Apple's About to Kick Mobile Payments Into High Gear

Rumor has it that when Apple reveals its much-hyped iPhone 6 on Sept. 9, one of the features it will be trumpeting -- finally -- is near field communication. The NFC tech will enable mobile payments, Wired reported, citing sources "familiar with the matter." Wow. If this is true, it could be the catalyst that propels mobile payments into the mainstream. Right now, NFC features are commonly included on Android and Windows smartphones, but its usage is nowhere near common.

Former Teacher And Current Entrepreneur Walter Duncan Offers Advice On Getting Things Done

In honor of back to school we’re talking to creatives, VCs, and, in this case, entrepreneurs about what it takes to succeed. Walter Duncan is a really nice guy and dedicated “teacherpreneur” who has created a test-taking app. His start-up has taken in hundreds of thousands in funding and the accolades from teachers are never-ending. We asked him what it took to be a… Read More

Peach OSI Is Fresh and Juicy

Peach OSI is a new Linux distro that stands apart from the crowd. Its first stable version was just released in June -- yet it displays more performance traits and sophistication than many Linux distros that have been searching for an audience for years. In the crowded Linux distro field, it is very rare to find a newcomer that is not like any of the others. It is also rare to see a first stable release offer the kind of smooth performance and expansive feature set as Peach OSI. Peach OSI is a great starting point for Linux newcomers.

Gadget Ogling: Sapphire Phones, Waterproof Reads, Connected Hats and a Runner's Salvation

A current trend among smartphone makers is to thrust a sapphire screen onto the face. Among the 17 million rumors regarding the next iPhone is that it will feature such a display -- the camera and Touch ID components already feature sapphire. Until Apple reveals the truth about its next smartphone, other manufacturers, like Huawei, are jostling for sapphire-embossed market share. The new version of the Ascend P7 will give Huawei the first sapphire-screen smartphone, though it'll be more expensive than previous iterations.

Apple's About to Kick Mobile Payments Into High Gear

Rumor has it that when Apple reveals its much-hyped iPhone 6 on Sept. 9, one of the features it will be trumpeting -- finally -- is near field communication. The NFC tech will enable mobile payments, Wired reported, citing sources "familiar with the matter." Wow. If this is true, it could be the catalyst that propels mobile payments into the mainstream. Right now, NFC features are commonly included on Android and Windows smartphones, but its usage is nowhere near common.

Samsung, LG Unveil Smartwatches With Sex Appeal

Samsung and LG both announced brand-new smartwatches on Wednesday in the run-up to next week's IFA 2014 consumer electronics trade show in Berlin. Featuring a sleek, curved Super AMOLED display along with 3G, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, the Samsung Gear S runs Tizen and allows users to make and receive phone calls. Customizable screen options and changeable straps give users the ability to adjust the device's appearance to suit their taste and style.

Ralph Lauren Takes a Swing at Fitness Tech

Ralph Lauren this week merged the tech and fashion worlds with a new smart Polo shirt. Knitted into the Polo Tech shirt's core are sensors that read biological and physiological information. The company partnered with Msignal to develop a "black box" that includes an accelerometer and gyroscope, which capture movement and direction. Data is captured and sent to the cloud, where it is analyzed using a set of algorithms. Out comes information on heart rate, respiration, stress level and energy output.

Hacker Attacks on Healthcare Providers Jump 600 Percent

The recent data breach at Community Health Systems, in which Chinese hackers stole the personal information of 4.3 million patients, was another sign of a disturbing trend that security researchers at Websense have been observing for months: Healthcare providers are coming under cyberattack at an alarming rate. "We've seen a 600 percent increase in attacks on the healthcare sector in the last 10 months," said Carl Leonard, senior manager at Websense Security Labs. Much of the attack activity is aimed at hospitals.

Enevo’s Waste Bins Sensors Attract $8M Funding From Earlybird And Draper Associates

You’ve heard of the Internet of Things. Well how about the Internet of Shit? Enevo is a startup which has created a ‘sensor-based’ waste collection system to track… yes, you get the idea. It’s today announced $8 million of funding from Earlybird, Lifeline Ventures, Finnish Industry Investment, Draper Associates and Risto Siilasmaa, among others. Enevo has a service… Read More

Robo Brain Teaches a Robot to Fish

A team of university researchers have been busy building Robo Brain, a large-scale computational system that collates information from the Internet, as well as data from computer simulations and real-life robot trials, and learns from it. That knowledge base will be used to drive prototypes for robotics research, household robots and self-driving cars. The researchers have begun downloading 1 billion images, 120,000 YouTube videos, and 100 million manuals and how-to documents to the database.

Kano's Alejandro Simon: If This, Then Do That

Imagine a world where playing Pong and Minecraft gives people the power to program their computers. That world is Kano. It took the idea behind Lego to teach computer programming by playing first-generation computer games. Kano launched on Kickstarter in November 2013. More than 13,000 people from some 50 countries raised $1.5 million in 30 days. Barely one year later, Kano is getting ready to deliver 18,000 preordered kits purchased for $129 each. The idea behind Kano Blocks came from the then 6-year-old son of cofounder Saul Klein.

Kobe Bryant Reads TechCrunch

This month’s issue of Sports Illustrated is notable because it includes a long form feature by Chris Ballard on Kobe Bryant’s return to the game this fall. The story is worth reading for its support of the growth mindset and its undercurrent theme of “hard work will set you free,” whether you are a basketball fan or not. Read More

A Big Honking iPad Could Roll Right Over Apple's Speed Bump

While the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is working to establish itself as the perfect tweener device between tablet and laptop, one hot rumor suggests that Apple's answer for more working space on an iPad will come in the form of a bigger screen -- 12.9 inches of touch-sensitive glory. The rumor comes from Bloomberg, which vaguely cited "people with knowledge of the matter." The only way it could get more vague than that is if the cited source were a little birdie that happened to fly by.

Google Gives Glass a Good Polish

An update to the software that runs Glass gives users of Google's wearable computing device more control over their interactions with contacts. The latest version of the software -- also known as version XE20.1 -- adds the flexibility to choose how to reach out to a contact after selecting the person from the contacts list. "Now, when you tap on one of your contacts, you can swipe between Hangouts, email or SMS -- whichever strikes your fancy at that moment," explained Joel Kalmanowicz, a Glass product manager.

Ruben Bolling Talks About Cartooning As A Career In The Internet Age

It’s back to school time and we decided to share some insight and advice from some amazing people. The first victim participant in our BTS school series of interviews is Ruben Bolling (pictured here), a lawyer-turned-cartoonist who moved from print to a primarily online presence thanks to his poignant, pithy, and hilarious art. TC: Hi, Ruben! You’re my favorite! How did you get… Read More

Instagram Hyperlapse Sparks Time-Lapse Video Craze

Instagram has released Hyperlapse, a free iOS app that takes the jitters out of time-lapse video. Just two weeks ago, Microsoft demonstrated a similar technology that bears the same name. The Instagram app "is the most impressive effect to hit smartphone video in recent memory," said tech analyst Ross Rubin. Consumer video cameras have technology built into them to offset camera shake, but those algorithms, until now, couldn't cope with the combination of movement and acceleration of playback speed involved in time-lapse video.

Scientists Zap Diamond With Laser to Record Quantum Behavior

Researchers recently developed a technique to record the quantum mechanical behavior of one electron in a nanoscale defect in diamond. The team used ultra-fast pulses of laser light both to control the defect's entire quantum state and to observe how the state of one electron in the defect changes over time. "This experiment uses a 'trapped' electron contained within the negatively charged NV center," said team leader David Awschalom, which "results in a well isolated trapped electron whose spin state can be used as our qubit."

Open Source Software: Sailing Into Friendlier Seas

Open source software is now a force drawing enterprises and developers like a magnet. The factors pulling adopters into the open source fold are changing, though. Also changing are the attitudes of software developers and corporate leaders about the viability and adaptability of open source. Open source software is increasingly important within the corporation, as a recent survey conducted by Black Duck Software and North Bridge Venture Partners found. Developers and corporate leaders now view open source software as a strategic advantage.

This Is Not The iPhone 6.

But it is the hardest I’ve laughed all month. Read More

Google Gives Glass a Good Polish

An update to the software that runs Glass gives users of Google's wearable computing device more control over their interactions with contacts. The latest version of the software -- also known as version XE20.1 -- adds the flexibility to choose how to reach out to a contact after selecting the person from the contacts list. "Now, when you tap on one of your contacts, you can swipe between Hangouts, email or SMS -- whichever strikes your fancy at that moment," explained Joel Kalmanowicz, a Glass product manager.

Gadget Ogling: A New Nook, a Good (M8), a Lock With No Key - and Music, Music, Music

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook conflates lots of different things: It's an Android tablet designed for reading, made by Samsung for Barnes & Noble. That might seem confusing, and I'd agree. It's essentially a branded version of the Galaxy Tab 4 with an e-commerce focus. Specifically, there's a Barnes & Noble Newsstand app, with games, movies and books on offer. However, if I wanted a tablet to make buying digital goods easier, I'd more likely opt for Amazon's Kindle Fire or an iPad.

NSA Shares Its Data Wealth

The U.S. National Security Agency secretly shares the communications data it has amassed over the years with nearly 24 government agencies using a search engine resembling Google Search, according to documents released by Edward Snowden. That's more than 850 billion records of phone calls, emails, cellphone locations and Internet chats. The ICREACH search engine's user interface is strikingly similar to that of Google. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration are key participants in ICREACH.

Sofatutor Raises Another €3.5M To Consolidate German Tuition Market

We haven’t heard from Sofatutor in a long old time. In 2012 they raised a ‘low million euro’ round from Acton Capital Partners, with existing investors. But their paid-for tuition service, which they’ve stuck to rigidly since they started, seems to attract investors. Today they’ve raised a third funding round to strengthen the company’s position in the… Read More

Torvalds Says Yes to the Desktop

It was just a few short weeks ago that we here in the Linux blogosphere were rehashing the open source world's documentation dilemma -- one of those perennial topics bloggers love to resurrect whenever there appears to be a lull in the conversation. At the time, alert readers may recall, Linux Girl compared the topic to the ongoing "Year of Linux on the Desktop" debate -- another favorite that just keeps coming back for more. Well guess what? That one's now back too, courtesy of none other than Linux creator Linus Torvalds himself.

Sony DDoS Attack May Have Been Smokescreen

Sony's PlayStation and Sony Entertainment networks were taken down over the weekend by a distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attack. The hackers, who call themselves the "Lizard Squad," also forced authorities to divert a plane Sony Entertainment president was on by tweeting that there might be a bomb on board. A hacker with the handle "FamedGod," purportedly a member of the Anonymous hacking group, later claimed responsibility for the DDoS attack and retaliated against the Lizard Squad for stealing his thunder.

Comcast Really Does Hate Its Customers

We were treated to the customer support call from hell earlier this month when a couple of well-connected bloggers taped their call to Comcast attempting to disconnect from the service and posted it online. Apparently there has been a sequel. The clear lesson from both calls -- particularly the second -- is that if you talk to Comcast support you need to record the call if you don't want to get screwed. With Comcast having been designated as "the worst company in America," I'm sharing my tale, because what happened to me could happen to you.

Man Builds A Suit To Turn Himself Into A Human Fireworks Display, Lives

Ever wished you could see what it’s like to be inside a fireworks display? You could toss up a drone and fly it through the fireworks… Or, if you’re mostly bonkers, you could build a big terrifying metal suit, cross your fingers, and stand right in the middle of the action. Read More

'iWatch' Could Be Late for a Very Important Date

There is a chance that Apple may be forced to postpone the launch of the hotly anticipated "iWatch" or health band -- perhaps pushing it back to 2015. Apple apparently is facing wide-ranging production issues involving components, system design, manufacturing, and integration between hardware and software. Holy macaroni. In addition, there have been dozens of rumors surrounding Apple's investment in manufacturing facilities that can produce super-hard sapphire glass.

OS Flaw Leaves Android Wide Open for App Hack Attacks

A flaw in Android's GUI framework let university researchers hack into applications with up to 92 percent success. They tested apps from Gmail, H&R Block, Newegg, WebMD, Chase Bank, Hotels.com and Amazon. "Changes in the shared memory side channel allow an attacker to infer if there is an activity transition going on in the foreground," said researcher Zhiyun Qian, an assistant professor at the University of California at Riverside. "This is a design choice by modern OSes ... . The same attack may work as well [on other mobile OSes]," he added.

Security Researchers Lay Bare TSA Body Scanner Flaws

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration, part of the Department of Homeland Security, has spent more than a billion dollars on full-body scanners designed to strengthen airport security. It turns out that at least one model of scanner in use for four years -- the Rapiscan Secure 1000 full-body scanner -- easily could have been foiled by a savvy bad actor. In addition, it harbored software flaws that made it vulnerable to cyberattacks. That was the conclusion of nine researchers who presented their findings Thursday at the USENIX security conference in San Diego.

'iWatch' Could Be Late for a Very Important Date

There is a chance that Apple may be forced to postpone the launch of the hotly anticipated "iWatch" or health band -- perhaps pushing it back to 2015. Apple apparently is facing wide-ranging production issues involving components, system design, manufacturing, and integration between hardware and software. Holy macaroni. In addition, there have been dozens of rumors surrounding Apple's investment in manufacturing facilities that can produce super-hard sapphire glass.

Hack Day Produces Oculix, a Mind-Blowing Trip Through the Netflix Catalog

A team of Netflix programmers merged the company's videos with the virtual reality capability offered by the Oculus Rift headset as a fun project on Netflix Hack Day. The Oculix media app lets users browse a floating 3D Netflix video catalog using head turning movements and hand gestures. Once a selection is made, the user can watch the video in a VR theater setting. "This new user experience is potentially a very compelling differentiator," said Strategy Analytics' Eric Smith.

Is Open Source an Open Invitation to Hack Webmail Encryption?

In a move influenced by Edward Snowden's revelations about the NSA's email snooping, Yahoo and Google last week announced that they were cooperating on end-to-end encrypting their webmail products. "We will release source code this fall so that the open source community can help us refine the experience and hunt for bugs," said Yahoo CISO John Stamos. While the open source approach has proven its value over and over again, the idea of opening up the code for security features to anyone with eyeballs still creates anxiety in some circles.

KBS Ventures Expands Into Europe After Taking A Stake In Albion

NYC based agency KBS (kirshenbaum bond senecal + partners) has acquired a majority stake in Albion, an integrated marketing agency based in London. Normally we would pass over such news as irrelevant to the tech scene, but KBS operates a venture arm which invests in startups. As a result of the investment, KBS plans to expand its Ventures unit to London, to be overseen by Albion founder and… Read More

Close Your Eyes and Rest Easy - Blink Is Watching the House

One of the most troubling issues with home security and remote-monitoring products is the complexity and cost to set them up. Blink, a new Kickstarter project, is different. It promises to be astoundingly easy, and it's inexpensive, too. Backers can get a simple remote motion detection and video camera unit for just $69 -- or two for $119. Better yet, no yearly or monthly subscription service is required to use Blink. And the batteries last a year. Amazingly sensible. So far, nearly 4,700 project backers agree, having pledged $684,888.

SparkyLinux GameOver Is a Winning Work-Play Combo

The SparkyLinux GameOver 3.4 Edition may be one of the best Linux distros catering to game players you will find. It is a full-service specialty Linux OS with a focus on gaming. Linux distro developers usually do one of two things about games. One, they provide none or only a few low-impact card and puzzle titles. Two, they build in links to the PlayOnLinux and Steam websites. Historically, few Linux distros have catered to serious game playing. The few that did are mostly now discontinued or inactive.

HTC (M8)s With Microsoft

HTC, which in recent years spurned Windows Phone for Android, on Tuesday returned to the Microsoft fold with the launch of a Windows Phone version of its flagship HTC One (M8) smartphone. The HTC One (M8) for Windows debuted as a Verizon Wireless network exclusive. The two-year contract price at Verizon Wireless is $200. AT&T also will carry the phone, but it hasn't said when that will be. The HTC One (M8) for Windows is identical to the recently unveiled Android version, except for the OS.

Leaked Moto 360 Specs Impress, Price Point Iffy

Specs of the forthcoming Moto 360 smartwatch from Motorola appeared briefly on a Best Buy Web page this week, sparking increased chatter about the device. Concerns about price -- the watch was listed at $250 -- tempered the usual gasps of delight from geeks. Amazon lists a Samsung Galaxy Gear for $150, a Gear Live for $180, a Gear 2 Neo for $200, a Pebble Steel for $230, and an LG G Black Titan for $233. Given that Android device users are notoriously less willing to spend money than their iOS counterparts, who will purchase the Moto 360?

The Connected Car, Part 3: No Shortcuts to Security

The connected car is becoming a reality, but the gadget-filled roadways it travels will be paved with several options for in-car technologies. These choices pose challenges for carmakers. Whichever technology wins the race, one of the biggest concerns for OEMs is their electronic security. The Linux Foundation wants an open source platform in the pole position. The nonprofit consortium already has a fully functional Linux distribution. Automotive Grade Linux is a customizable, open source automotive software stack with Linux at its core.

Google Straps On Jetpac to Take Search to New Heights

Google has acquired Jetpac, according to a statement that appeared Friday on the Jetpac website. Jetpac is the creator of a handful of apps, including City Guides, which analyzes Instagram photos and then automatically creates guides based on the collected data. That information translates into a lot of options for users. They can find bars that attract a younger crowd, the most scenic hiking trails, or the hippest coffee shops, for example. Jetpac has covered some 6,000 cities around the world using this approach.

Hotel's Robotic Butler Is Not Quite 'Rosie'

Aloft Hotels this week announced the launch of a new, robotic "butler" at the company's Cupertino, Calif., location. Dubbed "A.L.O.," the new botlr, or robotic butler, is designed to help the hotel's human staff by delivering amenities to guest rooms. A.L.O. comes professionally "dressed" in a custom shrink-wrapped, vinyl-collared uniform, complete with name tag. "A.L.O. has the work ethic of Wall-E, the humor of Rosie from The Jetsons, and reminds me of my favorite childhood robot, R2-D2," said Brian McGuinness, brand manager for Starwood.

Former CEO Steve Ballmer Steps Down From Microsoft’s Board

Ballmer is out of Microsoft. In a public exchange of letters, former Microsoft CEO announced that he is stepping down from the software company’s board, effective immediately. Current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella thanked Ballmer for his service to the firm, and for his “support” during his early days as CEO. The Ballmer era is over. For whatever it is worth as we look… Read More

Fly Or Die: Sex Toys

This episode of Fly or Die, focused on two different sex toys, may seem straightforward, but John and I actually learned a lot. We realized that not all sex toys are created equal, especially when you’re weighing sex toys for girls against those for boys. Read More

Mobile App Attacks: No Malware, No Problem

Traditional attack methods, like those used with the recent mobile online banking Trojan Svpeng, involve the installation of malware on the device to steal information and commit fraud. However, new techniques are emerging that would enable an attacker to compromise a device and steal private information from the owner -- for example, the typical copycat app on a third-party app store. It looks official. It has a corporate logo on it and perhaps a link to the genuine news feed from that corporation.

Facebook Adds 'Training Wheels' for the Humor-Impaired

Facebook has begun labeling some of the satirical news articles that appear in users' news feeds with a tag designed to prevent readers from mistaking the content for genuine news. The social network's "[Satire]" tag is apparently part of an experiment that's been under way for a month or so. "Folks that mistakenly read and forward satire are embarrassed in front of their friends, and some of those embarrassed people have been folks in power that had no sense of humor," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group.

Watch A Robotic Copter Land On A Moving Platform

Like Voltron, robots will soon need to coordinate landings and docking with absolutely precision in difficult conditions. That’s what a group of researchers have solved by allowing a robot and a movable landing platform to communicate in order to coordinate a perfect landing. As you can see, the quadcopter and a tank-like platform both converge on a pre-set location and both robots… Read More

Loving Linux: Ain't Nothin' Like the 1st Time

You never forget your first love, as the old saying goes, and that appears to apply just as well to Linux as to relationships in real life. To wit: "What was your first Linux distro?" is the title of a recent "Voice of the Masses" poll, and throughout the blogosphere the nostalgic reminiscences have been pouring forth ever since. Some 100 bloggers used poll's comments section to proclaim their first Linuxy loves for all the world to hear. Others got teary-eyed recounting their first tender distro moments down at the Punchy Penguin Cafe.

Hotel's Robotic Butler Is Not Quite 'Rosie'

Aloft Hotels this week announced the launch of a new, robotic "butler" at the company's Cupertino, Calif., location. Dubbed "A.L.O.," the new botlr, or robotic butler, is designed to help the hotel's human staff by delivering amenities to guest rooms. A.L.O. comes professionally "dressed" in a custom shrink-wrapped, vinyl-collared uniform, complete with name tag. "A.L.O. has the work ethic of Wall-E, the humor of Rosie from The Jetsons, and reminds me of my favorite childhood robot, R2-D2," said Brian McGuinness, brand manager for Starwood.

To Your Health: Intel Inside Your Headphones

Intel on Friday announced it is working with rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's SMS Audio to develop earbuds that will monitor users' heart rates. The SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones will have an earhook and will be powered by the user's smartphone. They will be sweat- and water-resistant. The earbuds will be available from SMS Audio in Q4. "This is a pretty unique product when compared to other earphones today, in terms of biometrics -- but also [because] no battery is required," said Intel spokesperson Bill Calder.

Why Tesla Is the Best Car Company in the World

As an analyst in a market of experts, I'm known as a generalist, but if I have an area of particular focus, it is how to make customers love you. In the car space, there are two emerging vendors on the world stage: India's Tata, which now owns brands like Jaguar and Land Rover; and Tesla, the dominant provider of electric cars. Both companies are trying to make a dent in the world, and Tata is by far the larger and more capable of the two, but it is Tesla that is having a bigger impact.

Apple Flexes Muscles in Health Field

Apple has begun ramping up for an incursion into the healthcare market, two months after announcing its HealthKit app at WWDC. The app will collate all a user's fitness and health data. Apple reportedly has discussed HealthKit with healthcare providers Mount Sinai, the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins, along with electronic health records provider Allscripts. Allscripts is a competitor to Epic, which recently inked a partnership deal with Apple, also announced at WWDC.

Reversible USB Could Be iPhone 6’s Biggest Little New Feature

When the iPhone 6 arrives, likely in September at Apple’s upcoming special event, a lot of people will be looking for a larger screen as the core feature to get excited about. But one change that could actually have more of an impact in terms of daily use could be a new, rumored reversible USB-to-Lightning cable that has been leaked a couple of times this week. The leaks, which… Read More

To Your Health: Intel Inside Your Headphones

Intel on Friday announced it is working with rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's SMS Audio to develop earbuds that will monitor users' heart rates. The SMS Audio BioSport In-Ear Headphones will have an earhook and will be powered by the user's smartphone. They will be sweat- and water-resistant. The earbuds will be available from SMS Audio in Q4. "This is a pretty unique product when compared to other earphones today, in terms of biometrics -- but also [because] no battery is required," said Intel spokesperson Bill Calder.

Scott Sanchez on OpenStack: Shifting a Mindset

OpenStack, which turned 4 years old this summer, began as a twinkle in Scott Sanchez's eyes. He was determined to turn the fledgling Infrastructure as a Service platform he helped create into a thriving resource for public and private clouds. OpenStack is an open source project. Its technology consists of a series of interrelated projects that provide users with the ability to create and manage both public and private cloud operations. Partnering with NASA, Rackspace Hosting launched the project in 2010.

Apple Lays Down Law on Toxic Chemical Use

Apple on Thursday reiterated its commitment to safe working conditions in its supply chain, and announced stricter rules for the use of benzene and n-hexane, two toxic chemicals. It also published its Regulated Substances Specification, pointing out that it sets occupational exposure limits for the two toxic chemicals that follow standards bodies' recommendations. The company further announced that it provides suppliers with extensive training on best practices in environmental health and safety.

Apple Flexes Muscles in Health Field

Apple has begun ramping up for an incursion into the healthcare market, two months after announcing its HealthKit app at WWDC. The app will collate all a user's fitness and health data. Apple reportedly has discussed HealthKit with healthcare providers Mount Sinai, the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins, along with electronic health records provider Allscripts. Allscripts is a competitor to Epic, which recently inked a partnership deal with Apple, also announced at WWDC.

Twitter to Review Toothless Policies on Cyberharrassment

A deluge of hateful tweets after the suicide of actor Robin Williams earlier this week forced his daughter Zelda to publicly quit Twitter and Instagram. "We will not tolerate abuse of this nature on Twitter," Del Harvey, the company's vice president of trust and safety, said in a prepared statement. Twitter has suspended "a number of accounts related to this issue for violating our rules." However, Twitter's response to reports of abuse can charitably be described as weak.

OpenMandriva Lx: Not the KDE You Knew

OpenMandriva Lx 2014 is a KDE-only Linux distribution that has some rough edges but is otherwise a solid and reliable choice for user-friendly computing. This latest version, dubbed "Phosphorus," is based on the Mandriva Linux project and ROSA, a Russian Linux distribution. ROSA forked from Mandriva Linux in 2012. It integrated many of Mandriva's original tools and utilities with its own enhancements. Developed by the OpenMandriva Association, OpenMandriva Lx 2014 caters to experienced KDE users, as well as first-time Linux converts.

Apple Lays Down Law on Toxic Chemical Use

Apple on Thursday reiterated its commitment to safe working conditions in its supply chain, and announced stricter rules for the use of benzene and n-hexane, two toxic chemicals. It also published its Regulated Substances Specification, pointing out that it sets occupational exposure limits for the two toxic chemicals that follow standards bodies' recommendations. The company further announced that it provides suppliers with extensive training on best practices in environmental health and safety.

Snowden Blows NSA's MonsterMind

The NSA is working on a new program codenamed "MonsterMind" that will automate the monitoring of traffic patterns on the Internet to look for attacks, whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed. When it detects an attack, MonsterMind will automatically block it from entering the U.S. cyberinfrastructure. It also will automatically fire back at the server from which the attack was launched. That could be a problem, he said, because such attacks can be spoofed -- routed through the servers of innocent third parties.

Chrome’s Safe Browsing Tool Now Also Protects You From Downloading Deceptive Software

Over the years, Google has added all kinds of security features into Chrome through its Safe Browsing service. It can warn you when you are surfing to a site that it deems unsafe, like malware and phishing sites, but also when you are about to download software from known malware sites. Starting today, Google is expanding this program to include downloads of “deceptive software,”… Read More

If the Internet Could Speak: 'I'm Melting! Melting!'

Millions of users were unable to access the Web Tuesday, according to reports. The websites of eBay, Amazon, Autotrader, LinkedIn, Time Warner and Verizon were among those hit. The problem is due to a combination of factors: router configuration; the explosive growth of connected devices; and IPv4 running out of addresses. "The industry faces many limitations with communications, ranging from wireless spectrum to core network bandwidth, and there is never a single solution to overcome these limitations," said tech analyst Rob Enderle.

The Pain of an Apple Enthusiast: When Will I Be Wowed?

Apple is firing on all cylinders. The company is excelling in so many ways, it's hard to keep track of it all. It's building an amazing new "spaceship" headquarters. It's building solar farms to power its data centers. It's cleaning up its supply chain, both environmentally and through better labor practices. Apple produces the best-selling MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Retina display, which have helped to increase its PC market share in 32 of the last 33 quarters, despite generally lackluster U.S. and global economies.