| Twitter Upgrading Encryption Methods to Protect User Data Posted: 23 Nov 2013 04:43 PM PST  Twitter taking moves to further encrypt user data
If privacy is one of your main concerns online (and it very well should be given the goings-on lately), Twitter's latest move should please you considerably. The microblogging platform announced on Friday it has taken on "perfect forward secrecy" across its multiple platforms. It may sound a little hard to believe, but the aim is to keep outside organizations from snooping on encrypted traffic. Perfect forward secrecy refers to a type of encryption that revolves around two types of keys that are not able to be recovered later on in the life cycle of the data, so that it can't be decrypted later on. That means the data is safe from prying eyes such as, well, the National Security Agency (NSA). Twitter's reasoning for the change is foggy, but PCWorld mentioned Twitter's linking to a blog post via the Electronic Frontier Foundation which did mention this particular method could be effective against third-party snooping. Is that your game is, Twitter? No matter what the endgame for this switch, it certainly does its user base good. |
| ARM Denies Claims Of Working On 128-bit Chips Posted: 23 Nov 2013 03:35 PM PST  ARM has "no plans" for chips because they "aren't needed"
Rumors have buzzed surrounding ARM Holdings' possible release of 128-bit chip designs to power various new smartphones. Most recently, via PCPro UK, the company was cited by the Korea Herald to promise 128-bit architecture "within the next two years." It wouldn't be surprising to see these chips being manufactured, since according to claims made by the Korea Herald, these types of chips would be all but required if smartphones are to feature more striking features like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Despite this story, however, ARM has denied all claims that they're hard at work on said chips. Chief marketing officer Ian Drew fired back with a blog post via ARM company blog, in which he states that there are "absolutely no plans underway for 128 bit ARM-based chips because they simply aren't needed." A statement like that leaves little room for speculation, but it's not as if there isn't space on the market for these types of chips. What's your take on the matter? |
| Snap Up Windows Black Friday Deals on Surface Tablets and Notebooks Posted: 23 Nov 2013 01:30 PM PST  Black Friday deals at Microsoft abound
anking on a Microsoft Surface tablet for you or some other lucky person on your gift list this holiday season? Microsoft is cutting prices left and right for eager beaver Black Friday shoppers, and you can get in on the action as early as midnight on Thanksgiving. So you'll barely have had enough time to let the turkey digest before heading out to nab one of these deals. An early peek at Microsoft's Black Friday sales (via PCWorld) showcase a 32GB Surface RT selling for $199, at a whopping $150 savings off its normal price. If you find you might need a little more space, pick up the 64GB tablet for $349. If laptops are more what you're looking for, you can pick up a Dell Inspiron 15Z for $399 instead, as well as a 15.6-inch Gateway laptop or 14-inch Samsung Ultrabook, the prices of which are yet to be revealed, but should be coming later in the week. Some great prices floating around here if you're looking for a tech purchase this holiday season, you might want to hit up Microsoft for some surprisingly big savings. |
| Google Fiber Arrives in Provo, Utah and Rolling Out to Austin, Texas in 2014 Posted: 23 Nov 2013 11:20 AM PST 
In-demand fiber service coming to only a handful of places Google has been laying low about plans to bring its exponentially quick Google Fiber service to areas around the United States, and we took you to its first point of installation in Kansas City back in September to check out the facility and demo for yourself. Since then, the service has only been rolled out to one additional location: Provo, Utah. It's a slow-going process, with Google having only announced one additional locale for 2014: Austin, Texas. Beyond those three locations, Google has yet to announce any other areas currently planned to introduce the speedy fiber network. It's a lengthy process, as it is, and it's certainly not as simple as choosing a city and moving in. Google extends fiber service to neighborhoods only when a certain customer threshold is met. Locations must meet a number of criteria in order to be considered, such as a minimal amount of applicants, a strong demand for fiber, and more. While it may be a while before Google Fiber heads to your area, you can at least attempt to prepare a spot by drumming up interest and spreading the word to interested parties. [via PCWorld] |
