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Google+ is dead because of a security flaw the company couldn’t be bothered to fix

Oct08
by on October 8, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Google


Google today revealed it’d be shutting down the consumer version of Google+ in response to a previously undisclosed security flaw — and also because no one’s really using it. Earlier today, the Wall Street Journal reported Google discovered the flaw, which exposed the data of thousands of users, earlier this year. It opted not to report it, “in part because of fears that doing so would draw regulatory scrutiny and cause reputational damage.” Within hours, Google published its own report. Ben Smith, Google’s VP of Engineering, disclosed more information about the security issue, and how it was discovered. An internal…

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Microsoft’s Surface Headphones will arrive November 19 for $350

Oct08
by on October 8, 2018 at 8:57 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider


Microsoft’s Surface headphones were by far the biggest surprise to come out of the company’s big launch event last week, but the company didn’t tell us when they’d actually be available. Now we know: You can pre-order them on November 15, and they’ll be available just four days later, on November 19. I was able to try the headphones at the launch event. While I was impressed by the design, noise cancelling, and overall sound, I was a bit concerned about the quality of the Bluetooth audio transmission, given the lack of high resolution codecs like AptX, AAC or LDAC. These…

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Microsoft debuts Project xCloud for streaming games to PCs and phones

Oct08
by on October 8, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, gaming


Microsoft today revealed Project xCloud, a game streaming service that would bring the company’s games to multiple devices, including mobile. xCloud is, essentially, a gaming solution for those who don’t own an Xbox or a game-ready PC. The idea is that you can play the games on any device of your choosing, without having to pony up the money for a worthy machine. So, if you want to play Halo Infinite, Gears of War 5, or Sea of Thieves on your Android tablet, this is the device that would make that possible. Kareem Choudhry, VP of cloud gaming at Microsoft, sums up xCloud thus…

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Intel’s 9th-gen processors bring 8 cores and a 5 GHz i9 chip

Oct08
by on October 8, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, gaming, Plugged


After months of rumors and speculation, Intel announced its 9th generation of desktop processors at an event in New York today. It should come as no surprise that Intel is calling it the “world best gaming processor.” There are a few notable changes that help Intel achieve a significant performance boost. Most notably, Intel is adding more cores while still using a 14nm(++) process. The new i7 9700K has 8 cores and threads, while the i9 9900K – the first mainstream i9 desktop processor – also has 8 cores but ups the ante with 16 threads. The more affordable i5…

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Research: China has the power to destroy Bitcoin

Oct08
by on October 8, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, cryptocurrency, Hard Fork


A damning new study has suggested China holds threatening influence over Bitcoin – and perhaps even the ability to attack and ultimately destroy the entire Bitcoin network. Academics from Princeton and Florida International Universities have explored how China “threatens the security, stability, and viability of Bitcoin” with its “political and economic control over domestic [cryptocurrency] activity […] [and] internet infrastructure.” According to the paper, China has both “mature capabilities” and “strong motives” to perform a variety of attacks against Bitcoin. Even worse, it is already exerting its power over Bitcoin in a myriad of ways. “As the value and economic…

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