Thursday, 23 January 2020

Editor's Pick: Grabbing the Cybersecurity and Privacy Problems by the Horns: ECT News Roundtable, Episode 3


Mick Brady
Jan 23, 2020 1:26 PM PT
Cybersecurity and privacy threats aren't confined to the tech world. They've cast their pall on the world in general. Computer viruses, malware and data leaks have become commonplace, personal privacy has become a bad joke, and cyberwar looms like a virtual mushroom cloud. What sometimes gets lost in the gloom are the many ways security professionals have been working to shore up cyberdefenses. [More...]

More Picks:
Is Congress Finally Ready to Take On Cybersecurity?
The United States Congress made some significant progress this session when it comes to data privacy, but cybersecurity remains a blind spot for lawmakers. Congress currently is considering a national privacy law that mirrors legislation enacted in the European Union. It would allow people to access, correct and request the deletion of the personal information collected from them. [More...]
Know Your Enemy: The Difficulty of Defining Deepfakes
Facebook recently promised that it would increase efforts to remove so-called "deepfake" videos, including content that included "misleading manipulated media." In addition to fears that deepfakes -- altered videos that appear to be authentic -- could impact the upcoming 2020 general election in the United States, there are growing concerns that they could ruin reputations and impact businesses. [More...]
Cosmos: Possible Worlds - A Lavish, Hopeful Journey
We agree to suspend our disbelief, and they agree to entertain us. Perhaps it inspires us by communicating some kernel of wisdom about human nature. Its story may touch our emotions deeply, but we know it's the product of imagination and artistry. Cosmos: Possible Worlds delivers everything a great science fiction movie delivers, except the fiction. [More...]
Report: FBI Got Apple to Roll Over on iCloud Encryption
Apple shelved plans to give iPhone users control over encrypted backups stored on the company's iCloud service over concerns raised by the FBI and internal sources, according to a report. The company made the decision to retain control over iCloud encryption around two years ago, but it came to light just recently. The plan would have removed Apple's ability to decrypt users' backups. [More...]
Uber Tests Plan to Let Drivers Set Their Own Fares
Uber has launched a pilot program in California that lets drivers in Santa Barbara, Palm Springs and Sacramento set their own fares for airport rides. Drivers can set a fare multiple on Uber's base, time, and distance rates for UberX and UberXL trips, according to the company. Drivers can increase the fare in 10 percent jumps up to five times Uber's base price. [More...]
Google CEO Adds His Voice to AI Regulation Debate
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and parent company Alphabet, called for government regulation of artificial intelligence technology in a speech at Bruegel, a think tank in Brussels, and in an op-ed. There is no question in Pichai's mind that AI should be regulated, he said. The question is what will be the best approach. Sensible regulation should balance potential harm with potential good. [More...]
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Motorola's foldable Razr arrives February 6th

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It's Thursday, January 23, 2020.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Remember Motorola’s $1,500 high-concept phone? It was supposed to start the pre-order process last month. Now, after a brief delay, Motorola said you’ll be able to queue for the Razr beginning on Sunday, with shipments starting February 6th. The only question left is how many people will be willing to shell out that much cash for a phone with only middling specs.

I gotta admit, the unique design and allure of the Razr name -- I never had any of the previous iterations, even though I wanted one -- do a lot to lure one in, and high-end specs aren’t as much of a must-have for a phone as they used to be. Right now, my daily phone is a Moto Z3 Play, which isn’t exactly a performance device either, but you can get that while spending more than $1,200 less. Maybe the Razr 2 will be a little more affordable.

-- Richard

(View in browser.)

Fall 2020 is getting closer.

Microsoft gets the ball rolling on Surface Duo apps

Microsoft gets the ball rolling on Surface Duo apps

Microsoft has released a preview toolkit to help developers make apps for its Android-powered Surface Duo, including Java frameworks and emulation that can handle the two-screen device. This is rough code, to put it mildly, but it should help studios get started on the apps you'll use when the Surface Duo arrives late in the year. Windows Central’s Zac Bowden already used the emulator to give folks a glimpse of what the dual-screen Duo experience will be like.

A pre-release version of the relevant Windows developer kit for Surface Neo and other devices is due in "the coming weeks." 

Cut to the chase

The best smart speakers

The best smart speakers There is no shortage of smart speakers out there. As our smart home guide kicks off this week, let us guide you through the best options across Amazon, Google, Sonos and the rest. We’ve separated the devices into different categories. Want the best-sounding smart speaker? Read on.

Microsoft will charge about $887,000 for extended security updates.

Germany is going to pay a lot to keep using Windows 7

Last winter, Microsoft announced that Windows 7 support would reach the end on January 14th, 2020. In other words, the company will not be releasing any updates for the operating system -- even crucial security patches -- after that date. The public had nearly a year to make the move to Windows 10, but Germany's government didn't upgrade in time. According to German newspaper Handelsblatt, the German Federal Ministry has at least 33,000 computers still running Windows 7 and, as a result, will have to pay Microsoft about $887,000 in extended security update fees.

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Cherlynn’s New York smart home fantasy.

How I smart-homed my tiny studio apartment

How I smart-homed my tiny studio apartment Engadget editors get their mitts on loads of smart home tech. A lot of it is entirely irrelevant. Another chunk of it is impossible to install in rented apartments and homes. Cherlynn has seen her fair share of smart home devices -- here’s how she lives alongside digital flatmates like Siri and Alexa.

Its footage might be more stable than what you get from many phones.

Fujifilm's X-T200 mirrorless camera uses gyros for ultra-stable video

Fujifilm's X-T200 mirrorless camera uses gyros for ultra-stable video

Fujifilm is taking a slightly unusual tactic to replacing its entry-level X-T100 mirrorless camera: making the sequel indispensable to video makers. Its just-introduced X-T200 still shoots 24.2-megapixel stills, but it now captures 4K video using a Digital Gimbal Function (really, gyro sensors) that promises extra-stable footage -- it smooths the video "even further" than you'd expect from a smartphone, Fujifilm claims. Whether or not that's true, you can expect HDR in both video and stills to bring out more detail in high-contrast situations.

The X-T200 will cost about $100 more than its predecessor: $700 for just the body or $800 if you want a 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 optically stabilized kit lens. It's expected to ship in late February.

It's stepping up pressure on US authorities.

UN calls for investigation into alleged Saudi hacking of Jeff Bezos

UN experts have issued a statement calling for an "immediate investigation" into claims the Saudi Crown Prince's account was used for a WhatsApp hack as well as his reported "continuous, multi-year, direct and personal" role in efforts to target opponents. These allegations are particularly "relevant" in light of the Saudi royal's alleged role in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia has called the WhatsApp hack claim "absurd" and has previously rejected assertions that it has campaigns to hack, intimidate and assassinate critics. It insisted that Khashoggi's murder was a "rogue operation" despite a CIA investigation implicating the Crown Prince's involvement.

But wait, there's more...

1. A 'The Witcher' anime film is coming to Netflix

2. Facebook's new robot AI can get around without a map or GPS

3. A DirecTV satellite is at risk of explosion due to battery issues

4. Twitter launches Facebook-like reaction emojis for DMs

5. Dark mode is coming to WhatsApp for Android

6. Google helps publish the largest high-res map of brain connectivity

7. EA is shutting down its mobile 'Tetris' games

8. 'Project: Mara' is Ninja Theory's new psychological horror game

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you'll miss if you don't subscribe.

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Wednesday, 22 January 2020

ECT News Network Weekly Newsletter


ECT News Network Weekly Newsletter: Wednesday -- January 22, 2020

ECT News Network -- Where Business Meets Technology
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E-Commerce Times | TechNewsWorld
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This Week's Top News Headlines From the E-Commerce Times

Uber Tests Plan to Let Drivers Set Their Own Fares
(Posted 22-Jan-20)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86469.html

Google CEO Adds His Voice to AI Regulation Debate
(Posted 21-Jan-20)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86465.html

Televerde's Michelle Cirocco: 'Invest in Disempowered Populations'
(Posted 20-Jan-20)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86463.html

The Million Dollar Hidden Opportunity for E-Commerce SMBs
(Posted 18-Jan-20)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86462.html

Google Snaps Up Pointy to Help Main Street Stores Get Online
(Posted 16-Jan-20)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86458.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From TechNewsWorld

Cosmos: Possible Worlds - A Lavish, Hopeful Journey
(Posted 22-Jan-20)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86464.html

Know Your Enemy: The Difficulty of Defining Deepfakes
(Posted 21-Jan-20)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86466.html

The CEO of the Decade
(Posted 20-Jan-20)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86460.html

Cybersecurity 2020: A Perilous Landscape
(Posted 17-Jan-20)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86461.html

Business/Customer Sweet Spots: ECT News Roundtable, Episode 2
(Posted 16-Jan-20)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86457.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From CRM Buyer

6 Simple Steps to Improve Your B2B Customer Retention
(Posted 21-Jan-20)
http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/86468.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From LinuxInsider

Canonical Introduces Scalable Android-Based Cloud Platform
(Posted 21-Jan-20)
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/86467.html

TROMjaro Updates Deliver Lighter, Better Manjaro
(Posted 17-Jan-20)
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/86459.html

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Editor's Pick: Cosmos: Possible Worlds - A Lavish, Hopeful Journey


Mick Brady
Jan 22, 2020 4:00 AM PT
We agree to suspend our disbelief, and they agree to entertain us. Perhaps it inspires us by communicating some kernel of wisdom about human nature. Its story may touch our emotions deeply, but we know it's the product of imagination and artistry. Cosmos: Possible Worlds delivers everything a great science fiction movie delivers, except the fiction. [More...]

More Picks:
6 Simple Steps to Improve Your B2B Customer Retention
The business-to-business buyer's journey is often difficult and long. The typical buying group for a complex B2B solution involves six to 10 decision makers, each of them bringing information they independently gathered to share with the group before making a decision. This information often opens the door for new suggestions, creating an even longer buying process. [More...]
Canonical Introduces Scalable Android-Based Cloud Platform
Canonical is deploying a scalable Android-based operating system for mobile and desktop enterprise applications from the cloud. The company just announced its Anbox Cloud containerized workload platform. Anbox Cloud allows apps to be streamed to any operating system or form factor. Its uses include cloud gaming, enterprise workplace applications, software testing and mobile device virtualization. [More...]
The CEO of the Decade
Who is most deserving of the title "CEO of the Decade"? Historically the focus in choosing CEO of the decade has been on their financial accomplishments, but that approach has left us in a world lacking diversity and empathy in positions of power -- particularly noticeable in the tech industry -- and one where global climate change may end the human race. [More...]
Televerde's Michelle Cirocco: 'Invest in Disempowered Populations'
The prison workforce development program run by Televerde delivers significant economic and cultural value, concludes a study recently conducted at Arizona State University's Seidman Research Institute. Televerde trains and employs incarcerated women, and it offers many of them employment when they leave prison. Televerde CSRO Michelle Cirocco spoke about the study and about the long-term benefits of Televerde's program. [More...]
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Copyright 2020 ECT News Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ECT News Network, Inc. 16133 Ventura Blvd., Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436