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Microsoft may bring back start button and boot to desktop for Windows 8.1

Posted on April 16, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

Its hardly a secret that the computer-buying public hasnt fallen head over heels for the Windows 8 start screen. In fact, a whole cottage industry has sprung up around returning Windows to its version-7 glory. The latest rumors indicate that Microsoft may be moving to squash these apps, by enabling 8.1 to boot directly to the desktop and reinstating the start button. Code recently dug up in a DLL, buried within the bowels of a leaked version of Windows Blue strongly suggests that this relatively minor revision of the desktop and tablet OS could offer users a way to skip the live tiles and go right to the familiar UI of Windows past. An entry for “CanSuppressStartScreen” was found by quite a few different forum users in the TwinUI.dll file. Unfortunately, we were unable to confirm this ourselves. While theres no hard evidence for a return of the start button just yet, the reliable Mary Jo Foley has heard from at least one source that Redmond is considering bringing the little logo orb back. Of course, nothing is certain yet. Theres no guarantee that either feature will actually make it into the final version of Windows 8.1, but were sure at least a few of you have your fingers crossed.

via Microsoft may bring back start button and boot to desktop for Windows 8.1.

Posted in Interesting, MSFT, Rumor, Tech, WIN8 | Leave a comment

How a Single Android Phone Can Hack an Entire Plane

Posted on April 11, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

If airlines were already keen to keep your phone switched off, things could soon get even more militant. According to a talk by Hugo Teso at the Hack In The Box security conference, it’s possible to hack an entire plane using an Android smartphone. Gulp.

Teso—a commercial airline pilot turned computer security consultant—explained to the conference audience how it’s been possible to develop tools which can run on a phone and be used to hack aircraft from the comfort of a window seat. Net Security explains:

via How a Single Android Phone Can Hack an Entire Plane.

Posted in Hacking, Interesting | Leave a comment

Watch the Police Attack and Arrest a Man for Recording Them with a Cell Phone Camera

Posted on April 11, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

Cameras are the new weapons, or at least thats what it seems like in the eyes of the police. Police officers from the San Diego Police Department pretty much attacked and arrested a man for recording them with his cell phone camera. Watch the video, its pretty awful.How did this all happen? It started when the police were writing a citation for Adam Pringle for smoking on the boardwalk. Thats completely fair. But while getting written up, Pringle decided to pull out his Samsung Galaxy phone and record the whole situation. This is when things turn ugly. You can see the police officer fill out all the details on the ticket and then when he realizes hes being recorded, tells Pringle to put the camera away because it could be converted into a weapon. When Pringle declines to put it away, the situation escalates and the police officer knocks Pringles phone down to the ground.

via Watch the Police Attack and Arrest a Man for Recording Them with a Cell Phone Camera.

Posted in Interesting, Know your Rights | Leave a comment

Ana White | Build a Big Ur Farm Table and Bench | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans

Posted on April 9, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

MATERIALS AND TOOLSShopping List: 1- 10′ long 4×4 Post, cut into 29 7/8″ pieces10 – 2×4, 8 foot or stud length4 – 2×2 @ 8 foot long1 – 2×3 @ 6 foot long2 1/2″ Screws3″ ScrewsWood Glue and Finishing Supplies

via Ana White | Build a Big Ur Farm Table and Bench | Free and Easy DIY Project and Furniture Plans.

Posted in HowTo, Interesting | 1 Comment

What Aging from 1 Year Old to 102 Years Old Looks Like and What It Means

Posted on April 9, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

Aside from the science of aging and how faces get wrinkled and joints get creaky, there are also the hidden costs of aging too. Like how many times we went to the doctors or how many calories weve eaten or how much money we spend on healthcare and when. This video shows what it means to age, by revealing people ranging from 1 year old to 102 years old and the statistics of aging.

via What Aging from 1 Year Old to 102 Years Old Looks Like and What It Means.

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The Next 2 iPhones Were Developed Under Steve Jobs

Posted on April 2, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

Apple has already designed the next two versions of its iconic iPhone, with both phones well underway before CEO Tim Cook took the helm of the company.That’s according to San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, who says he was told this when he met with Apple’s government liaison Michael Foulkes in the last week.Presuming Apple sticks to its regular naming convention, the two phones Foulkes was referring to are the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 6.Gascon has been trying to persuade Apple to implement technology that would disable an iPhone or iPad after it was stolen, making the device useless for thieves. If a device no longer worked after it was reported stolen, the DA felt, thieves would be less likely to attempt the theft in the first place.An iPhone was involved in more than half of San Francisco’s robberies last year.Gascon tells the San Francisco Examiner that, during his meeting with Apple, he was told the next two iPhones preceded Tim Cook, making it unlikely that kill-switch technology would be included.Apple currently offers the ability to remotely lock and wipe lost iPhones to protect victims from having data stolen from their device. The company does not, however, offer the ability to permanently disable the device from further use.Do you think Apple should include phone-disabling technology in the iPhone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

via The Next 2 iPhones Were Developed Under Steve Jobs.

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Manhattan’s Oldest Time-Keeping Sidewalk Has Been Ticking for Over a Century

Posted on April 2, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

Deep in lower Manhattan, embedded in the sidewalk, is a clock that’s been ticking since long before you knew what time was. Installed in 1889 with a single redesign in 1940, the timepiece has counted off hundreds of minutes, and tens of millions of seconds, all while withstanding the endless march of both time and the pedestrians above it.

Hodinkee took the time to dig into the clock’s 113 year life, uncovering a storied history that seems set to continue for a good century more if all goes well, thanks to good old-fashioned solid construction. You can read much, much more about the little sidewalk-clock-that-could over at Hodinkee. And good luck finding a smartwatch that could last half as long. [Hodinkee via Laughing Squid]

via Manhattan’s Oldest Time-Keeping Sidewalk Has Been Ticking for Over a Century.

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Holy Crap, A Woman Almost Got Run Over By a Train Because She Was Trying to Pick Up Her Phone from the Tracks

Posted on April 2, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

Holy freaking smokes, almost getting hit by a train doesn’t get closer than this. A young woman in Sao Paulo, Brazil had apparently dropped her phone onto the metro tracks and foolishly jumped down to retrieve it. Couple of problems with this situation: she couldn’t get back on the platform, the train was coming into the station fast AND SHE PROBABLY WOULD”VE DIED. Miraculously, two guys managed to pull her out right before she would’ve gotten hit. It’s terrifyingly close.

You can see in the video that she barely escapes getting hit. It’s so so so close. Half a second later and she would’ve lost her legs, a second later and she would’ve lost a lot more than that. As much as it sucks to lose your phone, it just isn’t worth it to jump onto the tracks and risk your life for some shiny piece of rectangle that sends text messages. I wish more train stations had glass walls separating the tracks and the platform so that nobody could ever get foolish enough to make that jump. DON’T DO THIS PEOPLE. [R7 Noticias via Neatorama]

via Holy Crap, A Woman Almost Got Run Over By a Train Because She Was Trying to Pick Up Her Phone from the Tracks.

A Samoan Airline Now Charges Passengers By Body Weight

Posted on April 2, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

Bad news for those carrying a few extra pounds: Samoa Air has become the worlds first airline to introduce a pricing policy which charges passengers by body weight. Time to diet.The pricing policy will see passengers enter their weight along with the weight of their baggage at the time of booking. The combined weight will then be used to calculate their fare—and the values will be verified at the airport, with customers being weighed. Speaking to ABC Radio, chief executive of Samoa Air, Chris Langton, explained:”This is the fairest way of travelling. There are no extra fees in terms of excess baggage or anything – it is just a kilo is a kilo is a kilo.”The new policy is motivated by the fact that Samoa Airs fleet is largely made up of small 12-seater aircraft, which see passengers and baggage accounting for a much larger proportion of total takeoff weight than bigger airplaines. That, and the fact that Samoa has a serious obesity problem.Prices will vary between $50 to $200 per 100lbs, depending on the length of the journey, but Samoa Air claims that a normal-weight family will actually see a reduction in their fare. The real question, though, is whether this may set a precedent that other airlines latch onto. [Sydney Morning Herald via Verge]

via A Samoan Airline Now Charges Passengers By Body Weight.

Posted in Breaking News, Interesting | Leave a comment

Google Nose BETA

Posted on April 1, 2013 by StevenTorresRamos

The new scentsation in searchComing to your senses: go beyond type, talk, and touch for a new notation of sensation.Your internet sommelier: expertly curated Knowledge Graphs pair images, descriptions, and aromas.Take a whiff: the Google Aromabase – 15M+ scentibytes.Dont ask, dont smell: For when youre wary of your query – SafeSearch included.

via Google Nose BETA.