Tech news

Researchers have found a way to use neural networks to create DSLR-quality photos from snapshots taken with low-end smartphones. A team of scientists at the ETH Zurich Computer Vision Lab recently published a paper describing a deep learning approach that uses neural networks to translate photos taken by cameras with limited capabilities into DSLR-quality photos automatically. "We tackle this problem by introducing a weakly supervised photo enhancer -- a novel image-to-image GAN-based architecture," they wrote. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2yjpMJv

Microsoft's Sonar, released under an open source license, could help developers build more effective and secure websites. Sonar, a linting tool and site scanner, is the next evolution of the static scan tool, according to Microsoft. The team that developed Microsoft's Edge browser created Sonar as a better way for website maintainers to check performance and security issues. It searches out potential interoperability, performance, security and progressive Web app-related problems, and suggests possible solutions. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2z1x6Jh

I'm getting tired of headlines that present something you might want to do as something you'd have to be crazy to do. Last week was a case in point: Headline after headline shouted out that Amazon wanted to get a key to your house. The initial reaction was, as you might expect, hell no -- but the reality is far more nuanced. You see, there are a lot of folks who live in places where their front entrance isn't secure and they don't really have a yard, so when they get a package from Amazon it often goes to whoever sees it on the doorstep first. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2zjD7lb

Nintendo appears to have knocked it out of the park with Thursday's offical launch of its new Super Mario Odyssey title, which appears to have won over video game critics and promises to drive Nintendo Switch sales well into the holiday shopping season. The reception is another lift for Nintendo, which has been riding high following strong reviews of the title at the E3 conference earlier this year, and the success of its latest Zelda title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild . from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2yZ1Kma

New company Noon Home officially launched on Thursday and simultaneously unveiled its Noon Smart Lighting System, after two years of raising funds and developing products in stealth mode. The Noon Smart Lighting System blends ambient, task and accent lights to layer lighting, improve the way a room looks. It consists of a Room Director switch and companion Extension Switches, which communicate via Bluetooth. The Room Director, which has a glass touchscreen OLED display, clips into the Noon Base at the light switch. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2ljVU9W

AWS on Tuesday announced the general availability of Amazon Aurora with PostgreSQL compatibility. The service is now fully compatible with both MySQL and PostgreSQL, the company said. AWS also announced that customers migrating to Amazon Aurora from another database can use the AWS Database Migration Service free of charge for the next six months. Amazon Aurora is a cloud-optimized relational database that combines the speed and availability of high-end commercial databases with the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of open source databases. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2zGnCjx

Apple reportedly has reduced the accuracy of the iPhone X Face ID feature to speed up production. It's not clear how much the new specs will reduce Face ID's efficacy, but if the reporting is accurate, there could be problems recognizing changes in facial hair, glasses and other ancillary features, suggested Gerrit Schneemann, senior analyst at IHS Markit. "That would be a real problem." The iPhone X doesn't have a fingerprint scanner, and facial recognition is the only biometric unlock mechanism for a number of iPhone features, he pointed out. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2yO3RZz

Complaints have been mounting over display and audio issues with Google's Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Consumers have reported a screen burn-in problem with the Pixel 2 XL, which refers to embedded functions leaving a ghost-like image on the display. In addition to the Pixel 2 XL display issue, there have been numerous reports of high-pitched noises and strange clicking sounds occurring during calls on the Pixel 2. If the reports about the scope of the complaints turn out to be accurate, Google could face a major test in the marketplace. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2zBM2e7

The Linux Foundation on Monday introduced the Community Data License Agreement, a new framework for sharing large sets of data required for research, collaborative learning and other purposes. CDLAs will allow both individuals and groups to share data sets in the same way they share open source software code, the foundation said. "As systems require data to learn and evolve, no one organization can build, maintain and source all data required," noted Mike Dolan, VP of strategic programs at The Linux Foundation. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2gFtyFJ

Harvey Weinstein just went from most powerful man in Hollywood to punching bag -- and while he deserved this, perhaps greater attention should go toward taking aggressive measures to prevent future Weinsteins -- and there will be future Weinsteins. We need to stop acting surprised when this stuff comes out and instead take stronger steps to prevent it in the future. Given how widely known this behavior evidently was, it is hard not to argue that Weinstein's board also may be responsible, something I expect few other boards will miss. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2y0qjv9

Early reviews of the Harman Kardon Invoke with Cortana -- the smart speaker that features Microsoft's personal assistant -- have been lukewarm at best. The speaker will be available in the U.S. starting Sunday. Like Amazon's Echo line and Google's Home speakers, Invoke lets users play music, manage calendars, set reminders, check traffic, get news reports, and control other smart home devices. The Invoke lets users tap Skype to make calls to smartphones, landlines and other Skype-enabled devices. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2xdBsck

Apple and General Electric on Wednesday announced a new SDK for iOS that enables developers to create applications for Predix, an Internet of Things platform made by GE. Applications developed with the new SDK could give industrial operators more insight and visibility into the performance of their equipment and operations on an iPhone or iPad. For example, a worker who was notified of a problem by phone would be able to check it out immediately and even collaborate with others on the scene to address the problem. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2hQ9JaZ

Many software developers and enterprise users have been lax or oblivious to the need to properly manage open source software, suggest survey results released Tuesday. The report highlights the consequences of failure to establish open source acquisition and usage policies, and to follow best practices. Flexera polled more than 400 commercial software suppliers and in-house software development teams within enterprises about their open source practices. More than half of the software products currently in use contain open source components. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2xOIy6J

As Google's new Pixel 2 smartphones get ready to hit the shelves, reviews of the models have begun mushrooming online. While the new phones generally have received positive grades, many reviewers found the their design boring. "The Pixel 2 hardware is ho-hum," observed Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy. "Google didn't take many risks in its design," he said. "The Pixel 2 is the only premium Android smartphone without an edge-to-edge display, two cameras, and support for fast gigabit LTE service." from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2gQpq2g

Microsoft on Tuesday launched the Surface Book 2, positioning it as the laptop of the future. The device is powerful enough for the next wave of computing, characterized by mixed reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning and immersive gaming, said Microsoft Devices Corporate Vice President Panos Panay. Integration between the Surface Book 2 and the Adobe Creative Cloud has been improved, and Microsoft's Surface Dial functionality is coming to Photoshop, the company noted. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2zwk04o

A security flaw in WPA2, the security protocol for most modern WiFi systems, could allow an attacker to steal sensitive data including emails, credit card numbers and passwords, Researchers at Belgian university KU Leuven reported Monday. Depending on the network configuration, the flaw also could allow an attacker to inject or manipulate information in the system -- for example, inject ransomware or other malware into websites being used. The weakness is in the WiFi standard itself, not in any particular products or implementations. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2zxIKJw

Technology companies tend to have very fickle relationships. For instance, Microsoft helped launch Apple, worked to kill the company, provided money to save it, and then got its butt kicked by it. Dell first partnered with EMC, then competed with it, then bought it -- and the CEOs remained friends throughout. Dell and HP have had a rather interesting relationship as well. Dell used to resell HP printers, but after HP bought Compaq, the firms went to war. However, with HP now split from HPE, growth now lies in very different areas. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2gJgawN

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others may pose a threat to American democracy, suggests a new report from The Omidyar Group. The report follows recent disclosures about targeted dark post advertising, fake news and other abuses propagated by Russian troll farms during the 2016 presidential election. Among the questions the report raises is whether the U.S. government may need to take steps to protect the public from future influence campaigns that could undermine the very foundation of a free society. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2yh4YBO

The first wave of reviews touting Google's Home Mini smart speaker surfaced this week, on the heels of reports that the company had to quash a top touch function to prevent the device from accidentally activating and recording conversations without users' knowledge. Google has promised to roll out an update to the device by Oct. 15. The hardware glitch didn't seem to dim the spotlight on the potential of the smart speaker, however, which is a slimmed-down version of the flagship Google Home product, powered by Google Assistant. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2z4qYwo

Amazon on Wednesday pulled the wraps off a new premium e-reader that's waterproof and has a sharp 300 pixels-per-inch display. The Kindle Oasis has a 7-inch Paperwhite display and sports an aluminum back and ergonomic shape that makes it easier to read for prolonged periods. It has a battery life measured in weeks, and it can charge from zero to full power in two hours. Audible, Amazon's audiobooks service, is built into Oasis. Its base price is $250, and it will begin shipping on Oct. 31. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2gAaLYZ

Apple has made a retro version of iTunes available, 12.6.3, reviving features removed by the mammoth 12.7 overhaul it released last month. News of the release surfaced Monday in a post on Reddit by user vista980622. The company was low key about the release, saying in an online post dated Sept. 23 that the retro version was for business partners who needed iTunes to mass deploy apps on iOS devices. iTunes 12.7 for macOS and Windows removed the program's ability to sync apps and ringtones with iOS devices. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2z1Dblr

"I was always interested in analyzing the data," said LogicHub CPO Monica Jain. "I was introduced to a company that was a pioneer in the market, and that's where my career in security started. I fell in love with security because it's all about finding and analyzing the data, and about crunching the data. That's how I started with security. I've never left it since then." Jain's decision to cofound LogicHub "was really driven by the passion I had to meet my customers," she said. "I like to understand where there are pain points." from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2ybkYCG

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Monday used virtual reality tech to "teleport" to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and soon was dubbed a "heartless billionaire" by critics who felt he had exploited the dire situation in the U.S. territory. That likely isn't what Zuckerberg intended when he provided the Facebook Spaces video demonstration, showing how an Oculus Rift VR headset can be used to get a close-up view of some of the devastation Hurricane Maria caused last month. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2yEkA2H

What would it take to cause Apple to fail? While Steve Jobs was alive, the prevalent belief was that it would take his removal from the firm. That has happened, but Apple's valuation and reserves are higher. Although the foundational element is gone, no one really went after Apple hard until last week, when Google launched a comprehensive strategy that clearly targeted the company. It attacks Apple's products directly and flanks it as well. While this is an impressive attack on Apple, it doesn't yet have all the elements it needs to succeed. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2zc2Ad8

Russian hackers reportedly exploited a vulnerability in Kaspersky Lab's software to steal sensitive cyberdefense data from a National Security Agency contractor. The incident, which occurred in 2015, involved a contractor who loaded classified information onto his personal computer in order to work at home. The information included hacking tools and other sensitive data that the NSA used to gather intelligence overseas. The contractor worked in the NSA's Tailored Access Operations unit, an elite hacking division in the agency. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2z5qZ3Q

There is more to the shell, the terminal's interpreter software, than commands composed of alphanumeric characters. In addition to those familiar programs, there is a whole host of processing tools hiding behind the symbols of a standard keyboard. To say nothing of their incredible potency in combination, each one is so powerful on its own that it helps to take a methodical approach to get familiar with them. With that in mind, I'll narrow the focus here to two of the more practical symbols: the pipe and the wildcard. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2xnMpHs

Watching Apple's product announcement showcase is a bit like celebrating New Year's. People from all over the world are drawn to this annual event with the promise of something new and exciting, a vision of tomorrow and untold promise. Yet the more it comes around, the more disappointed we are. That promised kiss from a stranger at midnight is a dud. Our best intentions fall by the wayside as we use the arbitrary turning of a calendar page as reason to develop new habits, only to quit the gym within two weeks. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2y57ZUL

Hologram on Thursday launched Nova, the first open source modem for cellular connectivity. Nova is a USB cellular modem purpose-built for Internet of Things development. Its Hologram software tools are compatible with most single board computers, such as Raspberry Pi. The Nova modem is open source and unlocked, so its use is not limited to Hologram's SIMs. Though it targets the developer community, it has potential uses for everyone from makers to system architects. It sells for $49. Nova comes with the Hologram Python SDK. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2wAYABi

Google on Wednesday launched a bevy of new products into its growing hardware and software ecosystem at its Made by Google event. Many of the new devices are infused with artificial intelligence capabilities. "Since last year and since Google I/O, we've been working hard, continuing our shift from a mobile-first to an AI-first world," Google CEO Sundar Pichai told the gathering. "We are rethinking all our core products and working hard to solve user problems by applying machine learning and AI." from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2fT0CcG

RoboCyberWall has launched its proprietary precision firewall solution bearing the same name. RoboCyberWall is designed to protect HTTP and HTTPS ports on Linux-based Apache2 and NGINX Web servers. The patent-pending firewall blocks all known exploits and zero-day attacks on Apache2 and NGINX Web servers, according to the developer. It is the only firewall designed from the ground up to protect the Linux Apache2 or NGINX Web server's root directory, as well as the document root directory. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2hOK6eB

Roku has introduced five new streaming media players designed to provide viewers with new and improved ways to connect to content. The five players range in price from $29.99 to $99.99, and offer a variety of features and functionality. The introductory-level Roku Express targets new cord cutters who want to stream content to the TV, or those who want to extend their Roku OS experience to additional TV screens around the house. The Roku Express+ is a step up in functionality, providing options to connect to a set via HDMI or composite AV ports. from TechNewsWorld http://ift.tt/2y1LErJ