IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 08/07/2014

Microsoft rumored to launch 'Nokia by Microsoft' branding soon
Where is Microsoft going with its venture into Nokia? According to the latest leaked renders on a mystery Lumia smartphone, we could see new Lumia smartphones with the "Nokia by Microsoft" branding.

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The new smartphone is said to be the Lumia 830, which sports the "Nokia by Microsoft" branding on its rear. We don't know what to expect from the new Lumia 830, apart from its 13-megapixel PureView camera, and a similar design to what we've seen on the Lumia 1020.

Foxconn to use robots in future assembly, starting with the new iPhone
Foxconn should be one of the first companies to deploy robots to build consumer devices, with Apple reportedly being the first company to make use of these new "Foxbots" as they're referred to.

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These new Foxbots will be capable of assembling an average of 30,000 devices, costing somewhere between $20,000 to $25,000 per robot to make. Foxconn CEO Terry Gou has already said that these robots are in their final testing phase, with the company ready to unleash 10,000 robots into its factories. With Foxconn being the biggest partner for Apple in assembling its iOS-based devices like the iPhone, iPad and iPod, this could be big news for the Foxconn.
We already knew that Foxconn laid out plans to replace some of its human workers with some 1 million robots, but the time frame of this may shift. Apple is even chipping in, investing a hefty $10.5 billion on the advanced supply chain technology, with some of this investment sliding over to advanced machinery, something that includes assembly robots. Foxconn has hired an additional 100,000 new workers to help assemble the upcoming iPhone 6 for Apple, with production expected to ramp up next month for a launch in September.

Microsoft to release Kinect 2.0 on PC next month
For something that Microsoft teased back in March, Kinect 2.0 is finally headed to the PC. The 3D camera will be made available for PC on July 15, without the Xbox logo being printed on it.

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The PC-compatible 3D camera is priced at $100 more than its Xbox One counterpart, at $200. Considering Microsoft knocked $100 from the price of the Kinect-less Xbox One, one has to wonder what the 100% increase in price represents. It should be the same hardware inside, but I'm sure we'll find out what the PC-compatible Kinect 2.0 sensor is capable of in a just a few days time.

Google is working on VR support for Chrome
Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers on the planet, with over 300 million active daily users, but Google wants to see its web browser working in VR. First, with its own Google Cardboard, and the Oculus Rift.

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The search giant has said that its working on adding VR support for both the Rift and Cardboard, with 360-degree product shots and interactive exhibits being the drawcard for a VR browser. Google still believes that surfing the Internet in VR is still not ready for most consumers, but with some killer apps, or websites, it could be an interesting start to browsing the web in virtual reality.

Want to charge your smartphone on the go? Wear a solar-powered dress
You know the problems we face today, with iPhone users being wall huggers, and not having all-day battery life on our smartphones. The solution? According to fashion designer Pauline van Dongen, a solar-powered dress.

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The designer is developing the next-gen dress with her startup, Wearable Solar. When van Dongen took a prototype dress with her to the Brooklyn Northside Festival last month, people got to see the dress in action. TechCrunch's Anthony Ha was there, with van Dongen telling him that she had two main inspirations for the solar-powered dress.
She said: "One of them is the fact that we highly depend on connectivity. We're all addicted to our smartphones and we want them constantly powered, and the better our batteries get, the more we'll use them. And at the same time, working as a werable tech designer, I know the difficulties when integrating these kind of bulky batteries that don't allow for any comfort or wearability. So that's why I thought, why not power your phone through your clothes? And eventually power other interactive qualities that our garments are becoming a platform for".

Soccer fans in the United States most active online, FIFA noted
The 2014 World Cup has proven to be a major success for Facebook and Twitter, with record number of users discussing the international soccer tournament. The drastic rise in Team USA's performance - and a newly found temporary love for soccer - has led to U.S. fans to be the most active on FIFA's website and mobile apps.

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NFL football and professional baseball are the most popular sports in the United States, while soccer previously struggled to grow a major following - so FIFA was surprised to find U.S. users are the most active. As of Wednesday, July 2, 36.7 million (11.2 percent) of the U.S. population accounted for 23 percent of total World Cup-related interactions.
The top 10 most active states in the United States during the World Cup: California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts and Virginia.

TSA may request passengers flying to United States to turn on devices
The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) might ask passengers flying into the United States to power on their smartphones, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices, in fear of improvised exploding devices (IEDs) masked as common electronics. It seems this will be focused on passengers flying from airports in Europe and the Middle East, according to a homeland security official.

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"As the traveling public knows, all electronic devices are screened by security officers," the TSA noted in a statement. "During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft."
If travelers are found with devices that don't power on, they could face additional screening. Furthermore, the TSA has been in communication with airlines that will have to be better prepared for these types of problems, with a specific interest in United, American and Delta. The Department of Homeland Security has asked airports to add additional security scrutiny for passengers entering the United States, including more random screenings and checking passengers' shoes and clothing.

Stanford Federal Credit Union accidentally leaks data on 18,000
The Stanford Federal Credit Union contacted around 18,000 of its customers, informing them their personal information was accidentally included in an email to another bank customer. The personal information sent includes customer names, mailing addresses, member numbers, credit information, loan offers, and tax identification numbers.

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The incident took place on April 30 and the bank began informing customers in early June. The employees quickly discovered the mistake and data was reportedly destroyed before the customer opened the email.
"While we are confident this information was never seen by unauthorized individuals and you are not at risk, we feel it is important to communicate with our members in any situation involving their information or accounts," said Joan Opp, Stanford Federal Credit Union CEO, in a statement. "I also want to emphasize that our electronic systems were in no way compromised and your accounts remain secure."
These type of email mistakes can be easily avoided, and potentially catastrophic if sent out - even in hectic business days, companies need to ensure their employees are taking their time to double check content of emails.

US Marshals bitcoin auction list targeted by spammers after leak
The email mistake from the US Marshals Service that led an email to be sent CC instead of BCC has resulted in at least a few people on the list receiving phishing emails. It's an unfortunate turn of events considering these type of basic email snafus shouldn't happen frequently, especially from a government agency.

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So far, the only victim appears to be Bitcoins Reserve, with CTO Jim Chen sending 100 bitcoins to someone he thought was company founder Sam Lee. Here is what Lee said in an email confirming the problem:
"As this attack vector was only successful due to an oversight in operations, the founders of Bitcoins Reserve will compensate the company by injecting an additional 100 bitcoins to ensure we're still effectively performing arbitrage for our investors."
Using stolen lists that contain email addresses can be extremely valuable to cybercriminals, giving them the ability to create a custom phishing email just for particular groups.

Despite protests from cabbies, London rules Uber is perfectly legal
London's transport authority, TFL, has ruled that controversial smartphone taxi app Uber is perfectly legal, despite official protests from the UK capital's iconic black cab drivers.

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London cab drivers voiced their concerns about the way smartphones running Uber operated - arguing that, in effect, they counted as meters that actively work out fees as the cars run. But TFL has dismissed these claims. "In relation to the way Uber operates in London, TfL is satisfied that based upon our understanding of the relationship between passenger and Uber London, and between Uber London and Uber BV, registered in Holland, that it is operating lawfully under the terms of the 1988 PHV(L) Act," spokesperson Leon Daniels said in a statement.
Even with the all-clear, Uber remains a controversial service, as cab drivers highlighted concerns about the safety of passengers with Uber vehicles. Their collective action in protest of the app brought parts of London to a standstill - but in an own goal, saw Uber user rates shoot up 850 percent.

Around 140 ISPs disconnect persistent Internet pirates in US
Anti-piracy firm Rightscorp says more than 140 Internet service providers (ISPs) in the United States are disconnecting repeat copyright offenders. Most ISPs send notices to repeat copyright offenders, telling them that protected content, such as music, movies, and other content are being shared.

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However, Rightscorp tracks what users are downloading and sharing on BitTorrent, then approaches user ISPs - and most fines are about $20 per shared file. Repeat offenders, however, need swifter punishment according to copyright holders, which is why Rightscorp is speaking with so many U.S. ISPs. It remains difficult to identify how many times a person must be caught sharing files to be considered a "repeat infringer," with companies such as AT&T refusing to unplug users unless a court order is issued.
"We push ISPs to suspend accounts of repeat copyright infringers and we currently have over 140 ISPs that are participating in our program, including suspending the accounts of repeat infringers," said Christopher Sabec, Rightscorp CEO, when speaking about the current state of copyright infringement.

Wolf Creek 2 (2014) Blu-ray Movie Review

Wolf Creek 2 (2014)

At the conclusion of the first Wolf Creek, outback murder Mick Taylor literally walked into the sunset, gun in hand, after months spent terrorizing three backpackers. In the interim, it seems he's become emboldened by his evasion, his crimes now on a larger scale. Having proved their concept that resonated with audiences nine years earlier, the filmmakers return with added confidence, presenting a movie that is in many ways similar to the first, but with one which takes it much further. The question is, is it as good as the first?

Whilst backpacking through the outback en route to Wolf Creek, German tourists Rutger (Phillipe Klaus) and Katarina (Shannon Ashlyn) are chosen by Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) who offers some seemingly friendly advice. In short time, the couple is attacked and another intense and bloody outback battle is set in motion. But when resourceful British ex-pat Paul Hammersmith (Ryan Corr) becomes entangled in the bloodshed, the survival instincts of both Hammersmith and Taylor are tested.
In the same manner that Writer / Director Greg McLean attempted a bit of back story and blossoming romance with the ill-fated outback tourists in the first movie, he's followed a similar route here. Of course, these soon to be ex-blood bags are entirely perfunctory and any exposition simply serves to delay the inevitable. Ultimately, the audience doesn't care about these walking targets, and whatever time we spend with the hapless couple, just isn't enough to form a caring bond or care about their plight.
But once the film's main protagonist, the dashing British expat Paul Hammersmith enters, it's a whole new ball game and the film takes a surprising turn. A fourth quarter breather with Hammersmith and Taylor playing a game of Australian inspired trivia provides chills and even a few nervous laughs, whilst Taylor even reveals the reason for his murderous bent as some misplaced xenophobic patriotism.
Sadly, the well-crafted sequence leads up to a confusingly abrupt conclusion, which raises more questions than answers. In the end, I felt cheated by a film that revels in proudly displayed everything (and I think the OFLC were quite lenient with their MA15+ rating here), but didn't feel the need to offer a rational conclusion.
McLean handles Wolf Creek 2 with abundant and obvious talent, but sadly his script isn't as adept. John Jarratt is simply wonderful once more, and his performance stands out Wolf Creek from other bloodbaths such as Saw. The production values by way of the increased budget are there on screen, particularly in the thrilling Duel-inspired road battle. During that sequence Hammersmith taunts Taylor with the line "is that the best you can do?". The filmmakers themselves should realized the irony.

Video

Wolf Creek 2 is encoded with AVC MPEG-4 compression and presented in the intended aspect ratio of 2.40:1.
Lensed on the next-gen Arri Alexa Plus 4:3 (which affords the capacity to record in native Super35 wide aspect ratio as well as the square aspect ratio of 4:3) and lower resolution GoPro cameras for brief stunt sequences and finalized in a 2K digital intermediate, Wolf Creek 2 is automatically a technical step above its predecessor, which was recorded on much older CineAlta equipment.
Part sumptuous landscape photography, part gory horror, the encode here does a superb job of dealing with whatever the film throws at it, although it certainly helps that the bit rate is kept incredibly high at all times, which ensures that there aren't any issues with macro blocking, aliasing or any other digital nasties. Color balance is great all around, and there aren't any issues with the black levels on the film's many night scenes.

Audio

Wolf Creek 2 is presented in DTS HD Master Audio 5.1, at 24 bits.
Under the supervision of veteran Australian sound designer Paul Pirola, Wolf Creek 2 sounds plenty impressive and thoroughly theatrical, enhancing the isolation of the Australian outback, and later amplifying the blood curdling screams as the body count starts to rack up.
The surround channels are kept active throughout in a solid mix, which has little subtlety, but plenty of bombast. At my reference audio levels, I can't help but mention how dynamic the mix is, alternating between restraint and blatant power. The subwoofer channel is very aggressive and comes into its own when required.

Extras

Roadshow Entertainment has released two versions of Wolf Creek 2 into the Australian market; the standard theatrical version (which I'm looking at here) and a longer 'Director's Cut' version, which is offered at specialty retailers. In terms of the supplemental materials, the 'Directors Cut' version offers an additional making of documentary that is not found in this version. Despite this, let's take a look at what's here.
First up is the Audio Commentary with Director Greg McLean who doesn't let up for nearly the entire run time. Clearly, McLean has lived with this franchise for a very long time, and his passion is evident. The commentary was recorded in 2013, months before the film's opening, so there's no opportunity for reflection or introspection.
The only other extra feature is a total of eight Deleted Scenes, which amount to around 20 minutes of footage and are presented in HD. These look to have been deleted late in the game, due to their general finish and color grading. The first scene, Backpacker Hostel, is actually an alternate opening.
PRICING: You can find the Wolf Creek 2 Blu-ray for sale below. The prices listed are valid at the time of writing but can change at any time. Click the link to see the very latest pricing for the best deal.
United States: The Wolf Creek 2 Blu-ray retails for $29.99 at Amazon.
Canada: The Wolf Creek 2 Blu-ray retails for CDN$28.48 at Amazon Canada.
Australia: The Wolf Creek 2 Blu-ray retails for $29.99 AUD at Mighty Ape Australia.
New Zealand: The Wolf Creek 2 Blu-ray retails for $34.99 NZD at Mighty Ape NZ.

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Monday, July 7, 2014

IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 08/07/2014

Wolf Creek 2 (2014)

Video

Audio

Extras

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