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PSN apology, Android security woes, iPhone 5 specs: US Update
Analyst confirms iPhone 5 will feature 8-megapixel camera and dual-mode Qualcomm chip
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 lands official November 8 release date
Hackers: Android security in doubt, 99 percent of handsets at risk
Motorola secures bid for next Nexus smartphone – Nexus Droid 4G?
Xperia Play US release date outed, Sony details PSN apology package
Nokia N9 advert leaks: Five secrets revealed
Oh hey, now even rappers hate BlackBerry [Video]
Lifesize Angry Birds takes over town square [Video]
The app that checks the weather in space! (And prevents you being fried by radiation..)

PSN apology, Android security woes, iPhone 5 specs: US Update

Posted: 17 May 2011 05:27 PM PDT

Rise and shine ladies and gentlemen, it's about that time for another edition of the US Update. Kicking off the morning news is an announcement from Sony, outlining the company's 'Welcome Back Program' to restore peace and harmony in the PlayStation Network. We take a look at an Android security threat current affecting 99 percent of users and then review more specs for the iPhone 5.

Here's a quick recap of the PSN 'Welcome Back Program': All PlayStation network members will be have their choice of any two PS3 games from the following list: LittleBigPlanet, Infamous, Wipeout HD/Fury, Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty, Dead Nation. PSP users will choose two games from the following list: LittleBigPlanet PSP, ModNation PSP, Pursuit Force, Killzone Liberation. Want to find out more?

A rumor has begun circulation this evening suggesting Google may look to talents of Motorola for its third generation hardware. Dubbed the Motorola Nexus Droid 4G, this Android smartphone will purportedly be powered by none other than Nvidia's Tegra 3 processor. The Register has just revealed details on an Android vulnerability which could potentially allow hackers to collect digital tokens, normally stored on our smartphones, after we authenticate with a password protected service. Unless you are part of the one percent of Android users who currently use Android 2.3.4 or Android 3.x, you are subject to the Android vulnerability.

On November 8, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 will be released, becoming the eighth title in the CoD series. The pre-release hype should hit full swing as we approach this year's E3 expo, set to take place next month. FBR Capital Markets believes they've got the inside scoop on the iPhone 5/iPhone 4S. On tap for the forthcoming iPhone is an 8-megapixel camera and Qualcomm's CDMA/GSM baseband, the quintessential upgrade needed in a universal (worldwide) hardware refresh.

That wraps up your morning tech refresh. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Analyst confirms iPhone 5 will feature 8-megapixel camera and dual-mode Qualcomm chip

Posted: 17 May 2011 12:47 PM PDT

The weeks or months, depending on who you ask, leading up to the fifth generation iPhone will prove to be a relentless assault of rumors and reports. Once such report this evening comes by way of FBR Capital Markets who believes they've got the inside scoop on the iPhone 5/iPhone 4S. On tap for the forthcoming iPhone is an 8-megapixel camera and Qualcomm's CDMA/GSM baseband, the quintessential upgrade needed in a universal (worldwide) hardware refresh.

Codenamed "N94", the fifth generation iPhone will be released as either the iPhone 4S or 5. Earlier this week reports came in suggesting Sprint and T-mobile in the U.S. would also land the handset. If FBR Capital Markets information proves accurate regarding the switch from Intel to a Qualcomm GSM/CDMA chip, that rumors now has a fresh set of legs.

In regards to the upgraded camera, FBR said, "The iPhone 5 will use an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor from OmniVision, with Sony being a possible backup sensor supplier next year". Last month Sony's CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, hinted that Apple might use the company's Exmor R camera sensor (also found in the Xperia Arc) for future products (smartphones/tablets). An 8-megapixel CMOS sensor from OmniVision and a Sony Exmor sensor in the future seems like a logical choice.

Now how about a release date? FBR says, "Apple's iPhone 5 will be manufactured in the third quarter," falling in line with previous reports suggesting a late 2011 release. So there you have it, the latest and greatest in the wonderful world of iOS. Will we see an iPhone 4S/5 in 2011? Will we see the superb hardware refresh? Only time will tell and your guess is as good as mine.

via 9to5Mac

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 lands official November 8 release date

Posted: 17 May 2011 12:20 PM PDT

The date with destiny between our gaming consoles and the third installment in the Modern Warfare trilogy is now official. On November 8, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 will be released, becoming the eighth title in the CoD series. The pre-release hype should hit full swing as we approach this year's E3 expo, set to take place next month.

We've seen plenty of leaks leading up to this evening's Modern Warfare 3 announcement, but other than a release date, details on the actual game are scare. Last week, a story on Kotaku suggested MW3 would see an Autumn release and the story would continue "in the wake of the invasion of US soil in 2009's Modern Warfare 2, but on a much more epic scale".

As per usual we'll be following this one closely. In the meantime, let's just hope we see a multiplayer (public) demo of Modern Warfare 3 this summer.

via DenOfGeek

Hackers: Android security in doubt, 99 percent of handsets at risk

Posted: 17 May 2011 12:06 PM PDT

If you own an Android smartphone, listen up. The Register has just revealed details on an Android vulnerability which could potentially allow hackers to collect digital tokens, normally stored on our smartphones, after we authenticate with a password protected service. Bottom line, logging into websites while using public WiFi networks may be bad for your health, and wallet.

Unless you are part of the one percent of Android users who currently use Android 2.3.4 or Android 3.x, you are subject to the Android vulnerability. Here's the official word from The Register:

"After a user submits valid credentials for Google Calendar, Twitter, Facebook, or several other accounts, the programming interface retrieves an authentication token that is sent in cleartext. Because the authToken can be used for up to 14 days in any subsequent requests on the service, attackers can exploit them to gain unauthorized access to accounts."

So just how easy would it be for hackers to exploit this vulnerability? "To collect such authTokens on a large scale an adversary could setup a wifi access point with a common SSID of an unencrypted wireless network, e.g., T-Mobile, attwifi, starbucks."

While the threat certainly exists, there are solutions. First, refrain from using public WiFi networks unless you know with absolute certainty the network you are connection to is valid. Second, wait for Google to issue a security patch to resolve the problem. Finally, it's as easy as not using public WiFi networks with your smartphone — just stick to your 3G/4G signal and stay worry free.

via BGR

Motorola secures bid for next Nexus smartphone – Nexus Droid 4G?

Posted: 17 May 2011 11:42 AM PDT

The next wave of Google endorsed Nexus hardware is upon us. A rumor has begun circulation this evening suggesting the Mountain View team may look to talents of Motorola for its third generation hardware. Dubbed the Motorola Nexus Droid 4G, this Android smartphone will purportedly be powered by none other than Nvidia's Tegra 3 processor — here's what we know.

The Google experience Nexus line began with the HTC Nexus One, continued with the Samsung Nexus S and soon, the Motorola Nexus Droid 4G. That is, assuming the rumors sourced from Twitter are accurate. According to black_man_x (the self-described mobile panda), Motorola's Nexus phone will come equipped with a quad-core processor (Tegra 3).

Previously, we had heard rumors suggesting Google may turn to LG for the third-generation Nexus phone. While we can't confirm which manufacturer will get the bid, it is certainly interesting to bring Motorola back into the fold.

Assuming the upcoming Nexus Phone is nearing production, which would you rather see — a Motorola Atrix inspired Nexus phone or LG Optimux 2X variant?

via Akihabaranews

Xperia Play US release date outed, Sony details PSN apology package

Posted: 17 May 2011 11:16 AM PDT

Two fine bits of Sony news this morning. First, the Xperia Play has been given a due date, bound for a US launch compliments of Verizon Wireless on May 26. Second, we have details on the PlayStation Network outage apology — ready to find out what free goodies Sony's bringing to the dinner table?

Whether you call it the PlayStation Phone, Zeus Z1, or Xperia Play, the world's first PlayStation certified Android handset will be making its way to the U.S. later this month. Verizon Wireless and Sony Ericsson confirmed the May 26 launch in a joint press release this morning. Price at $199.99 on a two-year contract, the Xperia Play will be available for pre-order starting this Thursday, May 19 — coincidentally, also Apple's 10th retail anniversary. If you haven't had a chance, we recommend taking a look at our complete Xperia Play review here.

Now for details on Sony's PSN outage apology, now known as 'The Welcome Back Program'. All PlayStation network members will be have their choice of any two PS3 games from the following list: LittleBigPlanet, Infamous, Wipeout HD/Fury, Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty, Dead Nation. PSP users will choose two games from the following list: LittleBigPlanet PSP, ModNation PSP, Pursuit Froce, Killzone Liberation.

In addition to the two free games, any non PS Plus subscriber will be granted 30 days of free access. Existing PS Plus subscribers will be given 60 days of free subscription and existing Music Unlimited subscribers will be given 30 days of free subscription. In a move to protect your identity, Sony is offering 12-months of free identify protection. Now let's look at the fine print:

Once the welcome back programs goes live, PSN users will have 30 days to redeem their free content and services. To be eligible, you must have been an account holder on April 20, 2011. In order to be eligible for the 12-month free identity protection you'll need to be a gamer residing in the UK, France, Italy, Germany or Spain.

Now that you've heard the good word, it's time to render a verdict. Is Sony's 'Welcome Back Program' too little too late or are you happy with the outcome? Sound off.

via PlayStation Blog

Nokia N9 advert leaks: Five secrets revealed

Posted: 17 May 2011 09:19 AM PDT

The fabled Nokia N9 has just popped up in a spectacular leak courtesy of Pocketnow: an apparent advert for the first ever Nokia MeeGo phone. We’ve been watching the clip frame by frame to find out what we can and there are some surprises that it reveals: read on and find out what to expect from this smartphone before Nokia switches to Windows Phone 7 entirely.

12 megapixel camera spotted (0:11)
Skip to 11 seconds in and you’ll get a quick glimpse of the camera sensor on the back of the Nokia N9: it’s a 12MP Carl Zeiss jobbie complete with auto focus. That’s music to our ears and eyes, as it means it should match the Nokia N8 for stunning mobile pics.

Ovi Maps is coming to Meego (0:17)
This was likely filmed before Nokia’s big branding switch this week to drop the “Ovi”, but Nokia’s excellent mapping service is present on the Nokia N9 MeeGo’s menu screens. That should come as no surprise given that it was also present n the Maemo powered Nokia N900, but that lacked turn by turn navigation. Which brings us to the next curiosity:

Ovi Drive (0:44)
Yeah, what the hell is Ovi Drive? It’s possible it could be a cloud storage service, Dropbox style, but the icon appears to suggest road traffic. Perhaps it’s the turn by turn part of Ovi Maps broken out into a separate app, as Google Maps Navigation is on Android.

Card based multitasking (0:24)
As a successor to Maemo, we expected multitasking with panes showing the live state of an app, and that appears to be what you get, as you can see in shots peppered through the clip.

A non-broken onscreen keyboard (0:28)
The Nokia N9 appears to have a slide out QWERTY keyboard akin to the Nokia E7′s, though this has been known about for some time. What’s more of a relief to see is an onscreen QWERTY keyboard that isn’t Symbian’s, whichh we’ve cursed on regular occasion for its grid like layout. Here, the lines are slightly asymmetric, so that they all line up in the centre. Excellent!

Anything else we missed? Sound off in the comments below!

Oh hey, now even rappers hate BlackBerry [Video]

Posted: 17 May 2011 08:08 AM PDT

Sure, Tinie Tempah may have a gold BlackBerry, but you know what? He’s so 2010. Rapper GT Solo catches the mood of a generation that’s slowly clocked onto the rather slow speeds and limited abilities of RIM’s emailers in this new song, “BB Is Dead”, that went live on YouTube this week.

It’s not just BlackBerrys that are in the pop culture firing line either. “Nokias get dashed in the bin” apparently, and “Android is alright” but these iPhone things are where it’s at with the urban and gritty yoof of today. Read on for the video.

Of course, a lot of truth is said in jest, and we’ve heard lots of rumours lately that RIM is planning to port BlackBerry Messenger, its big USP for teens, to iOS and Android to stop rival services delivering the goods on every mobile – apps such as WhatsApp and Kik Messenger, for instance.

What do you reckon? Are BlackBerrys bobbins? Is GT Solo just doing this for a rise? Sound off with your allegiances in the comments.

Lifesize Angry Birds takes over town square [Video]

Posted: 17 May 2011 07:45 AM PDT

We’re not sure where Angry Birds has left to go: we broke the news of the board game and card game, and showed you how to make an Angry Birds cake. Now Deutsche Telekom (parent company of T-Mobile) has constructed a real life level, several storeys high, complete with sound effects and a brass band playing Rovio’s now famous theme tune. Read on to see the insane video.

The bonkers level, caught by Hasta Los Juegos in the Spanish city of Terrassa, is part of an advertisement being shot by the network. We’re not actually in awe of the scale of the event: it’s a logical progression for a mobile game that’s taken over popular consciousness like no other. We’re actually just shocked at how few observers there are. REAL LIFE ANGRYS BIRDS, people. We’d have jumped on a plane to come see it. Anyway, watch:

The app that checks the weather in space! (And prevents you being fried by radiation..)

Posted: 17 May 2011 06:53 AM PDT

Think of Space WX – available through iTunes now – as Patrick Moore's head on Siân Lloyd's body. It is the first real-time weather app that tracks the weather in space, predicting severe 'near-earth' events such as solar flares (high-energy particles from the sun). Of course, if you’re standing on the ground, you wouldn’t ‘feel’ the odd solar event. But exposure to such events whilst in a plane increases the risk of an unwanted dose of radiation – rather worrying if you’re a frequent flyer…

The risk is especially high when flying a polar route – Chicago to Hong Kong, for instance. You may not realise it, but your airline will check the weather in space before take-off and, if necessary, re-route the flight around the pole to minimise exposure (burning up $10,000 worth of extra fuel in the process).

The Space WX app was designed by academics – and it shows. It’s incredibly complex, but fascinating nevertheless. And for those of you who are frequent flyers, it could be well worth mastering the art of interpreting solar winds: you’ll get an early steer on whether your flight is going to take a detour (and land a lot later than you thought)…

£1.19 | spacewx.com | Out now

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Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Electricpig.co.uk - tech news fast!

Electricpig.co.uk - tech news fast!

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