A Hacker proved that he could activate the camera of a MacBook without warning the user

Once again the Apple MacBook is the source of a privacy problem. A man named Jared Abrahams managed to hack the MacBook camera of a classmate without her being aware. The hacker was able to take naked pictures that he subsequently sent to her. The victim quickly realized that she had been photographed without her knowledge for a considerable time.
To do so, Abrahams has managed to disable the green LED that illuminates normally when the camera is activated. So she couldn't know when it is active. It is normally impossible to take such an action, except for the hacker who has found a solution.  

The FBI found on his computer a special software that can remotely control the camera and the green LED. This practice is indeed already used by the FBI and other similar agencies to spy on some suspicious users. This manipulation is of course not available to everyone.
The vulnerability has been explained by two students from Johns Hopkins University in the United States . According to them, it is necessary to change the OS X kernel to successfully disable the LED of the camera. In fact, the vulnerability is not present on the Mac available since 2008. Nevertheless, it is quite possible that a similar method exists on the latest models to date.
 
Source: The Washington Post

Meet Siri

When the CNN reporter Jessica Ravitz was interviewing the voice actress Susan Bennett about voice-over work, she realized that the voice she was hearing over the phone was very familiar.

While Apple is being very secretive about it and still won't confirm it, Bennett revealed her self as Siri, the mysterious voice of the iPhone.

Source: CNN

Spying on a computer keystrokes with an iPhone

Researches have shown that sensors found in our smartphones can sometimes be misused: as an example some researchers used the built-in iPhone 4 accelerometer to build an app that capture keystrokes.
  

The idea is simple: a smartphone is placed next to the keyboard and the accelerometer is capable of recording the vibrations each time you hit a key.  The app is then able to determine the position of each button according to the vibration.  

The program is not really able to detect every keystroke, it simply divides the keyboard into several areas: the accelerometer can actually detect roughly if the pressed key is on the top left, top right, bottom left or bottom right of the keyboard. Next, an analysis is performed in overlapping areas with a dictionary to try to reconstruct words.

When the keyboard type is known (QWERTY, AZERTY, etc..) and the language used is identified, the recognition rate of the text is quite high, with a success rate between 70 and 80% . Obviously there are some problems with recognition, especially when a one letter word is used, but the results are interesting.
 

The type of the used smartphone has also an influence: an iPhone 3GS, which uses a conventional accelerometer is unusable, while an iPhone 4 which couples the accelerometer to a gyroscope is effective. Overall, any modern smartphone used in an environment free from excessive vibration should succeed to do the same work.

Although this might sound innovative and fun, but the goals of the study were to show that the monitoring method are not always obvious to detect, and to raise awareness about using technology in a responsible and ethical way, while appreciating and embracing your privacy and respecting the others'.

Facebook to start selling our data to U.S TV channels

In order to compete with Twitter, Facebook announced that it would start sending shared data on its platform to some U.S. television channels. The aim is to highlight the interactions and popularity of programs on the social network.  

While a Nielsen highlighted the ability of Twitter to boost  TV viewership, Facebook has decided to exploit this niche too.  

The Wall Street Journal reports that the social network will start sharing its data with a handful of U.S. partners : ABC, NBC, Fox and CBS.
The reports will consist of information related to likes, publications and comments associated with a television program. The channels will be able to analyze the behavior of the community and draw conclusions that will eventually influence decisions.  

And of course it won't be Facebook if it only based its reports on public data users. Private content will be also integrated, to the data sent to American channels. The result should look like a list of statistics available at the discretion of TV channels with more data to be incorporated over time to refine the statistics, giving Facebook a new way to monetize data from its 1.27 billion members.

Personalized ads might be coming to Gmail Android

Recently updated, the Gmail application for Android carries signs of the imminent arrival of advertising.

The Android Police website, analyzed the last updated Gmail for Android 4.6. The site was not disappointed, since among the novelties of this version, they came back with clues about the arrival of advertising on the app.

A new library named "ads" - has appeared. In it, a series of XML files evoking multiple ad formats, but also a command that refers to the page of the user's preferences, suggesting that the custom settings (used for targeting) could be part of .
 

Even thought Google has already started sending Sponsored mails via Gmail, the service does not appear, for the moment, to include advertising. This situation could change in the future, at least for the Android application, if the company decided to integrate the elements cited above in its APK.

Stay tuned!

Does IOS7 make your Iphone waterproof?

iOS7, available since September 18, does not make your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch waterproof. This is the kind message that Apple is making us broadcast to a handful of users.  

Many believed a false advertising that made the rounds on the Internet recently. It showed "Update to iOS 7 and become waterproof." Obviously, this story is not true. It has not prevented some users from falling into the trap so far. They tested their iPhone to dive into the water and there was the drama.
 
The ad below has quickly made ​​the rounds on social networks. It comes straight from 4Chan.
 

 
It is true that the advertising is rather well done. All evidence suggest that Apple is behind it, I think that their intention was to test how well their marketing strategy since 2001 is going and I think it is safe to say that they succeeded to prove how gullible and stupid their users are! (I personally don't mind a chat with an Apple sheep...)

Do not believe everything you read. Ask yourself the simplest question before you start conducting experiences: How a simple software update can render a device resistant to water?

Meanwhile, several users have reported their anger on Twitter
"Anyone who said that iOS7 was waterproof, fuck you!"
"Now my phone has water damage."

Source: iphoneaddict

YouTube offline: Vevo is categorically opposed

Last week, we learned, not without joy, that the YouTube application for Android mobile devices will soon allow watching videos offline. Once the video is loaded on your device, you'll be able to watch it as much as you want in a period of 48 hours.A new feature that can be useful when you are in a bad coverage area, when you carefully monitor your 3G consumption or simply if you intend to listen repeatedly to the same song over and over again.

Vevo: A party pooper!

  

Unfortunately , apart from our expectation about the eventual integration of offline mode on YouTube, Vevo sees this novelty as evil.

"We’re not going to allow viewing of our music videos or other programming in offline mode"
 
The ultimate promotion tool on the net of giants like Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, Vevo account, aren't counting on  losing a dime generated by advertising, nor will consider the risk that they might be overshadowed by Youtube's own application. A choice that is anything but a wise on their part and should further encourage piracy.After all who want to wait four minutes loading whenever he wants play a song when you can just download it illegally to be available on the SD card as soon as you want? It is clear that only way to attract music consumers in making it accessible . But obviously, Vevo couldn't care less.

However, Vevo's decision should not compromise the integration of offline mode in the YouTube application, expected in November .

The Apple handkerchief 1.0

Apple hit hard by announcing its integrated within the iPhone 5S fingerprint reader. We know for sure that third-party developers can not use this technology, but what wasn't announced is the Apple handkerchief you get whenever you buy a 5S: a very useful accessory in the company of this smartphone!


      

The future iPhone 5S owners, shall, to unlock their phone, put their finger on the home button. However if you have sweaty fingers Touch ID may not recognize you. In this case, you can say goodbye to the ability to unlock your mobile. A shame isn't it?

However, if the phone was restarted, or it hasn't been unlocked for 48 hours (sweaty fingers? ...), an option with a password you pre-registered will be displayed for you to avoid the hassle of "brick in your pocket."

What's really going on between Google and Nestlé?

After the quite unexpected announcement Google made about the name of the next version of Android, some additional explanations were published today to clarify that this agreement was non monetary .
  
  

For every major new version of Android, Google gives a new name corresponding to a dessert. And for each new version, the first letter is incremented in an alphabetical order. Thus, with the letter K we were expecting Key Lime Pie, but finally Android 4.4 KitKat has been announced to take us by surprise.

Obviously, many questions have been raised about this partnership with the Swiss food giant. Many tech writer started to talk about a financial settlement that has been reached between the two firms. But this is not the case.

Thanks to a publication of the BBC, we learn that this marketing operation began in a telephone meeting between the Android sales manager and Nestlé's advertising consulting agency. Then all that was finalized at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, last February. More importantly, no money has been raised, only an exchange of visibility between the two giants has been concluded.

Shortly, you now should expect to find Android shaped chocolate bars since Nestlé plans to distribute more than fifty million of these treats, stamped Android. And maybe we'll get then the chance to win one the latest Nexus, or gifts from Play Store.

And finally to learn more about this, visit http://kitkat.com, which is, I might say the most perfectly designed website I've seen so far. It is just AWESOME!

Microsoft agitates the world of smartphones

Since the announcement of the "cooperation" between Microsoft and Nokia at Mobile World Congress 2011 , observers have been waiting for what looked very much like an inevitable logical sequence, with this recurring question: When will Microsoft buy the once was Finnish giant ?  
As I was struggling to sleep -it was 5 am here-, I checked twitter to find out that #Microsoft is trending. We finally got an answer:  Microsoft announced the acquisition of Nokia for $ 7.2 billion. The news were received by surprise and mockery.


In an email sent yesterday evening to employees of the firm, Steve Ballmer , CEO leaving Microsoft , announced the acquisition of Nokia 's Devices & Services business , a deal that includes smartphones and mobile division development and design teams , manufacturing units in the world, and operational teams: marketing and support. In total 32,000 Nokia employees will pass directly under Microsoft's banner.
 
Ballmer said that the transaction is " a big step for the future and is in line with the changes announced on July 11". Lumia and Asha in one basket Besides the Nokia Lumia range smartphones composed exclusively of the Windows Phone operating system from Microsoft, this purchase also covers "basic" Asha phones , which will enable Microsoft to expand its hold on mobile telephony.
A major challenge to the two companies , which have failed to negotiate in good time and in the best of their place in the great upheaval of telephony and mobile internet , especially on the smartphone market , monopolized by Apple , Samsung and Google's Android OS , which in turn has also offered another manufacturer , Motorola .  

So, what remains to Nokia? 

Three activities " software, network and services":  Their mapping service, the network infrastructure NSN and Advanced Technologies, and business license and development .  
For Microsoft , it's not big surprise. Their goal was clear, to regain the special privileges they granted Nokia to adapt Windows phone and then to end Nokia. So it is safe to say that the next phone after the latest Lumia ( to be released on the 2nd of October) will be signed Microsoft.

An artist got an RFID chip implanted under his skin

The worst has happened! An artist, Anthony Antonellis just got an RFID chip implanted in his skin. The RFID chip is the size of a grain of rice and can contain up to 1KB of data. All you need is to approach your smartphone to scan the hand and discover content. For now, Anthony Antonellis is using it to display his favorite GIFS.
     

              
This experience can be scary because we can easily imagine the marketing excesses that could result if everyone starts to implement this kind of chip in their skin. Some say that it could store vital data, which would be effective in an accident for example. Some would say it is just a new way to be more "controlled" than we already are ...

So, for or against?

For the first time in 5 years, Yahoo is #1

For the first time in five years, Yahoo passes Google in web traffic in the United States. The Mountain View giant lost its number one spot in July. A surprising result, but is Yahoo able to sustain its position?
  

The figures from ComScore for July confirms it, Yahoo sites surpassed Google sites by 4 338 900 visits (196 564 000 to 192 225 100  visits for Google).  
To realize better what just happened, you must know that Google has been holding the number one spot since April 2008, while Yahoo always oscillated between the second and third place.
 
In the rest of the chart, we find Microsoft Sites in third with 179 595 visits and Facebook in fourth with 266.142 million visits. Note that these figures refer only to the United States. This is a real "tour de force" to Yahoo and its president, Marissa Mayer, who herself worked at Google in the past.  

The figures do not rely solely on search engines, but on all the sites operated by these companies. This includes for example the online messaging and blogs. ( Note that Google recently bought Tumblr from Yahoo, and is currently ranking 38th with 38 367 000 visits)

While this is great news for Yahoo, and whether it is able to hold its position or not, we cannot but wonder if Google professing the lack of privacy their users have to deal with and Microsoft's infamous campaign against them (Scroogled) - Keeping in mind,  Microsoft services mediocrity and lack of security - played a role in boosting the number of visits for the already popular site (Yahoo) in the US.  





Source: Phonandroid

Facebook... It's bad for you!

According to a study conducted by psychologists at the University of Michigan, the more you use Facebook, the more you're unhappy.
 
These conclusions were derived after the researchers have looked back on how 82 young adults use Facebook, for a period of two weeks. When participants in the experiment started, they were asked to record their moods and the satisfaction they felt about their lives. During the two weeks, the researchers asked participants to answer questions about their general mood and the time they spent on Facebook since the last check, at intervals of 2 hours.  
The conclusion was: the more people spend time on Facebook during the 2 hour period, the more they felt ill.

The result was the same when they raised the average time spent on Facebook, for one person, with "average mood." Those who spent more time on the social network had worst moods.

According to one of the authors of the study, Ethan Kross, this could put a multitude of factors involved Among the reasons cited by the researcher, there are social comparisons that can be made when you go on Facebook, reduction of the time spent conducting activities supposed beneficial as getting out of exercise or the reduction of direct interaction with people.

Another study, conducted by the Humboldt University in Berlin, also showed that Facebook could have harm on the psychological level. Among the grounds which were then discussed, there was also the fact that people begin to compare their lives to the other by going on Facebook, which can lead to dissatisfaction.

Source : Two faced Facebook: we like it but it doesn't make us happy

Microsoft shows you how you're getting scroogled

The Competition is fierce between Google and Microsoft. The latter recently accused his rival of disguising advertisements in emails and sending them directly to the user's inbox. A technique that Microsoft has named Gspam.

Following an update of Gmail users now have a "Promotions" tab to separate the commercial emails from the rest of the electronic correspondence. The idea might seem a bit silly to you, but Microsoft accuses Google of scanning mails from its users, analyzing keywords and then sending advertising messages among the "Promotions".

Microsoft styling this technique "Gspam" and invites users to no longer be "scroogled". Indeed, the role of a mailbox is to filter spam and not to drag some more or less discreetly.

Of course, I can invite you all to leave Gmail and end my post, but it would be pointless and ridiculous since I have no better viable alternative ( Unless you are willing to try self-hosting and take full responsibility for your own security). 

However, the only advice I can give you is not to use OUTLOOK, because how could you trust the firm who released windows 8, willingly handed the NSA Skype data, and are shamelessly advertising the Xbox one (a spy in your home).

Read more about Scroogled

Useful Android Codes

 

WLAN, GPS and Bluetooth Test Codes:

*#*#232339#*#* OR *#*#526#*#* OR *#*#528#*#*   -  WLAN tests

*#*#232338#*#*    -  Shows WiFi MAC address.

*#*#1472365#*#*    -  GPS test.

*#*#1575#*#*    -  Another GPS test.

*#*#232331#*#*   -  Bluetooth test.

*#*#232337#*#    -  Shows Bluetooth device address.

Codes to launch various Factory Tests:

*#*#0842#*#*   - Device test (Vibration test and BackLight test)

*#*#0588#*#*    - Proximity sensor test

*#*#0*#*#*    -  LCD test

*#*#2664#*#*   -  Touch screen test

*#*#2663#*#*    -  Touch screen version

*#*#0283#*#*   -  Packet Loopback

*#*#0673#*#* OR *#*#0289#*#*    -  Melody test

*#*#3264#*#*    -  RAM version

Code for firmware version information.

 *#*#1111#*#*   -  FTA SW Version

*#*#2222#*#*   - FTA HW Version

*#*#44336#*#* - PDA, Phone, CSC, Build Time, Changelist number

*#*#4986*2650468#*#*   - PDA, Phone, H/W, RFCallDate

*#*#1234#*#*  - PDA and Phone

Miscellaneous

 *#*#7780#*#*   - This code is used for factory restore setting.This will remove google account setting and System and application data and settings.

*2767*3855#   -  This code is used for factory format, and will remove all files and settings including the internal memory storage. It will also reinstall the firmware.

*#*#4636#*#*   - This code show information about your phone and battery.

*#*#273283*255*663282*#*#*    - This code opens a File copy screen where you can backup your media files e.g. Images, Sound, Video and Voice memo.

*#*#197328640#*#*    -  This code can be used to enter into Service mode. You can run various tests and change settings in the service mode.

*#*#7594#*#*   -  This code makes your power button, directly turn off your phone without showing the mode menu(silent, flight,..)

*#*#8255#*#*  -  This code can be used to launch GTalk Service Monitor.

*#*#34971539#*#*    -  This code is used to get camera information. (Don't update the camera firmware)

Apple developer's site under attack

Following an attack on developer.apple.com, certain personal information of developers were stolen.

Just back online, the Apple website dedicated to developers, was inaccessible since last Thursday. The Cupertino branch confirms that it was not an extended maintenance, but the result of an attack.

"Last Thursday, an intruder tried to access the personal information stored on our dedicated website for Apple developers. Sensitive personal information was encrypted and could not be found, however, the possibility that they had access to names, email or mailing addresses developers address is not spread, "said the message on the Apple website before restarting.

A possibility confirmed by Ibrahim Balic, a security researcher who says that the site 9to5Mac have had access to names, Apple IDs and email addresses of nearly 100,000 developers. He proves his claims via a YouTube video.

 

To prevent a new vulnerability is exploited in the future, Apple decided to overhaul its system and its infrastructure, updating its servers software and fully rebuild its database.

IT Jobs with the Highest Pay and Fastest Growth [Infographic]

According to staff.com, IT jobs have been fueling the economy worldwide. And it will continue to do so in decades to come.
So I thought of sharing this great and very informative infographic about IT Jobs with the Highest Pay and Fastest Growth created by Rob Rawson.
So if you are thinking about switching jobs, especially jobs in IT, this infographic is for you.
 

For more information contact radel@staff.com

Pebble Smart Watches : pre-orders exceeded 275,000 units

The pre-orders of Pebble smartwatch, had surpassed the 275,000 pre-orders, in addition to having received nearly 1 million app downloads to date. Of the 275,000 pre-orders, about 85,000 of them were received during its Kick starter campaign. Eric Migicovsky, CEO of Pebble said: "This is great news for users and for developers. More Pebble = a bigger market and more demand for Pebble watchapps. With the objective to see Pebbles appear on many wrists as possible, our team is constantly working to improve the quality of this product and to increase its capacity. Every day thousands of new Pebbles are produced. "  

A security vulnerability affecting 99% of Android devices

The security problem affecting 99% of Android devices has been fixed by Google. And now it's up to manufacturers to deploy the update.

Last week, the security editor Bluebox revealed a security flaw affecting 99% of Android devices and indeed relevant terminals in circulation for four years, since the 1.6 version of Android, or about 900 million devices. This flaw allows a malicious user to modify the installation file an application without changing the signature and insert malware.

"The company has not seen any evidence to support use of the fault on Google Play or other app stores through (their) security scanning tools."  
According to Google's communications manager Gina Scigliano.

Anyway Google confirmed that hey have corrected this vulnerability and sent the patch to its partners.On Samsung, for example, it would already be deployed. Other OEMs task provide a quick update, including the oldest terminals.

Source: ZDnet

Yelp allows you to avoid hipsters in your city

Do you find the sight of a hipster in her/his tight slims "fun"? Tired of seeing them everywhere you go? Yelp will help you avoid using a heat map!
 

First, let us return to what Yelp is. It is a service of research and popular opinion in the United States who bought Qype last year for 50 million dollars.

Today a new feature appeared taking the form of a world  heat map that reveals hot spots with the most popular terms used on Yelp in a selected city (including the term "hipster ", obviously). We can therefore find out where the largest concentration of bar or otherwise avoid tourist areas and hipsters.

More android apps

Google PageRank updates schedule for 2013

 Google’s PageRank (named after Larry Page), or the heart of their software as Google describes it, is a system of counting link votes and determining which pages are most important based on them. These scores are then used along with many other things to determine if a page will rank well in a search.



The PageRank updates scheduled for this year:

• 1st Update: January 28 to February 6
• 2nd Update: June 27 to July 7
• 3rd Update: September 29 to 4 October
• 4th Update: 24 December to 29 December
  

However, Google also relies on other strategies such as Google Panda (released in February 2011) which is a change that aims to lower the rank of "low-quality sites" or "thin sites", and return higher-quality sites near the top of the search results. CNET reported a surge in the rankings of news websites and social networking sites, and a drop in rankings for sites containing large amounts of advertising.

What did Burger King get for its fiftieth birthday!

Burger King has revolutionized the world of hamburger with a handsfree kit called Hands Free Whopper.

Burger King should satisfy all those who do not have time to eat. With the kit, you can now enjoy your burger while continuing your activities on the Internet, in the office, on the subway ... proposed by the fast food concept is fairly simple, you put the hands-free around your neck. The burger fits in the slot provided for this purpose and the height is normally perfect. Your sandwich will be right in front of your mouth, so it is ready to be tasted. You can then perform a second activity while eating.

Burger King has decided to invent this product for its 50 years. The conflicting views on the Internet, some find this a stupid accessory, others are very interested and eager to try it. Users also noted that the company is trying by all means to create a buzz for the crowd in its facilities. For the famous hands-free kit, it will go to the island of Puerto Rico, Burger King will only sell this place the Hands Free Whopper.
 
McDonald's fries and-door

This is not the first time such a handsfree born. The rival of Burger King had proposed a fried-door car. It was distributed in Japan and is easily fixed on the dashboard. You could drive while eating, you can now do the same with a burger. It will be around your neck, it must pay attention to bad jokes. The sandwich could quickly be IN your face.

And finally, there is no better way to display my objection than this scene from "Modern Times" where the Tramp(Charlie Chaplin) tries out an automated lunch feeder, for which the owner of the factory reluctantly agrees to a demonstration, in hopes of cutting the costs of needless "break time".