Month: October 2013

Hacking

My Experience As A Fourth Grade Hacker

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As reported on TechCrunch. by ALEXANDRA JORDAN When Alexandra Jordan presented at this year’s TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon, the fourth grader from Sunnyvale, CA proved to be something of an audience favorite. Jordan conceived of and coded her own hack, a playdate app called Super Fun Kid Time, which she is planning to launch in November.  In honor of the International Day of the Girl — formally recognized by the United Nations on October 11th, 2012 — we asked Jordan to write a…

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Mobile

QSAlpha in talks to bring Quasar IV smartphone to China Mobile

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As reported on Engadget. By Brad Molen A couple weeks ago we covered a new Indiegogo campaign from QSAlpha, a company aiming to produce a super-encrypted smartphone (along with a software-based platform for standard Android users as well). Despite the fact that the funding phase didn’t go so well, the manufacturer recently announced that its phones will go into production and begin shipping in Q2 of next year. But which operators will take on this hardcore encrypted handset? Sources have…

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Automotive

Mini Cooper hardtop gets parking assistance and collision warning systems

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As reported on Engadget. By Timothy J. Seppala It feels like the last time we thought about the Mini Cooper, it was pulling bank jobs with Mark Wahlberg. Since then, the diminutive coupe has apparently outgrown its rebellious phase and is now thinking about more mature notions, like safety. At next month’s LA Auto Show, the 2014 hardtop will debut a new collision warning system that employs cameras — instead of the feature’s typical sonar tech…

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Entertainment News

DreamWorks Animation’s CEO offered $75 million for three more ‘Breaking Bad’ episodes

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As reported on The Verge. By Jacob Kastrenakes  The CEO of DreamWorks Animation wanted to see a few more episodes of Breaking Bad, and he was willing to put up a Walter White-style stack of money in order to make it happen. According to Variety, Jeffrey Katzenberg — who as CEO of DreamWorks Animation had no relationship to the series — offered to finance three additional episodes of the show for $25 million apiece. The price would likely have…

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Business Culture Microsoft

HP Admits What We Already Knew: Microsoft Is At War With Its OEM Partners

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As reported on TechCrunch. by ALEX WILHELM HP stated the obvious today, clearing the air a bit in the world of personal computing, not to mention other areas of the technology industry. Microsoft, it said, is now a competitor to its business. Of course, we knew this. HP sells software, services, and devices. So does Microsoft. Here’s the key quote from HP CEO Meg Whitman: “Current [HP] partners like Intel and Microsoft are turning from partners to outright…

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Application Google

New Google Maps Regains Support For Multi-Destination Trips, Now Integrates Your Flights And Upcoming Events

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As reported on TechCrunch. by GREG KUMPARAK The big, still-in-Beta Google Maps overhaul brought a bunch of new shiny stuff, from its new fullscreen interface to drastically improved public transportation integration. It also lost some features, though – and when you take away things that people (like me!) have been using for years, those people (like me!) get sad. One of the features that got washed away in the refresh: multi-destination trips. At long last, it returns. To add a…

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Business Hardware Dev

Synaptics’ new acquisition could bring fingerprint readers to most laptops

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As reported on Engadget. By Jon Fingas If you hadn’t heard, fingerprint readers are in vogue these days. Synaptics clearly knows it: the company just acquired Validity, a firm that specializes in finger-based authentication. The $92.5 million deal gives Synaptics both access to the biometric market as well as a complement to its existing touch input devices. While the company isn’t detailing its plans, it’s easy to see the potential impact. When Synaptics makes the majority of laptop trackpads, there’s a real…

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Android Application

doubleTwist Sync for Windows adds new interface and syncing options

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As reported on Engadget. By Mariella Moon It might not have gotten a Holo makeover, but doubleTwist for Windows has still scored a major update that includes a fresh UI, additional syncing options and a brand new name. Now aptly called doubleTwist Sync, the re-christened app comes with MTP support for quick PC-to-tablet/phone syncing via USB. The service’s Android player now also automatically pushes playlist edits, playcounts and ratings to iTunes. Finally, neat freaks will love that they can…

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Entertainment Film Science

Visual effects studio stuns with three minute clip of sci-fi mech film

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As reported on The Verge. By Dante D’Orazio    An epic sci-fi movie featuring large-scale mech battles is an ambitious project for a small visual effects studio to take up on its free time. But that’s precisely what director J.J. Palomo and his team from Barcelona’s Big Lazy Robot have done with “Keloid.” Rather than output a full-length feature at direct-to-TV quality, the team spent over two years putting together this three minute “spec film.” It’s…

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Microsoft Tablet

Office 365 Is Coming To The iPad, Scout’s Honor

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As reported on TechCrunch. by JORDAN CROOK You’ve been played before. You’re vulnerable and nervous about opening up again. It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve been lied to. Back in 2011 we heard rumors that the iPad would be graced with Office’s presence in 2012, and shortly thereafter we saw an actual photo of Office on an iPad. But… nothing. And then some more nothing. Until today. The company is finally letting Office 365 smooch up against the…

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