Our infrastructure wasn't set up to suddenly shift massive amounts of traffic from companies to homes. Exacerbating this are cable networks with shared capacity because they were built with the idea that most folks wouldn't be using them at the same time. 5G might be the only realistic way to deal with these issues on a sustained basis.
The information security industry, with all its raging debates, has rallied around a small corpus of best practices. One of the highest on this list is full-disk encryption. This is the encryption that ensures that someone who snatches your device won't be able to access everything you've saved on it. Jonathan Terrasi on LinuxInsider makes the case that most of you are better off not using it.
Counterfeit hardware, especially in corporate settings, is a recurring problem that often goes unnoticed. Having such gear online poses serious financial, operational, and security risks. Cybersecurity firm F-Secure has released an investigative report detailing counterfeit Cisco Catalyst 2960-X series switches. The report highlights challenges facing organizations that discover counterfeit devices in their IT infrastructure.
Consumer interest in cloud gaming could boost annual subscription revenues to nearly $3 billion, according to Parks Associates. The firm's research report notes renewed interest in services that can stream over the Internet and deliver games to multiple platforms without downloads or taxing local processing power.
Windows 10X to Eliminate Onboard 32-Bit Apps: Report
Microsoft seems poised to use the OS to power laptop competitors to Google's highly successful Chromebook portables. Absent however is ContainerOS, the technology used to run 32-bit Windows applications under Windows 10X, according to a report.
The Past, Present and Future of Attribute-Based Encryption
That padlock in the address bar of the website you're visiting represents the 's' after 'http' -- which stands for the latest version of Transport Layer Security. Together with Secure Sockets Layer, which TLS replaced, these digital security technologies allow encrypted communication between two parties, such as web sites or servers, and web browsers. Like the Internet itself, these technologies were breakthroughs when conceived.
Why Microsoft Teams Will Be the De Facto Standard for Video Collaboration
Videoconferencing has been an exciting and somewhat painful technology to watch because it seemed like everyone in the segment fundamentally didn't understand that if you don't have interoperability and didn't focus on ease of use, it wouldn't work. Rob Enderle looks at why Microsoft Teams is trending to be the new standard for video collaboration.
Tech's Role in the Future of Health and Public Safety
Digital technologies can help shift health and public safety agencies from a "detect and respond" approach to a "predict and prevent" stratagem. They can also set the stage for a more connected and data-led approach through robust cybersecurity.
Google Clamps Down on Ads for Spyware, Stalkerware
Advertising for software and hardware designed to stalk and spy on people will soon be banned on Google. The ban doesn't include advertising for private investigation services or products designed for parents to track or monitor children.
The University of Cincinnati online program is ranked 10th in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2020). Enjoy the flexibility of a schedule built for working professionals. Learn from educators with decades of experience in the field of IT.
Women in Tech: 20 Trailblazers Share Their Journeys
Successful women in the tech trenches share their insights and tackle subjects ranging from how to search out a strong mentor to how to be one -- from how to advance in a large company to how to start your own firm.
This book is an excellent guide for students considering STEM courses, graduates pondering job choices, and career changers at any stage in life. It's also a useful tool for school and career counselors, recruiters, and HR pros eager to diversify their workplaces.
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There's something alluring about a phone you can't have. Whether it's the high-spec gaming phones from ASUS and the like, or Huawei and its technically impressive devices, not everything makes it to the US.
OnePlus has put a lot of effort into promoting its new Nord phone, launching in the UK, Europe and India on August 4th. It's pitched as a combination of keen pricing and flagship specs in most of the places that matter — and it fell to me to review it, here in London.
The Nord is the latest in a wave of midrange phones that make convincing arguments for forgoing flagship devices that cost double. You can read my full review here, but the only thing that could worry OnePlus is Google's incoming Pixel 4a. If it ever actually breaks cover…
— Mat
Doritos may have spoiled the next 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' game
Get ready for a return to the Cold War.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Activision
Those heavily seasoned triangles are spoiling things for Activision. On Twitter, TheGamingRevolution has shared pictures of what appears to be a Doritos promo for the as-yet-unannounced Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. A return to the original Black Ops era was rumored for a while. Other leaks suggested it may take Modern Warfare's grittiness one step further. The title will supposedly explore the Vietnam War from the perspectives of the US, South Vietnam and the Viet Cong, with excursions to other parts of the world. Continue reading.
OnePlus Nord review: Almost invisible compromises
Faking a flagship.
Mat Smith, Engadget
OnePlus' return to midrange smartphones presents some strong competition to both older flagships and the current crop of budget devices. It has a big 6.4-inch screen that can run at 90Hz for a smoother software experience. OnePlus has also packed in enough camera tech to ensure the Nord takes decent photos, with all the flexibility of a four-sensor setup. With 5G and a just-about-good-enough processor, the price is right, even if this phone is unlikely to make it to the US. Continue reading.
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 3 will let you answer calls by clenching your fist
It'll also add Apple Watch-style fall detection.
Arthur, PBS
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch 3 could offer a cute new way of answering any calls routed to your wrist. XDA Developers reports that Samsung's newly released Galaxy Watch 3 Plugin app (so much for a surprise at Unpacked) references support for hand gestures, most notably for answering calls. If your watch starts ringing, you just have to clench and unclench your fist to pick up. You can shake your hand to ignore a call, too.
Samsung is expected to unveil the new watch when Unpacked takes place online August 5th. Continue reading.
You can play 'Doom' inside 'Minecraft' using a virtual PC
We've been indoors for a while, OK?
Reddit
Maybe you've been running out of games to play. If so, try cooking a virtual machine mod into Minecraft and gaming like it's 1995. Reddit user uDrunkMate did just that, able to run Doom inside the sandbox game. The frame-rate isn't great and don't expect your mods to stick either. But it is, very much, a thing. Continue reading.
This week felt like a throwback, with Halo looking pretty much the same as before and OnePlus promising a powerful midrange phone. And that was before Friday's surprise announcement that G4 is coming back.
It's not clear what a reborn G4 TV would look like in 2020 now that Twitch and YouTube exist, but after seeing The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest, maybe there's room? The network went off the air in 2014, although a one-minute teaser says "we never stopped playing." Well, we never did either, but a lot of us stopped subscribing to cable so it will be interesting to see what Comcast has planned for the relaunch in 2021.
-- Richard
The Engadget Podcast
OnePlus Nord and a gaming phone party
Engadget
With Devindra busy hosting Engadget's Xbox livestream event, Cherlynn is joined by UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith. They dive into the OnePlus Nord, which was launched this week, and has been hyped up by the company and its fans. Our hosts also go over the OnePlus Buds, Xiaomi's Mi Smart Band 5 (and other products), the ASUS ROG Phone 3 and other gaming phones. And since we're talking to someone in the UK, we also discuss the differences in attitude towards Chinese-made gadgets in America and Europe.
This $100 head moves and talks, and reacts to your presence. Just add four C batteries, and remove your expectation of hearing Ryan Reynolds' voice. Continue reading.
The best deals we found this week: Amazon devices, iPad mini and more
Plus savings on wireless headphones from Bose and Sony.
Engadget
We've seen a number of great deals over the past week, and a few of them are still available right now. Amazon's big Fire device sale remains in effect, so you can get things like the Fire TV Stick 4K and the Fire 7 tablet for only $35. Apple's iPad mini is $50 off, the AirPods Pro are $20 off and the Apple Watch Series 3 remains discounted to $169. If you prefer Android, check out Best Buy's $70 gift card offer attached to the $260 Galaxy Watch or $280 Galaxy Watch Active 2.
Here are all the best deals from the week that you can still snag today, and follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for more updates. Continue reading.
Microsoft's next-gen Xbox promise was trouble from the start
Can you lose a console war you're not fighting in?
343 Studios
The Xbox Series X should be the most powerful next generation console in terms of computing power, but Aaron Soupporis expects that at launch, the PS5 will have better looking exclusive games. The reason why comes down to Microsoft's generation-bridging strategy. Continue reading.
The big tech antitrust hearing with Google and Apple has been delayed
Adjust your Monday schedules accordingly.
The House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee has postponed the July 27th hearing that would have seen the CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google testify before Congress. Continue reading.
