Buffer battles

Buffer battles
Number	2249
Broadcast Date	June 4, 2014
Episode Length	47:26
Hosts	Tom Merritt
Guests	Allison Sheridan

Allison Sheridan Sheridan is on the show and we’ll talk about Netflix’s error message spat with Verizon and Google’s new end-to-end email encryption scheme.

Guest

• Allison Sheridan
  • Nosilla Cast

Headlines

• Google released source code Tuesday for a Chrome extension called “End to End” that would provide OpenPGP encryption for messages within a browser

The New York Time reports Google released source code Tuesday for a Chrome extension called “End to End” that would provide OpenPGP encryption for messages within a browser. In other words, end to end encryption for Gmail users. Google wants developers to look for security vulnerabilities before the extension is released for wide use. Google will pay for any bugs found through its Vulnerability Reward program. Google already encrypts Web traffic to its Gmail product but that only works if the recipients provider also encrypts. Google released a report showing that 40-50 percent of email did not end up encrypted at the other end. Comcast was one of the worst with only 1% of its email ending up encrypted. Comcast told the Wall Street Journal its working on an encryption program for its customers that it hopes to roll out within weeks.

Submitted by davidpolanco

• Microsoft has announced dozens of social and media apps will come to the XBox One as part of the next update

Ars Technica reports that Microsoft has announced dozens of social and media apps will come to the XBox One as part of the next update. Among the apps announced for US users are HBO Go, Twitter, several cable TV network apps. All of these apps will be available without an Xbox Live paid account, as will existing apps like Netflix. Microsoft did not announce when the update will arrive but the company will have their E3 announcement in just 5 days.

• Authorities in the Central African Republic have banned the use of SMS text messaging in the country as an emergency measure

The BBC reports authorities in the Central African Republic have banned the use of SMS text messaging in the country as an emergency measure. Demonstrations have been taking place in the capital, Bangui, and a mass text campaign called for a general strike. Mobile phone users in CAR now get a message in French saying “SMS not allowed”. A government source told AFP the suspension might only last a few days.

• The US Secret Service posted a work order Monday for software that can detect sarcasm in social media

The Washington Post reports The US Secret Service posted a work order Monday for software that can detect sarcasm in social media. The order also wants the software to synthesize large sets of data and present it visually. And it must be compatible with IE8. So if you think you can identify influencers in real time on a heat map and detect when posts are being sarcastic, and root out false positives, just submit your proposal by tomorrow, June 9 at 5 PM. I’m sure that’s plenty of time.

• LinkedIn revamped its premium accounts so paying members can choose a custom background, larger photo, and expanded header

The Next Web reports LinkedIn revamped its premium accounts so paying members can choose a custom background, larger photo, and expanded header. Premium users also get keyword suggestions and receive emphasis in search. Paying members also get a full 90-day list of who viewed their profile and how they rank against first-degree connections. A new premium starter package including the new features will cost $10 a month.

• Sony Smartband is finally coming to secondary markets like the US and UK for $99 and £80 respectively

The waterproof Sony Smartband is finally coming to secondary markets like the US and UK for $99 and £80 respectively. The band counts steps and tracks sleep activity but also notes weather and vibrates for incoming text messages and phone calls. Sony released the band in Europe earlier this year for 99 Euros.

News From You

• Yuri Victor noted a new error message on Netflix last night when the service hit a bandwidth snag

Verge story that Vox Media designer Yuri Victor noted a new error message on Netflix last night when the service hit a bandwidth snag. It read, “The Verizon network is crowded right now.” Netflix’s Jonathan Friedland confirmed that the company is testing the phrasing for its messages. Verizon responded that the message deliberately misleads customers.

Submitted by KAPT_Kipper

• China’s People’s Daily stating on its blog that companies such as Yahoo, Cisco, Microsoft and Facebook should be punished as pawns of the US Government

Reuters story about China’s People’s Daily stating on its blog that companies such as Yahoo, Cisco, Microsoft and Facebook should be punished as pawns of the US Government. The post referred to the companies involvement in the PRISM spying program leaked by Edward Snowden and published June 6 last year. The English-language China Daily echoed the sentiments.

Submitted by spsheridan

• Intel’s goal to make computing wire free by 2016

TechRadar story about Intel’s goal to make computing wire free by 2016. Intel’s SVP of Computing Kirk Skaugen said it would do so using an upcoming CPU reference design codenamed Skylake – which will succeed Broadwell – that uses the company’s WiGig tech (rather than cables) to carry and display data signals. WiGig can send data at 7Gbps over short distances, making it candidate to replace HDMI, USB, DisplayPort and other short distance wires. Skaugen also said the company is looking at integrating wireless charging.

Submitted by dwsoulsby'

• A program created by Berlin artist Julian Oliver called Glasshole.sh

Wired article about a program created by Berlin artist Julian Oliver called Glasshole.sh. It detects any Google Glass device attempting to connect to a WiFi network by MAC Address. It then ses the program Aircrack-NG to impersonate the network and send a “deauthorization” command, cutting the headset’s Wi-Fi connection. Oliver has only tested the device on his own studio’s network.

'Submitted by TheLinuxNinja

Plug of the day

• Slashloot Daily Tech News Show T-Shirt

Discussion

• Just Like Comcast Did, Verizon Says Netflix Is Slowing Its Own Streams
• Netflix takes aim at Verizon over slow data speeds
• Verizon slams Netflix 'PR stunt' that blamed ISPs for bad streaming quality
• Verizon Policy Blog: Shifting Blame
• The ISP speed index from Netflix
• USA ISP speed index
• Yuri Victor's twitter
• Jonathan Friedland's twitter
• ISP to Netflix: Please come to Hong Kong!
• Open letter from Hong Kong Broadband Network to Netflix

Calendar

• VHS Turns 33, Doesn’t Look a Day Over 30

Pick of the day

• Airdroid

After hearing you talking about device management and wireless file transfers coming soon to Apple’s ecosystem (WWDC 2014), I thought I’d suggest AirDroid as a pick of the day. It allows you to send and receive SMS via your phone, manage contacts, clipboard content, files, media and apps, locate your phone, stream video from your phone’s camera(s) or stream the screen of your device all through a web interface.

As long as your phone (can be wireless via wifi) is on the same network as your computer (connection here can be wired or wireless), they can link up making this great for using it anywhere. You just pull up the easy to remember URL (web.airdroid.com), scan a QR code on the screen, and you’re connected.

It’s great at home, the office, or even at a friend’s computer for quick direct file transfers.

Submitted by Kevin Kipp

Links

• This episode on dailytechnewsshow.com
• Support DTNS on Patreon
• DTNS subreddit

Preceded by: "Ride Llama Mountain"

Buffer battles

Followed by: "Amazon whoah"