Saturday 26 December 2015

Google and Nasa Show Off


quantum






Google and Nasa Show Off Ridiculously Fast Quantum Computer

Google and Nasa have given  the world a first proper look at its joint effort experimental quantum super computer.

Both companies have been experimenting with the cutting edge technology for over two years now, and the public display last Tuesday has led some commentators to wonder if Google and NASA might not just have won the race to build the world’s first fully viable and fully functional quantum computer.

When NASA and Google announced that they were to collaborate on building a quantum super computer, back in 2013, not all that many people were sure it would actually work. Some even  queried whether even if a quantum computer could be built if would be faster than a conventional super computer.
But now  it seems the garden shed sized black box currently being housed in NASA’s Advanced Super computing facility in the heart of Silicon valley might have silenced its critics. What’s even more surprising is that despite its size it’s actually considered to be quite small, for a super computer.
The D-Wave 2X quantum computer works on fundamentally different principles than both regular computers and also regular super computers. Whereas standard computers operate using bits that can be either 1 or 0, quantum computing uses bits that can use both 1 and 0 at the same time. It all gets a bit more complicated after that, but essentially what it all means is that quantum computing should be a lot faster, because in theory, quantum computers will be able to perform calculations at much greater speeds. That was the science bit.
While the D-Wave 2X is in effect just a prototype machine, Google and NASA engineers announced last Tuesday that it could execute a common benchmark optimization equation 100 million times faster than a conventional desktop PC running a single core processor. Of course while that does sound rather impressive, it should be noted that these days even budget smartphones typically come with quad core processors.  Still, it’s a pretty good analogy for all that.
Quantum computing may be the future of computing, but it will be a long time before anyone can order one online. Designing and building a quantum computer is beset with difficulties. Part of the reason that the D-Wave computer is so big is because of the refrigeration system needed to keep the quantum computing chip at practically absolute zero degrees. For the rest of us, that’s -273 degrees Celsius.
The head of Google’s Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab, Hartmut Nevin, said the latest test results were encouraging and intriguing, but that quantum computing still had a long way to go before it could be turned into anything resembling a practical technology. Google, NASA, and others working on the problems of Quantum computing still aren’t sure just what a fully commercially viable quantum computer could actually be used for.

Quantum Computer Hacking

 quantum

Ordinary Computers Will Be Safe From Quantum Computer Hacking

German research engineers have successfully managed to develop what they think will protect regular computers from the future danger of Quantum computer hacker attacks.  

The scientists at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) are in the middle of working toward the practical application of current technology to defend “data against threats of tomorrow with the devices available today.” 

While the era of the quantum computer  itself is only in its infancy, and beset with difficulties such as the fact that quantum processors have to be cooled at a pretty frosty -273 degrees Celsius, as well as being ridiculously expensive; the implications of what quantum computing could one day achieve are worrying from a security point of view.
Google have claimed its D-Wave 2X quantum computer is 100 million times faster than a conventional desktop PC running a single core processor.” In the wrong hands, this could mean that hackers would be able to successfully use “brute force” attacks against commonly used encryption protocols and access confidential and private information.
Faced with this future possibility, the engineers at RUB have been developing and discovering new types of cryptographic techniques that will hopefully ensure “security even in the era of the quantum computer.”
While to ordinary layman IT writer (me) taking preventative steps against potential quantum computing hacking may seem like jumping the gun, the team behind the Post Quantum Cryptography project at RUB think not.
According to ScienceDaily.com “Cryptography is implemented in many devices with a long service life, for example in satellites. Those devices have to remain secure in many years’ to come. Likewise, micro devices handling long-term critical data, such as electronic health cards, require cryptographic systems that are secure in the long term.”
By incorporating existing encryption techniques and merging them with other complex and innovative solutions, RUB engineers think they may have the means to blunt the future danger of the type of quantum computer utilized to hack encrypted systems, and do it with today’s technology.
In any case, this at least answers SoL’s comment  about hacking with quantum computer’s from the original article I wrote about quantum computing:
“Hackers must be eagerly awaiting for this to arrive ASAP, exploiting the hell out of existing conventional computers and breaking cryptography will be much less time consuming with QC. Looks like Darth Vader is on it’s way.”

 

Oracle Settles With FTC Over Faulty Java Security

Oracle

Google Sending Messages To Webmasters For SSL/TLS Certificate Not Matching


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Google Sending Messages To Webmasters For SSL/TLS Certificate Not Matching

Google starts notifying webmasters of broken SSL/TLS certificates. Will this lead to a stricter HTTPS ranking factor?

Google is now sending some webmasters notifications when their SSL/TLS certificates do not match their domain names. The new notification was first spotted by @MediaWyse.
It had the subject, “SSL/TLS certificate does not include domain name,” with the message:

Google has detected that the current SSL/TLS certificate used on [domain] does not include [domain] domain name. This means that your web site is not perceived as secure by some browsers. As a result, many web browsers will block users accessing your site by displaying a security warning message. This is done to protect users browsing behavior from being intercepted by a third party, which can happen on sites that are not secure.
I’d expect to see more flavors of these SSL/TLS warnings from Google and for Google to become stricter about the ranking boost for HTTPS sites.
Currently, HTTPS errors don’t affect whether the site gets an HTTPS ranking boost, even if it isn’t valid; if it is on an HTTPS URL, it would get the boost. But these notifications show two things: (1) Google wants to notify webmasters when there are issues with their SSL/TLS certificates; and (2) Google is aware of it. Meaning, I’d suspect, that in the future, Google will update their HTTPS algorithm to not give the ranking boost for pages that have SSL/TLS issues.
Here is a screen shot of the notification:
google-ssl-tls-search-console-warning-1447245727
Zineb from Google did confirm Google is sending these notifications, saying, “[W]e are now letting users know about issues with their TLS certs.

 

Google Changes


Cortana now available on iOS and Android


 


Cortana now available on iOS and Android


Microsoft personal assistant, Cortana is now fully available for both Android and iOS …as long as you live in China, or the USA.
Not that that news will come as any surprise to most people who’ve followed recent app releases. As seems to be the case with growing numbers of apps across all platforms, software updates are becoming more and more staggered as the complexity and power of modern software increases.



Developing and launching core Windows apps such as Cortana for other platforms has been part of the “cloud first, mobile first,” direction Microsoft has been following for the last few years. A Beta version of Cortana was made  available on Android back in July, that anyone could sign up for. The iOS Beta however was much more limited, and was available to only 2,000 lucky testers because of the tight rules that Apple demands for iOS Beta test.

While not originally built for either Android or iOS, Cortana is supposed to be just as ‘intelligent’ as it on PC, and should also sync across all linked devices regardless of Operating System. That said, while Cortana on both Android and iOS is supposed to be as smart, it has lost something of its native core functionality that comes as standard on Windows powered devices. Microsoft state that:

“This includes toggling settings or opening apps, and the ability to invoke Cortana hands-free by saying “Hey Cortana.” The ‘Phone Companion’ app on your Windows 10 PC will help you install the Cortana app from the Google Play or Apple App Store onto your phone so you’ll be able to take the intelligence of Cortana with you, wherever you go.”

…which isn’t quite the same thing, if we’re honest. While Cortana does work well on Android and iOS, it’s hard to tell quite what Siri and Google Now users will make of it. Both of these native apps do inherently allow more in built functionality, and are just that little bit more capable. Not that Cortana can do all that much about it, especially when it comes to iOS. Apple’s tight control over what they will and won’t allow app developers to do on Apple devices has constrained Cortana significantly.

In that respect Cortana for Android and iOS might be more of a sales and marketing tool for Microsoft’s own hardware and software than a genuine native replacement.

Anyone using Windows 10 though that is looking for a level of cross device integration before anything else may however be able to overcome these limitations, and find Cortana a worthwhile addition to their life
.

Friday 25 December 2015

6 Things to Consider When Buying a PC

 


6 Things to Consider When Buying a PC

You’ve found a few PCs you like the look of but how do you decide which is the right one? Let’s break down the different parts of a PC to help make your choice.






Processor speed
Processors are the heart of your PC, deciding how fast everything gets done. New processors also do many tasks that help provide a better overall experience. 
5th gen Intel® Core™ i3 processor
Start with this for simple email and web browsing, entertainment and games.

5th gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor
Get productive and enjoy mainstream entertainment and games.

5th gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor
Get hard-core tasks like 3D gaming, designing and video editing done smoothly.

5th gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition
Customize your performance for the most demanding games and apps.






RAM
More RAM makes it easier to multitask and switch between different files quickly.
2GB
This is the minimum you need to run an operating system and basic programs.

4GB
Enough RAM to multitask between apps easily and run common popular games.

8GB+
This will let you run video editing apps or extreme 3D games smoothly.






Hard disk space
Generally, it’s a smart idea to buy a larger hard disk than your current needs as files and apps are constantly growing in size.

500GB
Good for storing work files, photos with space enough for a few games.

1TB+
You’ll want this much if you’re a movie collector, play lots of games or want to edit videos.






Graphics card
There are two types of graphics cards to consider – integrated and dedicated graphics cards.      
Integrated cards
Packaged with your processor or motherboard, they use your system’s RAM for graphics processing. Less powerful but cheaper and less demanding on your battery, it’s a good choice for an Ultrabook™ or notebook.

Dedicated graphics cards
If you’re a serious gamer or professional graphic designer, opt for this. A good entry-level graphics card should have at least 1GB of RAM but more is better. If you’re intending to watch movies in HD, be sure to get one with a HDMI output port.






Software
The main factor to consider here is the Operating System (OS). This will decide what software you’re able to use.
Windows*
Windows OS is the most commonly used operating system for PCs. That means most software is designed to be compatible with it. If you want to play most of the latest games or need your PC for common office applications, this is the right choice.

Mac*
Macs are great for graphic designing, video editing and music producing. These functions are not unique to Macs but they are more commonly done on this OS. This helps avoid compatibility issues.






Extras
There are a few hardware options you may want to go with your new PC.
Printer
If you’re intending to use your PC for work, a printer may be in order. When you’re choosing, check the cost of ink replacement for the model  as that can quickly add up. Consider a dedicated photo printer if you’re an avid photographer.
Monitor
If you’re getting a notebook, a larger screen at home can make watching movies more immersive. A 22-inch screen or larger should offer HD quality viewing. Ensure the resolution is at least 1080p.
Optical Disks
Get a Blu-ray player if you’re intending to collect an extensive collection of Blu-ray discs. If not, a DVD drive will meet most needs.

 

Know Your Numbers




Know Your Numbers

When shopping for a new PC, you’ll encounter many computer-related words and phrases that may be difficult to understand. This guide will help explain the jargon.







Gigahertz (Ghz)

Gigahertz (Ghz)

A unit of measurement commonly used to express processor speed, also referred to as clock speed. 1 Gigahertz (GHz) = 1 billion cycles per second. A higher number used to mean a better processor, but advances in technology have made chips more efficient and added more built-in features.


Cores and threads

Cores and threads

Cores and threads go hand-in-hand. Multi-core processors are single chips that contain two or more distinct processors or cores. Multi-threading allows each core to work on two tasks at once, letting you do more things at the same time for faster results.


RAM

RAM

The computer uses random access memory (RAM) to process what the user is doing as they are doing it. This includes multitasking, writing a letter or editing a photo. 2GB of RAM should be enough for most of your everyday needs, and you can always upgrade and add more RAM later.





Battery life and mAh

Battery life and mAh

Battery life refers to the time your notebook, tablet or Ultrabook™ can run before it needs to be recharged. This can be expressed as miliampere hour (mAh). The larger the number, the longer your device can run.


MB, GB and TB

MB, GB and TB

These terms are used to describe disk or storage space, standing for a megabyte (MB), a gigabyte (GB) and a terabyte (TB) respectively. A GB is 1,000 MBs and 1 TB is 1,000 GBs. To get a sense of scale, an HD movie requires at least 2 GBs and a high quality photo, about 4-5 MB.

 

Why Are Intel Powered Devices Better?



Why Are Intel Powered Devices Better?

Take a look at all of the best PCs available today and you’ll notice one thing – they’re all powered by Intel®. What makes people choose computers with Intel inside? Simply put, having an Intel-powered device makes doing all the things you love faster, smoother and a lot more amazing. Let’s see how!

Do more in less time 

Do more in less time

Did you know you can get up to 2.5x better productivity with Intel processors?** This allows you to switch effortlessly between apps while getting all-around better performance.

Amazing graphics built in 

Amazing graphics built in

Amazing is when you can watch crystal clear 4k videos,6 and enjoy smooth, seamless videos chats.1,3,4,5 This is made possible by HD and Clear Video HD Technology built into all 6th generation Intel® Core™ processors.

Zero to go in seconds 

Zero to go in seconds

A computer powered by the latest Intel processor turns on in a flash, going from sleep to full performance in seconds1,4,. Now you can jump right in and pick up where you left off without having to wait for your computer to start up slowly.

Security from the inside

Security from the inside

6th gen Intel® Core™ processors all come with built-in security features like rapid data encryption and identity theft protection to help keep your data safer7, 8,*. This means worrying less about your personal data and doing more of your favorite things online.

Longer battery life

Longer battery life

Intel processors are also more energy efficient for longer computing with tablets, notebooks and desktop PCs. Now your computer can run for hours and standby for days; letting you do more, longer.





 

Harness the Full Power of Windows 10




Harness the Full Power of Windows® 10 With an Intel-Powered Device

Recently launched as a free upgrade for Windows* 7 and Windows* 8.1, Windows® 10 is already shaping up to be the next great operating system for millions of PC users. Not only does it combine the usability and security of the previous two systems, it also has new features that truly propel it into a class of its own. Here are just 3 examples of how Windows® 10 will forever change the way you use your PC for work and play.
Media Asset (RWD)

Everything familiar is new again

Jumping right into Windows® 10 is easy, more so if you’re already familiar with Windows* 7. Both operating systems share many similarities, including the much-loved Start menu. If you’re more of a Windows* 8 kind of person, you’ll be glad to know customizable Live Tiles are also available as an option.
One thing you may notice is the speed with which the system starts up, resumes, and performs day-to-day tasks. And when powered by the new 6th generation Intel® Core™ processor or Intel® Core™ M processor on your PC, laptop, tablet, or phone, you can experience amazing speed and performance across all your devices.

Unbeatable cross-platform capability

Universal apps and Windows Continuum*1 for Windows® 10 fully maximizes the versatility of your 2 in 1 laptop by letting you toggle between laptop and tablet modes with a click. And if you should ever find yourself away from either, just connect your phone to a screen and keyboard to enjoy a full-screen, full PC experience.
But it doesn’t have to be all work and no play. You can also link your Windows® 10 PC to your Xbox* and play on either, all while sharing stats, achievements, and even real-time display mirroring.


A more intuitive computing experience

Interacting with your computer is easy and natural with Windows® 10. Now you can make notes directly onto web pages with Microsoft Edge*, create different virtual desktops for work and play, and switch effortlessly between apps.
For those who prefer a more hands-off approach, you can interact with your device or the web just by talking to Cortana*2, the intelligent voice assistant on all your Windows® 10 devices, not just your mobile.
Even logging into your system may be quick, easy and best of all, password-free. Using Intel® RealSense™ Technology3, Windows Hello*4 just needs you to look at your screen to verify your identity. In fact, the Intel® RealSense™ Camera is so advanced, it can detect if it’s really you or simply a photo of you.

 

Mac* vs PC


Thursday 24 December 2015

Power Iso 6.3 + Windows 10





DOWNLOAD POWER ISO(crk) 32bit CLICK here

DOWNLOAD POWER ISO 64bit(crk) CLICK here

DOWNLOAD WINDOWS 10(actd) LINK IN VIDEO BELOW

SEE VIDEO OF POWER ISO here 

About PowerISO
SUPPORT ALL CD/DVD/BD IMAGE FILES...
CREATE, EXTRACT, BURN, MOUNT IMAGE FILES...
SUPPORT BOTH 32 BIT AND 64 BIT WINDOWS...
SUPPORT WINDOWS 10, WINDOWS 8, WINDOWS 7...

PowerISO is a powerful CD / DVD / BD image file processing tool, which allows you to open, extract, burn, create, edit, compress, encrypt, split and convert ISO files, and mount ISO files with internal virtual drive. It can process almost all CD / DVD / BD image files including ISO and BIN files. PowerISO provides an all-in-one solution. You can do every thing with your ISO files and disc image files.

Main Features:
  • Support almost all CD / DVD / BD-ROM image file formats (ISO, BIN, NRG, CDI, DAA and so on).
    What is DAA file?
    DAA file (Direct-Access-Archive) is an advanced format for image file, which supports some advanced features, such as compression, password protection, and splitting to multiple volumes. 
  • Open and extract ISO file. You can extract ISO file with a single click.
  • Burn ISO file to CD, DVD, or Blu-Ray disc. PowerISO is a professional burning software. With this tool, you can create Audio CD, Data CD, Data DVD, Video DVD or VCD. PowerISO also supports Blu-Ray burning.  
  • Burn Audio CD from MP3, FLAC, APE, WMA, or BIN files.  
  • Rip Audio CD to MP3, FLAC, APE, WMA, or BIN files.  
  • Create ISO file or BIN file from hard disk files or CD / DVD / BD discs. 
  • Edit ISO image file directly.
  • Mount ISO file with internal virtual drive. PowerISO can mount all popular disc image files to built-in virtual drive. 
  • Convert image files between ISO / BIN and other formats. PowerISO can not only convert BIN to ISO, but also convert almost all image file formats to standard ISO image file.
  • Create bootable USB drive. PowerISO allows you to setup Windows through USB drive.
  • Make bootable ISO file and create bootable CD, DVD disc.
  • Support both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.
  • Can be used easily. PowerISO supports shell integration, context menu, drag and drop, clipboard copy paste
System requirement:
  • Windows 98 / Window Me / Windows 2000 / Windows XP / Windows 2003 / Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 / 8.1 / Windows 10 operating system or above. 
  • Intel Pentium 166MHz or above. 
  • 64MB memory. 
  • At least 10MB hard disk space.

Apple’s Siri vs. Microsoft’s Cortana on an iPhone

 
Microsoft Cortana

Cortana is good, but is it a Siri killer?

Move over Siri, here comes something different. For the first time since its launch in April 2014, Cortana, Microsoft’s voice-activated assistant, is now available on smartphones other than Windows devices.
A surprise move that speaks volumes about Microsoft’s newfound flexibility and willingness to abandon convention, the Cortana app works quite well on Apple’s iPhone. But a Siri replacement it is not. Instead, Cortana makes it clear that there’s room for two voices on the iPhone.
There are some key differences between Siri and Cortana. Both can fetch web-sourceable information like weather forecasts and sports scores. Yet because Siri is stitched into the iPhone’s operating system, it’s the only voice assistant that can perform commands at the touch of the home button. In addition, on-phone functions like turning on Bluetooth, dialing phone numbers, or sending text messages and emails are Siri-only.
But Cortana can do things that Siri currently cannot, though you have to groom the app to make these advantages worthwhile. That’s because the Microsoft-run assistant maintains a list of the users’ preferences — what it calls its “notebook” — to ensure it’s providing relevant information to the user. So if you tell Cortana where you live, for instance, it will display the weather when you open the app.
That’s not a particularly groundbreaking feature, but there are others. For example, if you give it shipping tracking numbers, it will alert you about the status of your packages. Or, if you tell it you like Indian food, when you ask Cortana to find a place for lunch, it’s more likely to serve up a place with naan or curry on the menu.


Cortana’s notebook currently has about 15 categories of information that users can customize to make Microsoft’s assistant smarter, including everything from the user’s academic background to their favorite sports teams. In this way, Cortana is more like a real personal assistant than Siri, because it almost has a relationship with the user, learning preferences over time. The lack of similar functionality has been a frustration some Siri users have voiced about Apple’s digital sidekick — when you ask Siri the same thing repeatedly, it should better associate that information with the phone’s owner. But that’s not to say the iPhone doesn’t learn — iOS 9’s proactive intelligence suggests apps based upon times of day, calculates travel time to appointments based on traffic, and can even guess who is calling you by mining your email for unknown phone numbers.
Still, Apple’s assistant has the ultimate advantage: Users can call for help simply by saying “Hey Siri.” “Hey Cortana” doesn’t work on an iPhone, just like how Google Now’s “Okay Google” doesn’t do squat on Apple’s devices.
One group of iPhone users in particular should add Microsoft’s assistant to their smartphone: Those who work on a Windows PC. Since Cortana is a cross-platform service, it shares users’ data and preferences over a wide range of machines, from Surface computers to Android tablets and Apple iPhones. And since Microsoft’s phones haven’t exactly flown off the shelves, Windows users have seemed like they were halfway connected in a fully interconnected world.
So, make room for Cortana on your iPhone. Think of it this way: Siri is your personal assistant, and Cortana is your professional aide. After all, you’re important, and you deserve an entire digital entourage.

Fake iPhone 7 pics



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Fake iPhone 7 pics surface the internet

 

While I was looking at Twitter, found out "iPhone 7" was trending topic. Went to look for it, and turns out some new fake iPhone 7 pics, probably a concept, had surfaced the Internet. I honestly think it looks bad, but that's just me. It would also be unpractical, since it would occupy a lot of space and it could easily separate and break the upper part of the phone with the lower part.

 

What do YOU think about this pics? Should they become Apple's next iPhone or should it stay a concept?