Important announcements
Microsoft’s open sourcing of .NET hits a major milestone
.NET Core is now generally available to bring the programming language to new OSe. It’s all part of Microsoft’s push to make .NET into a development platform that developers can use across platforms, whether on the desktop, on servers, or on mobile. To that end, the tech giant earlier this year acquired Xamarin, which makes a set of tools allowing developers to build mobile apps across iOS and Android using .NET, too.
More info about this subject here.
Computer coughs up passwords, encryption keys through its cooling fans
A team of Israeli researchers has now shown that the sounds made by a computer’s fan can be analyzed to extract everything from usernames and passwords to full encryption keys. To do this, they infected the computer with a malware designed for it. Once it’s installed, the malware flips the fan speed between 1,000 RPM and 1,600 RPM, an audible difference that a microphone, like one found on a smartphone, can easily pick up on. In doing so, the malware effectively defeats the air gap. A computer with absolutely nothing connected to it,not even a monitor,could still have data stolen with this attack.
You can read all the details and see a demo here.
Apple patents tech that could stop you from using a camera phone at concerts
Put simply, this patent is for (among other things)a technology that could potentially allow music venues to disable a smartphone’s camera.
The technology itself is pretty straightforward. Apple could build infrared sensors into the camera on its smartphones, which would be able to pick up signals broadcast by strategically placed infrared emitters. All a venue would have to do is broadcast infrared signals from its stage that instruct the iPhone, iPad, iWhateverComesNext (or other smartphone or tablet) to turn off.
As is fairly customary, Apple hasn’t commented on whether it plans to actually build the technology outlined in the patent.
More details can be found here.
Top new products
HP Chromebook 11 G5
HP is expanding its Chromebook lineup with the new 11.6-inch G5. Along with the 11.6-inch display (touchscreen optional), the G5 11 features an Intel Celeron N3060 processor, a redesigned chassis, and a thinner and lighter design (the weight starts at 2.51 lbs), and a battery capable of going for 12.5 hours (the touchscreen models cuts this down to 11 hours). All this at a price starting at a very reasonable $189.
You can read more info and full specs here.
The Moto G4 and G4 Plus will be launched in US on July 12th
Both the Moto G4 and its more powerful sibling, the G4 Plus, will be available for $199 and $249, respectively. They sport higher resolution (1080p) 5.5-inch screens than their predecessors, and they’re powered by Snapdragon 617 octa-core processors. The G4 Plus packs in 16MP rear shooter with a f/2.0 aperture and loads of speedy autofocusing technology, while the G4 has a fairly ho-hum 13MP camera.
We got the info from here.
Honor 8 smartphone set to launch on July 11
Huawei Terminal’s Honor brand has confirmed that it will unveil the Honor 8 smartphone at an event on July 11. A teaser confirmed the launch date and also hinted that the Honor 8 may sport a dual-rear camera setup. It is rumored that it will have a 5.2-inch full-HD display, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, 2900mAh battery, octa-core Kirin 950 processor, 4GB of RAM, NFC, and a fingerprint scanner.
More info are available here.
Top interesting info
Microsoft-backed Language Server Protocol strives for language, tools interoperability
Microsoft, Red Hat, and Codenvy are leading the charge on a new protocol to integrate multiple languages with different IDEs and code editors. The common protocol gives developers access to intelligence for many languages within their favorite tools. Developers can access language assistants including syntax analysis, outlining, and refactoring within the IDE or editor of their own choice.
You can read about this subject here.
Microsoft changes the pushy Windows 10 upgrade process
After getting hit with a $10,000 settlement and accusations of shady Windows 10 upgrade notifications, Microsoft has pledged to clarify the upgrade options that users were struggling to wrap their heads around. The reconfigured dialogue box now includes those three options and the red X will actually close the dialogue rather than scheduling the update for a later date.
More info here.
You’ll soon be able to browse Google Chrome in Virtual Reality
Google’s highly anticipated Daydream virtual reality platform is launching in the fall and all aspects have to be ready to go, especially the Chrome Browser. The beta and developer versions of Chrome for Android now support the open source WebVR standard, and there’s even mention of a VR Shell that would make any website viewable in VR. Google is also expected to release its own VR headset and controller to support Daydream in the fall. The search giant is also developing desktop Chrome support for other VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive.
We got the news from here.
