IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (Ars Technica) 9/25/2013

Computer simulations suggest war drove the rise of civilizations
Agriculture and military technology make this model a good fit for real world data.

First look at the new keyboards, dock, and other Surface accessories
What could be better than a purple keyboard? Nothing, that's what.

Analysis: Can SteamOS drag the PC game industry over to Linux?
Or: Why Valve should make Half-Life 3 a SteamOS exclusive.

Hands on with Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2: Second verse, same as the first
The same basic idea but much better.

Fancy Node.js-based blogging app Ghost goes live to backers
We go hands-on with the app that aims to leave "old guard" PHP-based blogs in the past.

Typing, kickstanding, and folding—first look at the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2
Gallery: Ars experiences Microsoft's upcoming tablet hybrid hardware.

Moto X software update significantly improves camera quality
Motorola optimizes its image processing and removes the purple sheen.

BlackBerry to go private in $4.7 billion deal
Beleaguered smartphone maker agrees to sell to a financial holding company.

Astroturfers shut down after flooding Yelp and Google with fake reviews
Companies paid freelancers $1 to $10 for each fake review, AG says.

Software, vehicle congestion delay Cygnus docking at Space Station
A slight glitch means docking is on hold until after new crew arrives on Soyuz.

Defeating Apple’s Touch ID: It’s easier than you may think
The hack using lifted fingerprints is easy; here's how you can make it harder.

Valve announces Linux-based “SteamOS” as basis for living room gaming
"In-home streaming" for full Steam catalog; native support for "hundreds of games."

Now even supermarket chains are making cheap Android tablets
Cheaper than a Kindle Fire HD, the Hudl has a 1.5GHz CPU and 1440×900 display.

Microduino: An Arduino nearly as small as a quarter, for $20
Arduino Uno divided into two small boards for extreme portability.

Microsoft’s hardware, round 2: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2
October 22 launch. Surface Pro 2 runs $899 and the ARM Surface 2 costs $449.

BlackBerry unloading corporate jets in addition to 4,700 employees
Hopes to get $80 million for the three jets it's selling.

Finally, we won’t have to power off during takeoff and landing
FAA expected to officially change electronics rule this week.

Apple boasts 9 million iPhones sold in first weekend
The very best iPhone launch since the last one.

We are liveblogging Microsoft’s Monday morning Surface 2 event
Ars is on the scene as Microsoft unveils new hardware.

The gaikokujin gamer’s guide to Akihabara, Japan’s “Electric Town”
Gallery: Seeking out retro games and electronics from the not-too-distant future.

Interview: Steve Wozniak on new iPhones, smart watches, Google Glass, and more
Smartwatches could be winners, but need appropriately sized displays.

Stop webcam spies with free, 3D-printed “RAT TRAP”
Fight RATs with plastic rodents.

Chaos Computer Club hackers trick Apple’s TouchID security feature
If you have finger-smudged glass, a laser printer, and latex milk, you can beat it too.

The life and death of Buran, the USSR shuttle built on faulty assumptions
After concluding the US Shuttle was a weapons platform, the USSR wanted its own.

Weird Science avoids unwanted mating by using decoy genitals
It's also considering mixing chemotherapy and dog food, hissing at roaches.

Available Tags:other , BlackBerry , Google , Valve , gaming , Android , Apple , security ,

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

IT News Head Lines (Ars Technica) 9/25/2013

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