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It turns out the world's oldest 'computer' dates back to 205 BC

2014-12-06T13:16:00.003+01:00

The device regarded the world's first computer (analog, of course) could have been used even earlier than researchers thought. Inspection of a dial from the 2,000-year-old Antikythera Mechanism and an examination of Babylonian eclipse records revealed the device's origin to be 205 BC, 50-100 years before previous findings indicate. The new date offers a clue as to how Greeks predicted eclipses and planetary position, too. Until now, scientists thought the system was based on trigonometry, but that method didn't exist yet, so instead, the mechanism relied on Babylonian arithmetic. Using a process of elimination, a pair of researchers compared records and recovered pieces of the dial that aided with eclipse prediction in order to arrive at the new calculation. The hunt continues for the rest of the Antikythera Mechanism, as a team is hoping to continue its search of the shipwreck where fragments have been found this spring.

Steve Jobs has been awarded almost 150 new patents since his death

2014-12-06T13:15:00.002+01:00

Steve Jobs died on October 5, 2011, in Palo Alto, CA, leaving behind a legacy of technological innovation and having built one of the largest companies in the world. At the time of his death Jobs had been awarded 317 patents over the course of his life, an incredible portfolio for anyone. But something interesting as happened since then; Job's number of patients now stands at 458. In the years since his death Steve Jobs has been awarded 141 additional patents.

The patient news was discovered and documented by the MIT Technology Review, who point out that the distinction for posthumous patent awarding might now be exactly what it may seem. While Jobs was indeed an innovator, often the placement of his name on a patent had to do with his work on smaller details of a design, fine tuning things others might not think about.

2014: The year everyone's security took a hit

2014-12-06T13:14:00.002+01:00

In the pigpen of security during 2014, all hogs, regardless of affiliation and technology choices, found themselves covered in muck at some stage. The amount of muck involved varied from platform to platform, but no one could claim to remain untarnished by year's end.

Whether it was the widely distributed OpenSSL Heartbleed vulnerability, OS X and iOS being caught in man-in-the-middle SSL attacks, or Windows' recent Schannel remote code execution issues, the common thread that ran through each platform was what was once referred to as Secure Sockets Layer, but would be more aptly dubbed Swiss cheese when all was said and done.

With all players suffering, and each new vulnerability revealing only what not to use rather than what techniques and technology should be used, regular users would be forgiven for feeling less sure of the security with each passing day. But such are the experiences that must be worked through in order to learn that an incorrectly perceived reality is nothing but self-delusion.

Google will start automatically deducting VAT from apps sold to European countries

2014-12-06T13:12:00.000+01:00

There's a change that will start affecting many developers that publish their apps on Google Play in the near future, especially those that frequently sell apps to European countries. Starting January 1st, Google will begin automatically deducting VAT (Value-Added Tax) from the sale price of applications due to a change in European law as to how the tax must be collected. Currently, developers can handle paying VAT separately and not have Google skim anything (besides the 30% fee) off the top.

Depending on the country, this means that Google could end up taking up to 25% off an app's revenue to pay for VAT. This doesn't mean developers will be making less money, but it does mean they'll be losing that tax up front instead of having to pay it on the back end. Depending on who you ask, that's either a good or bad thing.

HP's newest laptop is sexy, but you can't buy it until next year

2014-12-06T13:10:00.000+01:00

HP just-announced EliteBook Folio 1020 weighs as little as 2.2 pounds and measures 15.7mm thick. We say "as little as" because when the thing goes on sale early next year, it'll be available in two flavors: a regular version that weighs 1.2 kg (2.6 pounds) and a special edition that comes in at 1kg (that's the 2.2-pound one). Both are light, as I found in my brief time with them, but the 1kg model is noticeably lighter, so you might want to wait for that to arrive, if either of these strikes your fancy.

Opera Buys AdVine To Expand Its Mobile Ad Network In Africa

2014-12-06T13:08:00.000+01:00

Opera — the Norway-based company that develops data-compressed web browsers, app storefronts, and other cloud-based services for mobile and other platforms — has made another acquisition to build out Mediaworks, its mobile advertising subsidiary. It has bought AdVine, a mobile ad network based in Cape Town, South Africa, which serves ads in a variety of large and small publishers in the region, including the BBC, MTN and Opera itself.

Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed, Opera Mediaworks CEO Mahi de Silva tells me but it is both an asset and talent grab. This is Opera's first acquisition in Africa, but AdVine is not an unknown quantity to the company.

Facebook, Google, And Twitter's War For App Install Ads

2014-12-06T13:05:00.002+01:00

An unexpected consequence of our love apps is that now there's just too damn many of them. The app stores are overcrowded, leaving developers desperate for a way to get their games and utilities discovered. That is why the app install ad has become the lifeblood of the mobile platform business.

Big brands aren't the only ones to suck up to anymore. No one buys a car or Coca-Cola on their phone, at least not yet, so proving the return on investment of mobile ads to these businesses is tough.

The next Google Glass will be powered by Intel

2014-12-06T13:04:00.000+01:00

The first model might not even be on sale, but the next version of Google Glass will have Intel inside. That's according to the WSJ, who's heard from people familiar with the matter that it will apparently form yet another part of the chipmakers continued push into wearables -- in case you hadn't heard about that before. Intel didn't quite manage to tap into the smartphone boom, with chips licensed from its rival, ARM, powering the majority of smartphones. It took until last year for Intel to finally offer a smartphone processor that could connect to 4G LTE networks. Further still, Intel aims to promote Glass in a work capacity, pitching to hospitals and manufacturing businesses. However, but more importantly than the deal-making itself, we're still waiting to hear how Glass itself will benefit from the new hardware.

The EU has a plan to break up Google

2014-11-25T15:22:00.001+01:00

Google has been the target of repeated anti-trust scrutiny in Europe over the last decade. Today Financial Times is reporting that the European parliament is on the verge of taking even more drastic steps, preparing a plan that would call for the break up of the search giant, specifically the "unbundling [of] search engines from other commercial services."

It was only five months ago that Google began removing links in response to Europe's new rules about the "right to be forgotten." The company has been criticized repeatedly, both for its commercial dominance and in regards to privacy. As Financial Times notes, the European parliament has no authority to force the break up of a company like Google, but does have the ability to sway new legislation, which might impact the search giant.

When asked by Financial Times why a drastic measure like a break-up was necessary, Ramon Tremosa, a Spanish member of the EU parliment who sponsored the motion, said the commission could not "ask the secret of [Google's] algorithm" and was seeking other remedies to curb its power.

Apple Watch secrets get spilled

2014-11-25T15:16:00.002+01:00

Apple kept a tight lid on everything to do with its first wearable, but now some of the secrets of the Apple Watch have been revealed. Apple has launched WatchKit for developers who want to create apps for the wearable. The detailed software development kit (SDK) hints at several key aspects of the company's first wearable, including screen sizes, resolutions, and the overall app experience on the Watch.

It also turns out there are three types of screens: Glance, Actionable Notifications, and the full, nebulous app screen with all your apps. The Glance screens are exactly what they seem — a quick, tidbit of information you can digest and read in a single glance. Actionable Notifications allow the user to respond, go into the app, and perform other actions. The app screen looks exactly as we saw it in September, with many tiny, circular app icons bopping about.

The Watch takes advantage of many of the cool new features found on iOS, including Handoff continuity between devices and AirPlay, so you should be able to control your Wi-Fi-enabled speakers. Based on what's in the WatchKit SDK, it appears that the iPhone will take the lead and the Apple Watch will play second fiddle for now

Facebook at Work to launch in January!

2014-11-25T14:48:00.003+01:00

Facebook's new career social network is set to launch in January allowing users to launch professional accounts in the New Year (do I sense a LinkedIn compete..lol). But some competitors have implied that and it could instead lead to distracted employees and breaches of confidentiality.

The website could launch without free and without ads initially, early in the year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Companies will have to sign up to the service before their employees use it.

Facebook at Work, which was first rumoured a week ago, will allow users to keep their personal and professional accounts separate, and help collaborative work on documents with software such as Google Drive and Microsoft applications.

Samsung Galaxy A5 goes on sale in China

2014-11-25T14:43:00.001+01:00

Samsung's latest mid-range smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy A5 has gone on sale in China for 2,600 yuan, which translates to about £270 ($420, AU$495), or a OnePlus One.

The Galaxy A5 comes in two flavours: single or dual SIM. While the dual SIM is currently on sale in China, Samsung has indicated the single SIM is the version that will ship to international markets.

The phone itself is one of the thinnest Samsung has yet produced at 6.7mm and boasts a 64-bit quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor, clocked at 1.2GHz. It packs 16GB of storage space, 2GB of RAM and has a 5-inch Super AMOLED 720p display.

The Galaxy A5 follows the Samsung Galaxy Alpha's approach of a more premium, metallic chassis as the South Korean manufacturer moves away from the plastic casing of the Galaxy S5.

The phone ships with Android 4.4 KitKat initially, but expect an Android 5.0 Lollipop update in the near future. Rounding out the specs are the 13MP rear-facing camera and a non-removable 2,300mAh battery. Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC are also both supported.

Edward Snowden revelations have had limited effect on privacy

2014-11-25T14:39:00.001+01:00

Globally, 60% of respondents have heard of Snowden, but only 39% of those people have taken additional steps to protect their online privacy as a result.

However, 62% of all respondents are concerned about government agencies from other countries secretly monitoring their online activities, while 61% are concerned about police or other government agencies from their own country doing this. And 64% of respondents have “some degree of concern” about their online privacy compared to a year ago.

What's up with iCloud?

Even now, in 2014, does Apple really get the cloud? A report from The Information suggests otherwise, with sources telling it that the company's iCloud efforts are still being hampered by not having “a centralised team working on core cloud infrastructure”.

Ass Hunter removed from Google Play

The latest app controversy concerns Android game Ass Hunter, which racked up more than 10,000 downloads on the Google Play store before being pulled. Why controversy? “Legendary game, where you are hunter and your mission is to kill gays as much as you can or escape between them to the next level,” was its pitch. Unpleasant. LOL

Culled from The Guardian

Hello ... I am Back

2014-11-25T14:21:00.003+01:00

LG G Watch, G3 Smartphone Arrive on AT&T This Week

2014-07-09T20:36:00.003+01:00

AT&T customers looking to nab the new LG G3 smartphone or LG G Watch can pre-order the devices from the carrier starting tomorrow.
Both devices will arrive in AT&T stores by July 11, but those who definitely want either gadget can place their orders starting July 8.

Google adds 13 more languages to web-based Gmail

2014-07-09T20:35:00.000+01:00

Google has announced that it has added 13 new languages to its web-based Gmail, along with feature phone browsers, bringing the total number of languages for its popular free email service up to 71.
Specifically, the new languages that will start rolling out to Gmail users today are Afrikaans, Armenian, Azerbaijani (Azeri), Chinese (Hong Kong), French (Canada), Galician, Georgian, Khmer, Lao, Mongolian, Nepali, Sinhala, and Zulu. Google says:

Adidas wants to put a personal trainer on your wrist with the Fit Smart

2014-07-09T20:25:00.003+01:00

Nike might be planning to abandon its Fuelband hardware, but Adidas is taking the opposite path with the introduction of its new Fit Smart fitness tracking device. It's a wrist-worn tracker that looks similar to the Fitbit and its ilk, but Adidas is shooting for a slightly different market. Rather than measuring all of your movements as typical activity trackers do, Adidas intends for its Fit Smart to be worn specifically when you're exercising or otherwise performing physical activity that you want to measure. Combined with a completely-redesigned smartphone app, Adidas wants the Fit Smart to serve as more of a training coach than an activity tracker.

VEVO Android app gets major 2.0 update with new Home screen and more

2014-07-09T20:22:00.001+01:00

The VEVO music video app for Android has just been updated to version 2.0, bringing with it a number of new features such as an redesigned Home screen, a new navigation menu and lots more. It's available for download at the Google Play Store

Xperia Z2 Tablet With Verizon LTE Pre-Orders Open on July 10

2014-07-09T20:20:00.002+01:00

See full gallery on TechnoBuffalo Sony's impressive Xperia Z2 tablet is finally getting the 4G LTE treatment here in the U.S. almost half a year after the device was first announced. Pre-orders for the 10.1-inch Android slate open up on Thursday, July 10 starting at $499.99 as a Verizon exclusive before hitting stores a week later on July 17.

Sprint adds the ZTE LivePro to portfolio

2014-07-09T20:17:00.000+01:00

During CES 2014, one of the devices that we checked out was a combination projector and hotspot device from ZTE going by the generic “Projector Hotspot” name. As shown during our hands one review of the ZTE Projector Hotspot, it functions exactly as its name implies.

Five things about the beat down in Brazil

2014-07-09T20:13:00.000+01:00

They say in Brazil that football is second only to breathing in importance. On Tuesday, 200 million people in the World Cup host nation had their breath stolen away from them in a dazzling, dizzying display of scoring by the No. 2 team in the world, Germany.

Facebook has Oculus, Google has Cardboard

2014-06-25T22:00:00.002+01:00

While virtual reality has captured the hearts and minds and wallets of gamers, futurists and Facebook executives everywhere, Google has mostly kept off the field -- until today.

At its annual I/O developers conference, the search giant handed out a mysterious package as part of its now-expected goodie bag for attendees. Alongside the choice between a brand new LG G or Samsung Gear Live smartwatch, giddy developers got their hands on a virtual reality headset that just happened to be made from cardboard.

This incredible keyboard app is already waiting for the Moto 360 to come out of hiding

2014-06-25T21:47:00.001+01:00

The Moto 360 is one of the most hotly anticipated smartwatches of the year, with Google expected to share more details about it, and about other Android Wear devices from LG and Samsung, on Wednesday. While the smartwatch has yet to hit stores, Minuum already has an awesome keyboard app waiting for the Moto 360 to be launched.

Oculus VR to buy design team behind the Xbox 360 gamepad and Kinect, Carbon Design

2014-06-25T21:43:00.000+01:00

Oculus VR is making full-on acquisitions of its own: the company behind the design of the Xbox 360 gamepad and the original Kinect, Carbon Design, is joining Oculus VR. The price of the purchase wasn't given, though a few specifics were. First, Carbon "will officially become a key component of the product engineering group at Oculus," which to us sounds like the end of the name "Carbon Design." That doesn't mean Carbon -- a Seattle group -- is moving to Oculus VR's Irvine, CA.

See Toyota's first hydrogen car ... priced to go head-to-head with Tesla

2014-06-25T21:34:00.003+01:00

Sure, Elon Musk is giving away Tesla patents to boost the battery-powered car industry, but don't surprised if more established manufacturers politely decline his offer. Instead of batteries and electric charging stations, players like General Motors, Mercedes Honda and Toyota are focusing their efforts on a very different sort of fuel system: hydrogen.