IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 3/19/2015

Internet of Things helping businesses cut energy consumption, costs
Smart appliances connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) could help businesses cut energy consumption, yielding financial savings that can be used for other business ventures, supporters say. A growing number of connected sensors, which are dropping in price, provide more choices for business leaders when embracing smart technology.

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Businesses can embrace smart tech that is able to provide additional details regarding energy consumption, where and when it is happening the most, and how to save money. New offerings provide minute-by-minute metering, a unique metric that holds great potential for the future.

"Energy costs for businesses, particularly small businesses, are always a big challenge - especially if that business is energy intensive," said Rob McNamara, executive director of SmartGrid GB, in a statement published by The Guardian. "So any technologies, products and services that can help them reduce their energy costs are typically going to be welcome. And things like smart metering, in particular, can provide them with tangible benefits."

Businesses are expected to embrace multiple aspects of IoT in the future, especially as they find new offerings able to increase functionality and cut costs.

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Banks must work to improve cybersecurity defense to prevent fraud
Improving cybersecurity is a major effort by government agencies and the private sector, with security incidents still occurring at a frightening rate. Financial institutions have focused more on keeping attackers out of their networks, while trying to defend against a large number of attacks.

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Most bank-related fraud tends to occur because of the use of false or anonymous identities. However, there is more focus on trying to keep malware from being installed, and to prevent distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks from being so successful.

"It is no longer acceptable to simply apologize for a security breach and send a letter out to affected customers," said Dorean Kass, VP at Neustar. "Customers expect businesses, especially banks, to identify fraud and maintain cybersecurity, all while ensuring a convenient experience for its clients."

It's one thing to spend more to improve network security, but security experts warn that banks must be sure they are spending money and improving the right solutions.

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Microsoft hasn't shut door on virtual reality with HoloLens
Microsoft started 2015 with a bang, announcing its HoloLens augmented reality headset - providing wearers the chance to enjoy their physical world blended with digital features.

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There is great potential for HoloLens to be used for gaming, entertainment, workplace functionality, and many other uses - but some have wondered if Microsoft planned to focus on AR and ignore the rising popularity of VR.

"I don't think we've locked ourselves out [of virtual reality]," said Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, in a statement to Eurogamer. "We've looked at a mixed reality space that we could do with HoloLens and think about it as a unique set of features and technologies to enable, that doesn't preclude us from doing anything in the VR space either from a first-party or partnership prospective. I've used Morpheus, I've used Oculus, I'm going to see more of the demos here."

Spencer noted that there is a lot of attention on VR, but there is very little knowledge about how the industry is developing. Microsoft doesn't want to suddenly try to cater to the VR market when no one is really sure how it will develop.

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More police agencies using body cameras, but are they turning them on?
Following the death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Missouri last year, a growing number of police departments are rolling out wearable body cameras. The small cameras are designed to provide another viewpoint of interactions between police officers and the public - assuming the officers are using the wearables appropriately.

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An independent analysis of the Denver Police Department indicated cameras weren't filming during many cases that required use of force. It would appear that were cases in which "officers forgot to them on" or the "situation deteriorated too quickly," so officers didn't have time.

"Police departments all over the country are saying, 'We're going to use body cameras,'" said Noelle Phillips, Denver Post writer, in a statement published by NPR. "Lots of groups are saying, 'Hey, let's consider all these recommendations, how does the technology work - and make it the best it can be.'"

The federal government is providing more financial grants to allow for more body cameras to be used by police officers - and it would be ideal if issues are worked out sooner rather than later.

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Report: Apple will launch Web TV service before end of 2015
Apple is currently talking with content producers to launch a streaming TV service in the fall, according to a report published in the Wall Street Journal. If everything goes according to plan, consumers can expect the new streaming offering in September.

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After the service launches, around 25 channels will be included, with ABC, CBS and Fox reportedly signing on - and the service can be used by all iOS devices, such as iPhones, Apple TV set-top boxes, and iPads. The new Internet streaming platform will cost about $30 per month.

"I think when Apple TV launches it will get lots of attention," said Jeff Kagan, industry analyst. "Some will love it and others will not. I think Apple TV will start small, [and] then grow quickly. Sort of on the same track as the original iPhone seven years ago. If we look out another five or ten years I Think Apple could have a powerful position in the television marketplace if for no other reason than they already have a gazillion customers always wanting the next, big thing."

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Gartner: Smart machines must include ethical programming protocols
Now is the time for chief information officers (CIOs) and other business leaders to begin developing ethical programming protocols for smart machines, according to the Gartner research group.

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Smart machines must build - and maintain - trust with human counterparts, and it will take ethical programming to ensure that happens. One day, it will be up to the machine to be self-aware and understand that it is responsible for its own behavior - but humans must be able to program them to adapt to these changes, Gartner believes.

"Clearly, people must trust smart machines if they are to accept and use them," said Frank Buytendijk, research VP at Gartner. "The ability to earn trust must be part of any plan to implement artificial intelligence (AI) or smart machines, and will be an important selling point when marketing this technology."

There is concern that AI could one day pose a threat to humans, as they will be able to self-learn and no longer care about consequences. However, experts are split on the topic, arguing whether or not humans truly have something to worry about.

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Google's Eric Schmidt not worried about artificial intelligence now
Google's Eric Schmidt isn't too worried about artificial intelligence potentially trying to end human civilization anytime in the near future. Even with Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates and other well-known tech visionaries showing AI concern, Schmidt believes humanity will be secure for the immediate future as AI developments continue.

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"I think that this technology will ultimately be one of the greatest forces for good in mankind's history simply because it makes people smarter," said Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman, during a SXSW keynote address. "I'm certainly not worried in the next 10 to 20 years about that. We're still in the baby step of understanding things. We've made tremendous progress in respect to [artificial intelligence]."

AI is used in smartphones, tablets, PCs, vehicles, and countless other products and services currently available - and will continue to expand in the years to come. Google is one of the companies at the forefront of AI, and Schmidt wants to reduce concerns that AI will one day try to fight back against humans.

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Xiaomi preparing to launch smartphones, connected tech in Europe
During the CeBIT tech conference in Germany, Chinese electronics manufacturer Xiaomi announced plans to begin offering smartphones and connected home products to European markets. The announcement means Xiaomi is building confidence and readying a future fight against Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and other popular brands already in the European market.

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"We are in a position to go on the international market with smartphones and smart-home products," said Lei Jun, Chief Executive Officer at Xiaomi, in a statement during CeBIT. "In the future we will come to Germany, we will come to Europe and other regions in the world."

Xiaomi has focused on its home market of China, with international expansion to India, Brazil, and a few other select nations. The company is slowly planning expansion into the United States, but is taking a strategic approach before trying to launch smartphones that would compete with the Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and other popular leading devices in the US.

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NVIDIA's Drive PX is a super computer for the self-driving car
GTC 2015 - NVIDIA has just announced the next generation of intelligence for self-driving cars with its new Tegra X1-powered Drive PX platform.

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NVIDIA is selling the Drive PX self-driving car computing system in May for $10,000 to developers, but the intelligence side of it is incredible. Compared to Dave, which is DARPA's autonomous vehicle, and while it is smart, the new Drive PX platform is magnitudes smarter. Drive PX is available of 630 million connections per second in its 'brain' versus the 3.1 million of Dave, and capturing 184 connections per second, versus 12. This provides 116 billion connectors per second for the Tegra X1-powered side of things, versus 38 million on Dave.

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NVIDIA announces Digits Devbox, with the 'maximum GPU out of a plug'
GTC 2015 - NVIDIA has just unveiled the new Linux-based Digits Devbox which is not a mass production platform, but a PC that is built as the "world's fastest deskside deep learning system" priced at a huge $15,000.

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Inside, you'll find four of the new Maxwell-powered GeForce GTX Titan X cards, which will super accelerate deep learning with its insane GPU capabilities. The system is built-to-order, where you have a direct contact at NVIDIA once you purchase the system to help you out. This isn't a gaming PC, but we're sure this system could probably run Crysis.

Introduction

It is March 9 and I am writing the introduction to this review of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X, where I have five days before I board a plane from Adelaide, South Australia to San Jose, California, USA for NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference 2015.

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At last year's GTC, we were introduced to the GeForce GTX Titan Z, which was powered by two Kepler-based GK110 cores. The Titan Z was a weird release for NVIDIA, as it was essentially two GeForce GTX Titan Black Edition cards, on a single PCB. Oh, and a $2999 price tag.

It was never destined for gamers, but it was marketed towards CUDA developers, especially with its $3000 price. It had 12GB of VRAM, but only 6GB was available as it had the two GK110 cores with 6GB of frame buffer each. The new GeForce GTX Titan X, on the other hand, is something so special that I don't think people have quite grasped what we have in front of us today.

NVIDIA unveiled the new GeForce GTX Titan X ahead of its GTC 2015 event, revealing the Maxwell-powered card during Epic Games' GDC 2015 event. Company founder and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang took the stage to unveil the new card, teasing that it was the most powerful GPU it had ever created, with 12GB of VRAM and a huge eight billion transistors.

It is a huge preemptive move against AMD, which is preparing to launch its Radeon 300 series, and more specifically, the Radeon R9 390X. The new GTX Titan X might not be aimed at consumers with its large price tag, but it is what some have been waiting for. I have a few friends who haven't pulled the trigger on the GTX 980 as they were "waiting for the GTX 980 Ti", hoping for 8GB of VRAM. Well, here we are.

Quick Specs

We have a card that has around 30-50% more performance of the GTX 980, with 300% more VRAM at 12GB. We've gone into details in the Titan X specifications further on in the review.

Availability & Price

The retail price of the GeForce GTX Titan X is $999, which is great considering the power available at your fingertips. At $999, we have NVIDIA launching it at the same price as the two previous Titan cards, with Titan X being much more powerful.
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Digital Storm Embraces NVIDIA TITAN X
Digital Storm is excited to announce that the new NVIDIA GeForce TITAN X will be featured in our most advanced, award winning PCs. Unsurpassed power & performance is our passion at Digital Storm and the GTX TITAN X from NVIDIA is the epitome of performance. The new card is now available in various configurations inside the AVENTUM, BOLT, and VELOX product lines.

"The GTX TITAN X is the most advanced piece of hardware we've seen here at Digital Storm and we are all very excited to see what people can do with these cards in our machines," said Harjit Chana, Chief Brand Officer. "This card has the potential to be a game-changer and it deserves a machine that can keep up with it."

NVIDIA moves to push graphics & visuals past the limits of "Ultra" and upcoming virtual reality applications demand a solution that is as powerful as it is fast. NVIDIA has answered this challenge with a GPU that is the GTX TITAN X. With support for 2, 3, and 4-way SLI, 12GB GDDR5 memory, and outrageous 8 billion transistor count, the GTX TITAN X is a leap above the performance of the GTX TITAN BLACK in a single-GPU package. Built on 2nd generation Maxwell architecture, the GTX TITAN X features technology such as HDMI 2.0, Dynamic Super Resolution that renders images at 4k resolution on any HD screen, NVIDIA VXGI for dynamic & realistic lighting, and VR Direct for decreased latency and increased VR & GPU performance.

Every gamer, enthusiast, artist, or professional knows that it's what inside that counts and with the launch of NVIDIA's GTX TITAN X, what's inside Digital Storm's AVENTUM, BOLT, and VELOX systems promises to take gaming, performance, and virtual reality to the next level. Combined with our custom HydroLux cooling system, the TITAN X in a Digital Storm system is sure to meet whatever challenge its user can throw at it.

Customize your cutting-edge TITAN X system now: http://www.digitalstormonline.com

Follow Digital Storm at http://www.Facebook.com/digitalstormpcs, http://www.twitter.com/DigitalStormPC, plus.Google.com/+digitalstorm/posts, and http://www.youtube.com/digitalstormpc.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

IT News Head Lines (TweakTown) 3/19/2015

Introduction

Quick Specs

Availability & Price

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