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AfterDawn: News

iOS 5.0.1 release to address battery problem and unsigned code vulnerability

Written by Rich Fiscus @ 10 Nov 2011 5:04

iOS 5.0.1 release to address battery problem and unsigned code vulnerability Apple has released iOS 5.0.1 which includes their promised fix for the battery life issues some iPhone owners have reported.

In addition, the update includes a fix for an issue reported by Charlie Miller, a noted security researcher, which makes it possible for an app to run unsigned code from a third party website.

You may recognize Miller's name from our report about his banning from the iOS App Developer program two days ago for revealing this exact vulnerability. Apparently the problem was important enough to fix, but not important enough to justify acknowledging publicly, or even to Mr. Miller.

You can find the entire list of fixes in iOS 5.0.1 on the Apple website.

According to Macrumors, US iTunes users may not be getting the update automatically yet. They have a complete list of download links for every supported device on their website.




AfterDawn: News

MPA demands ISPs block Newzbin2

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Nov 2011 3:40

MPA demands ISPs block Newzbin2 On the heels of their successful campaign to have a piracy service blocked by the ISP BT, the MPA has now demanded that more providers begin doing the same.

Virgin Media, Sky and TalkTalk have all received letters from the industry group to block the newsgroup service Newzbin2. BT was asked to block The Pirate Bay torrent tracker.

TalkTalk commented on the letters:

There are some elements of the order, for instance that we have to pay the costs of implementing it, that we think are inappropriate.


The other ISPs would only say they will comply with relevant court orders.




AfterDawn: News

Rapper Drake is okay with piracy

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Nov 2011 2:03

Rapper Drake is okay with piracy Massively popular Canadian rapper Drake has posted on Twitter that he is okay with his latest album being leaked early.

The CD, "Take Care," is set for an official release next week but most of the tracks have already been leaked online.

Says the rapper's tweet:

Listen, enjoy it, buy it if you like it...and take care until next time.


Drake joins a number of artists who understand that if the music is good, the piracy will do nothing but help album sales and boost their live shows.

Read the full interview (worth it) where Drake talks about piracy and album leaks at Billboard.




AfterDawn: News

Adobe to abandon mobile Flash and raise prices on Creative Suite

Written by Rich Fiscus @ 10 Nov 2011 1:57

Adobe to abandon mobile Flash and raise prices on Creative Suite Yesterday Adobe announced they are giving up on Flash as a mobile platform and concentrating their efforts on HTML5 and Javascript alternatives.

The announcement came during a meeting with industry analysts as part of a presentation about a company wide change in product strategy.

Beginning with the launch of the original iPhone, Adobe has tried unsuccessfully to find a place for Flash in the mobile device space. Resistance from Apple, detailed in numerous statements from Steve Jobs, kept Flash from the iPhone.

When a full version of the platform was finally released for Android last year the performance problems experienced by many users seemed to confirm Jobs' assessment of Flash as unsuitable for low powered mobile devices.

At the same time, HTML5 has been embraced across the full range of mobile operating systems, making it the obvious choice for a cross platform development solution. It was only a matter of time before Adobe would be forced to give up on mobile Flash.

Adobe signalled their new direction last month when they acquired a mobile development company called Nitobi whose apps tie together web standards like HTML5, Javascript, and Ajax with SDKs for various mobile platforms using an app framework called PhoneGap.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Warner Bros admits to sending takedown notices for files it did not own copyrights for

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Nov 2011 1:48

Warner Bros admits to sending takedown notices for files it did not own copyrights for A bombshell has dropped in the ongoing saga of cyberlocker Hotfile versus Warner Bros.

The studio has admitted that it sent false take down notices, thus getting files removed from the site that it did not even own copyrights for.

One employee specifically deleted Open Source download accelerators (it is unclear which one) and that other false takedowns were the result of filtering software gone rogue, says TF.

After being sued earlier this year, the cyberlocker Hotfile countered-sued Warner Bros., for fraud and abuse.

In its complaint, the company originally said:

Not only has Warner (along with four other major motion picture studios) filed this unfounded and contrived litigation against Hotfile employing overly aggressive tactics, Warner has made repeated, reckless and irresponsible misrepresentations to Hotfile falsely claiming to own copyrights in material from Hotfile.com.


This week, Warner admitted that it had taken down files based merely on keywords without verifying the actual files were infringing copyright:

Warner further admits that, given the volume and pace of new infringements on Hotfile, Warner could not practically download and view the contents of each file prior to requesting that it be taken down through use of the SRA (anti-piracy) tool.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Toys R Us launches kids tablet called Nabi

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Nov 2011 1:35

Toys R Us launches kids tablet called Nabi Toy retailer Toys R Us has announced the launch of the Nabi, a tablet aimed at kids.

The tablet runs on Android and has a custom user interface on top to make it very easy for kids to browse the web, play games, read books and learn.

Here are the specs (via Into)

7-inch 800×480 resolution display
533MHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor with PowerVR SGX530 GPU for 3D gaming
4GB of internal storage
3,000 mAh battery for up to 5 hours of non-stop gaming
Front-facing camera
1080p HD video support


Finally, the device comes with its own app store that includes 500 apps. Additionally, the tablet has access to the Fooz Kids University and its extensive library of standarized math problems.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Amazon orders another million Kindle Fire tablets

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Nov 2011 1:13

Amazon orders another million Kindle Fire tablets Amazon has ordered more Kindle Fire tablets, again.

Thanks to overly strong demand, Amazon has called its manufacturing partners and added an order for another million tablets.

Amazon already has around 4 million on order.

The device will be 7-inches and run on Android but will remove some functionality seen on rival tablets like the iPad. Offering Wi-Fi but no 3G, the device also removes a camera and a mic, in an effort to cut down costs. Despite its smaller size, the display is impressive IPS with Gorilla Glass.

The Kindle Fire will have its own new mobile browser dubbed Amazon Silk. The browser is "cloud-accelerated" and uses Amazon's EC2 to turn 100 millisecond waiting times into 5. Additionally, all buyers get a 30-day free trial to Amazon Prime, and access to free TV and movie streaming along with the usual free two-day shipping and discounted 1 day shipping.

As expected, Amazon has closely integrated their ecosystem of services into the Android operating system make it very easy for users to find music, movies and magazines. Cloud access, via the Cloud Drive and Cloud Reader, are also one-click away.




AfterDawn: News

AfterDawn.com now on Google+

Written by Jari Ketola @ 10 Nov 2011 5:48

AfterDawn.com now on Google+ After the introduction of Google+ Pages we have opened a page for AfterDawn.com as well. You can access it easily at http://afterdawn.com/+. If you have joined the Google+ Platform Preview program you might also see Google+ Badges around the site!

What type of content would you like to see featured on our page? News and commentary? Links to interesting content around the web? Inside information about AfterDawn? Or perhaps something completely different?




AfterDawn: News

Warner makes movie clips available on AnyClip

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Nov 2011 10:15

Warner makes movie clips available on AnyClip Warner has signed a deal with startup company "AnyClip."

The site slices clips from high-quality films and makes them available, searchable by actor, music, dialogue and more.

AnyClip signed a deal with Universal in March but had done nothing else since. The company has rights to 12,000 films now, including Vivendi and independent distributors.

User of the site can watch and share the clips, as well as embed them in their blogs or social network pages. Links to purchase the DVD and Blu-ray at Amazon or included on each page.

Warner says they will initially add Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, The Shining, Dirty Harry, 300 and some of the Harry Potter and Batman movies. Hundreds more will be added over time.




AfterDawn: News

Asus makes the Transformer Prime official with specs, pics

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Nov 2011 9:49

Asus makes the Transformer Prime official with specs, pics Asus' much-anticipated Transformer Prime tablet has been officially outed today, and it packs a powerful punch.

The device is the world's first quad-core tablet, has a very sleek form factor, and comes with the optional keyboard dock that made its predecessor, the Transformer, so popular.

Asus says the tablet weighs in at 1.29 lbs, is just 8.3mm thick, and has a 178-degree viewing angle. The 10.1-inch screen has a 1280x800 IPS+ display with Gorilla Glass.

Under the hood is the Tegra 3 processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB internal storage, an 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash and a 1.2MP front-side camera for video chat.

For connectivity (not using the dock) there is a micro-HDMI port.

The Prime will launch next month with Android 3.2 but will quickly be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich.

Asus is selling the tablet for $499 base model and the dock for $150.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Group charged in large $14 million ad-fraud case

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Nov 2011 6:55

Group charged in large $14 million ad-fraud case Six Estonian natives have been arrested today and charged with a scheme that brought in $14 million in fraudulent profits.

Four million computers worldwide were hijacked, and Internet users were often re-routed to sites that helped rack of the profits via ads.

Of those computers, 500,000 were in the U.S. and included PCs being used by government agencies like NASA.

Reads the indictment:

The defendants engaged in a massive and sophisticated scheme that infected at least 4 million computers located in over 100 countries with malicious software or malware. Without the computer users' knowledge or permission, the malware digitally hijacked the infected computers to facilitate the fraud.

The re-routed sites were pages that mimicked legitimate sites like ESPN.com, Amazon.com, and Netflix.com and profits were made whenever users clicked on ads.




AfterDawn: News

Google pulls support for native Gmail app on BlackBerry

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Nov 2011 6:38

Google pulls support for native Gmail app on BlackBerry Starting November 22nd, Google will be pulling all support for its native Gmail app on BlackBerry devices.

If you already have the app, you can continue to use it, but it will be pulled from the market on the 22nd, as well.

Says Google:

Over this past year, we've focused efforts on building a great Gmail experience in the mobile browser and will continue investing in this area. Users may continue to use the app, if installed, however it will not be supported by Google.


The company will continue to focus on Android and will release a fixed product for iOS within the month, says the search giant.

Last week, the native app for iOS hit the App Store but was riddled with issues and was promptly removed.




AfterDawn: News

Crazy guy threatens to blow up Best Buy after Modern Warfare 3 sells out

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Nov 2011 6:27

Crazy guy threatens to blow up Best Buy after Modern Warfare 3 sells out A crazed man in Colorado threatened to blow up his local Best Buy store after the employees messed up his Modern Warfare 3 pre-order and told him the game was sold out.

Lomorin Sar, 31, grew irate after the employees of the store said they did not have his game. The manager offered him a gift card or an upgrade to a more expensive copy of the game, but Sar would not have it.

Instead, the man began asking employees what time they got off work, so he could shoot them outside their cars. Before he was done, he had threatened to blow up the store.

Employees promptly called the police who arrested Sar as he was leaving.

Says detective Bob Friel (via Escapist):

Investigating officers issued a criminal summons to a man who threatened to carry out his own version of Modern Warfare at the electronics store. Fortunately, this situation did not end in violence.


Sar has been charged with disorderly conduct.




AfterDawn: News

Verizon doubling data plans for smartphones at no extra cost

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Nov 2011 5:26

Verizon doubling data plans for smartphones at no extra cost According to Verizon CFO Fran Shammo, new and existing smartphone users will receive double the data limit they currently have, at no extra cost.

For example, if you are on the current $30 for 2GB plan, you will now have 4GB for the same price.

The promotion will run through the holidays, and is the equivalent of a "price cut," the first one Verizon has offered in a very long time.

Existing users will need to call in to be grandfathered into the higher data while all new contract users will automatically have it in their accounts.

Sharma notes that Verizon is using the promotion to "understand consumer behavior" and develop a pricing strategy going forward with LTE and data.

The deal will put Verizon well ahead of AT&T from a price standpoint, but still behind smaller carriers T-Mobile and Sprint, which offer unlimited data for $30. T-Mobile does throttle speeds down from 4G to 2G after 5GB, however.




AfterDawn: News

HTC Titan coming to AT&T this month

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Nov 2011 5:02

HTC Titan coming to AT&T this month First shown off in September, AT&T has announced that the HTC Titan will be released on November 20th.

The device is the most anticipated Windows Phone 7.5 Mango phone, and will cost just $200 with two-year contract.

Running on WP 7.5, the Titan has a 1.5GHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. Most notably, the device has a 4.7-inch display and dual cameras 8MP/1.3MP.

To ring in the new software, Microsoft will be throwing various events at major cities.

The company started its events by installing a 60-foot-tall Windows Phone in NYC.

(Pic via Slash)





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