Google Glasses Already Being Banned

Even before an official pair have been released, a Seattle cafe has banned customers from wearing Google’s computerized eye glasses inside the business.

While some restaurants have a “No shirt, no shoes, no service,” policy, Seattle’s 5 Points Cafe and Bar has a no Google Glass policy.

The cafe said in a Monday blog post, “If you’re one of the few who are planning on going out and spending your savings on Google Glasses – what will for sure be a new fad for the fanny-pack wearing, never removing your blue-tooth headset-wearing crowd – plan on removing them before you enter The 5 Point. The 5 Point is officially a No Google Glass zone.”

It seems the cafe got a bit of push-back from people may be looking forward to wearing Glass while enjoying a cocktail.

One commenter wrote, “Thank God I live in Florida. If I did live in Seattle, I would probably be the first person to violate your ban and let nature take its course. How you can you ban something ahead of its release?”

Another called the cafe “paranoid.”

So the cafe’s management responding, writing, in part, “Sorry for another post on Google Glasses, but I have to address some of the people mad about our Google Glass ban… If nothing else, we’re saving you from looking like a complete idiot in public. You’ll be thankful in a few years when your kids grow up and don’t have to see photos of you wearing these ridiculous things.”

Google is still developing Glass, which is designed to enable users to take photos, shoot video, pull up maps and share images and information on social networks. A transparent interface over the right eye shows options, while the glasses are manipulated using voice control.

The bar owner, David Meinert, was unavailable for comment.

 

 

 

Are SmartTV’s Next For Hackers?

The growing variety of smart devices is bringing with it glaring holes in network security, according to researchers.

Speaking at the 2013 RSA conference in San Francisco, Cylance CEO Stuart McClure noted how devices ranging from industrial controllers to smart television sets can be manipulated to act as gateways to corporate networks and facilities.

McClure demonstrated a number of attacks that used relatively simple and low-tech processes to exploit smart devices and manipulate both the devices themselves and the networks that connect them.

Some of the exploits used uncommon means for accessing networks. Researchers showed how a common universal remote could be modified to access the infrared port on a smart TV and manipulate network security settings. When the settings were disabled, the researchers then accessed the TV from a PC and from there viewed the network itself.

In a second demonstration, the researchers described how an attacker can use web controls to access industrial control systems. By exploiting first a privilege escalation flaw then a second vulnerability, an attacker can gain control over industrial control hardware and manipulate either software and network credentials or cause real-world damage by instructing the unit to operate in unsafe conditions.

McClure said that part of the problem is the nature of smart devices themselves. In bolting network technology onto traditionally solitary devices, vendors have not only neglected security but in making devices accessible they have also created new opportunities for abuse.

“They say these are features, that we designed it this way,” McClure said.

“I say yes, but features can kill.”

Other hacking techniques can compromise companies with little to no technology. Cylance researchers showed how an attacker can exploit the emergency key lock-box units on facilities by duplicating the regional keys used by police and fire departments. In such a scenario an attacker would be able to unlock a facility and potentially steal hardware or intellectual property without triggering alarm systems.

McClure said that while the prospects for securing embedded systems can at first seem daunting, in many cases simple solutions can secure the devices. Methods ranging from electrical tape over the infrared ports on TV sets to connecting lock boxes with fire and security alarms can thwart the attacks described by researchers.

The key to securing embedded systems, said McClure, is for firms to change their thinking and open their eyes to the vulnerabilities around them.

“What we are proposing is to look back at prevention being first, we just need to get back to that mindset,” he explained.

“Being able to choke it at that point and having a secure process for managing all the inputs, you will go a long way to preventing all these attacks.”

Courtesy-TheInq

 

Samsung Plans Smart TVs With Facial Recognition

Samsung Electronics announced a whole slew of new gadgets at the International Consumer Electronics Show on Monday, including smart TVs with face recognition, plus voice and gesture control.

The Korean manufacturer made a strong statement with its smart TV lineup, where it is competing to find a compelling recipe for Internet-connected sets. Samsung said all its devices would easily interconnect in the future, showing videos of cameras easily streaming photos to PCs and televisions, and a washing-machine smartphone app that tracks when your laundry is finished.

“The heart of this ecosystem is the TV,” said Boo-Keun Yoon, president of the company’s display business.

Samsung said its 2012 smart TVs will support control by voice and hand gestures, which are tracked by a built-in camera. That lineup will include a high-end, 55-inch model with an ultra-bright OLED display. The TVs will also have facial recognition, switching to different preferences and home screens based on which member of a family sits down to watch.

From this year, its smart TV lineup will also have upgrade slots, allowing for faster hardware and graphics to be plugged in without the need to buy a completely new product. The first upgrade kits will become available next year.

Samsung is also aggressively pursuing new content for its TVs, which until recently was a rare move for a hardware maker. The company said a TV version of the ubiquitous Angry Birds game will be available by spring, and it announced a family service that allows users to upload and share photos, plus a fitness platform that provides workouts and synchs to a wireless scale.

Samsung also said it would expand its cloud service to allow automatic cloud-based sharing among Samsung TVs, cameras and phones.

 

 

Ford Adding Smartphone Apps To More Vehicles

Ford Motor Co will expand the use of its on-board smartphone applications for the 2012 model year, the auto company stated at a safety and technology conference for the media.

The Ford Sync communications and entertainment system will be able to connect with smartphones on models including the Fusion sedan, F-150 pickup trucks, and the Expedition SUV, the company announced today.

The option, called Sync AppLink, is already available on the subcompact Ford Fiesta, and Ford had previously said it would be available on the 2012 Ford Mustang.

The Sync system, without the Synch Applink option, is available across the Ford and Lincoln lineup as a $400 option on some models and is standard on others.

Mark Fields, president of Ford operations in North America and South America, said a recent study showed that smartphones will overtake feature phones in the United States. And, he said, two-thirds of smartphone users want to use them in their vehicles.

“Mobile app growth is literally skyrocketing,” said Fields. “This is a trend that we cannot ignore, especially as a Nationwide Insurance study shows that one in four Americans who download apps admits to using them while driving.”

Improved ease of on-board control systems and the Sync AppLink will help keep a driver’s eyes on the road, said Fields and Ford director of connected services, Douglas VanDagens.

VanDagens said the Sync application to link smartphones will eventually be a factory option on all Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

Ford also said on Tuesday that it is working with Nuance Communications of Burlington, Massachusetts to ease the use of voice-control systems in Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The first project is one that will expand the vocabulary of commands as well as decipher the intent of the driver if he or she does not use commands such as navigation inquiries the Sync system now recognizes.

Hulu Plus Comes To XBOX 360 For Free

Xbox 360 gamers will be able to experience Hulu Plus for free starting today; until May 6^th. The Hulu Plus free trial will be offered to both Silver and Gold Xbox Live gamers.

As we all know nothing is this world is free; and neither is Hulu Plus.  This free trial is being sponsored by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky according to those in the know. The Hulu Plus look on Xbox Live will closely resemble that of Netflix on the console.  The only difference is that Hulu Plus will be offer Kinect support in some degree.

Be advised that will all so called free trial you will need to have a credit card to register; because after the seven day trial you will be billed $7.99 a month if you do not cancel the service.  Since Hulu is directly competing against Netflix for your dollars.  I am not sure which is best.  You will need to be the judge of that.

 

Kinect For Netflix Is Now Available On Xbox 360

Kinect support for Netflix finally arrivved today, Microsoft just announced. The update will allow the motion-controlled gaming system add-on to control Netflix content on the Microsoft Xbox 360. According to Larry Hryb, also known as “Major Nelson” among Xbox fans, with the updated software installed, you’ll be able to control the Netflix interface with just a wave of your hand or the sound of your voice.

The next time Xbox 360 users connect their gaming consoles, they’ll be prompted to accept the update, which will arrive as all Xbox 360 updates do, via the Internet.

After installation, you’ll be able select TV shows and movies recommended by Netflix, and play, pause, fast forward or rewind videos using the sound of your voice or gestures. Also new is an exclusive recommendations channel where a smart engine suggests movies or TV shows, based on viewing habits and what’s in your Netflix Instant queue. This channel will be entirely controller-free.

Netflix is available to Xbox LIVE Gold members, who are also Netflix members in the U.S. and Canada. There are currently 20 million Netflix customers in these markets, and 30 million active members on Xbox LIVE.