Android 4.3 Now Available For Download Free

Android 4.3 Now Available For Download – At Your Own Risk Posted: 01 Jul 2013 06:00 AM PDT Just how adventurous are you when it comes to “upgrading” to the latest OS – even if it’s still on beta? Last week, I was taken down a peg or two because I installed iOS 7 Beta 2 on my iPad. Contrary to my initial reaction – immediately roll back to iOS 6 – I still am on the iOS 7, but I learned enough not install this version on the iPhone 5. Now, if you’re an Android user, does it make a difference? If you are an ultra early adopter, and if you’re NOT a developer, but you still like downloading early versions of operating systems, then you might want to give Android 4.3 a go. Oh, but you have to be using a Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505). The early build of Android 4.3 was spotted by SAMMOBILE last week, and it looks like it is working pretty well. Of course, early builds and unofficial releases always come with risks, and Android 4.3 is no exception. For one thing, downloading and installing this will require you to flash your ROM. Oh, and your warranty will be voided. I can already see hardcore Apple users rolling their eyes, but then again, no fan boy or girl will be reading up to this point for sure. In any case, while the topic of Android 4.3 was noticeably absent from this year’s I/O, this development is solid proof that we will be seeing the latest Android version available for public consumption soon enough. If you are adventurous enough, get the detailed instructions to download Android 4.3 here. Word(s) of caution from SAMMOBILE, which I strongly feel we should reiterate – we wouldn’t want you saying we didn’t warn you enough in case things go south: This is not flashable through Odin. This will void your warranty. Don't attempt this if you don't have the skills to flash a custom ROM. You are doing this on your own risk. Good luck! [Images via Janitors and SAMMOBILE] The post Android 4.3 Now Available For Download – At Your Own Risk appeared first on TechBeat.

Man Awarded $20,000 For Finding Facebook Flaw Posted: 01 Jul 2013 05:00 AM PDT A British man has been given a $20,000 reward from Facebook after finding a  bug, which if left undetected could have left users’ accounts exposed to hackers. Jack Whitton who is a security researcher, discovered the flaw within Facebook’s text messaging system. Mr Whitton, aged 22, has been thanked by Facebook and placed on the hall of fame for “responsible disclosures”. The social network encourages experts to report any bugs to them, rather to cybercriminals. To make it worth their while, they offer rewards of various amounts depending on how severe the flaw is. The more exploitable the bug, the more you get. In a statement Facebook said, “Facebook’s White Hat programme is designed to catch and eradicate bugs before they cause problems. Once again, the system worked and we thank Jack for his contribution.” Mr Whitton had found a bug that allowed him to spoof Facebook’s text message verification system into sending a password reset code for an account that was not his own. Using this, he could go to Facebook, reset a user’s password and access the account. Facebook Should Be Extremely Grateful Graham Cluley, a security expert, said that the Facebook bug would have been of great interest to cybercriminals and Facebook should be “extremely grateful” that Mr Whitton had decided to report it to them. “This security flaw is terrible. It should never have existed. It’s a gaping hole, thank goodness it’s closed now. We are really relying on the goodwill of researchers.” [Image via mashable] SOURCE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23097404 The post Man Awarded $20,000 For Finding Facebook Flaw appeared first on TechBeat.

EmoPulse Smile: Your Smart Digital Companion Posted: 01 Jul 2013 04:00 AM PDT Taking a whole new approach to the whole smartwatch business, this piece of wearable tech is equipped with almost any feature imaginable, turning it into a smart digital companion. The EmoPulse Smile could be described as a wearable smartphone, but it is actually so much more. It is also a smartwatch, a news and social network feed, a gaming and entertainment hub, and your very own personal assistant, all wrapped in an impressive bracelet design. Features The gadget is basically a twin display that uses full-color OLED technology. The displays are protected by an aluminum enclosure with shock- and water-resistant glass. It does not run on Android of iOS, but on a custom Linux operating system. The AI system was designed so as to allow the device to learn and adjust its processes and features based on the users' preferences. With the help of embedded biosensors, the Smile gathers information about the wearer and based on the collected data, it automates some of its processes. The device will thus be able to learn 7-8 times faster than other systems. For instance, after you've watched two or three movies, the EmoPulse Smile will be able to recommend other films you might like, based on your emotional response. The gadget can do this with other types of media and it can also adjust its recommendations if your tastes change. The Smile's biosensors can be used to monitor your physical activity and workouts, but also your diet and health. They will also be able to determine if you're relaxed or stressed. Based on the readings, the gadget will suggest a course of action. Moving further into the world of sci-fi, the gadget can also control your sleep stages and dream times and also let you know when it's time to get some rest or some exercise. The device will hold off all your calls and messages when you're asleep and can even change your Facebook status to "sleeping" so that you can get some rest undisturbed. Technical specs The EmoPulse Smile will be powered by Texas Instruments' high-speed OMAP5 processor with built in HD graphical processing. It has 2GB system memory and is available in two storage capacity versions: 128GB and 256GB. The gadget also has three cameras and three microphones, it is Wi-FI and NFC enabled, and is equipped with nano-SIM cart slot, USB 3.0, Purepath audio technology, voice recognition software and others. The Smile is powered by a 2,500 mAh battery that can last two days of intensive use and 7 in power-saving mode.  The device is still in a prototype stage and manufacturers have launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise $300,000 for mass production. The company is already taking pre-orders for the gadget, with the first finalized models expected to go into production by the end of the year. Indiegogo backers can get a 128GB version for a $480 pledge and a 256GB version for $550. [Images via Indiegogo] The post EmoPulse Smile: Your Smart Digital Companion appeared first on TechBeat.

RIP Google Reader Posted: 01 Jul 2013 03:00 AM PDT Since Google announced in March that they would be shutting down the RSS reader, millions of users have been looking for alternative services, while web companies try to win Google’s reader orphans. Many are still angry with Google’s decision to close the service but in a blog post Google software engineer Alan Green said “Usage of Google Reader has declined, and as a company we’re pouring all of our energy into fewer products.” He continued, “We think that kind of focus will make for a better user experience.” Since the announcement Google have offered instructions for how users can export their RSS feeds to alternative services. However, many feel that the other services on offer do not provide the same level of functionality. PC Magazine said the decision was  “a grave mistake by Google and it sends the wrong message”. Not everyone feels that this was a wrong move by Google. Some feel that social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are rapidly changing the way people find updates from thier favourite sites and so leave RSS readers  looking old-fashined and unnecessary. But rival services are still keen to snap up the stranded users. The social recommendation news site, Digg, said it had been planning to update its own reader service but had increased efforts upon hearing about Google Reader’s closure. Andrew McLaughlin of Diig said “We hope to identify and rebuild the best of Google Reader’s features (including its API), but also advance them to fit the internet of 2013.” So with this announcment, Google Reader joins other axed products such as Google Wave, Google Buzz and Google Labs. If you feel you need some closure then US magazine Slate has posted a virtual graveyard of closed Google products, where you can leave virtual condolences. RIP Google Reader. [Image via tekserve] SOURCE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23104677 The post RIP Google Reader appeared first on TechBeat.

Sand Grain Sized Battery 3D Printed Posted: 01 Jul 2013 02:00 AM PDT The search for ever smaller batteries to power our tiny gadgets continues and so does the search for new, innovative uses of 3D printing technologies. And when the two cross paths, interesting things are bound to happen. U.S. scientists discovered a new application of 3D printing that was able to produce a sand grain sized battery. The lithium-ion battery is fully functional and could be successfully used to power various kinds of miniaturized devices, from medical implants to tiny robots. The printing technology consisted of producing stacks of tiny electrodes, each of them thinner than human hair and was developed by University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign and Harvard University researchers. The anodes and electrodes were created from two different kinds of electrochemically active and quick-hardening ink, printed through a hair-thin nozzle about 30 microns in diameter. Both components of the battery were built by printing successive layers of the ink on a surface shaped as a comb, much like stacking a deck of cards. Due to this comb pattern, the anodes and cathodes were arranged face to face, while the electrodes in the teeth of the comb were interlaced. The entire assembly was then inserted into a small case with electrolyte solution. And the result is a fully-functional lithium-ion microbattery. Unlike thin film batteries generally used to power tiny devices, this minute 3D printed battery is comparable in power and lifespan with commercial batteries, due to the electrode stack design. The image shoes the interlaced stack of electrodes printed layer by layer. Researchers say this microbattery could be used to power all sorts of devices, with multiple applications, from communications to medicine, for the development of miniature medical implants or electronics. This 3D printed battery could thus have a significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, which has often suffered setbacks because of the lack of small enough reliable power source. Nano devices that could benefit from the use of the sand grain sized battery include flying or ambulatory robot bugs, but also tiny microphones and cameras and other miniature electronic devices. What do you think of the new 3D printed microbattery? What would you use it for?