Gadget Access

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 24th 2008 at 2:27AMComing in capacities ranging from 80 to 320GB, Fujitsu’s new MHZ2 CJ series drives don’t just spin at 7200rpm — these security-conscious drives also have full-disk hardware-based AES-256 encryption, which ought to forestall indefinitely any potential laptop-nappers. We don’t yet know how much the extra security will tack on to the bottom line, but they’ll be out by the end of next month (in Japan, anyway).

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Filed under: Storage

According to Microsoft’s latest Security Intelligence Report for July through December 2007, web attacks are on the rise.

With more users becoming cautious about downloading and opening email attachments, hackers are now looking for new ways to “trick” users into downloading malware.  The most popular attack is the embedding of malware into websites, especially through banner advertisements. In fact, adware has increased by 66 percent. The most common type of malware removed by Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) are Trojan horses, which disguise themselves as innocent software but contain hidden malicious code within—which can be used to create a back door or collect personal information, for example. Microsoft reports that the number of Trojan horses has exploded by 300 percent during the second half of 2007. In all, the software giant says that the number of malicious software removed by its MSRT has increased by 40 percent. Another attack gaining popularity is phishing, which is the act of tricking users into visiting a legitimate looking website and entering their personal information (e.g., social security and credit card numbers), only to have it stolen and/or sold to a third party.

Interestingly, a lost or stolen computer is the most common security breach, which accounted for 57 percent of the total number of breaches. Exploits, malicious software, and hacking accounted for 13 percent for the second half of 2007 (23 percent for the entire year). However, there is some slightly good news. The number vulnerabilities related to Microsoft products has fallen 15 percent in the second half of 2007; resulting in an overall 5 percent drop in the total number of vulnerabilities for the entire year.

Other interesting tidbits include:

• 129.5 million pieces of potentially unwanted software were detected between July 1 and December 31 2007, resulting in 71.7 million removals. These figures represent increases of 66.7% in total detections and 55.4% in removals over the first half of 2007.
• Once a largely e-mail based phenomenon, phishing attempts are increasingly being posted to social networks, exploiting the trust that victims place in these networks and in the social contacts with whom they have connected through them.
• The most prevalent rogue security software detected in the second half of 2007 was Win32/Winfixer, with more than five times as many detections as any other single family. Winfixer (an Internet and Windows Explorer toolbar) displays erroneous alerts warning of severe system threats. The program then offers to remove the erroneous detections for a fee. These warnings appear under multiple false product names in several different language versions.
• The top potentially unwanted software family detected in the second half of 2007 was Win32/Hotbar. Win32/Hotbar installs a dynamic toolbar in Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer and delivers targeted pop-up ads based on its monitoring of Webbrowsing activity. The toolbar appears in Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer. The toolbar contains buttons that can change depending on the current Web page and keywords on the page. Clicking a button on the toolbar may open an advertiser Web site or paid search site. Hotbar also installs graphical skins for Internet Explorer, Outlook, and Outlook Express. Win32/Hotbar may collect user-related information and may silently download and run updates or other code from its servers.

Read [CNET]

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by Nilay Patel, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 6:23PMWow, it looks like someone was listening when we said that Pivot wasn’t going anywhere just an hour ago — Comcast, Time Warner (Engadget’s parent company) and Cox have all confirmed to the AP that they’ve backed out of the quad-play partnership, leaving Sprint alone to awkwardly hang out with Advance / Newhouse, which declined to comment. That must be a fun party. Of course, this also means both of the partnerships Sprint and Big Cable got into have now failed, but that doesn’t mean the competition in the space is over: both Time Warner and Cox say wireless is still in the cards for their companies, but Pivot was just too complicated a venture. Comcast hasn’t said anything yet, but promised a comment tomorrow sometime between 7AM and 11PM.

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Filed under: Wireless

At the Fortune Green conference, Dell CEO, Michael Dell was kind enough to show off their latest attempt at an environmentally friendly PC. Though still in the development process at the moment, Dell has begun boasting of the PC’s potential features. Purportedly, the device uses 70% less energy than most other desktop models and it is also 81% smaller than most desktop PC’s. Additionally, the mini PC will be made of recyclable items, thus helping reduce its carbon footprint and saving the world.

Okay, so saving the world may be a little bold, but it is a cool idea, and its nice to see a big company making an effort. The device has yet to be named, but the price expected to be between $500 and $700. Keep reading for a few more images of Dell’s eco-friendly PC…

Read [Earth2Tech]

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I’m not a morning person. I never have been, and I doubt that I ever really will. I’m the kind of guy that gets up, showers, dresses and still looks and acts like a zombie. The last thing I need in the morning is some way to make my routine more dangerous, because lets face it, I’m clumsy enough when I’m not groggy. Needless to say, this toaster won’t be making its way into my kitchen any time soon.

I can certainly see the appeal of this toaster, as it looks much cooler than your average stand-up version. Unfortunately I can’t see any real benefits to this Fagor TP-2006 X Flat Toaster, except maybe you can toast larger items. That aside, all I see are negatives.

First, you’ve got a surface lined with extremely hot wires with no way to cover them (except with things to toast), so it is rather dangerous. Then, you’ve got to manually flip over your toast, instead of having both sides heated at once. No word on pricing or availability.

Source: SlipperyBrick

Bicycles are supposed to be great vehicles when it comes to keeping the earth green and giving you a good workout, right? Well, apparently newer bicycles these days tend to let up on the sweating part by allowing a little electric-powered engine to help you out during the steeper moments in life. Optibike is one of those companies, and their 2008 range of electric-powered bicycles will have the limited edition OB1 as the flagship of the series. Its main component is the patented Motorized Bottom Bracket (MBB) that drives through the derauiller gear system to optimize acceleration and range at all pedaling speeds. This special system is now oil cooled and is capable of delivering 850 continuous watts of power. Other goodies include carbon fiber handlebars, brakes, derailleur, chainring and cable ferrules, a customized paint job, GPS satellite navigation, plus a wireless PDA interface that provides real-time feedback on remaining range, battery charge and motor temperatures - are you drooling already?

Talk about one high performance bike! I wouldn’t want to let this out of my sight even for a moment, and would do well to get the most secure parking options available in the market. After all, there will only be two dozen of the exclusive OB1s available throughout the world, and they don’t come cheap at $12,995 each - which is more than enough to buy a small, compact sedan. A trio of other models will round off the 2008 range, consisting of the 800Li, the 50 mile range 600Li and Optibike 400. All of these will feature “build-your-own” bike customization options, with prices starting for $4,995 upwards for the 400 watt model.

Well, it sounds like a great intra-city vehicle to move around in. Just make sure you wear a helmet whenever you head outdoors as you never can tell when one of those deranged motorists hit the road.

Source: Gizmag

Great news for people in the UK as more details have been discovered about the new FreeSat and FreeSat HD service. Currently the only way to get HD in the UK is via Sky HD (Review), which comes with monthly subscription charges. With FreeSat you will be able to get over 80 channels, and HD channels for free, with no monthly subscription charges.

Many people have trouble receiving all the channels via digital TV (Freeview), but with FreeSat, 98% of the UK will be able to recivie all the channels. Sources say that the FreeSat service will go live on the 25th of April 08, and installation of the satellite equipment and set top box will cost about £80, with both SD and HD set top boxes avaliable for around £40 to £100 depending on the specifications, such as HDD size for recording.

The main advantage of FreeSat over Sky is the fee’s, or lack of them. There is only a one off free, and thats it. Many people in the UK have HDTVs, but no HD signal, so HD via FreeSat sounds like a great idea.

For more information on FreeSat HD, visit FreeSat.co.uk

VTech has announced the retail and online availability of its latest phone systems, where the 2008 line up will feature the trend-setting LS6117 that spearheads VTech’s effort, touted to be the first cordless phone which is capable of delivering creative control over the phone’s aesthetics with customizable graphics. Other additions in the DECT 6.0 family are also stylish, providing the marriage of both form and function for your living room. According to Matt Ramage, senior vice president of product management, VTech Communications, “The 2008 lineup addresses what consumers want today — stylish designs with advanced technology features. Consumers want phones that fit their homes and lives, and that’s why we’ve added even more options for customization, expandability and organization, along with advanced technology for call clarity and interference reduction.” Do you think the man is right?

The customizable LS6117 received inspiration from skateboard and snowboard designs, where the front features all the key functionality of a cordless phone while the back side makes a pretty strong design statement. The back of the handset can be altered to feature one of five special design inserts, or you can always print your own for a more personalized approach. As for the DECT 6.0 DS6121 digital expandable cordless phone, this cordless handset boasts a silver metallic finish and blue backlit keypad and display to fit in contemporary-designed rooms with ease. Alternatively, those looking for both convenience and flexibility can always settle for the triple-handset DS6121-3 and five-handset DS6121-5, which is similar in terms of features where the DS6121 is concerned.

Those who are on a tighter budget can always check out VTech’s chic CS5121. This 5.8 GHz cordless phone system enables users to embrace the latest in cordless phone features, including a digital answering system, 20 name/number phonebook directory and caller ID/call waiting without breaking the bank. All you need ro fork out is a mere $25 - that ought to be affordable no matter what your station in life is.

Press Release

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 1:46PMWhile it’s not exactly enough to turn Formula One green, the racing league at least looks to be taking some steps in that direction, with it now announcing that it plans to phase in a new hybrid transmission system starting in 2009. Unlike hybrid systems found in regular cars, however, the so-called Kinetic Energy Recovery System (or KERS) doesn’t store up energy in a battery, but instead captures kinetic energy during vehicle deceleration using a flywheel mechanism. That apparently not only makes it particularly well-suited to Formula One cars due to their repeated deceleration, but also has the added benefit of being significantly lighter than a battery-based hybrid system, with it adding just 55 pounds to the weight of the car. Not surprisingly, however, the phase-in won’t exactly happen overnight, with it set to extend out until 2013, during which time it’ll also be tied to other changes aimed at reducing the size and output of the engines.

[Via Autoblog Green]

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Filed under: Transportation

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 1:15PM
Just in case a cameo on some Swedish e-tailer’s site wasn’t enough proof for you, Sony has confirmed that all of our hopes and dreams are coming true… in Europe. Yep, the blokes and dames across the pond will be able to snag a special edition playstation 3 bundle with Grand Theft Auto IV (and a SIXAXIS wireless controller) bundled in for €439 ($696). Beyond that (and the way cool box), everything else looks to be the standard fare — pick one up if you wish on April 29th.

[Via Joystiq]

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Filed under: Gaming