How much did the FBI pay to unlock the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone?

Over 1 million dollars apparently. FBI Director James Comey gave some very broad hints at the Aspen Security Forum in London. Apparently the sum is “... more than I will make in the remainder of this job – which is seven years & four months – for sure.”

With Comey’s salary at $183,300 that makes

$183,300 x (7 + 4/12)
= $1,344,200

Comey is reported as saying that the hack was worth it, although rumour has it that the FBI didn’t find anything of interest in the iPhone in question.

http://www.techradar.com/au/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/here-s-how-much-the-fbi-may-have-paid-to-unlock-the-terrorist-iphone-1319524

http://www.cnet.com/au/news/fbi-1-million-dollars-san-bernardino-apple-iphone/ / FBI paid over $1 million third party hack iPhone 5C used San Bernardino terrorist Syed Farook Aspen Security Forum London FBI Director James Comey revealed how much agency paid unlock iPhone a lot Comey worth it no paid vacation bonuses Comey $183,300/year salary FBI paid $1.34 million hack FBI wanted Apple create backdoor software access iPhone Apple refused FBI find another way in Comey's comments alleged statements unnamed law enforcement officials agency hasn't found any data iPhone communicate ISIS supporters December 2 attack killed 14 people useful exhaust investigation helped FBI unlock iPhone reports Israeli firm Cellebrite may have assisted in the hack statement firm couldn't comment ongoing investigation Cellebrite offers Universal Forensics Extraction Device hack iPhones running iOS 7 iOS 9 tougher encryption Apple's lawyers compel FBI reveal how it broke into the phone Comey paid exploit allow FBI penetrate other iPhones 5Cs running iOS 9 /

Tesla Model S P90DL with Ludicrous Mode on Fully Charged

Robert Llewellyn takes a look at the fastest Model S.

/ Tesla Model S P90DL Ludicrous Mode Fully Charged LiIon lithium ion battery charged /

Still waiting for your jetpack?

Check out the JB-9 JetPack



http://www.gizmag.com/jetpack-aviation-new-york-flight/40286/

Manufacturer’s site
http://jetpackaviation.com/

Martin Aircraft Jetpack has a more practical intent:



Manufacturer’s site
http://www.martinjetpack.com/

Still not convinced? Zappata Racing has the Flyboard Air:



http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/15/11439798/franky-zapata-racing-jet-powered-flying-hoverboard-interview

Previous product from Zappata Racing is the Flyboard Legend water jetpack

/ personal flight hoverboard hover board jetpack jet pack /

11 record hot months in a row

Credit: Climate Central

2014 was the hottest year on record – until 2015.

2016 is showing signs of continuing the trend, with the hottest January, February & March on record. In fact, the last 11 months have all been record months. This 11 month streak of hottest months is in itself, a record.

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/earth-sees-11-record-hot-months-20254

Another piece of evidence, consistent with climate change, is the appearance of coral bleaching¹ in Sydney Harbour for the first time. Coral bleaching has been occurring closer to the equator in Australia, for a period of years, but this is the first time it has been observed so far south.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/sydneys-corals-now-bleaching-in-pretty-shocking-sign-of-warming-waters-20160418-go8qex.html
__________

¹ NOAA: “What is coral bleaching?”, http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html / past 11 months hottest months 135 years recordkeeping record keeping streak set a record the planet has warmed buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere new global temperature data NASA 2.3°F 1.28°C Celsius degrees above 1951-1980 average month warmest March on record beat previous warmest March 0.65°F 0.36°C margin 11th month in a row set record previous streak of 10 months six straight months temperatures more than 1°C above average stated goal international climate talks keep warming 21st century below 2°C aiming for 1.5°C March anomalously warm February most anomalously warm month on record other agencies around the world global temperature records National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA NASA data Japan Meteorological Agency March 1.93°F 1.07°C above 20th century average agency uses different baselines differ slightly from each other different ways of processing the temperature data global temperatures boost exceptionally strong El Niño bulk of the temperature rise due to excess heat trapped atmosphere carbon dioxide greenhouse gases emitted human activities succession of temperature records other notable climate records biggest ever year-to-year jump carbon dioxide levels Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii record low winter Arctic sea ice peak Arctic most anomalously warm areas planet warming at twice the rate planet as a whole 2016 on track warmest year on record El Niño La Niña cooling effect global temperatures La Niña temperatures temperatures coral bleaching Sydney Harbour warmer water temperatures coral bleaching water is too warm corals expel algae zooxanthellae /

Personal data security – another approach

Many, including Apple, Alphabet Inc's Google, Facebook Inc, Microsoft Corp, AT&T & the FBI, have publicly declared positions on the importance of personal data security.¹ But there is another view.


Credit: Scott Adams

Which is not to say that the view in the strip above hasn't informed some of those publicly declared positions.

More insights at: http://dilbert.com/
__________

¹ Reuters: “U.S. tech companies unite behind Apple ahead of iPhone encryption ruling”, http://www.reuters.com/article/apple-encryption-google-facebook-idUSKCN0W527Y

/ apple fbi security encryption encrypted encrypt google gmail decrypt user customer client data personal data security unlock encrypted data users customers privacy national security terrorists profitable apple verses fbi apple vs fbi unlock San Bernardino shooter iPhone /

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explains quantum computing

Something we definitely need more of – a politician with some understanding of science & technology:

/ impressed world leaders growing army of fans photogenic Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gift more than passable knowledge of quantum computing internet was abuzz gushing praise journalist jokingly asked him to explain quantum computing detailed answer experts Perimeter Institute Waterloo Ontario approvingly brought the packed audience to its feet launched seamlessly into his explanation giggles admiring audience cheers applause viral twitter tweeted Trudeau explaining quantum computing /

Tesla is hiring

Tesla’s latest hire was previously Principal Engineer on the Skully virtual reality helmet
Credit: Skully/Oh Gizmo

Skully is the manufacturer of what it describes as virtual reality helmets. Features include head up display (HUD) with 180 degree rear vision, turn-by-turn GPS navigation & voice control of telephone & music.

Apparently, they’re hiring, or will be real soon. Specifically, they will be looking for a new Principal Engineer, because the previous occupant of that position, Milan Kovac, has moved to Tesla, joining the Autopilot program as “Staff Software Engineer”.

Other recent Tesla hires are Félix Godard, who left Porsche to join Tesla’s design team & WooTak Kim, exterior designer from Mazda.

http://electrek.co/2016/04/15/tesla-hud-autopilot-skully/

http://electrek.co/2016/04/11/tesla-interior-designer-porsches-mission-e/ / Tesla hires hire augmented reality HUD head up display expert Autopilot program Tesla unveiled first Model 3 prototypes interior design electric vehicle enthusiasts puzzled lack of instrument cluster center 15-in display controls displays raised a few eyebrows concept heads-up display HUD fully autonomous technology integration Elon Musk second part of the Model 3 unveiling closer to production late 2017 Tesla recently hired augmented reality HUD expert SKULLY smart motorcycle helmet Milan Kovac Principal Engineer SKULLY first augmented reality motorcycle helmet built-in HUD SKULLY Kovac implementation augmented reality 3D gesture-control HUD technologies applications automotive industry Staff Software Engineer Autopilot program machine learning Stanford machine learning talent Kovac Autopilot program machine learning real-time heads-up display technology SKULLY’s helmet Tesla hiring Porsche’s lead designer Mission E interior Porsche’s all-electric sedan display technology holographic display Autopilot super high priority Tesla automaker poached head hunted team high-profile chip architects executives from AMD develop next generation Autopilot Tesla hire interior designer Porsche’s all-electric Mission E Porsche first all-electric vehicle Mission E German automaker vehicle production manufacture electric vehicles Porsche Mission E Concept Car Design of the year 2016 Geneva International Motor Show Tesla hired Porsche’s lead designer Mission E’s interior Félix Godard young car designer working for Porsche Industrial Design Strate School of Design lead designer Mission E concept upcoming production version joined Tesla’s design team Franz von Holzhausen Tesla’s long-time Chief Designer Ivan Lampkin Sr. Manager Interior Design at Tesla Porsche inventor several patents new instrument clusters heads-up holographic displays Tesla hired WooTak Kim a young exterior designer from Mazda /