Tech Roundup: Nokiasoft, Android KitKat & More
[A recurring feature on the latest trends in Science & Technology.]
US and UK spy agencies circumvent encryption standards, reveal latest Snowden leaks:
In what can be considered as the most profound disclosures yet, The Guardian, New York Times and ProPublica have revealed how the US and UK spy agencies, NSA and GCHQ, have cracked much of the online encryption standards thereby allowing unfettered access to private data. "Those methods include covert measures to ensure NSA control over setting of international encryption standards, the use of supercomputers to break encryption with "brute force", and – the most closely guarded secret of all – collaboration with technology companies and internet service providers themselves.
"Through these covert partnerships, the agencies have inserted secret vulnerabilities – known as backdoors or trapdoors – into commercial encryption software," writes Glenn Greenwald for The Guardian.
While the exact details have not been made public, he goes on to say that the agencies have "capabilities" against widely used internet protocols like VOIP, HTTPS and SSL, which are used to provide secure online banking and shopping experience. All I can say is welcome to the new world of perennial surveillance!
Microsoft does a Google; finally buys Nokia handset business for $7.2 billion:
The inevitable has finally happened! Since forging an alliance back in early 2011, the Microsoft-Nokia partnership has taken the next step with Redmond officially acquiring the Finnish company's phone business for $7.2 billion. A former Microsoft executive himself, Nokia's Stephen Elop will step down as CEO and Risto Siilasmaa, currently the chairman of Nokia's board of directors, will immediately take his place. The major chunk now sold, Nokia plans to concentrate on network infrastructure services, HERE maps, and its patent portfolio.
The deal is expected to materialize early next year, and comes at an interesting time when Microsoft just last week announced Steve Ballmer's retirement from his CEO post. The current smartphone products will continue to use the Nokia brand, the release adds. Microsoft's multi-billion dollar purchase is in a way akin to Google's high-profile purchase of Motorola back in 2012. With the tech landscape ever changing, it makes perfect sense for a web services oriented company like Google or Microsoft to have its own hardware business. Well Nokia, it was fun having you around!
Get ready for the next iPhones tomorrow:
Weeks and weeks of speculation and tittle-tattle are about to draw to a close! Apple has finally confirmed an event for September 10 to brighten everyone's day, adding fuel to rumours about a cheaper version of iPhone. The upcoming flagship iPhone 5s is purported to have a fingerprint scanner incorporated right into its home button, a 12 or 13 megapixel rear camera with dual-LED flash, and a faster processor while retaining the same screen size of the iPhone 5. In addition the phone is expected to be available in gold and gray colors alongside the customary black and white variants. Surprisingly, Apple has also kept a separate event in China the following day. With the tech giant repeatedly stressing China as a huge opportunity, it seems like things have finally clicked in place. But would that mean the iPhone 5c is heading to China? We will know tomorrow!
Google names Android 4.4 after Nestle KitKat; Indian geeks want a version named ladoo!
With search giant Google having a tradition of naming each version of Android after a popular dessert, it was long rumoured that the next version would be called Key Lime Pie. However in a surprise move, the company announced that it has decided to name the next version of Android after one of our favorite chocolate treats, Kitkat®! The rebranding is considered to be a clever marketing coup for the Swiss chocolate and beverage maker Nestle, which now plans to sell millions of KitKat bars with the Android mascot on its wrappers. Google however stated neither side was paying the other, and that it was "not a money-changing-hands kind of deal" according to John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships.
Lagerling also added that the decision was taken late last year. "We realised that very few people actually know the taste of a key lime pie," he explained. "One of the snacks that we keep in our kitchen for late-night coding are KitKats. And someone said: 'Hey, why don't we call the release KitKat?' Meanwhile, Indian online shopping site Pricebaba has launched a new campaign to name the next Android version after the Indian sweet delicacy ladoo (for 'L') after failing in their attempt this time around! Check it out here.
At IFA 2013:
US and UK spy agencies circumvent encryption standards, reveal latest Snowden leaks:
In what can be considered as the most profound disclosures yet, The Guardian, New York Times and ProPublica have revealed how the US and UK spy agencies, NSA and GCHQ, have cracked much of the online encryption standards thereby allowing unfettered access to private data. "Those methods include covert measures to ensure NSA control over setting of international encryption standards, the use of supercomputers to break encryption with "brute force", and – the most closely guarded secret of all – collaboration with technology companies and internet service providers themselves.
While the exact details have not been made public, he goes on to say that the agencies have "capabilities" against widely used internet protocols like VOIP, HTTPS and SSL, which are used to provide secure online banking and shopping experience. All I can say is welcome to the new world of perennial surveillance!
Microsoft does a Google; finally buys Nokia handset business for $7.2 billion:
The inevitable has finally happened! Since forging an alliance back in early 2011, the Microsoft-Nokia partnership has taken the next step with Redmond officially acquiring the Finnish company's phone business for $7.2 billion. A former Microsoft executive himself, Nokia's Stephen Elop will step down as CEO and Risto Siilasmaa, currently the chairman of Nokia's board of directors, will immediately take his place. The major chunk now sold, Nokia plans to concentrate on network infrastructure services, HERE maps, and its patent portfolio.
The deal is expected to materialize early next year, and comes at an interesting time when Microsoft just last week announced Steve Ballmer's retirement from his CEO post. The current smartphone products will continue to use the Nokia brand, the release adds. Microsoft's multi-billion dollar purchase is in a way akin to Google's high-profile purchase of Motorola back in 2012. With the tech landscape ever changing, it makes perfect sense for a web services oriented company like Google or Microsoft to have its own hardware business. Well Nokia, it was fun having you around!
Get ready for the next iPhones tomorrow:
Weeks and weeks of speculation and tittle-tattle are about to draw to a close! Apple has finally confirmed an event for September 10 to brighten everyone's day, adding fuel to rumours about a cheaper version of iPhone. The upcoming flagship iPhone 5s is purported to have a fingerprint scanner incorporated right into its home button, a 12 or 13 megapixel rear camera with dual-LED flash, and a faster processor while retaining the same screen size of the iPhone 5. In addition the phone is expected to be available in gold and gray colors alongside the customary black and white variants. Surprisingly, Apple has also kept a separate event in China the following day. With the tech giant repeatedly stressing China as a huge opportunity, it seems like things have finally clicked in place. But would that mean the iPhone 5c is heading to China? We will know tomorrow!
With search giant Google having a tradition of naming each version of Android after a popular dessert, it was long rumoured that the next version would be called Key Lime Pie. However in a surprise move, the company announced that it has decided to name the next version of Android after one of our favorite chocolate treats, Kitkat®! The rebranding is considered to be a clever marketing coup for the Swiss chocolate and beverage maker Nestle, which now plans to sell millions of KitKat bars with the Android mascot on its wrappers. Google however stated neither side was paying the other, and that it was "not a money-changing-hands kind of deal" according to John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships.
Lagerling also added that the decision was taken late last year. "We realised that very few people actually know the taste of a key lime pie," he explained. "One of the snacks that we keep in our kitchen for late-night coding are KitKats. And someone said: 'Hey, why don't we call the release KitKat?' Meanwhile, Indian online shopping site Pricebaba has launched a new campaign to name the next Android version after the Indian sweet delicacy ladoo (for 'L') after failing in their attempt this time around! Check it out here.
At IFA 2013:
- Sony announces Xperia Z1 with a 21MP rear camera, and attachable camera lenses for smartphones (both Android and iOS).
- Samsung makes the Galaxy Note 3 official with a 5.7 inch display and new stylus features; debuts Galaxy Gear smartwatch to pair with your Galaxy device.
- Lenovo outs Yoga successor ThinkPad Yoga 2 Pro ultrabook.
- Japan to spend millions to construct an ice wall surrounding Fukushima nuclear plant.
- NASA's new Moon mission to study lunar atmosphere blasts off.
- Google celebrates its 15th birthday.
- Yahoo! gets a new logo after 30 days of change; fails to impress.
- Google Glass app store coming next year.
- Microsoft Xbox One to go on sale on Nov 22 in major markets.
- BlackBerry looking for a potential sale as early as this November, reports Wall Street Journal.
- Facebook delays privacy policy update following privacy concerns.
- Nokia Lumia 1520 (aka Bandit) Windows Phone indicates support for 1080p displays.
- Filters make their return to the web version of Google Play Store.
- Instagram crosses 150 million users; to start showing ads.
- HTC's exiting design engineers charged with stealing trade secrets; shares tumble.
- Amazon announces new Kindle Paperwhite with Goodreads integration.
- Google launches Helpouts; makes use of Google+ Hangouts to provide real-time help to those in need.
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