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AfterDawn: News

Teaser reveals high-end Sony Honami phone

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Aug 2013 9:48

Teaser reveals high-end Sony Honami phone A leaked official teaser image for Sony's "Honami" smartphone seems to confirm the rumored purple version of the phone.

The Xperia Honami is said to have a 1080p 5-inch Triluminos display with Sony's X-reality engine.

Under the hood is a powerful, quad-core 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB RAM. What makes the phone standout is a 20.7 megapixel camera with a Sony G-lens and BIONZ image processor.

LTE, BT 4.0, NFC and Wi-Fi are standard, and the device has a microSD slot.

Additionally, the phone will be IP57 certified, meaning the device can survive in water for 30 minutes and is also dust-proof.

According to the teaser, the phone will be officially unveiled in Berlin on September 4.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Android Device Manager now live

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Aug 2013 8:58

Android Device Manager now live Last week, Google announced the new "Android Device Manager" service, allowing you to easily track a missing/lost device and keep the stored data safe.

The service is now live.

A couple of the features of the free service:

Locate and ring your misplaced device
If you ended up dropping your phone between those couch cushions, Android Device Manager lets you quickly ring your phone at maximum volume so you can find it, even if it's been silenced. And in the event that your phone or tablet is out of earshot (say, at that restaurant you left it at last night), you can locate it on a map in real time.

Protecting your personal information and data
While losing your phone can be stressful, Android Device Manager can help you keep your data from ending up in the wrong hands. If your phone can't be recovered, or has been stolen, you can quickly and securely erase all of the data on your device.


If you have an Android device, all you have to do is visit this page and get a notification sent to your phone or tablet: Device Manager




AfterDawn: News

Google Play Music All Access expanding to UK, EU, Australia, more

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Aug 2013 8:25

Google Play Music All Access expanding to UK, EU, Australia, more Google has expanded their Play Music All Access service to numerous new nations.

The service rivals Spotify, Rdio and others, and should prove to be major competition given Google's deep integration in Android and its hundreds of millions of users. At $9.99 per month, the service offers unlimited streaming music from the major record labels (UMG, Warner and Sony) and indie labels and be available on mobile devices as well as the standard desktop option.

Similar to Spotify, All Access will let users create radio-esque stations from their favorite songs or genres as well as create playlists.

The service will cost €9.99 / £9.99 (UK). Functionality will be the same as the US version.

Full list:




AfterDawn: News

Yahoo! to introduce new logo after testing thirty different designs

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Aug 2013 7:45

Yahoo! to introduce new logo after testing thirty different designs Yahoo has announced this week that it plans to change its logo for the first time ever.

The company will show off thirty designs for a thirty day period before selecting the new logo.

Says Yahoo:

Over the past year, there's been a renewed sense of purpose and progress at Yahoo!, and we want everything we do to reflect this spirit of innovation. While the company is rapidly evolving, our logo -- the essence of our brand -- should too.

We've introduced beautiful new products that have changed the way you see the weather, read email, share photos, and follow your favorite sports teams. We've partnered with great artists including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, John Legend, and Imagine Dragons to take Yahoo! On The Road. And of course, we are excited to come together with tumblr, and by extension, its incredible community of creators.

The new logo will be a modern redesign that's more reflective of our reimagined design and new experiences. To get everyone warmed up, we are kicking off 30 days of change. Beginning now, we will display a variation of the logo on our homepage and throughout our network in the U.S. for the next month. It's our way of having some fun while honoring the legacy of our present logo.

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AfterDawn: News

Samsung's high-resolution ATIV Book 9 to cost $1400

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Aug 2013 10:51

Samsung's high-resolution ATIV Book 9 to cost $1400 Samsung announced their ATIV Book 9 Plus last month, but did not give any word on price or availability.

Today, retailer B&H has revealed both.

The ATIV Book 9 Plus has a 13.3-inch, 275ppi, 3200 x 1800 resolution display, a 1.6GHz Haswell Core i5-4200U dual-core CPU, 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 128GB SSD and Intel HD 4400 graphics. Windows 8 Pro is standard.

Additionally, the device is nice and light at about 3 pounds.

There are different options for the laptop, with more RAM, a larger SSD and a high-end Core i7 CPU, but those prices remain unclear.

The device goes on sale August 20th.




AfterDawn: News

LG unveils flagship G2 with rear controls and high-end specs

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Aug 2013 9:33

LG unveils flagship G2 with rear controls and high-end specs LG has finally, officially unveiled their new flagship, the G2.

The device runs on Android 4.2.2, has a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS panel, a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 SoC, 3GB RAM, dual cameras 13MP/2.1MP, 16 or 32GB internal storage, 24 bit/192kHz HiFi playback, and a non-removable 3,000mAh battery.

LG has also experimented with the design, placing the volume rocker and power button underneath the rear camera. The company says the design should help make the "handheld experience" a bit less awkward for the larger screen.

The bezels on the device are almost non-existent, at 0.1-inches thick.

Additionally, the company has added some software tweaks such as AnswerMe and SlideAside. AnswerMe automatically answers incoming phone calls when you put the phone up to your ear and SlideAside "lets you do a three-finger gesture to "slide" open apps off the screen for multitasking."

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AfterDawn: News

Samsung wants Tizen operating system on all kinds of devices

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Aug 2013 8:21

Samsung wants Tizen operating system on all kinds of devices Samsung appears to have high hopes for its Tizen operating system, even though the OS has been delayed a number of times and is still not available on a commercial device.

Co-CEO J.K. Shin says Tizen is much more than just a pet project, and that the company envisions it on Android, vehicles, tablets and other industries.

"There are many convergences not only among IT gadgets, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and cameras, but also among different industries like cars, bio, or banks," Shin added. "Cross-convergence is the one [area] Samsung can do best since we do have various parts and finished products."

Intel and Samsung have jointly developed the Tizen standard, and developer support has been growing since launch at the MWC event in February.

Tizen is important to Samsung as it represents an alternative to Android and a system that Samsung can control.




AfterDawn: News

Ubuntu Edge campaign reaches half-way point, but funding is nowhere close to goal

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Aug 2013 7:36

Ubuntu Edge campaign reaches half-way point, but funding is nowhere close to goal Canonical has reached the half-way mark in their campaign to fund the Ubuntu Edge smartphone.

The company hoped to raise $32 million, far and away the most a crowdfunded campaign would have ever raised, and so far they have raised $8.5 million, breaking Indiegogo records.

That being said, there is no chance the company will reach their goal, an unfortunate situation as the phone certainly has potential.

Here is the full spec list:

Dual boot Ubuntu mobile OS and Android
Fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC when docked
Fastest multi-core CPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage
4.5in 1,280 x 720 HD sapphire crystal display
8mp low-light rear camera, 2mp front camera
Dual-LTE, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, NFC
GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery
64 x 9 x 124mm

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AfterDawn: News

CBS rejects Time Warner Cable's 'a la carte' proposal to end blackout

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Aug 2013 10:17

CBS rejects Time Warner Cable's 'a la carte' proposal to end blackout Yesterday, Time Warner Cable offered a proposal to end their ongoing retransmission fee dispute with CBS and bring the broadcaster's channels back to their subscribers.

CBS has blacked out the channel, along with Showtime and online access to streaming episodes for 5 days in NYC, LA, and other large markets.

Time Warner's proposal was to offer the channels back to customers on an "a la carte" basis, offering CBS as a standalone option for cable subscribers who want it. Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt says the arrangement would "allow customers to decide for themselves how much value they ascribe to CBS programming." The statement clearly shows that Time Warner Cable places little to no value on CBS, at least not at the prices CBS wants for fees.

CBS was not happy with the proposal, calling it a sham. "Today's so-called proposal is a sham, a public relations vehicle designed to distract from the fact that Time Warner Cable is not negotiating in good faith. Anyone familiar with the entertainment business knows that the economics and structure of the cable industry doesn't work that way and isn't likely to for quite some time. In short, this was an empty gesture from a company that is expert at them."

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AfterDawn: News

Leaked photo, specs of 5.9-inch HTC One Max emerge

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Aug 2013 9:48

Leaked photo, specs of 5.9-inch HTC One Max emerge HTC has been rumored to be working on a phablet to compete with the Galaxy Note series.

We now have some leaked specs and a leaked photo for the alleged HTC One Max, which should be ready for launch in the coming months.

Otherwise known as the HTC One T6, the device is rumored to be powered by a 2.3GHz Snapdragon S800 along with 2GB RAM.

The large display will be 1080p, and the device will keep the Ultrapixel camera (four 4MP sensors) and come with a 2.1MP front camera.

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AfterDawn: News

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos buys Washington Post for $250 million

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Aug 2013 8:55

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos buys Washington Post for $250 million Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has agreed to purchase the Washington Post newspaper for $250 million.

The Washington Post Company, which owns the paper, Kaplan education and other smaller businesses, will change its name following the sale.

Bezos is the second billionaire in the last week to purchase up a newspaper. Boston Red Sox owner John Henry just purchased the Boston Globe and its properties for $70 million.

When completed, the Washington Post will switch hands for the first time since 1933, after being stewarded by the Graham family for the last 80 years. The paper has seen almost a decade straight of declining sales as advertisers move almost entirely to the Internet and mobile devices. The company posted a $53.7 million loss last year. Bezos will pay for pension obligations of current employees while Washington Post Co. will pay for those who have already retired.

Besides the Post, Bezos will also get smaller properties such as the Greater Washington Publishing, the Gazette newspapers, Express, El Tiempo Latino and Robinson Terminal.

Bezos offered a long, well-thought out statement for WaPo employees:

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AfterDawn: News

Review: Is the 2013 Google Nexus 7 FHD the best small tablet ever made?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 05 Aug 2013 9:55

Review: Is the 2013 Google Nexus 7 FHD the best small tablet ever made? We've had a week to toy around with the new 7-inch Google Nexus 7 FHD and the only question that remains is whether it is the best small tablet ever made.

Google has slimmed down the tablet from last year's popular model, significantly upgraded the display and added a camera and wireless charging support.

Specs under the hood have also been upgraded, and the device is one of the first to get the latest Jelly Bean update, version 4.3.

At a price $100 cheaper than the clear market leader for smaller form-factor tablets, the iPad Mini, Google has shown that they have certainly been paying attention. Read on for our review of the 2013 Google Nexus 7 FHD.

Specs and Design




The original Nexus 7 was not a particularly attractive device. The tablet had plastic edges, and the back cover had a strange rubber feel with small dimples. The grip was good, but the look was not. Additionally, the tablet had huge bezels, which unfortunately have not changed.

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AfterDawn: News

Alleged Tor 'hidden services' operator arrested on child porn charges

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 04 Aug 2013 6:23

Alleged Tor 'hidden services' operator arrested on child porn charges Earlier this week, 28-year-old Irish resident Eric Eoin Marques was arrested by FBI agents for being "the largest facilitator of child porn on the planet."

Along with the arrest, a large number of hidden services have been removed from the anonymizing, encrypted network Tor.

Marques is being accused of being the founder of Freedom Hosting, one of the largest hidden services hosting providers. Additionally, Marques has been connected to the Tormail anonymized e-mail service and the escrow service Onionbank. All those services have been taken down.

Hidden Services can be used for many purposes, some used for legal (and anonymous) communications and others for criminal purposes including places to buy fake IDs, stolen credit card numbers and more. Even worse, Freedom Hosting became infamous for hosting many child pornography sites, and the "Hidden Wiki" that allowed child porn traffickers to easily distribute their videos and pictures.

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AfterDawn: News

In two years, Facebook has paid out $1 million through Bug Bounty program

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 04 Aug 2013 5:40

In two years, Facebook has paid out $1 million through Bug Bounty program Facebook has announced this week that it has paid out $1 million to 329 security researchers through their bug bounty program.

The program was launched two years ago, and the researchers have been widely spread out between 51 different countries.

Facebook notes that 20 percent of the bounties paid have been to U.S.-based researchers. The company has even hired two recipients for full-time jobs on its global security team.

The top five countries with bounty payouts are the US, India, UK, Turkey, and Germany.

"This early progress is really encouraging, in no small part because programs like these can have a significant impact on our ability to keep Facebook secure," Collin Greene, Security Engineer at Facebook, said in a statement. "After all, no matter how much we invest in security -- and we invest a lot -- we'll never have all the world's smartest people on our team and we'll never be able to think of all the different ways a system as complex as ours might be vulnerable. Our Bug Bounty program allows us to harness the talent and perspective of people from all kinds of backgrounds, from all around the world."

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

CBS blacks out full episodes online for Time Warner Cable subscribers

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 04 Aug 2013 5:21

CBS blacks out full episodes online for Time Warner Cable subscribers Earlier this week, Time Warner Cable, following a month-long dispute with CBS, dropped the top broadcast network from many of its largest markets.

The companies have been fighting over retransmission fees. Retransmission fees are the money that cable companies pay TV station owners just for the right to broadcast their signals. CBS and Time Warner's existing contract ended in June. Time Warner, in ads played across New York City, say CBS was trying to raise the fee 600 percent.

CBS has taken the fight to a new level, blacking out full streaming episodes on CBS.com if you have a Time Warner Cable subscription.

Says the broadcaster: If Time Warner Cable is a customer's internet service provider, then their access to CBS full episode content via online and mobile platforms has been suspended as a result of Time Warner Cable's decision to drop CBS and Showtime from their market. As soon as CBS is restored on Time Warner Cable systems in affected markets, that content will be accessible again.





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