Samsung to equip Android phones with enterprise antivirus software

Summary: As part of the Knox security suite, Samsung has added an enterprise security package for Android-based smartphones.

Credit: Stephen Shankland /CNET

While Lookout is already a strong player in the Android antivirus application market, the company will receive a boost this week thanks to Samsung bundling the software within its enterprise-based Knox security suite for Android smartphones.

Originally reported by the Wall Street Journal, Lookout officially announced the service bundle on Wednesday. In a press release, the mobile security firm said that a stand-alone mobile security offering for business is due for release later this year, and Samsung will be bundling Lookout products within its Knox security suite for new Android models.

Dr. Injong Rhee, Senior Vice President of Knox Business Group at Samsung Electronics said:

"We're excited to partner with Lookout to bring an additional level of security to Samsung Knox. Lookout is the leader in mobile threat protection, and through attachment scanning and safe browsing they are uniquely equipped to address business mobile security and the evolving challenges in the BYOD movement."

Samsung's Knox security suite is an Android-based platform which is designed to enhance the security of the open-source platform. Apple's iOS operating system and Samsung's Knox were recently approved by the U.S. Department of Defense for use on its networks, and both can provide additional layers of security -- including cloud-based threat scanning -- for corporate and sensitive networks.

Currently, over 40 million people use Lookout products. Lookout's flagship product, Lookout Mobile Security is currently available for Android, iOS and Kindle. While Lookout offers a free and a premium version of its antivirus software, under the terms of the partnership, the higher-tier service will be bundled with Knox.

"Samsung is a market leader in mobile devices for business, and we’re excited to work together to bring Lookout to Knox," said John Hering, CEO of Lookout. "Protection against mobile threats for devices in the workplace is critical, and we’re excited to announce we’re expanding to address the unique needs of businesses."

Not everyone believes that Android security is all that important. Speaking to the Journal, Android's lead security engineer Adrian Ludwig said:

"There's not really a significant amount of risk that users are being exposed to. It's also, frankly, nothing like the risks they accept in their day-to-day lives."

Despite this, when businesses are readily adopting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) schemes that introduce multiple platforms to corporate networks, knowing that software is helping defend a device against malware -- and stop users from accidentally downloading malicious files -- can only be a bonus.

A report released last month by Trend Micro suggested that Android-based malware infection rates have jumped 40 percent in the past several months.

      Source: zdnet

Нетерпеливые омичи получат новый iPhone за 40 тыс. руб. уже к концу сентября

После официального старта продаж iPhone 5C и 5S в США, нетерпеливые россияне привезут новый гаджет для продажи в России. На омском форуме уже сегодня можно забронировать модель, объем памяти и цвет. Стоимость смартфона составит 40 тысяч рублей.

Напомним, 10 сентября компания Apple презентовала новый iPhone 5S и iPhone 5C. В новом гаджете появился датчик отпечатка пальца на кнопке Home, позволяющий без снятия блокировки получать доступ к смартфону. Кроме того, приложение нового гаджета определяет – идет человек, бежит или едет на машине.

На рынки США, Канады, Великобритании, Японии и Германии устройство поступит 20 сентября. В России новый iPhone 5S должен появиться в декабре.

Однако особо нетерпеливые российские пользователи «яблочного» гаджета могут получить его уже в конце сентября.

«Iphone 5C и 5S появятся после старта продаж. Ориентир конец сентября – начало октября. Бронируем. Цены будут после официального релиза», – написал один из пользователей на форуме.

Отметим, что новинку от Apple посредством интернет-форума решились заказать уже порядка десяти омичей.

Особо прозорливые омичи уже начали продажи еще не поступившего в реализацию смартфона. Так, на сайте avito появилось объявление о продаже Apple iPhone 5S 16 GB, цена которого составляет 39 тысяч 599 рублей. 

       источник:  новости 7

Google Glass ditches tether requirement for data sharing

   
The technology's latest update seems to allow for users of the XE9 companion app to accept an Internet connection, eliminating the need for tethering.

       Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Google Glass now makes it a little easier for wearers to transmit data.

Discovered over the weekend by Google Glass user Nick Starr and subsequently confirmed by several test users, the search company's eyeglasses can allow for data sharing without the need for a tethering connection to a smartphone. According to reports, the option was added in the latest update and requires the XE9 companion app to work.

Google Glass required a tethering plan in order for users to transmit data to and from the eyewear. With the update and XE9, however, Starr says that he was able to turn off his tethering and still transmit data.

That Google might have dropped the tethering requirement is important for users. Previously, they needed to pay a fee to some carriers to tether the device with their smartphones and share data. That's no longer required, according to Starr.

However, one commenter on Starr's posting says that while the feature worked for a time, it stopped, requiring that tethering be turned back on.

CNET has contacted Google for comment. We will update this story when we have more information.

           Source: Google news

Появилось первое изображение очередного смартфона Huawei на Windows Phone

Как уже сообщалось нами на прошлой неделе, компания Huawei не думает о прекращении выпуска смартфонов на платформе Microsoft Windows Phone. Разработчики устройств на ней наверняка пристально следят за тем, как будет дальше развиваться её судьба, после покупки компанией Microsoft мобильного подразделения Nokia. Теперь появилось и материальное доказательство планов Huawei, в виде изображения готовящегося аппарата, который ранее не попадал в поле зрения журналистов.

Изображение смартфона и некоторая информация о нём была опубликована на китайском портале WPDang. Предположительное название – Ascend W3, что станет продолжением уже существующего бренда и нумерации двух ранее выпущенных компанией моделей на WP, Ascend W1 и Ascend W2.

    

В статье сообщается о том, что новинка будет обладать алюминиевым корпусом, который позволит сделать его более тонким и лёгким по сравнению с двумя вышеназванными аппаратами. Согласно описанию, дизайн аппарата будет напоминать сочетание моделей Huawei D2 и P6. Относительно того, какие комплектующие будут скрыты под этим корпусом, данных пока нет, кроме того факта, что будут поддерживаться сети LTE в Китае.

В качестве времени анонса в статье называется выставка CES 2014, которая состоится в январе.

           Иcточник: neowin.net 

Samsung may be gearing up a second Galaxy Gear smartwatch

The Galaxy Gear 2 is being revved up with a possible announcement set for early 2014, claims a Korean news site.

                                                                         Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

 Samsung unveiled its first smartwatch just a couple of weeks ago. Is a successor already in the works?

A Galaxy Gear 2 is indeed currently in development, at least according to Korean news site Digital Times. According to unnamed sources, the next version of Samsung's smartwatch will offer GPS, improved battery life, and support for a greater array of Android devices. The Galaxy Gear currently can pair with one device only -- Samsung's Galaxy Note 3.

The new watch could be unveiled next year at the Consumer Electronics Show in January or the Mobile World Congress in February, say the sources.

Why would Samsung release a second smartwatch when the first one hasn't even reached consumers yet? The first Galaxy Gear is reportedly Samsung's attempt to test the waters of the market before it launches a second, more finely tuned product, says Digital Times.

It's a safe bet that Samsung is already thinking about its next smartwatch. But the company would certainly want to wait to see how the first watch fares before diving back into the market so soon. So for now, we'll have to file this bit of news firmly in the rumor department.

The current Galaxy Gear will sell for $299. The watch and the Note 3 are expected to go on sale in the US in early October.

       Source: TechKiddy

Life on Earth Generated From Icy Comet Or Meteorites Collisions, Researchers Confirm

Life on Earth Generated From Icy Comet Or Meteorites Collisions, Researchers Confirm (Photo : Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory )

 Researchers of a new study confirmed that life on Earth came from outer space. They believe that a collision between icy comets or meteorites may have created amino acids which are also called "building blocks of life."

Scientists have been perplexed for a very long time about the origin of life on Earth. Previous studies have suggested many theories that claim life on earth came from outer space. A study conducted August, provided evidence that life on Earth came from Mars. 

The latest study conducted by researchers from Imperial College in London and University of Kent confirmed that life indeed came from outer space. Scientists found that life on Earth spawned from a collision between icy comets or meteorites, which led to the production of amino acids, commonly known as the "building blocks of life."

An earlier study suggested that life-producing phosphorus came from asteroids 3.5 billion years ago. This could have kick-started early life on Earth.

In 2010 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientist, Nir Goldman first predicted that life on Earth came from outer space through the production of amino acids. Amino acids are critical to life and are the building blocks of proteins. According to Goldman, the simple molecules found in comets could have supplied the raw material and the impact with early Earth could have created ample supply of energy to initiate the production of these amino acids.

For the new study, the scientists conducted a similar experiment where they fired a projectile into a comet-ice mixture using a light gas gun. This resulted in the formation of different types of amino acids.

"These results confirm our earlier predictions of impact synthesis of prebiotic material, where the impact itself can yield life-building compounds," Goldman said in a press release. "Our work provides a realistic additional synthetic production pathway for the components of proteins in our solar system, expanding the inventory of locations where life could potentially originate."

Comets are known to harbor simple ice and organic precursors of amino acids. Glycine - the simplest amino acid - was recently confirmed to be present in comet Wild-2. The team found that icy bodies with the same compounds created from a comet's impact may also be found in outer space.

    Source: hngn.com

 

HP, Acer, ASUS и Toshiba анонсируют хромбуки и хромбокс на Intel Haswell

Похоже, несмотря на первоначальный скепсис относительно перспектив Chrome OS и ноутбуков на данной платформе, все большее число производителей стремиться иметь в своем ассортименте такого рода продукты. К примеру, в официальном анонсе по поводу выпуска новых модификаций “хромбуков” на базе свежих процессоров Intel Haswell фигурируют не только уже известные члены “клуба Chrome OS” в лице HP и Acer, но и такие известные компании, как ASUS и Toshiba, выступающие здесь в роли неофитов. При этом ASUS представила не ноутбук, а мини-десктоп - так называемый хромбокс.

Новые хромбуки и хромбокс

Таким образом, список вендоров, занятых разработкой мобильных компьютеров на базе Chrome OS, пополнился еще двумя популярными в IT-сообществе фирмами. При этом старший вице-президент Google по делам Chrome и Android Сандар Пичай (Sundar Pichai) не без оснований полагает, что переход на чипы Intel Haswell обеспечит достаточно долгое время автономной работы “хромбуков” без ущерба для производительности.

Кстати, уже доступны странички новых Acer Chromebook и HP Chromebook 14, при этом последний лэптоп появится в продаже в предстоящий предпраздничный сезон за $300 и сможет предложить 14-дюймовый дисплей с разрешением 1366 x 768 пикселей и 16 ГБ “набортной” памяти плюс порты HDMI, USB 2.0 и USB 3.0. Отметим, что этот “хромбук” будет доступен в расцветках Snow White, Ocean Turquoise и Coral Peach. Толщина HP Chromebook 14 составляет около 20 мм, вес 1,86 кг, а время работы – до 9,5 часов.

     Источник: Google Chrome Blog

Garmin Forerunner 620 and 220 feature one-inch color displays

GPS manufacturer Garman has unveiled a pair of new GPS running watches called the Forerunner 620 and the Forerunner 220. Garman says that these two watches are the lightest, thinnest, and most advanced that it offers. The 620 is the most advanced of the pair.

                          

The 620 features a recovery advisor, race predictor, VO2 Max estimate and more. The 620 is also compatible with Garmin’s new HRM-Run monitor to provide feedback on running form. In addition to working for runners who like to get their exercise outside, it will also work for indoor training on treadmills.

Both watches have built-in accelerometers that are able to track distance and pace. That accelerometer means that the runner doesn’t need a separate sensor. The Forerunner 620 is able to estimate the runners VO2 max, which is used as an indicator of athletic capability. The 620 can also be used as a heart rate monitor.

The heart rate monitor can incorporate data such as running speed, beats per minute, and heart rate variability to come up with the maximum volume oxygen runner can consume per minute per kilogram of body weight to maximize performance. The 620 can also measure vertical oscillation, which is the bounce in runners running motion.

It can also estimate ground contact time in milliseconds. Both of the watches are water resistant to 50 m and the main difference is that the 620 has a touchscreen and the 220 is operated with pushbuttons. Both use rechargeable batteries good for up to six weeks of use in watch mode and up to 10 hours in training mode. The 620 starts at $399.99 while the 220 starts at $249.99. Garmin also makes watches for cyclists, we mentioned the Vector for bicyclists last month.

  SOURCE: Garmin

Кто теперь будет возить iPhone в Россию?

                    

Частный массовый ввоз телефонных аппаратов  с 2008 года лишил  российский бюджет   $50 млн.

 

В преддверии продаж новых iPhone 5S и iPhone 5С Apple выберет в России двух оптовых дистрибьюторов смартфонов — предполагается, что ими станут «Merlion» и «diHouse».

Как сообщил гендиректор «Merlion» Сергей Расколов, в июле «Apple»  начала проведение конкурса на выбор оптового партнера iPhone. Итоги конкурса еще не подведены, но Расколов уверен, что его компания станет дистрибутором iPhone.

Ранее, с 2008 г., в России iPhone продавали Вымпелком, МегаФон и МТС, реализовывая устройства в собственных салонах и поставляя их в розничные сети. Перед операторами были поставлены грандиозные планы. Объем закупок Вымпелкома, к примеру, должен был составить 1,5 млн. iPhone. Однако, ни Вымпелком, ни другие компании не смогли выполнить условия договора. Так, в 2008 году МТС обязалась продать 1,5 млн. аппаратов, но к концу 2011 г. план был выполнен всего на 29%. В 2010 г. Мегафон разорвал контракт с Apple, МТС — в 2012 г., Вымпелком — летом этого года. В итоге Apple остался без партнеров по оптовым поставкам. В розницу легально приобрести iPhone можно в онлайн-магазине Apple или в сети магазинов «Связной». К партнерам по розничным продажам может также добавиться «Евросеть» или «М.Видео». Как сообщает «Евросеть», за 7 месяцев 2013 г. доля Apple на российском рынке смартфонов в штучном выражении составила 9%, уступив место Samsung (31%,) и Nokia (15%).

По словам Сергея Расколова, «Merlion» будет поставлять iPhone не только в крупные розничные сети, но и партнерам с более скромными объемами продаж. Расколов добавил, что продажи новых iPhone 5S и iPhone 5С могут начаться в России в ноябре.

Согласно статистике — первый  импортер телефонов в страну — Самсунг — легальный ввоз на $1,236 млрд. за 9 месяцев. Нокиа ввезла на $635 млн. «СониЭриксон» — на 198 млн., Хуавэй — на 161 млн., «Эксплэй» - на 115 млн. Но «Apple»   в статистике нет. Собственно, где все прочие производители — догадаться несложно — за пределами списка 250 крупнейших импортеров. Но про «Apple»  надо разбираться. При этом МТС (338,6), Билайн (260) и Мегафон (79,5) ввезли различных телефонов на $678 млн. В магазинах Билайна и МТС «Apple»  продается легально, но вряд ли более чем 30-40% от объема продаж всех телефонов, «Связной»  только в 4-м квартале начал торговать продукцией компании. Так что, выходит, что  легальные продажи iPhone не превышают $235 млн. за 9 месяцев. Прочую продукцию Apple завозят в основном компьютерные оптовики. Ну, а нелегально — так это на Горбушку.

         источник: ПРОВЭД.РФ *PROVED.RF

Can Xiaomi repeat its China success in India?

Often referred to as the Apple of the East, Xiaomi the Chinese upstart seems to have everything going for it. Its success in China has caught global players like Samsung by surprise, it now has a valuation of over $10 billion and recently snagged Google’s VP for Android, Hugo Barra. Barely in its fourth year of existence, Xiaomi hastwice the valuation of Nokia’s handset business without having ventured out of China. That will soon change, if things go as planned, with Barra leading Xiaomi’s global operations hoping to emulate the same success. But can Xiaomi do it?

One of the major reasons for Xiaomi’s success and it catching the attention of the outside world has been the pricing of its phones. Xiaomi sells high specced phones that can compete with flagship Galaxy smartphones from Samsung and deliver it to consumers at almost half the price. Its latest Mi3 smartphone, for instance, costs just $327 or half the price of the latest iPhone or the Galaxy S4. The specifications include the top-of-the-line Nvidia Tegra 4 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipsets, 2GB RAM, 5-inch 1080p display and 13-megapixel camera. Unlike most Chinese vendors, Xiaomi claims to use the best components that are used by the likes of Samsung and Apple.

Xiaomi’s founders like to compare their company to Amazon more than Apple. Rather than raking in huge margins on its hardware, Xiaomi sells it almost at cost to consumers. It then makes money by selling apps, games and online services. To keep the engagement going with its users, it releases a software update every Friday and invites feedback from users on what features to add. Using the hardware primarily as a medium to sell services is a typical Amazon model that has been perfected over the years with its Kindle ebook readers.

This model can work for Xiaomi in China, where Google services are blocked. The Google Play Store is not accessible easily, which is a great repository of hundreds of thousands of free games and apps. Xiaomi essentially fills that hole by providing the quintessential Android feature all of us expect on an Android smartphone, and charges users for some of the content and services.

But what about the world outside China where Play Store is accessible and buyers prefer smartphones that come with the Play Store than those that fork Android and come without Google’s Mobile Suite? It is unlikely that Xiaomi can replicate the same business model in the outside world and will have to tweak it. While Amazon has one of the world’s biggest ebook libraries and the Kindle devices are essentially a delivery mechanism for them, Xiaomi will have to find its niche for which users are willing to pay – apps and services won’t cut it when users hooked on to Google’s Play Store expect it for free.

Without revenues from services, Xiaomi will be forced to let go of its “sell devices at cost” strategy, which is the main reason why people buy a Xiaomi smartphone in the first place. The question now really is whether Barra can find a niche for Xiaomi outside China.

        Source: bgr.in

Will Chevy's 2015 Tahoe and Suburban Avoid Extinction?

GM's 2015 Chevy Tahoe. Photo credit: General Motors.

A decade ago, Detroit automakersFord and General Motors were well known for all the wrong reasons. Their vehicles were poor in quality, were less valuable, and guzzled gas like it was going out of style -- and, ironically, it was about to be.

After the recession forced major strategic changes upon America's two largest automakers, they saw the light: To survive, they needed to make better, smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. This week, GM introduced its all-new 2015 Tahoe and Suburban, but can the full-size SUVs make a sales comeback in this day and age? Or are they the next gas-guzzling vehicle doomed to go extinct?

Graph by author. Information from Automotive News DataCenter. 2013 estimated from sales through August.

As you can see, sales of the Tahoe and Suburban crashed and have failed to make a comeback. Some of you may already suspect that the financial crisis and the following severe recession caused those sales to drop. While that had an effect, consider that it was more of a nudge for consumers to change their tastes.

Graph by author. Information from Consumer Reports.

Consumers now desire great fuel economy. That's what killed the previous Tahoe and Suburban generation, and fueled the success of crossovers such as Ford's Escape.

Graph by author. Information from Automotive News DataCenter. 2013 estimated from sales through August.

Another reason Chevy's full-size SUVs failed to make a comeback? They were outdated. As GM trudged through bankruptcy, it didn't have the cash to redesign many of its vehicles. But now it does, and GM plans to refresh, redesign, or replace 90% of its vehicle lineup by 2016.

Now, after a much-needed redesign and update for the full-size SUVs, will these revamped models be enough to steal back sales from the hot crossover/utility segment?

What's new in 2015"There are several new features and enhancements at the core of the all-new 2015 Suburban and Tahoe that will extend the legacy Chevrolet has built as the segment leader," said Tim Mahoney, Chevrolet's global chief marketing officer. "Customers will experience greater refinement, efficiency and safety, with the same capability that has made Chevrolet the go-to brand for full-size SUVs."

The first difference you'll notice is the larger grille on the front of both vehicles, but aside from that, the design is more evolutionary than revolutionary. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, and it fits the trend with the redesigns of GM's Silverado and Sierra trucks.

The Tahoe and Suburban both have a standard 5.3L V-8 featuring direct injection, with cylinder deactivation to help retain power yet improve fuel economy. Official miles-per-gallon information hasn't been released yet, but I believe if it fails to improve significantly from the last generation, it will be difficult to revive Tahoe and Suburban sales.

The two SUVs also boast a slew of new safety technologies. Those features include forward collision alert, front park assist, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. In addition, both SUVs include the segment's only front-seat center airbag for additional protection.

GM didn't stop there. The interior also received a makeover:

2015 Chevrolet Suburban showcases an all-new interior. Photo credit: General Motors.

According to GM, both vehicles include;

• Fold-flat second- and third-row seats that enhance cargo convenience -- including an available power-folding feature.
• 18-inch standard wheels that are a half-inch wider, reducing tire flex for improved cornering performance. Twenty- and 22-inch wheels are available.
• Available 8-inch color touchscreen radio, with next-generation MyLink connectivity.
• Up to six USB ports and six power outlets -- including a 110-volt three-prong outlet -- to support electronic devices of all kinds (up to 12 charging locations total).
• Available rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens (Suburban only) and Blu-ray/DVD player,
• Conversation mirror in the overhead console that provides a panoramic view of the rear seats.
• Keyless entry and push-button start.

Takeaway
GM is indeed a much better company than it was a decade ago, when these full-size SUVs were some of the best-selling and most profitable vehicles on the planet. GM seems to think there's still significant pent-up demand in the full-size SUV segment, but I'm just not as convinced.

If there is, these models look to reverse their sales slide and bring in big profits for GM over the next few years. And if GM's recent redesigns of its full-size pickups and SUVs are a hit with the market, we could be on the cusp of a very profitable few years for the folks at General Motors and its investors.

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        Source: Fool.com