QuadRooter – new vulnerabilities in over 900 million Android devices – update

QuadRooter Scanner app indicating 4 vulnerabilities
Credit: Check Point

Update – Android's Unknown Sources & Verify Apps keep your phone safe:
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/08/quadrooter-relax-worlds-not-about-to-end.html

Check Point has announced four vulnerabilities affecting Android devices that use Qualcomm chipsets. Around 900 million devices are believed to be affected.

Check if your device is vulnerable with the QuadRooter Scanner app, available at:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.checkpoint.quadrooter&hl=en / Android bug fear 900 million phones Serious security flaws give attackers complete access phone data software millions Android devices bugs Checkpoint researchers software running chipsets US firm Qualcomm processors 900 million Android phones tablets evidence vulnerabilities attacks cyberthieves hackers malware hack hacking vulnerabilities Michael Shaulov head of mobility product management Checkpoint race who finds the bug first good guys bad guys white hats black hats affected devices six months work reverse engineer Qualcomm code revealed problems flaws found software handles graphics code controls communication different processes running inside phone exploiting bugs exploit attacker take control over device gain access data flaws booby-trapped booby trapped apps gain access phone's data Checkpoint information bugs proof of concept code Qualcomm Qualcomm created patches bugs use fixed versions factories patch patched distributed patches phone makers operators issued updates customers' phones Checkpoint free app QuadRooter Scanner check device phone tablet vulnerable vulnerabilities vulnerability bugs patches downloaded installed Mr Shaulov Android owners only download apps official Google Play store falling victim malicious programs phone operator manufacturer patches Qualcomm respond request comment /

Online gaming boosts school scores – RMIT

Kids: are your parents hassling you to stop the online gaming & social media & get on with your homework?

Well, there’s good news, & there’s bad news ...

“Students who play online games almost every day score 15 points above the average in maths & 17 points above the average in science."

“When you play online games you’re solving puzzles to move to the next level & that involves using some of the general knowledge & skills in maths, reading & science that you’ve been taught during the day.” – Associate Professor Alberto Posso, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), School of Economics¹


Associate Professor Alberto Posso, RMIT
Credit: RMIT/Sydney Morning Herald

Facebook was associated with poorer school performance.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-09/online-gaming-can-boost-school-scores/7703070

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/computer-gamers-have-an-edge-in-the-classroom-study-20160808-gqnbhc.html

See the original study at: http://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/5586/1742
__________

¹ Gizmodo: “Australian Study Finds Playing Video Games Improves School Grades”, http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/08/australian-study-finds-playing-video-games-improves-school-grades/ / teenagers who regularly play online video games tend to improve their school results new research RMIT University school students visit Facebook chat sites every day fall behind maths reading science Associate Professor Alberto Posso RMIT School of Economics Finance Marketing investigated results testing globally recognised Program for International Student Assessment PISA tested 12,000 Australian 15-year-olds maths reading science collecting data students online activities video games help students apply sharpen skills learned at school students play online games every day score 15 points above average maths 17 points above average science play online games solving puzzles move next level using general knowledge skills maths reading science taught during the day teachers consider incorporating popular video games teaching not violent ones teenagers Facebook chat every day scored 20 points worse maths students never used social media students regularly on social media losing time study struggling with maths reading science going online socialise teachers blending use Facebook classes helping those students engage recognise other factors major impact teenagers progress repeating academic year skipping classes bad worse scores high use of social media indigenous students minority ethnic or linguistic groups greater risk falling behind using Facebook chat every day /

It’s official – facts don’t matter – what’s important is how you feel

Former House Speaker, failed presidential candidate, & Donald Trump vice president runner-up, Newt Gingrich, has said, in a tv interview, that:

● the fact that violent crime is down across the USA is not important

● what’s important is how people feel about it
● it’s OK to cherry pick data to suit your argument

See for yourself:



Newt owes 114 small businesses a total of $4.6 million from his failed 2012 presidential campaign. He has no intention to pay. Apparently, the fact that he owes the money, is less important than his feeling that he doesn’t want to pay.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/newt-gingrich-campaign-debt_us_57a4d293e4b03ba6801241c7 / newt is a slender-bodied amphibian. Newt Gingrich is a slippery politician Washington Newt Gingrich no plans pay back dozens small businesses made yard signs TV ads 2012 presidential campaign Gingrich filed document Federal Election Commission detailing debt settlement plan finally terminate 2012 presidential campaign committee document shows Newt 2012 plans stiff 114 businesses consultants together owed $4.6 million former House speaker failed presidential candidate Donald Trump vice president runner-up forced file debt settlement plan FEC alternative dispute resolution process Gingrich complaint alleging campaign illegally commingled campaign funds corporate funds company controlled Gingrich his wife Callista Gingrich FEC general counsel allegations complaint did not penalize Gingrich campaign file debt settlement plan terminate 2016 plan Gingrich debt settlement plan document total amount to be paid to creditors zero dollars Gingrich did not respond request for comment common political campaigns wind up in debt that takes years to pay off Gingrich owes unusually large amount battle Mitt Romney 2012 Republican primary debts owed small firms helped Gingrich campaign vendors pretty mad about getting stiffed sums involved tens hundreds of thousands of dollars small business We got burned Las Vegas graphics company owner vendors seemed accept the fact that Newt would never pay campaign effort to collect Gingrich not first politician disappoint supporters won’t be the last /

Is the writing on the wall for handwriting?

Credit: Pinterest

How much do you write by hand? Most of us use a keyboard, physical &/or on a touchscreen for most of our writing. Dictation to computer or phone is becoming more common. I have to admit to a deterioration in the quality of my handwriting on the rare occasions I use it. Actually, the only recent handwriting I can recall is writing “paid” & the date on bills (paid using a keyboard), & signatures.

Should handwriting continue to be taught at school? Is handwriting important to learning to read? Does it facilitate growth of cognitive development or creativity? Cursive script verses printing? If children didn't have to learn to write by hand, think of the useful skills they could learn in the time saved.

Some see the decreasing use of handwriting as a significant loss. On the other hand, few express any concern about the almost total loss of carving-text-into-stone skills.

Podcast & transcript at:
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/is-the-writing-on-the-wall-for-handwriting/6761164

10 Ways To Rescue Handwriting From The Grave
https://www.fastcodesign.com/1671586/10-ways-to-rescue-handwriting-from-the-grave / writing on the wall handwriting handwriting anachronism Finland many American states dropped it from the curriculum many psychologists believe cursive writing important role to play in cognitive development We value the written word Civilised societies defining features human advancement concept written word detached original mechanics writing quill pen keyboard keyboard touch screen scrawl ink-filled plastic stick finger and thumb our thoughts greetings communication reassess write literal literary virtue necessity teaching handwriting detractors writing by hand anachronism Finland dropped national curriculum many American states removed handwriting educational requirements teaching cursive script make the news state officials opt to keep it psychologist Angela Webb demise of handwriting real threat basis of education Dr Webb chair National Handwriting Association UK United Kingdom writing by hand stimulates cognitive processes no longer use a pen pencil daily communication teaching of handwriting essential for effective learning helps retain information helps develop other skills reading support retention of concepts mathematics very high correlation between creative writing by hand keyboard handwriting confers very specific benefit cognitive processing neurological research pretty solid evidence handwriting preschool changes brain literate individual looks like Karin James associate professor Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Indiana University conducting experiments young children neural imaging link physical act of writing early reading proficiency facilitates reading really important take that seriously evidence tablets computers introducing in preschool facilitatory effect on reading no evidence contrary production by hand letters help children understand letters then the words human brain is malleable adapt to the computer environment over time texting or typing same impact reading acquisition writing by hand adaptation Professor Anne Trubek author The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting very different perspective like it or not handwriting already lost its position our primary means of communication time to move on loss fine motor skill kinetic memory lost people hand write less something to mourn advantages that will come in its place many things that we have lost in the history of writing worth mourning carving on stone memories oral cultures more capacious lose when you enter a literate culture writing and technology many revolutions changes years since humans have been writing just part of a transition people have the same anxieties and fears with each change casts doubt veracity research supporting retention handwriting in schools studies not as conclusively convincing headlines studies sample sizes quite small conclusions dumber research conclude writing by hand intrinsic social good disabled punished in the past lack penmanship studies conclusive teachers grade students lower poor handwriting content is identical good handwriting poorly written handwritten essay receive different grades typewritten receive same grade democratising force level the playing field Ewan Clayton warns against sentimentality professor of design University of Sunderland author The Golden Thread: A History of Writing dealing with massive change technology changes in writing practices changing use and think about library newspapers books emotional attachments institutions objects anxiety changes handle big adjustments personally wider social context equality handwriting political ideological weapon tool of enlightenment Industrial Revolution decrease in literacy dangerous thing to teach the working classes how to write records Britain funding schools fund school as long teach those students to read write gender differences writing young boys taught to write young girls taught writing particular kind of writing much narrower form of letter European context marked paperman or a woman previous experience technological change future of handwriting contentious issue debate irrelevance Clive Thompson contributing writer New York Times Magazine Wired type and text next stage of communication voice writing rise of new mass compositional practice handwriting only way to get your thoughts down typewriter get your ideas down voice dictation writing text by speaking it emails smart phone smartphone written using voice transcription service Siri type on a phone slow and clumsy speak clear voice generate an email text message note much more quickly mobile device text message email from me wrote the whole thing using my voice voice transcription slightly more oral cadence to the writing more formal contractions formulates sentences difficulty of correcting errors using voice transcription software means think first what he wants to say mental process computer cut paste undo write with a quill pen dipping ink hard to fix errors mental practices ink quill writing composed their sentences in their heads before they started writing implications for teaching early years of schooling profound introduction of laptops computer tablets classroom composition with their voice teach train do it well avoid poor habits teach people to handwrite teach them to type writing with your voice best cognitive tool educational setting voice design writing expert Ewan Clayton future potential for writing by voice either/or scenario communication technology human habits multiple channels of communication writing Roman world carved in stone wrote on papyrus scrolls styluses wax tablets variety of technologies different situations history handwriting niche uses pencils ballpoints ink on paper /

Scientists stumble upon a new shade of blue that's perfect for roofing

Credit: Oregon State University/Stuff

Shown above, the new pigment, which is:

● more durable than alternatives
● non toxic
● almost totally resistant to fading

has also been discovered to reflect 40% of infrared in sunlight. This makes it ideal as roof paint, for its cooling effect on the building underneath.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/81734717/Scientists-stumble-upon-a-new-shade-of-blue-thats-perfect-for-roofing / near perfect blue pigment accidental discovery Oregon State University scientists ideal roofing scientists Oregon State University accidently stumbled blue hue amazing qualities lead scientist Mas Subramanian color colour pigment 2009 mixing manganese oxide black colour other chemicals heating 1093 degrees celsius market extremely high infrared reflectivity 40 percent roofing eco-friendly method cooling building pigment advantage more durable safe fairly easy to produce energy efficiency happy accidental discovery new shade YInMn Y In Mn combination elements made from yttrium indium manganese Oregon State University near-perfect blue pigment YInMn has a unique crystal structure manganese pigment ions absorb red and green wavelengths reflect blue vibrant blue hue compound structure stable colour will not fade oil water YInMn cobalt blue Prussian blue non toxic /

You're killing your phone battery

Credit: Café iOS

There are 3 basic chemistries in rechargeable batteries in widespread use today:

● lead-acid
● nickel
● lithium

Within each group, there are variations – nickel-metal-hydride & nickel-cadmium in the nickel group, for instance. Each chemistry has different requirements for its management. E.g. lead-acid gives the best service life if it is kept fully charged. By contrast, this is one of the better ways to destroy nickel or lithium based batteries.

Nickel based batteries require periodic discharge followed by a charge to full capacity to prevent “memory effect”. For nickel-cadmium, the usual recommendation is once a month. Three monthly intervals for nickel-metal-hydride.

Phone manufacturers recommend discharging your phone to below 20% once per month, followed by a charge to full capacity. Confusingly, this is unrelated to, “memory effect”. Lithium ion batteries do not have a, “memory effect”. Your phone (or laptop) needs to be cycled to recalibrate its battery management system.

Linked below is an article about taking care of an iPhone battery. It applies equally well to all lithium ion batteries in phones (& laptops):

https://www.thrillist.com/tech/nation/how-to-make-your-iphone-battery-last-longer-iphone-charging-tips

If you really want to know how to get the best out of any battery, regardless of chemistry, & are ready for a long read (think novel length), you can’t do better than this:

http://batteryuniversity.com/ / killing phone battery iPhone phone battery juice how you charge them charging my phone what could possibly go wrong slow damage lithium-ion batteries charging to 100% lithium ion lithium-ion LiIon battery drops below 90% maintaining full charge most efficient keep your phone battery strong your phone between 30 and 80 percent full run most efficiently stop charging overnight shorter more frequent charges letting your phone die lithium-ion lithium ion batteries drop down to low power avoid low battery warning full discharge wears down your battery damages battery Apple Samsung HTC LG Motorola Sony let it fully discharge calibrate battery gauge overheating your battery charging issue very important phone annoyingly sluggish sitting out in the sun phone iPhone batteries damaged extreme temperatures heat cold comfort zone iPhones iPads iPods Apple Watches between 32 and 95 degrees using wireless charger mophie backup battery case your battery emit heat during charging long term damage avoid overheating portable power source case charge phone feels too hot plugged storing your backup phone without a charge store cool place half-charged battery fully depleted deep discharge state less capable of holding a charge store fully charged using the wrong charger Apple supplied charger cut power when the battery is 100% charged cheapo unauthorized third-party USB chargers overcharge /

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 announced

● 4GB RAM

● 64 GB flash storage – no other capacities available – although Samsung is offering a free 256GB Micro SD card with pre-orders

● faster performance

● higher-capacity battery – 3500mAh

● smaller & lighter than Note 5

● USB type C replaces Micro USB for charge & sync

● iris scanning

● waterproof (IP68) – S-pen too – so you can write on the Note 7 screen under water – if you can think of a reason to – more likely to be useful is resistance to momentary immersion, splash, rain, or spray without damage to S-pen or phablet

● pre-orders start today



https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/02/samsungs-galaxy-note-7-is-waterproof-and-has-iris-scanning

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/mobiles/samsung-unveils-irisreading-galaxy-note-7-20160802-gqjn6e.html

http://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-galaxy-note-7-preview/

Galaxy Note 7? – what happened to the Note 6?

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/samsung-galaxy-note-7-for-release-on-02.html

Galaxy Note 7 Vs Galaxy S7 Edge: what's the difference?



http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2016/08/03/galaxy-note-7-vs-galaxy-s7-edge-whats-the-difference/#6b56dab26d23 / Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 7 phablet unlock with your eyes Korean smartphone manufacturer high-end features curved glass premium materials shift latest phablet category creator Samsung’s latest phablet Galaxy Note 7 first smartphone iris scanning technology biometric identification Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note 7 phablet first smartphone ship iris scanner read your eyes let you into your phone in seconds invented phablet 2011 original Galaxy Note Samsung skipped Note 6 Note line up numerical par popular Galaxy S7 line new phone features high-end premium design build Galaxy S7 Edge popular fit and finish Korean firm’s smartphones infrared transmitter receiver iris scanning front-facing selfie camera Galaxy Note 7 biggest selling feature new biometric option infrared iris scanner just seconds to set up unlock phone glance either eye fingerprint scanner home button glasses-wearers appreciate remove glasses contact lenses make the iris scanner work Note 7 similar specifications the Galaxy S7 Edge IP68 rating waterproof to depths of 1.5m for 30 minutes 12-megapixel camera back 4GB of RAM 64GB of flash storage microSD card slot 256 GB microSD Galaxy Note 7 first Samsung smartphone new USB-C connector phablet 5.7in quad HD screen USB-C integrated S-pen stylus waterproof work screen is wet Samsung screen ready new high dynamic range video standard high-end televisions supported content Amazon’s Prime video service Samsung Note 7’s Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow software turn video into gifs screen stylus-related tools write on smartphone’s screen asleep without having to wake it up S-Pen stylus 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels waterproof screen even when wet Samsung Galaxy Note 7 curved front and back edges Galaxy S7 Edge feel premium ergonomic in the hand Note 7’s USB-C port Gear VR headset Samsung more comfortable new Gear VR accessory port side revamped controls Samsung more than 1 million users Gear VR headset VR headsets top-end smartphone sell phablets larger-screen smartphones popular differentiate high-priced phablets large-screened smartphones primarily designed media consumption Korean firm stylus functions premium materials Knox security platform fingerprint iris scanners most secure easy to use smartphones lure customers Galaxy Note 7 Galaxy Note 7 three colours black silver/gold colour light metallic blue with gold sides /