Important announcements
Microsoft fixes nasty Windows 10 security flaw that Google divulged
Microsoft today patched a Windows vulnerability that was disclosed just over a week ago by researchers from Alphabet Inc.’s Google. The update tackles vulnerabilities in numerous versions of Windows (from Vista through Windows 10) that would let an attacker get control of your system through a malicious app. The patch ends a brief but tumultuous episode between Google and Microsoft. Google published details of the flaw after learning that it was already being used for real-world attacks, but Microsoft criticized the move as irresponsible. It put users at “potential risk” by making it easier for malware writers, the Windows creator said.
You can read more here.
Facebook introduces 2nd generation modular switch to speed up data centers
Facebook has announced the release of its second generation modular switch, Backpack. Replacing the previous switch, 6-pack, the new switch, along with the Wedge 100, is designed to help Facebook reach its goal of 100G data center. Facebook continues to develop and deliver new services such as Facebook Live, its marketplace, and its always improving messenger. In order to continue to deliver these services at fast speeds Facebook needs to continually improve its data center. Facebook is in the process of migrating its data center from 40G to 100G. This presents a handful of issues including the heat and powering issues relating to 100G ASIC chips. The Backpack’s modular design will aid in both increasing speeds while helping cool the switch. The Backpack is currently in production in Facebook’s data centers.
More info are available here.
Oculus will now deliver VR experiences on lower-end PCs
As if PC-based VR headsets like the $600 Oculus Rift and the $800 HTC Vive weren’t already fairly expensive to begin with, they also require pricey high-end computers to power them, raising the cost of entry to roughly $2,000 at least. Oculus wants to change that with its new tech, which will allow its headset to deliver graphics-intensive VR experiences with lower-end PC hardware than it previously required. The company says its Asynchronous Spacewarp (ASW) technique for frame-rate smoothing nearly halves the CPU/GPU time required to produce nearly the same output from the same content. It works by generating extrapolated frames from previous frames from the VR app you’re running, ensuring a smooth experience even if the software falls behind the display’s frame rate. That means you can run VR games and experiences with AMD RX 400 series cards (which start at about $120) or Nvidia 900 or 1000 series GPUs. The Rift and Vive previously required at least an NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD Radeon 290 GPU, which can cost upwards of $315.
You can read more here.
Top new products
Motorola Moto M listed on official store for $294
The Moto M, to be powered by Mediatek Helio P15 with an octa-core 2.2 GHz CPU and a Mali-T860 GPU, will have a 5.5-inch display that supports full HD 1080 x 1920 resolution. It will have 4GB of RAM and 2GB of internal storage with a possibility to expand up to 128GB thanks to the microSD card slot. The rear 16-megapixel camera comes with Phase Detection Autofocus. A secondary 8MP camera for selfies and video calls is at the front.
You can read more here.
OnePlus 3T launch set for November 15
OnePlus has officially announced that it is launching a Snapdragon 821-based product on November 15. The OnePlus 3T has been rumoured a lot in the past, and apart from the processor upgrade, the new variant will also have the latest Sony IMX398 sensor onboard. It is expected to run on Android 7.0 Nougat-based Oxygen OS, and sport an Optic AMOLED display. The Snapdragon 821 processor is expected to be paired with 6GB of RAM. It may offer two storage options – 64GB and 128GB. The OnePlus 3T is pegged to pack a slightly larger 3300mAh battery as well.
More info here.
Nikon D5600 DSLR with Bluetooth and superior touchscreen goes on sale
With the boost of Bluetooth (SnapBridge) for automatic photo backup, together with a number of add-ons like a new time-lapse mode, Nikon Corporation introduces its next DSLR flagship, named as ‘Nikon D5600 DSLR’. In terms of specification, the Nikon D5600 DSLR features a 24.2-megapixel sensor and EXPEED 4 processor alongside Nikon’s SnapBridge connectivity. It is also equipped with the 3.2-inch monitor screen, which is integrated with the functionality of touch screen and can be tossed and rotated for better and flexible snapping.
You can read more here.
Top interesting info
Tim Cook and Apple are betting on Augmented Reality being the next big thing
In a recent interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook had said that AR would be a big thing for years to come. That is a pretty forward looking statement from a secretive company that hesitates to talk about the future. There are a string of AR related acquisitions by Apple. In January this year, Apple acquired Emotient, a company that makes AR software to analyse the moods and emotions of faces in real time. In November 2015, Apple acquired Faceshift, a real time motion capture company whose technology was used in Star Wars. In May last year, Apple had acquired Metaio, a company that makes software for AR overlays for industrial applications. The technology blends computer generated imagery into real world video and the software is used in retail, industrial and automative markets.
You can read more here.
Singapore is the first country to adopt Workplace by Facebook for goverment agencies
The government of Singapore has implemented Workplace by Facebook, a professional edition of the Facebook social networking tool, across 15 public agencies. The platform is currently used by more than 5,300 public officers, ST reports, citing Singapore’s Public Service Division. The use of Workplace by Facebook follows the Government’s move to delink public servants’ computers from web surfing, first reported in June, to prevent leaks from work e-mail and shared documents amid heightened security threats. Based on pricing provided on Facebook’s website, costs for the service for 143,000 accounts is estimated to reach USD 154,000 per month after the free 3-month trial.
More info can be found here.
Samsung will start testing the Galaxy S8 in January 2017
The company is rumored to order the first batches of parts in January in order to assemble the first prototypes and begin testing the device.
Its suppliers should expect an even bigger order of internals in February, when more refined units should be needed for testing. Finally, March is when the mass production should start. Samsung still hasn’t determined what caused the Note7’s battery to go berserk, so we could understand why the Galaxy S8 launch might be pushed back. Samsung need to make sure the Galaxy S8 is perfect otherwise the company may never recover from another failed flagship.
You can read more here.
