Archive for September 22, 2015

Lenovo Collects Usage Data On ThinkPad, ThinkCentre and ThinkStation PCs

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 22, 2015 by itnerd

I have to start this story off with these three letters: WTF

Lenovo, who has done lots of stupid stuff over the last little while is doing more stupid stuff. Via Computerworld, here’s the story on their latest bit of stupidity. Michael Horowitz reports that a refurbished ThinkPad he bought includes Lenovo spyware under the guise of “Customer Feedback”. After some digging around, he found the following in a support document: “Lenovo says here that all ThinkPad, ThinkCentre and ThinkStation PCs, running Windows 7 and 8.1, may upload ‘non-personal and non-identifying information about Lenovo software application usage’ to 112.2o7.net.”

You’ve got to be kidding. The application is apparently made by a company called Omniture. Here’s the details from the Computerworld article:

According to Wikipedia, Omniture is an online marketing and web analytics firm, and SiteCatalyst (since renamed) is their software as a service application for client-side web analytics.

So, while there may not be extra ads on ThinkPads, there is some monitoring and tracking.

Why do they do this? For a few extra bucks? Are they spying for China seeing as they’re a Chinese company? What’s the deal here? I’ve said it before and I will say it again, this sort of stupidity by Lenovo is why I don’t recommend their computers to my clients. Ever. You should avoid them like the plague as well as this company don’t deserve your money.

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SmartHalo Is Canada’s 5th Most Successful Kickstarter Campaign…. And Time’s Running Out To Get In

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 22, 2015 by itnerd

Since its launch on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter a month ago, smart biking device SmartHalo has taken the cycling world by storm, reaching 675% of its initial goal, with only a few hours left.

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SmartHalo pairs with your smartphone and securely installs on your handlebar to turn any bike into a smart bike. It guides you to your destination, turn-by-turn, to make your ride a stress-free experience. It works without a screen – everything is shown with an intuitive and minimalist halo of light.

SmartHalo also seamlessly tracks your cycling metrics (distance, average speed, calories), automatically lights up your ride at night and notifies you of incoming calls. Also, SmartHalo is an alarm system for your bike : any persistent meddling will trigger a loud alarm.

Consumers can still pre-order their SmartHalo at the special launch price of $99 USD at www.smarthalo.bike/ks. Those who do will receive the first units, delivered in May 2016.

 

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ASUS Announces New Transformer Book T100HA 2-in-1 And Flip

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 22, 2015 by itnerd

Today ASUS makes two additions to the immensely popular Transformer Series, the T100HA Transformer Book and the TP200 Transformer Flip. The T100HA and TP200 are designed to provide an incredible experience for a different kind of user – one that is always on the go.

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New to the Transformer Book T100HA is an Intel Atom X5 Z8500 Cherry Trail processor that delivers up to 20-percent higher performance than the previous generation while delivering all-day battery life up to 12 hours. An enhanced docking mechanism that employs neodymium magnets makes it simple and easy to detach the tablet from the keyboard while maintaining a secure bond when used as a laptop.

Fast-charge technology enables users to charge up the T100HA to 80-percent battery capacity in two hours for up to 9.5-hours of battery life so itกฏs always ready for your on-the-go lifestyle. Micro USB charging on the T100HA makes powering it away from a power outlet easy, simply connect a high-amperage USB power bank such as an ASUS ZenPower and be on your way.

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The Transformer Book Flip TP200SA delivers the traditional notebook experience but transforms into a tablet with a simple 360 degree flip. An Intel Celeron N3050 Braswell processor delivers smooth performance with up to 8 hours of battery life to get you through the day. High-speed 802.11ac networking enables the Transformer Book Flip TP200SA to connect to wireless networks at speeds rivaling wired Ethernet for maximum networking performance free of wires.

The Transformer Book T100HA and Flip TP200SA include up to 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of solid-state storage for smooth multi-tasking, greater durability, incredible system responsiveness and fast boot times while IPS displays ensure wide-viewing angles and vivid colors. A stereo array microphone optimized for Windows 10 and Cortana digital assistant enables the T100HA and TP200SA to instantly respond to “Hey Cortana” commands while Continuum mode enables a seamless tablet-optimized view when the T100HA is detached from the keyboard or when the TP200SA is flipped. Continuum mode intelligently disables the keyboard keys when the TP200SA is flipped too so users donกฏt have to worry about accidental key presses

The ASUS Transformer Book T100HA and Flip TP200SA will be available in Canada end of October from select resellers. Please visit ASUS.com/ca or contact your local ASUS representative for further information..

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Apple Alerts Chinese Users About Xcode Ghost Threat

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 22, 2015 by itnerd

A couple of days ago, I wrote about the threat posed by Xcode Ghost and the fact that this slipped through Apple’s code review process. It now appears that Apple has added an XcodeGhost question and answer page to its Chinese website today that explains what the malware is, how some users may be affected and next steps the company is taking to ensure that developers and end users alike are protected against malicious software going forward.

That’s good and all. But it really concerns me that this happened in the first place. Hopefully the steps that Apple has taken will ensure that this never happens again.

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Das Uh Oh! Volkswagen Under Further Scrutiny Because Of Emissions Cheating

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 22, 2015 by itnerd

Things are going from bad to worse for Volkswagen. After getting caught using software to cheat on emissions tests, VW is now facing investigations in various parts of the globe. If that’s not bad enough, VW now says that 11 million cars could be affected. Here’s what the Globe And Mail had to say:

Volkswagen AG said irregularities on diesel-emission readings extend to 11 million vehicles around the world, forcing the German car maker to set aside €6.5-billion ($7.3-billion) in an initial tally of the potential costs.Volkswagen extended its slide after the announcement, falling as much as 30.85 euros and bringing the drop in two days to 37 per cent.

That has wiped out €24-billion in market value, as the probe into rigged air-polution widens. Regulators from Germany, France, South Korea and Italy have vowed to scrutinize the German automaker’s vehicles. To address the growing crisis, the executive committee of the car maker’s supervisory board will meet Wednesday, said people familiar with the matter.

Lovely. To add to this mess. the Environmental Protection Agency in the US will be testing other diesel powered cars to see if they cheated. Now in the US a lot of those cars will be German, so that won’t cast the German car industry in the best light if anything else is found to be nefarious.

Stay tuned to this story as it is likely to develop further.

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