computer Before Bed Can Disrupt Sleep

By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

THE FACTS

In today’s gadget-obsessed world, sleep experts often say that for a better night’s rest, Americans should click the “off” buttons on their smartphones and tablets before tucking in for the night. Electronic devices stimulate brain activity, they say, disrupting your ability to drift off to sleep. But according to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 90 percent of Americans regularly use a computer or electronic device of some kind in the hour before bed.

Increasingly, researchers are finding that artificial light from some devices at night may tinker with brain chemicals that promote sleep. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute showed that exposure to light from computer tablets significantly lowered levels of the hormone melatonin, which regulates our internal clocks and plays a role in the sleep cycle.


In the study, published in the journal Applied Ergonomics, the researchers had volunteers read, play games and watch movies on an iPad, iPad 2 or PC tablet for various amounts of time while measuring the amount of light their eyes received. They found that two hours of exposure to a bright tablet screen at night reduced melatonin levels by about 22 percent.

Studies of college students using computers at night have suggested similar effects on melatonin. And researchers say melatonin suppression may not only cause sleep disturbances, but also raise the risk of obesity, diabetesand other disorders.

To be on the safe side, the authors of the latest study suggest limiting computer use before bed, or at the very least dimming your screen as much as possible.

-NyTimes & Flickr

Early laptop designer Bill Moggridge dies at 69

New York: Bill Moggridge, a British industrial designer who came up with an early portable computer with the flip-open shape that is common today, has died. He was 69.

The Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum said Moggridge, its director since 2010, died on Saturday from cancer.

Moggridge is credited with the design of the Grid Compass, a computer that had a keyboard and yellow-on-black display that sold for $8,150 when it was released in 1982. It was encased in magnesium and seen as rugged, and was used by the US military. The computer made its way into outer space aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1985.


Although there were many portable computers being developed around that time, Grid Systems Corp. won the patent for the clamshell design with the foldable screen hinged toward the back of the machine, said Alex Bochannek, a curator at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.AP Photo/Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

Moggridge pushed for this foldable design when it was realized the flat-panel screen, keyboard and circuitry could all fit snugly together.

"In terms of the industrial design of the enclosure, Moggridge was instrumental in proposing that," Bochannek said. "He came up with that particular form factor."

Until that point, portable computers resembled portable sewing machines that weighed more than 20 pounds (nine kilograms) and had a big handle, he said.

It was after using the machine that Moggridge's ideas about design began to change, Bochannek said. His work began to focus more on how people interacted with devices, rather than just making sure they were enclosed well.

Moggridge authored the books "Designing Interactions," which was published in 2006, and "Designing Media," published in 2010.

"Beloved by the museum staff and the design community at large, Bill touched the lives of so many through his wise council, boundary-pushing ideas and cheerful camaraderie," said Caroline Baumann, associate director of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, in a statement.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karin, and two sons Alex and Erik.

-IBN Live

11 things to do with your old Apple iPhone


New York: In case you haven't heard by now, Apple is unveiling its latest iPhone on Wednesday. That leaves the question: What should you do with your old one?

The new phones will join some 244 million iPhones sold since the first one launched in 2007. Some have been lost or stolen. Some of us are still hanging on to our old gadgets in some futile attempt to resist the constant upgrade cycle that technology companies are forcing on us.

But it's fair to say that millions of iPhones are languishing in desk drawers or gathering dust. Here are a few things to do with yours to keep it from meeting that fate once you buy the iPhone 5.

1. Give it to your kids so they stop taking yours...

Every parent, aunt and uncle knows that no toy in the history of toys has ever been as appealing to a kid as an iPhone. They are shiny, they have games and grown-ups use them for important things. More importantly, they are either off-limits or doled out in limited quantities as a reward for, say, sitting still for a minute. Load up your old iPhone with games and give it to a deserving child in your life.

2. ...or to your mom so she can finally see the light

Alternately, if a Luddite adult has been thinking of taking the plunge into the world of smartphones, your old iPhone may help him or her get over the hump. If you have an iPhone 4 or 4S, you might also find someone who's still hanging on to an earlier model and give them the gift of an upgrade. You may just buy a friend for life (or at least until iPhone 6 comes out).

3. Use it as a teeny-tiny iPad

You'll be able to watch videos, send email and search Wikipedia for random facts to end cocktail-party disagreements with your decommissioned iPhone - as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. There's even a camera, which means you can avoid being that guy (or gal) at the concert who's turning heads for taking photos with an iPad.

4. Donate to charity

Several charities accept old phones for donation, though it's worth remembering that these groups likely won't physically give your old phones to people in need. Rather, they work with phone recyclers and sell your donated phones to them.

A nonprofit group called Cell Phones for Soldiers will take your "gently used" phone and sell it to recycling company ReCellular. It will then use the proceeds to buy calling cards for soldiers.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence works with another recycling group in a similar manner. About 60 percent of the phones it collects are refurbished and resold. The money goes toward supporting the coalition. The remaining 40 percent of the phones are recycled, according to the group's website. It pays for shipping if you are mailing three or more phones.

There are a few more suggestions from New York's Department of Environmental Conservation at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8818.html .

5. Alarm Clock

Do you still use that old radio alarm you bought for your college dorm room in the 20th century? Join the 21st century by turning your old iPhone into an alarm clock. Hide it in a different spot in your bed each night for an added challenge.

6. Sell, sell, sell!

Join the eBay hordes and sell your phone for a few hundred bucks if you can. There will likely be a flood of the gadgets soon after people start getting their new phones, so it might make sense to wait a little.

A company called Gazelle, meanwhile, will make an offer for your old phone based on its condition, your phone carrier and other information. A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S on Verizon Wireless, for example, was recently going for $237 if it's in good condition and $90 if it's broken.

Glyde.com also offers to help you resell your old phone. A recent check showed the above 4S getting roughly $325 to $350 after fees are deducted - provided there is a buyer. A "speed sale" that guarantees to sell it in seven days will get the seller slightly less money.

7. Trade in at GameStop

The video game retailer offers cash or store credit for old iPhones (along with iPods and iPads). The service is only available in stores and not online. A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S on Verizon will get you up to $335 in store credit or up to $268 in cash.

8. Stream music

Stick that baby in a speaker dock, spring for a Pandora subscription ($36 per year) or Spotify ($10 per month) and bam, you have a stereo.

Or try SoundCloud. Although it's meant to let you create and share music with people, it's also a good place to listen to DJs you like or discover new ones. TuneIn, meanwhile, will let you listen to online radio stations playing music, sports, news or talk shows.

9. Keep as a backup in case you lose your fancy new one.

Nearly one-third of cellphone owners have had their gadgets lost or stolen, according to a recent survey from Pew Internet & Pew Internet & American Life Project.

10. Use as a camera

At its core, a decommissioned iPhone is a hard drive with a camera. Snap photos with it. No Canon needed. You can also use the iPhone to move photos and other files from one computer to another.

11. Recycle with Apple

Apple Inc.'s own recycling program will give you an Apple gift card if it is determined to have a "monetary value." A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S with some light scratches but in good working condition was recently estimated at $280. That's higher than Gazelle, but you'll have to spend the money at Apple. The company also accepts broken phones for recycling but you won't get any money for them.

-IBN Live

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Nokia’s Lumia 920 and 820: How they look, work and feel

The new Nokia Lumia 920 (L) and 820 Windows smartphones are displayed during a joint event with Microsoft.
Nokia launched two smartphones yesterday — the Lumia 920 and the Lumia 820, both of which will run on Windows 8 OS. So what are the key features of the two smartphones? We take a quick look.

First, let’s look at the technical specifications of both smartphones.

      Wireless Charging Pillow by Fatboy
Nokia Lumia 920: This is, of course, Nokia’s flagship device. As far as technical specifications go, this has a curved 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ screen. A dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 CPU with 1 GB RAM, 32 GB disk space and 7 GB storage in the cloud with SkyDrive for users.




Wireless Charging Plate
Nokia also promises a bigger 2,000mAh battery which is expected to last 10 hours with 3G. The Lumia 920 has NFC, integrated wireless charging and an 8.7 megapixel rear PureView camera with HD video. The phone also has “Super Sensitive Touch,” which will let users handle their smartphone even while wearing gloves. 

Nokia Lumia 820 : This is the less pricier version. The smartphone has polycarbonate unibody with a 4.3 inch screen. It is also NFC enabled with an 8 megapixel PureView branded camera. This smartphone will also support wireless charging. The 1GB RAM and dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor will ensure that there is little lag. It has 8GB space (expandable upto 32 GB) and 7 GB in SkyDrive.

Tech specifications aside here are a few new features of the Windows 8-Nokia Lumia smartphones:

Augmented reality with Nokia’s City Lens app: This means that users can now point their Lumia smartphone cameras to restaurants, hotels, etc to find out reviews about the place.

JBL speakers with wireless power-charging: Nokia has teamed up with JBL to produce special speakers that can be used to wirelessly charge the Lumia smartphones. Users can also play music from the phone, using NFC. You’ll have to buy this separately.

The new Nokia Lumia 920 charges on a JBL speaker. Getty Images
Wireless charging: This is Nokia’s biggest innovation as far as smartphones go. The wireless chargers come in all shapes, sizes and colours. They’re all Qi-compatible, which means users can choose any wireless charger. The three kinds of chargers available are: Wireless Charging Plate, Wireless Charging Pillow by Fatboy and Wireless Charging Stand. According to the official site, none of the wireless charging devices will be included in the sales package. Users will probably have to buy them separately.

Windows and the Tile system: The Lumia 920 and 820 are also major investments for Microsoft, which is probably why CEO Steve Ballmer and Joe Belfiore, manager of the Windows Phone Program were present at the launch. Belfiore pointed out how the new Windows 8 system for mobile could be easily personalised by users with the tile interface, which is definitely something new.

The most exciting bit is of course that Windows 8 finally has screenshots. Yay. The bad bit: users can’t upgrade Windows 7 phones nor will all apps written for Windows Phone 8 run on Windows 7. Lack of backward compatibility is a big downside.

The price and the shipping date of the smartphones has not been revealed as yet.

-Getty Images & FP

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Now, charge your phone by simply holding it

LONDON: Next time your cellphone runs out of battery, you can charge it by just holding it in your hand, as scientists claim to have developed a new technology that turns body heat into electricity. Researchers say they have developed a way to turn body heat into electricity using nanotechnology to put tiny carbon tubes into miniscule plastic fibres and made them look like a fabric. 

The 'Power Felt' can keep your phone going for up to 20% longer just through the power of touch, meaning simply holding one, or even sitting on it, could recharge the cell, the 'Daily Mail' reported. The technology has been created by professor David Carroll of Wakeforest University's centre for nanotechnology and molecular materials in the US.

According to Carrol, it could be the first wave of inexpensive ways to produce electricity that were far more affordable than current renewables such as solar, which was being held back by the high cost.

-PTI

Logitech unveils washable keyboard K310

New Delhi: Logitech has unveiled the latest in its line of PC keyboards - the Logitech Washable Keyboard K310. From a light dusting to a rinse in the kitchen sink, this keyboard is easy to clean and dry. It also has a sleek, thin profile.

The Logitech Washable Keyboard K310 can be hand washed over and over again, and can be submerged (with the exception of the USB cable) in up to 11 inches of water.
Convenient drainage holes at the back of the keyboard allow for easy drying while key characters are laser printed and UV coated to help ensure the letters don't fade in the wash. The keys are said to last up to five million keystrokes.

It comes complete with F-keys and a number pad, and is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. It also has twelve hot keys for instant access to Internet, e-mail, play, volume and more
The Logitech Washable Keyboard K310 is expected to be available in the US beginning in August and Europe beginning in October 2012, for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

-IBN Live