SanDisk increases MacBook storage with USB-C external SSD
SanDisk unveiled its Extreme 900 portable solid state drive (SSD) at Computex 2015, one of the first high capacity external drives that will play nice with the USB-C connector on Apple's latest 12-inch MacBook. The Extreme 900 is also compatible with existing notebooks and desktops with a full-sized USB Type-A connector.
"The SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable SSDs are all about performance and capacity. Available in up to 1.92TB, the new drives features transfer speeds nine times faster than a portable hard drive, giving users a significant advantage when they are working with 4K video, taking detailed high-res photos or creating large graphics files," SanDisk said in a statement.
Encased in an aluminum design, the Extreme 900 has fast read and write speeds, going up to 850MB/s. The drive ships with both USB-C and USB Type-A cables so you can migrate and access your data between newer systems – like the MacBook and Chromebook Pixel – and existing systems will full-sized USB ports – like the MacBook Pro and Air. Compared to traditional hard drives with USB-C connectors, like the Porsche Design Mobile Drive from LaCie, SanDisk's advantage is that SSDs offer faster speeds and more durability.
Extreme 500 SSD
In addition to the Extreme 900, SanDisk is also releasing a more compact Extreme 500 Portable SSD. While the Extreme 900 drive comes with capacity approaching 2TB, the Extreme 500 is available in up to 480GB capacity, or roughly a quarter of the maximum storage of its bigger counterpart.Built for portability, SanDisk claims that the Extreme 500 is roughly half the size of a smartphone and comes with rubber bumpers and a metal ring to allow it to clip to a bag, making it more rugged for mobile users in the field.
The Extreme 500 has data transfer speeds of up to 415MB/s.
Pricing
The SanDisk Extreme 500 will be available in capacities of 120GB ($99, £65, AU$130), 240GB ($149, £97, AU$195), and 480GB ($239, £156, AU$313). The SanDisk Extreme 900 will be available in 480GB ($399, £261, AU$522), 960GB ($599, £392, AU$784), and 1.92TB ($999, £653, AU$1,307) capacities.Both drives will come with a three-year warranty and will be available worldwide.
Smallest USB 3.0 flash drive
In addition to the portable Extreme 500 and Extreme 900 external solid state drives, SanDisk also showed off what it considers to be the smallest USB 3.0 flash drive. The compact offering is available in capacities of 128GB and 256GB, with both models barely protruding from the USB port that it plugs into.With the compact design, users can likely leave the diminutive flash drives plugged into their laptops, Ultrabooks or tablets while traveling without fear of damaging the USB port. As the drives are always plugged into a system, this saves time and also mitigates concerns that the drives may become misplaced or lost while in transit.
The 128GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.0 flash drive are priced at $119 (£78, AU$156) while the 256GB SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 are priced at $199 (£130, AU$260). Both drives are available worldwide.
- Read our review of the 2015 MacBook
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'Hola' if your VPN was busted selling your bandwidth
Known as a free and simple VPN solution that allows users to access blocked videos and services from overseas (such as Netflix), the peer-to-peer network Hola has amassed over 47 million users worldwide.
That number is bound to decrease significantly however, with the discovery that Hola has been selling its users’ idle bandwidth through a service called Luminati (which Hola owns), allowing it to be repurposed for nefarious reasons.
Unlike other VPN services, Hola doesn’t own servers around the world, instead opting to utilise its users’ IP addresses as ‘exit nodes’ for other people’s traffic.
Frederick Brennan, operator of the notorious 8chan message board, made the discovery after the site experienced multiple DoS attacks and temporary shutdown unknowingly caused by Hola users’ computers through Luminati’s services.
The Luminati is real, and it's everywhere
In a note posted to the 8chan community, Brennan put the blame for his site’s shutdown squarely on Hola, stating that the company “has gotten greedy,” further stating that “they recently realised that they basically have a 9 million IP strong botnet on their hands, and they began selling access to this botnet.”Luminati boasts that it provides its clients the ability to “route data through any of our millions of IPs that are located in every city around the world,” though its connection with Hola VPN users had not been acknowledged until a short time ago.
TorrentFreak claims that Hola’s FAQ section had been amended only recently to include mention of Luminati, albeit in a sneakily-worded way: “Hola generates revenue by selling a commercial version of the Hola VPN service to businesses (through our Luminati brand),” and that “users who want to enjoy the Hola network without contributing their idle resources can do so by joining the Hola premium service for $5 per month (or $45 per year).”
Hola founder Ofer Vilenski doesn’t seem too fussed about Luminati’s involvement in the attack, stating that “8chan was hit with an attack from a hacker with the handle of BUI. This person then wrote about how he used the Luminati commercial VPN network to hack 8chan. He could have used any commercial VPN network, but chose to do so with ours.”
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IN DEPTH: 3 ways Google's Android Pay is better than Apple Pay
Google Android Pay vs Apple Pay
Believe it or not, Google's Android Pay makes it simpler and more rewarding to pay for things with a phone than the already easy-to-use Apple Pay.With more than one billion active Android users, that's going to give mobile payments a big boost in 2015, at least in the US. This is no half-hearted Google Wallet.
At Google IO 2015, I tested the reinvented contactless payment system on a Coca-Cola machine and a mock online store in the press room.
The result? One 20oz bottle of Coke and three ways the better-late-than-never Android Pay is slightly better than Apple Pay.
1. It's literally more rewarding
Google wants to help the world buy a Coke and maybe teach everyone to sing its praises. It's doing that with a little extra reward right at the machine.Android Pay, already loaded on my Nexus 6 at a special Coke vending machine, used the built-in NFC chip that's now common among Google-powered phones. It's the same tech Apple uses.
I held the phone to the machine's NFC reader, and a stacked credit and debit card interface popped up automatically, looking almost identical to Apple Pay's design. I tapped my virtual card on the phone to pay, and the plastic bottle rolled out of the machine.
What's different? Among the card options is the ability to use MyCokeRewards points to pay for the soda (or a healthier beverage like water). Who turns down an earned Coke and doesn't enjoy it?
Google is integrating retailers' loyalty programs right into Android Pay and says this feature is going to be bigger than just soda machines. It's an idea the iPhone's Passbook app doesn't fulfill nearly as well, often turning to little-used and more cumbersome QR codes.
That's going to be an incentive, especially when I'm at local retailers. On an iPhone 6, I often need to get out my loyalty card or recite my phone number, even if I'm paying with Apple Pay.
2. Passwords aren't a hindrance
Android Pay requires a lockscreen password, whether it's a pattern, pin or face unlock. Only, its rules are more user-friendly than what's found on an Apple Pay-enabled iPhone.
Its tap-to-pay method of completing a transaction doesn't require that hit-or-miss fingerprint on smartphones. That's why enabling a phone's lockscreen is a must.
This makes Android Pay a little bit faster with no queue displeasing "Let me redo it" when the fingerprint sensor doesn't work. This open platform uses a system-level lockscreen as its security, not a second payment ID for authentication.
Worried about Android eliminating this redundancy? Android M is going to push phones to add a fingerprint sensor. Most Android phones don't have Touch ID-equivalent hardware.
It was sort of funny to hear the Motorola Atrix from 2011 get a nod during the Google IO keynote. There's not much else out besides Samsung's few fingerprint-enabled phones.
What's even better? I'm told that when you disable a password-protected lockscreen, the credit cards don't automatically erase like they annoyingly do with an Apple Pay-linked cards.
That's a requirement of Apple Pay for iPhone and, more precisely, Apple Watch. It forces users who sometimes disable lockscreen passwords temporarily to add and re-authenticate their credit cards all over again. It's a pain.
3. Way more compatible phones
Android Pay works with a lot more phones than Apple Pay - a lot more - much to the dislike of iPhone owners who don't yet have an iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Google's casting a much wider net with support for all Android 4.4 KitKat phones with NFC chips, not just its own Nexus devices.
That means the Galaxy S4, HTC One M7, LG G2, original Moto X and Nexus 5, all released in 2013, will work with Android Pay.
That covers a lot of people.
Android Pay stores, credit cards and banks
Google is playing catch-up, but Android Pay store locations number 700,000 in the US - too many to list. There are also 1,000 Android apps that plan to use the mobile payment platform.
McDonald's, Chipotle and Subway have fast food covered, while major retailers include Best Buy, Macy's and Walgreens. Coke rival, Pepsi, also signed on, in case you were wondering.
Basically, anywhere you see the new Android Pay or generic NFC logo, your phone will let you make a purchase without swiping your card. That should keep it on par with Apple Pay.
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are all onboard with Android Pay too, and nine major banks like Bank of America, Chase, Citi, Capital One are here.
Credit and debit cards can be enabled right within bank apps as well, giving users a second way to add their information for Android Pay.
But will Android Pay be a success?
Android Pay is a little more streamlined than Apple Pay, but that in no way means Google's new mobile payments push is going to be as much of a success.First, it's only being promised for the US. Like iPhone's digital wallet, Google is staying silent on its UK and Australian launch plans. Country-by-country rollout may decide the winner, especially when it comes to China and India.
On one hand, Google's security is akin to Apple Pay. Its tokenization method means retailers never see your actual credit or debit card number, just a virtual account number. On the other, Android users have proven to be more susceptible to hijacking and data mining apps.
Then there's the fact that while Android Pay is getting a bigger push than Google Wallet, it won't get as much attention out of the gate with one single device launch. And Apple could add these Coke and other loyalty rewards in iOS 9 and catch up in an instant.
Nevertheless, you can't deny the appeal of a free Coke and tap-to-pay after bypassing the lockscreen. Right now, it's refreshing to see Google pushing new ideas forward.
Android Pay is set to be coupled with Android M when the new operating system update launches later this year, while phone users with Android 4.4 KitKat and above can expect it "soon."
- More reinvented software at IO: Google Photos review
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Enrique Iglesias' fingers sliced by a drone mid-concert
From an early age, parents tend to teach their offspring that if something's sharp and spinning very fast then it's best not to touch it. It seems Enrique Iglesias didn't get the message.
Displaying a severe lack of common sense on Saturday night, the pop heartthrob reached out and grabbed a drone that was filming the crowd at his Sex and Love show in Tijuana, Mexico, slicing his fingers in the process.
Fortunately for the yodelling lothario, his digits were not completely severed during the incident and he managed to continue performing for another 30 minutes, during which time blood splattered across his white t-shirt.
The show must go on...
A representative for Iglesias said that, despite being advised to wrap things up, he was "semi-treated" at the side of the stage before continuing with the show.Iglesias' representatives also released a statement, saying: "During the show a drone is used to get crowd shots and some nights Enrique grabs the drone to give the audience a Point of View shot. Something went wrong and he had an accident."
Following his run-in with the whirling finger-trap, Iglesias was rushed to the airport, where he was met by an ambulance. From there he boarded a plane to LA to see a specialist.
- Drones will soon be more intelligent than certain pop stars. Check out the 'smart' drones that are already in production.
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Presto strives for number one with new eOne content deal
The local success of streaming rivals Netflix and Stan hasn’t slowed Foxtel’s Presto streaming service down any, with a newly solidified deal with Entertainment One Television (eOne) to bring a range of new shows to the platform.
The service has now added the hit western series Hell on Wheels, the Stephen King series Haven, the award winning Australian mini-series The Slap, the cop show Rookie Blue, another cop show called Rogue, the soccer-based crime show Matador, the supernatural werewolf series Bitten and the Canadian television adaptation of John Grisham’s bestseller, The Firm.
Presto’s relationship with eOne began with the addition of The Walking Dead to the service in April, and is being expanded due to that show’s overwhelming success on the platform.
Complete seasons of the above-mentioned shows are now available to stream exclusively on Presto.
Presto not taking a rest-o
Facing more streaming competition than ever before, Presto has continued to take steps to ensure its foothold remains firmly intact.This expanded content deal with eOne comes just weeks after Presto’s promise of massive library growth following the service’s reception of the ACCC’s stamp of approval.
Presto also made a deal with Quickflix recently to bring its content to the flagging service, in a bid to get its rapidly growing library on as many Aussie screens as possible.
Still, with Netflix completely dominating the Australian subscription video on demand scene, Presto will have to remain vigilant for the foreseeable future.
- Check out our review of Foxtel Presto
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Nvidia's new GPU will deliver the solid 4K gaming you've been wanting
Nvidia has just introduced its latest flagship GPU, the GeForce GTX 980Ti, which has got both 4K gaming and virtual reality in its sights.
The new Maxwell-based GPU packs in 6GB of video RAM and will deliver 4K gaming at a decent framerate - above 30 FPS - while boasting speeds of up to three times faster when compared to the GTX 680.
But here's where things get really interesting: the GTX 980Ti has just over 90% of the CUDA core count of the prohibitively expensive Titan X, but comes in for less - $650 (around £425/AU$825) compared to the X's $1000. The X does have double the VRAM, but still, it's not a whole world of difference.
We've already mentioned 4K gaming, but Nvidia's new baby is also designed to support virtual reality in a big way. We now know what the demands of the Oculus Rift will be, and the GTX 980Ti will certainly be up to the task (Oculus listed the GTX 970 as the minimum for the Rift).
Nvidia's Maxwell architecture also supports the latest DirectX 12, while the new GPU is pretty damn energy efficient compared to something like the GTX 750; as Nvidia puts it, these second-gen Maxwell designs sip, not gulp, your power.
On another note
Nvidia is also introducing a line of notebooks that will be powered by its G-Sync GPUs. For the uninitiated, G-Sync is Nvidia's solution for screen tearing - and a mighty effective one - that maintains refresh rate without costing you image quality of game performance.Starting June 1 you'll be able to get your hands on new notebooks from Asus, Gigabyte, MSI and Clevo, all flaunting the tech, with specs and pricing to be announced by the manufacturers.
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Apple's mystery vans are all about improving Apple Maps
Remember those mystery Apple vans tootling around the States a few months ago? No one was quite sure what they were up to, but it's now become clear that they're part of Apple's continued push to get its own mapping service up to scratch.
Thanks to some diligent digging by 9to5Mac we know that these camera-equipped automobiles are capturing 3D street view imagery, stills of storefronts, and more besides. The general idea is that Apple gradually reduces its reliance on third-party providers.
As 9to5Mac explains, Apple wants its own in-house maps data by 2018. That means collecting its own points of reference at the lowest levels and would eventually result in more control for Apple over the quality of its Maps app.
Street with a view
Since Apple Maps launched in 2012 it's been lagging behind Google Maps in terms of scope and accuracy. Google Maps, meanwhile, is adding new features all the time, and Apple doesn't want to fall further behind.One of the features Apple's unmarked fleet of vans is collecting data for is a 3D Flyover mode for individual streets. Together with high-quality still images for businesses and landmarks, Apple is hoping to outdo Google Street View.
We should hear more about Maps and iOS 9 at WWDC from 8 June - apparently public transport timetable integration is on the way as well as a number of other new features. We will of course keep you updated as next week's event unfolds.
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You're going to have to wait a little longer for your OnePlus 2
After the runaway success of the OnePlus One, anticipation is understandably high for its follow-up, and company co-founder Carl Pei has revealed a few more details about when we can expect to see the next OnePlus flagship phone.
Speaking to AusDroid at Google I/O, Pei confirmed that the device is called the OnePlus 2 and not the OnePlus Two. Adjust your web searches and/or birthday wish lists accordingly.
He also said the device would launch during Q3 2015 - which means July, August or September. OnePlus has a special event tomorrow but that's "not a new device" in the words of Pei.
The waiting game
Apologies if you'd got yourself worked up in anticipation of tomorrow's event, but it sounds like you'll have to wait a little bit longer. As for exactly what we'll hear about tomorrow, Pei didn't elaborate.Pei did confirm that the OnePlus 2 will use the same invite system as the OnePlus One, but that there'll be a lot more invites to go around. The Chinese firm is "a lot more confident" this time, he said.
The OnePlus boss also revealed that the new phone would carry OxygenOS in western markets and a new HydrogenOS variant in Asia. An Australian launch isn't planned in the near future, but he didn't rule it out completely.
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Innovators: Great tech innovators: Ray Kurzweil
- Age: 67
- Company: Google
- Best known for: Future tech, AI, singularity, inventions
- Quote: "The power of ideas to transform the world is itself accelerating."
Kurzweil is lauded as one of the most influential thinkers of his generation, and is an inventor who has been called the "rightful heir to Thomas Edison" by Forbes.
His inventions include the first CCD flatbed scanner and omni-font OCR, but he's most famous for his bestselling books such as 'The Singularity Is Near', 'The Age of Spiritual Machines', and 'How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed'.
Kurzweil has plenty to say on the subject of AI and the singularity – the point when computers become more intelligent than humans – and believes a machine will pass the Turing Test in 2029.
Furthermore, he thinks that by 2045, machine intelligence will be infinitely more powerful than humankind's combined intellect, and further tech development will be driven by said machines (just call them our robot overlords).
He also predicts nanobots floating around in our blood stream will be a reality in a couple of decades, helping us fight illness – hugely extending our lifespan – and augmenting our cognitive faculties. When he dies, his body will be preserved and stored in the hope of later revival.
Until then, Kurzweil is working at Google as director of engineering, where he's using the firm's vast data mines and resources to produce truly intelligent computers that understand human language on a deep level, in the quest for the perfect clever clogs search engine which really can deliver results (ed: Isn't that Deep Thought?).
- In partnership with Microsoft, powered by the HP Spectre x360
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Innovators: Great tech innovators: Shigeru Miyamoto
- Age: 62
- Company: Nintendo
- Best known for: Creating some of the biggest, most influential games of all time.
- Quote: "I think that inside every adult is the heart of a child. We just gradually convince ourselves that we have to act more like adults."
In fact, most of Nintendo's biggest franchises can be attributed to "Shiggy" Miyamoto, including Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox and F-Zero.
One of Miyamoto's more recent moments of significance was the creation of the Wii. Miyamoto played a big role in the creation of Nintendo's "Project Revolution", which ended up living up to its codename. The Wii made motion gaming mainstream and turned out to be a massive success, despite lacking the graphical grunt of its two arch rivals, the PS3 and the Xbox 360.
Miyamoto's success undoubtedly stems from his philosophy: if a game is fun for him, others will find it enjoyable too. His focus isn't on the graphics but the mechanics and the gameplay - and he hates cutscenes. In 1999 he said: "I will never make movie-like games".
Miyamoto's is still Nintendo's greatest asset, and he continues to work on titles for both the Wii U and the 3DS - showing no signs of stopping. Games have been his life, and Miyamoto has earned his place at the top of the podium by never letting anyone or anything stand between him and his philosophy.
"Video games are bad for you? That's what they said about rock-n-roll."
- In partnership with Microsoft, powered by the HP Spectre x360
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The top 10 security events to attend in 2015
Networking and gleaning vital insights from dedicated IT security professionals is a surefire way to make sure your IT personnel are ahead of the game and the company doesn't fall victim to a widespread cyber attack. The hard part is choosing the right conference for your company.
To that end we've hand picked the 10 best cyber security events on the planet to help guide your firm in its quest for watertight security, and better still they're laid out in chronological order to help set out your calendar.
Infosecurity Europe 2015
When? 2-4 June
People come to Infosecurity Europe because it is one of the largest gatherings on the planet. This year will be no exception as 345 exhibitors and 15,000 delegates from 70 countries are expected to descend on London for the 20th edition of the show.
Although the networking opportunities are huge, Infosecurity Europe really comes into its own through the seminar program that this year focuses on the topic 'intelligent security,' and the various different elements that make it up. This includes technology that helps address information security risk, techniques to employ, strategies to implement and the next generation of tactics and methodologies to ensure your firm is one step ahead.
Register here
More info
SDW 2015
When? 9-11 June
Now into its ninth year, Security Document World (SDW) 2015 focuses on a slightly different part of the IT security landscape by handing over the floor to those in the secure document, advanced border control, identity and anti-counterfeit industry. Human identity solutions are already big business and with upwards of 1,400 visitors at the event it's an invaluable networking opportunity for those attending.
It it split into a conference zone and exhibition programme with all the sessions taking place in the conference section. The two keynotes, which have already been confirmed, look at identity architecture and management in developing countries, and the Metropolitan Police Service's response to fraud and cyber crime.
Register for the conference here and exhibition here
More info
Interop London
When? 16-18 June
Whilst Interop London isn't completely focused on IT security, it is one of the biggest parts of the London Technology Week taking place next month and provides a dedicated area where you can hear from some of the biggest names in the IT security sector. Speakers will be asked to focus not on the challenges the future may bring but those that are affecting companies right now.
Among the key sessions at this year's show are Canon's Director of Information Security talking about data breaches, Essex County Council's Head of Architecture, Security and Configuration Management addressing enterprise mobility and the MoD on organisation and cyber security in the military domain.
Register here
More info
International Conference on CyberCrime and Computer Forensics (ICCCF)
When? 21-23 June
Organised by the Asia Pacific Association of Technology and Security, this Asian-facing conference is now into its third year and has a key theme every 12 months. This time around the subject will be 'Identity Misuse and IP Crime in Cyberspace: Risks and Solutions for 2015 and Beyond.'
There are plenty of keynote speakers already confirmed who are mainly drawn from Australia and New Zealand including prominent criminologist Dr Russell G. Smith, New Zealand biometrics expert Arron Baker, and Steve Mundell, a financial crime analyst at Bank of New Zealand.
Register here
More info
Security IT Summit
When? 7 July
If it wasn't good enough that this is hosted next to England's national football stadium, the fact that it's completely free of charge means that this event will be full of IT professionals from all over Europe. The organisers pride themselves on a level of networking that other conferences find it hard to come close to, allowing attendees to rub shoulders with the best from the global IT security industry. There are also excellent opportunities for one-to-one business meetings with those same people.
A handful of complementary seminars look forward to the future of the IT security landscape and the opportunity to get hold of IT security products at the very best price possible.
Register here
More info
Black Hat USA
When? 1-6 August
Black Hat USA is the conference that often makes the news due to hackers giving keynote speeches on the next piece of malware that is ready to lay waste to your machine. This year will be no different. It works slightly differently to some of the other gatherings in that it starts off with four days of training briefings for security personnel before giving way to two days for the conference proper.
Over 100 briefings are chosen independently by various global experts and there are various other elements including the business hall, arsenal, pwnie awards, and a lot more.
Register here
More info
Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit
When? 14-15 September
Gartner is one of the big names in analytics for the technology industry and as you might expect this conference includes seminars from a distinguished list of research directors, analysts and vice presidents that you simply won't get elsewhere.
The conference programme is split into four different tracks that are designed to appeal to the following roles: C-Level & Team, CISOs & Security Directors/Managers, BCM & Disaster Recovery Managers, and Financial Services. One of the more interesting tracks at this year's conference is Track D, which looks at Business Continuity Management and the Internet of Things.
Register here
More info
The Future of Cyber Security 2015
When? 24 September
With the growth of the Internet of Things being such a big issue in the IT industry as a whole, it's only right that there's a conference that puts a major focus on it. Among the other big issues that this year's one day show will cover are BYOD and wearable devices, data protection, cloud security, big data, phishing and every other topic you've come to expect an event of this ilk to cover.
In addition to the IoT, there is also a strong focus on government IT security with no fewer than two keynotes examining strategy and how the country's leaders intend to respond to emerging cyber security threats.
Register here
More info
VB2015 (Virus Bulletin 2015)
When? 30 September - 2 October
Fancy a weekend in Prague? Then the VB2015 conference is the one for you. The gathering is held in a different city every year and the capital of the Czech Republic will see a range of issues discussed including malware and botnets, anti-malware tools and techniques, mobile devices, spam and social networks, network security, and a lot more.
Speakers are drawn from a wide range of the top cyber security names such as Intel Security, HP, Avast Software, Trend Micro, Kaspersky and others, and this is certainly a line-up of speakers that really know their stuff.
Register here
More info
ISSE 2015
When? 10-11 November
Founded as part of an initiative of the European Commission Directorate General Information Society, ISSE is among the few "independent, interdisciplinary security conferences and exhibitions" in the world. ISSE's main feature is an educational programme covering all the developments on the European landscape when it comes to directions and regulations issued by the EU.
There are five topic areas that the conference will aim to cover. These are: trust services, eID and cloud security; BYOD and mobile security; cyber security, cyber crime, critical infrastructures; CISO inside, management of privacy and data protection; biometric applications and regulation and policies.
Register here
More info
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