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New Group of Iranian Hackers Linked to Destructive Malware http://ift.tt/2xhZ6Fi For more than five years, Iran has maintained a reputation as one of the most aggressive nations in the global arena of state-sponsored hacking, stealing data from corporate and government networks around the world, bombarding US banks with cyberattacks, and most brazen of all, unleashing multiple waves of computer-crippling malware that hit tens of thousands of PCs across the Middle East. But amidst that noisy mayhem, one Iranian group has managed to quietly penetrate a broad series of targets around the world, until now evading the public eye. And while that group seems to have stuck to traditional spying so far, it may also be laying the groundwork for the next round of destructive attacks. Security firm FireEye has released new research into a group it calls Advanced Persistent Threat 33, attributing a prolific series of breaches of companies in the aerospace, defense, and petrochemical industries in countries as wide-ranging as Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the US. While FireEye has closely tracked APT33 since May of last year, the security firm believes the group has been active since at least 2013, with firm evidence that it works on behalf of Iran's government. And though FireEye describes APT33's activities as largely focused on stealthy spying, they've also found links between it and a mysterious piece of data-destroying malware that security analysts have puzzled over since earlier this year. "This could be an opportunity for us to recognize an actor while they’re still focused on classic espionage, before their mission becomes more aggressive," says John Hultquist, FireEye's director of intelligence analysis. He compares APT33 to Sandworm, a hacking operation FireEye discovered in 2014 and tied to Russia, which began with spying intrusions against NATO and Ukrainian targets before escalating to data-wiping attacks in 2015 and finally two sabotage attacks against the Ukrainian power grid. "We've seen them deploy destructive tools they haven’t used. We're looking at a team whose mission could change to disruption and destruction overnight." FireEye says it's encountered signs of APT33 in six of its own clients' networks, but suspects far broader intrusions. For now, it says the group's attacks have focused on Iran's regional interests. Even the targets in the US and Korea, for instance, have comprised companies with Middle East ties, though FireEye declines to name any specific targets. "They’re hitting companies headquartered all over the world," Hultquist says. "But they’re being swept up into this activity because they do business in the Gulf." Seeds of DestructionBeyond run-of-the-mill economic espionage, FireEye has found infections of victim networks with a specific piece of "dropper" malware—a piece of software designed to deliver one or multiple other malware payloads—that the security firm calls DropShot. That dropper had in some cases installed another malware weapon, which FireEye calls ShapeShift, designed to wipe target computers by overwriting every portion of a computer's hard drive with zeros. While FireEye did not find that destructive malware in networks where it had identified APT33 hackers, it did find the same dropper used in APT33's intrusions to install a piece of backdoor software it called TurnedUp. It has also never seen the DropShot dropper used by another distinct hacker group, or distributed publicly. The notion that Iranian hackers may be prepping another round of destructive attacks would hardly represent a break from form. In 2012, Iran-linked hackers calling themselves "Cutting Sword of Justice" used a piece of similar "wiper" malware known as Shamoon to overwrite the hard drives of 30,000 computers at Saudi oil behemoth Saudi Aramco with the image of a burning US flag. The same year, a group calling itself the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Cyber Fighters took credit for an unrelenting series of distributed denial of service attacks on US banking sites known as Operation Ababil, purportedly in revenge for the anti-Muslim YouTube video "the Innocence of Muslims". Those attacks, too, were eventually pinned on Iran. And last year another round of Shamoon attacks ripped through the Middle East, destroying thousands more machines, this time overwriting the drives with the image of the body of a 3-year-old Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean. Security firm Kaspersky first spotted ShapeShift in March of this year, calling it StoneDrill. Kaspersky noted that it resembles Shamoon, but with more techniques designed to evade security mechanisms, like the "sandbox" protections that limit a given application's access to the rest of a target computer. Kaspersky wrote at the time that one of the two targets in which it found StoneDrill malware was European, whereas Shamoon's attacks had been confined to the Middle East. "Why is this worrying?" asked Kaspersky founder Eugene Kaspersky in a blog post about the discovery. "Because this finding indicates that certain malicious actors armed with devastating cyber-tools are testing the water in regions in which previously actors of this type were rarely interested." FireEye's evidence tying APT33 to Iran goes further than mere similarities between ShapeShift and Shamoon. It also found plentiful traces of the Iranian national language Farsi in that malware, as well as in the DropShot dropper used to install it. Analyzing the active hours of the hacker group, they found they were heavily concentrated during Tehran business hours, almost entirely ceasing during the Iranian weekend of Thursday and Friday. The group's other hacking tools are ones commonly used by Iranian hackers, FireEye says. And one hacker whose pseudonym, "xman_1365_x", was included in the TurnedUp backdoor tool is linked to the Iranian Nasr Institute, a suspected Iranian government hacking organization. APT33's attacks have in many cases begun with spearphishing emails that bait targets with job offers; FireEye describes the general polish and details of those messages down to the fine print of their "Equal Opportunity" statements. But the company also notes that the group at one point accidentally fired off its emails without changing the default settings of its phishing software tool, complete with the subject line "your site hacked by me"—a rare one-off, sloppy mistake for a prolific state hacking group. Ready to BlowEven as Iran's hackers have caused mayhem for its neighbors, the country hasn't been tied to any high-profile hackers attacks against the US since 2012—perhaps in part due to the the Obama administration's 2015 agreement with Tehran to end its nuclear development program. But America's brief rapprochement with Iran may be closing again: President Trump on Tuesday spoke at the UN General Assembly, accusing Iran's government of pursuing "death and destruction," and calling the Obama deal with Tehran "an embarrassment." Though APT33 seems focused for the moment on regional espionage, it's also carrying out "reconnaissance for attack," says FireEye's Hultquist. "With a sudden geopolitical shift, that behavior could change." If it does, the group may already have its malware bombs planted around the world, ready to detonate. Digital Trends via Feed: All Latest http://ift.tt/2uc60ci September 20, 2017 at 09:09AM
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Take Alexa and Assistant anywhere you go with the Loft and Dox portable bases http://ift.tt/2hfA6L3 What good is a virtual assistant if it can’t go where you go? Such is the question raised by Ninety7, a lifestyle tech company that has just debuted the Loft and Dox, two portable battery bases that will allow you to take your Google Home and Amazon Echo Dot anywhere. Because if you don’t need an outlet to work, Google Assistant and Alexa shouldn’t either. Now available for pre-order on the Ninety7 website, the Loft promises to be one of the first portable battery bases for the Google Home, providing smart-home enthusiasts unparalleled control over their smart-home hubs. With an eight-hour battery life, the base connects to Google Home by way of magnets (much as the Home currently connects to its standard base). From an aesthetic standpoint, it complements the design of the Home as well. Available in Carbon Black, Snow White, and Copper, this portable base offers an edge to your Google Home, letting you make your smart-home device just a little snazzier than anyone else’s. Then there’s the Dox, which comes with a powerful lithium-ion rechargeable battery capable of giving users up to 10 hours of unplugged use. An Amazon Echo Dot can be snugly seated atop the Dox, allowing for wireless mobility. And thanks to the four LED lights on the face of the Dox, you’ll always be able to see how much power remains. When it comes time to re-juice, just put the Dox on the accompanying charging base. The second generation of this portable base will be made available in an anti-stain fabric from Austria, in hues named Carbon and Ash. “We are always thinking of ways to elevate the consumer’s experience with tech products by taking them to the next level of enjoyment and functionality with accessories that enhance the core product,” said Kevin Brennan, co-founder & CEO of Ninety7. “Loft and Dox are examples of raising that experience, they both allow users to untether from the electrical outlet while enjoying portability in a premium, well-designed product.” The Loft can be pre-ordered for $40 (the regular price is $50), while the Dox is available for $30 (the regular price is $40). Both products will begin shipping in October 2017.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC September 20, 2017 at 08:59AM
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ClearMetal gets $9M from Prelude Ventures and Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors for its logistics platform http://ift.tt/2xmSIhW Logistics and supply chain management is a notoriously outdated and labor-intensive process. ClearMetal uses artificial intelligence to help manufacturers and retailers climb out from underneath piles of spreadsheets. Today the San Francisco-based startup announced that it has raised $9 million in Series A funding led by Prelude Ventures and Innovation Endeavors, the venture capital firm founded by Alphabet executive chairman Eric Schmidt. NEA, SAP.io, PSA Unboxed, DCLI and John Urban, a founder of cloud-based supply chain management platform GT Nexus, also participated in the round. Along with a $3 million seed investment raised in February 2016, this brings ClearMetal’s total funding so far to $12 million. ClearMetal, whose customers already include logistics provider Panalpina and paper goods giant Georgia-Pacific, was created because its founding team “saw a multi-trillion dollar global trade industry that moves 90 percent of everything around the world wasting billions of dollars as a result of not having the right tools and technology to handle the ever-increasing complexities of the supply chain,” says co-founder and chief executive officer Adam Compain. Many companies still rely on spreadsheets and legacy software. ClearMetal, whose other founders are head of engineering Diego Canales and head of technology Will Harvey, wants to replace those outdated tools with its SaaS platform, which uses artificial intelligence to canonicalize freight data, or convert it into one standard format, and create more visibility for the entire supply chain. ClearMetal’s technology also uses freight data to deliver predictions that help companies make inventory management decisions and avoid running into issues. As an example of how the platform can potentially benefit users, Compain describes a large retailer that needs to get shirts from a factory in China to its distribution center in Chicago in time for Black Friday. This usually means it must make an order 60 days in advance to account for shipment delays. Even then, the retailer still has to budget for emergency air shipping because it doesn’t have a lot of visibility into the status of its freight. ClearMetal’s platform, on the other hand, not only tells the retailer where its shipment currently is and predict transit delays, but also selects which ocean carriers to use by analyzing their service reliability. The retailer is therefore able to save money on shipment costs, nail down an arrival time for its shirts and avoid ordering backup stock. While the amount varies by company, Compain says ClearMetal’s customers have “cited tens of millions of dollars of value potential” by using its technology. “Often we draw the analogy to the early days of mobile technology,” Compain says. “We’re helping equip supply chain operators with a smartphone when traditionally all they’ve been given is a flip phone.” Featured Image: Jetta Productions/Getty ImagesDigital Trends via TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com September 20, 2017 at 08:43AM
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Battle for the techno scrapyard in new Overwatch Junkertown escort map http://ift.tt/2yqKKCy Although battling over pristine and beautiful locations is fun in Overwatch, getting down into the dirt and the nitty-gritty of urbanized, scrapyard combat is a whole different experience. That’s what Blizzard is shooting for with its new Junkertown map, which offers a scrappy, dustbowl environment through which players must escort a bomb-packed trailer of cash to the heart of the “Queen’s” throne room. Originally shown off at this year’s Gamescom, Junkertown adds a whole new chapter to the lore of Overwatch, with a background comic and an animated short film adding to the mythos. It’s the frontier settlement in the Australian outback that Junkrat and Roadhog hail from. They aren’t the most popular of characters there, though, and are keen to make their return a spectacular one. The map itself is one the Overwatch developers seem particularly enamored with. It’s built to look and sound different than the more well-maintained parts of Overwatch’s world. It’s grimy and grungy and that makes it a great place to fight over. Within the escort map, you’ll be escorting Junkrat and Roadhog’s collection of stolen booty — with a little explosive surprise — right to the heart of the Queen’s territory. You’ll make your way through Roadhog’s farm, Junkertown proper, and ultimately the Scrapyard itself, where champion brawlers have seized fame and glory in the arena. To make sure that the level isn’t too linear, the developers inserted several shortcuts and sneaky routes between key areas and chokepoints, making it possible for some behind-the-lines attacks from both sides of the escort mission. Although PC Test Realm players have been brawling all over Junkertown since the end of August, the rest of Overwatch’s expansive player base can now take a stab at defending and attacking the desert fortress town themselves. Released alongside that update are a few tweaks to the rest of the game, including an update to Mercy’s ultimate, which replaces it with a new power called Valkyrie, giving her unlimited flight and ammo (thanks Engadget). D.Va’s Defense Matrix has also been overhauled, now draining twice as fast. To counter that though, she’s also been given a new skill called Micro Missiles, which does some area-of-effect damage. Finding Overwatch a little intimidating or hard to get into? Our beginner’s guide will help you get started.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC September 20, 2017 at 08:31AM
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Spin it or flip it? HP Spectre x360 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop http://ift.tt/2xeQLVb When you’re in the market for a new thin and light notebook, one of your most basic decisions will be whether you want a traditional clamshell machine or one of the myriad 2-in-1 devices that can also morph into a tablet. We took a look at the HP Spectre x360 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop to see which modern incarnation of these two form factors is better worth your hard earned dollars. Along the way, you might just learn a few things to help decide if a clamshell or a 2-in-1 is right for you. Specifications comparedDesignThe HP Spectre x360 has long been one of our favorite 2-in-1s thanks to its no-compromise design, which minimizes display bezels to fit into a smaller chassis, while making smart choices like keeping the webcam above the display where it belongs. The Spectre X360 13 is 0.55 inches thin and weighs 2.89 pounds, and it sports an all-metal design with a hinge that works fluidly throughout its 360-degree range, but still manages to remain firmly in place notebook mode. HP has two color schemes available, Natural Silver and Ash Silver with copper accents, that can accommodate both conservative and more flamboyant tastes. Microsoft’s Surface Laptop is also a well-built notebook that exudes a premium feel, with an all-metal chassis that’s thin at .57 inches, light at 2.83 pounds, and quite sturdy throughout. But it’s not boring — Microsoft incorporated its favorite Alcantara fabric on the keyboard deck to add both a splash of color and a pleasant, rather soothing surface for the wrists to rest on while typing. You can choose from four colors, Platinum, Graphite Gold, Burgundy, and Cobalt Blue. The HP’s ability to swing the display around and choose from notebook, tent, multimedia, and tablet modes adds some real flexibility, and ironically Microsoft — which created the modern 2-in-1 phase — loses points here with its clamshell notebook. You can’t go wrong with either machine, but the Spectre X360 wins out because you can do more with it. Winner: HP Spectre x360 PerformanceBoth HP and Microsoft offer seventh-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB solid-state drives (SSDs). There are some differences, however, that are worth noting. First, Microsoft’s processor options top out at the Core i7-7660U with Intel Iris Plus 640 graphics, whereas the Spectre x360 goes up to the Core i7-7500U, meaning that the Surface Laptop will provide just a little extra oomph in both high-end productivity tasks and casual gaming. Second, the Spectre x360 utilizes fast PCIe SSDs, whereas Microsoft opted for slightly slower PCIe drives, and so the HP will do better with more demanding tasks related to accessing and saving files. In the end, we think that a faster CPU and GPU matter more than slightly slower — but still fast compared to a spinning hard disk drive — storage. Winner: Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard, mouse, and penAs a 360-degree convertible, the HP Spectre x360 is naturally jam-packed with input options. There’s the obligatory touch display, which we found responsive, and an active pen that provides solid Windows 10 Ink support. In addition, the keyboard is very good, with more than sufficient travel and a snappy response that makes for comfortable long-term typing sessions. We were even more impressed with the ultra-wide touchpad, which provided for sensitive multi-touch gestures. Finally, Windows Hello password-less login is provided by an infrared camera and facial recognition.
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Although it’s a traditional notebook, the Surface Laptop is equally well-equipped when it comes to input options. There’s a touch screen that supports the excellent Surface Pen, although it’s hard to use with the Laptop. The keyboard has excellent travel and a precise feel, making it an equally good option for typing copious amounts of information, and the large touchpad is great with the always-reliable Microsoft Precision gesture support. Windows Hello is also provided by a reliable infrared facial scanner. In short, both the Spectre x360 and Surface Laptop offer different ways to get information into your PC efficiently and comfortably. The Spectre x360 again gets the nod, though, for being a 360-degree convertible. Even if it’s not the thinnest or lightest tablet when the display is folded around, it’s still a far more pleasant experience than using a pen on a clamshell notebook display. Winner: HP Spectre x360 ConnectivityHP made an effort to ensure that you can not only connect to your legacy peripherals, but also plug into tomorrow’s external devices, as well. The Spectre x360 sports two of the newer and increasingly ubiquitous USB Type-C connections, both of which support Thunderbolt 3 for things like connecting to external GPUs. There’s also a USB Type-A port, and a headset jack. Unfortunately, HP left out an SD card reader, so that’s one dongle that’ll be needed if you want to easily transfer images and video from a camera, for example. The Surface Laptop, on the other hand, suffers from Microsoft’s reluctance to embrace the USB Type-C movement. Like other mobile Surface machines, this one is equipped with a single USB Type-A port, a mini-DisplayPort, a headset jack, and a SurfaceConnect port, the latter of which is used to power the machine. The Surface Laptop also doesn’t come equipped with an SD card reader. Clearly, more ports are better, and the Spectre x360 wins this round handily. Winner: HP Spectre x360 Display qualityHP has provided a difficult choice for Spectre x360 buyers — go with a sharp 13.3-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) display and save some money and battery life, or step up to an even sharper 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) display for the best possible Netflix experience. If you go with the latter, then you’ll enjoy a pin-sharp 331 PPI screen that makes for some excellent text and images. In our testing, the Spectre x360’s Full HD display was very good if not exceptional, and we expect the 4K option is at least as good. The Microsoft Surface Laptop, like all Surface machines, has a simply superior display. It’s a little larger at 13.5 inches, with 2,256 x 1,504 (201 PPI) resolution, and it uses the 3:2 aspect ratio, which is taller. As a result, the Laptop shows more of your documents at once, but suffers letter-boxing when watching most video. Colors, contrast, and brightness are awesome, and in short, if you’re looking for the best notebook display, then it comes down to the Surface Laptop or a MacBook Pro. Winner: Microsoft Surface Laptop Portability and battery lifeAs we discussed earlier, the HP Spectre x360 is 0.55 inches thin and weighs 2.89 pounds, making it easy to toss into a backpack and carry around with you. The Microsoft Surface Laptop is equally thin and light at .57 inches and 2.83 pounds. Replace the Spectre x360 with the Surface Laptop, and you’re unlikely to tell the difference. Battery life is a different story, where the Spectre x360 packs in a larger 57.8 watt-hour battery, compared to the Surface Laptop’s 47 watt-hour capacity. In our testing, the Spectre x360 with a Core i7-7500U and Full HD display managed just under five hours in our most aggressive Peacekeeper battery test, and it looped our test video for a strong ten hours and 43 minutes. The Surface Laptop running a Core i5-7200U lasted for six and a half hours in our Peacekeeper test, and played video for over twelve and a half hours. The Spectre x360’s battery life is very good for a powerful 2-in-1 machine, that’s for sure. But in spite of having significantly more juice on hand, it couldn’t keep up with Microsoft’s almost magical Surface Laptop, which managed to squeeze some impressive battery life out of a relatively small battery, and in spite of its higher-resolution and slightly larger display. Winner: Microsoft Surface Laptop Availability and priceThe HP Spectre x360 13 is a premium machine both in design and in pricing. It starts out at $1,200 with a Core i5-7200U, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a Full HD display. It currently tops out at $1,500 for a Core i7-7500U, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 4K UHD display (note that the 1TB version isn’t currently available). That’s neither the most more the least expensive machine in the premium 2-in-1 segment. Note that HP includes an active pen with the Spectre x360. The Microsoft Surface Laptop is a Surface machine through and through, and it’s priced just like its siblings. It starts out at moderate $1,000 for a Core i5-7200U, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD, and tops out at an astronomical $2,700 for a Core i7-7660U, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. If you want to add the Surface Pen, then tack on another $100. Clearly, while you can spend close to the same money on the low end for either machine, you get more for your money with the Spectre x360. And for the same Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB configuration, you’re going to spend at $2,200 for the Surface Laptop — that’s $700 more than the Spectre x360. Winner: HP Spectre x360 ConclusionWe didn’t end up making your choice between traditional notebook and 2-in-1 any easier, maybe, but at least now you know how closely matched these two premium notebooks really are. Whether you select an HP Spectre x360 or a Surface Laptop, you’re going to be happy with the design, build quality, performance, and battery life. We’re partial to 2-in-1s ourselves, and we think it’s better to have that flexibility and not need it than need it and not have it. For that reason, along with significantly more affordability, we’re giving the overall victory to the HP Spectre x360. Winner: HP Spectre x360
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC September 20, 2017 at 08:31AM
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Enjoy all of your new TV’s benefits with our LG C7 OLED setup and unboxing guide http://ift.tt/2fAm2YY These days, televisions are absolutely loaded with fun, unique features and useful accessories to make your viewing experience simpler and more enjoyable. That said, it’s not always a straightforward process when trying to properly set up a new TV. If you opted for the 4K HD LG C7 OLED TV, though — one of LG’s nicest models — you’re in luck. We’ve put together an LG C7 OLED setup and unboxing guide to ensure that your honeymoon phase (with the TV, that is) is full of love, not stress. What’s in the box?In addition to the TV, the C7 comes with:
All of these accessories are neatly housed in a separate box from the television itself. Several items are not included with the TV. You will need to buy HDMI cables to connect your TV to other devices. The easiest way to ensure you have HDMI cables is to buy the AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI cables at the same time you buy your TV. If you do not buy the AmazonBasics HDMI cable, make sure that the HDMI cables are rated as “high speed” cables so they can accommodate the large amount of data 4K HDR content requires. Additionally, the TV does not come with any wall mounting hardware. For information about wall mounting check out our wall mounting guide video. Hardware setupTo connect the base, angle the LG logo toward the front of the TV (with the panel face down on a flat surface — protect the screen with something soft!), and slide the vertical portion of the stand into the recess on the back of the TV. Insert and secure all four screws, then pop the cover plate over the recess and affix the cable clip to the cover plate. The hardwired power cable is located on the left side of the TV’s rear panel, while most the ports and jacks are in a small alcove on the right side (the rest are next to the alcove, angled toward the edge of the TV). In total, there are four HDMI inputs (one ARC) and three USB inputs, along with a coaxial jack and ports for optical, ethernet, and the aforementioned breakout cable. Features and designThe television itself is gorgeous, featuring a glossy black display with basically zero bezels to speak of. The base — trapezoidal, in brushed silver — is conveniently just 23 inches wide, meaning you can fit the TV on a smaller stand or entertainment center. The Magic Remote, meanwhile, allows you to navigate using an on-screen cursor, much like the Nintendo Wii’s. It’s a cool feature that makes it much faster to find things you want to watch, and combined with the built-in voice control, it’s pretty powerful. Software setupOnce everything is connected properly, go ahead and use the remote to power on the TV. It will walk you through a setup wizard that will help you connect to your Wi-Fi network. It’s a good idea to label the inputs manually, though that could prove frustrating if you constantly switch devices in and out. To do so, select “All Inputs,” then pick the input you want to name, and choose “edit icon.” It will give you a list of options to choose from. We also recommend choosing the “Expert (bright room)” or “Expert (dark room)” picture presets, depending on the lighting in your TV area. Unless you are particularly picky about your screen settings, these are well-balanced choices that we think work great.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC September 20, 2017 at 08:31AM
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iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 7: Time for an upgrade? http://ift.tt/2fAlMJf Apple’s annual iPhone update always generates some excitement, but this year the iPhone X stole the show. It’s sure to be popular, but not everyone will want one. Maybe a $1,000 phone is a bit much, or you prefer the more manageable size of the iPhone 8. At first glance, the iPhone 8 doesn’t look any different than the iPhone 7, but if you dig in beneath the Retina display, you’ll find some important distinctions. If you already have the iPhone 7, however, the question remains: Is it worth upgrading? Let’s find out how the two devices measure up. Specs
The biggest upgrade in the iPhone 8 is the new A11 Bionic chip. It offers a 30-percent efficiency boost and a 50-percent performance boost, at least when compared to the iPhone 7’s A10 chip according to Apple. That’s a significant upgrade, though we’re unsure how often you’ll feel the difference, because we’ve never found the iPhone 7 lacking in terms of processing power. It should be discernibly faster, but it may be a case of future-proofing for some of the more demanding apps and games to come (especially with augmented reality apps). In terms of RAM, Apple rarely lists it as a spec, and we assume the two phones both pack 2GB, which is adequate for running iOS. There’s still a debate about how much RAM a smartphone needs, but it’s certainly not a differentiator here. One welcome improvement for the base model of the iPhone 8 is the storage capacity. It comes in 64GB and 256GB configurations. The iPhone 7 comes with 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB. Winner: iPhone 8 Design, display, and durabilityYou’re going to have to look very closely to see any differences in the design of these two phones. The most obvious change is that Apple has switched to a glass back for the iPhone 8. It is also 10 grams heavier and fractionally bigger in all directions, but the dimensions are close enough that iPhone 7 cases will still fit the iPhone 8. At 4.7-inches, the displays in the iPhone 7 and 8 are among the smallest around, but we’re still a little disappointed that Apple has stuck with a 1,334 × 750-pixel resolution. Both phones support 3D Touch and a wide color gamut, the only change with the iPhone 8 is that it has a True Tone display, which will adjust to your environment for the ideal color tone. When it comes to durability, both phones are IP67-rated, so they can take a dunk in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes and emerge unscathed. Apple says the glass backing on the iPhone 8 is durable, but we’d imagine it will still be more likely to break than the metal back found on the iPhone 7. The classier look of the glass back and the slight display improvement are enough for the iPhone 8 to claim a slim win here. Winner: iPhone 8 Battery life and chargingIt’s just as well that the newest A11 chip is supposed to be 30-percent more power efficient than its predecessor, because Apple has reduced the battery size in the iPhone 8. It sports a 1,821mAh battery, compared to the 1,960mAh battery in the iPhone 7. Apple claims that it should last just about as long as the battery found in the iPhone 7, but we’ll have to test it to be sure. There are a couple of notable improvement here, though. First, the iPhone 8 supports fast-charging, meaning you can charge the battery up 50 percent in just 30 minutes. That’s a major boost over the iPhone 7. The iPhone 8 also supports wireless charging and will work with any wireless charging pad that supports the Qi standard. This is the double benefit of having a glass back. Winner: iPhone 8 CameraOn paper, there’s little difference between the cameras on the iPhone 8 and the cameras on the iPhone 7. We’re still talking about a 12-megapixel main shooter, and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera. The main cameras here are overshadowed by the dual-lens offerings in the 7 Plus, 8 Plus, and iPhone X. Apple says the iPhone 8 camera is slightly better than the iPhone 7 camera, given it sports a larger and faster sensor, one that’s capable of capturing more light. The iPhone 8 is also able to shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second, while the iPhone 7 is limited to 30 fps. It wins in slow-motion as well, as you can now capture video at 240 fps in crisp 1080p. Winner: iPhone 8 SoftwareThe iPhone 8 ships with iOS 11, but iPhone 7 owners can upgrade to Apple’s latest platform and receive all the same benefits. There isn’t really anything to divide these two phones in the software department. Check out our iOS 11 tips and tricks to find out what it can do. Winner: Tie Price and availabilityThe 64GB version of the iPhone 8 costs $700, and the 256GB model will run you $850. You can also currently buy it on-contract through each of the major carriers in the U.S. — check out our iPhone 8 buying guide for all the details. Apple always drops the price of older iPhones when a new one comes along, and such is the case with the introduction of the iPhone 8. The 32GB version of the iPhone 7 now starts at $550, and you can get the 128GB version for $650. Once again, it’s available through all the major U.S. carriers on contract deals. You can also buy both phones from Apple SIM-free and unlocked. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, the iPhone 7 looks like a good deal and even the 128GB version, which touts double the storage capacity, is cheaper than the base model of the iPhone 8. Winner: iPhone 7 Overall winner: iPhone 8We know that all you iPhone 7 owners don’t want to hear this, but the iPhone 8 really isn’t enough of a jump to make it a worthwhile upgrade. The most notable improvement is the processor, but, honestly, we think it will be a while before you’ll feel the benefit of that. The rest of the improvements are simply too minor to merit the extra expense. If you’re currently shopping for a new iPhone and it boils down to these two, then we would certainly pick the iPhone 8, partly to future-proof and partly to get the speedier charging and support for wireless charging. If you want to experience the best Apple can do, however, you should be looking at the iPhone X or the iPhone 8 Plus.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC September 20, 2017 at 08:31AM
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Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time http://ift.tt/2wx6b7X Everyone likes Apple apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store. These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. YomiwaYomiwa is a fast and complete offline Japanese dictionary, encompassing all the modern features. Yomiwa also comes with powerful character recognition technology (OCR) which lets you translate Japanese into many target languages with your camera. Available on: ThunderspaceDuring the day, Thunderspace won’t let you focus on all the noise around you. And at night it will make you very sleepy. Do not use while operating a machine, vehicle, or star destroyer. Available on: CheerleaderGet the positivity flowing! Procrastination begone. We all need that little boost to get through our day. With Cheerleader, you will have your own cheerful miniature promoter. Available on: RadOnc ReferenceThis is the first comprehensive iPhone reference application for Radiation Oncologists. This project is intended to be a collaborative effort. Feedback and suggestions from the RadOnc community will directly inform new development efforts. Available on: OrderlyOrderly is designed based on how the human mind visualizes to-do lists. It is an incredibly easy-to-use to-do list app that features a user-friendly interface, seamless cloud sync, and location-based reminders. Available on: InstaWebInstaWeb is a powerful tool for iPhone and iPad to convert any website to PDF very quickly and easily. InstaWeb also features a clutter remover to create clean and ready-to-read PDFs. Available on:
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC September 20, 2017 at 08:31AM
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Mira AR headset startup grabs $1M in new funding led by Greylock http://ift.tt/2ydtEqW Though phone-based AR is the big news lately with the release of iOS 11 yesterday, Mira is still hoping to ensure that the iPhone opens up a world of hands-free headset AR to consumers as well. Today, Mira is rolling out their SDK, announcing some new funding, and quietly rolling back expectations for a wide consumer launch before the holidays. Though the company’s Prism headset isn’t all that complex — it doesn’t include any additional components or sensors — the device is cleverly designed and has captured the attention of the right people. In an oversubscribed seed round that closed earlier this year, the startup raised $1.5 million led by Sequoia. Today, the company is announcing it has added another $1 million from Greylock Partners, Founders Fund Angel and Macro Ventures. Additionally, the company has started shipping its first 1,000 headsets to developers. No details were shared from the company in terms of overall pre-order sales for the $99 Prism, but you can still pre-order the device in consumer and developer flavors online. The company’s headset model currently boasts support for the iPhone 6, 6S, 7 and 8 based on the device’s sizing. If you’re first in line for the iPhone X, you’ll have to wait for an updated model in order to experience AR, but the startup’s founder says there’s a “1.5 gen” update in development that will add support for different device sizes. However, it sounds as though most consumers won’t get their hands on their pre-order before the holiday season ends. Though the startup initially claimed that its consumer device would be “coming in time for the holidays,” it has dialed back expectation saying that some will ship then, but the bulk will go out in 2018. It’s a setback for sure, but the startup likely still needs as much time as possible to entice developers to jump onto the platform, something that will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge for the headset manufacturer. Today, as developer headsets have already started arriving, Mira is releasing their SDK to the world so new content partners can start getting cool stuff on the platform. Digital Trends via TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com September 20, 2017 at 08:30AM
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An Original X-Men Star Returns to Dark Phoenix, But as Whom? http://ift.tt/2wG70Xh Margot Robbie dances around the rumored Joker/Harley Quinn movie. Go behind the bricks with a ton of new Lego Ninjago Movie footage. Gotham’s David Mazouz teases a very villainous Ra’s al Ghul. Plus, pictures from the return of The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow and behind the scenes on Star Trek: Discovery. Spoilers now! X-Men: Dark PhoenixDaniel Cudmore, the original actor to play Colossus in X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, and X-Men: Days of Future Past, has singed on to the latest X-film—but in an undisclosed role, so there’s a possibility it’s to play another character.
FlashpointBeth Mickle (Drive, Only God Forgives) has been hired as the film’s production designer. [Omega Underground] Time SalvagerZak Olkewicz has been hired to write Michael Bay’s adaptation of Wesley Chu’s dystopian time travel novel. [Deadline] Star Wars: The Last JediIn a since-deleted Tweet, Mark Hamill suggested a fan eager to see the latest trailer should “watch Monday Night Football on Monday October 9th- for no reason in particular,” so expect a trailer that night. [Star Wars News Net] The Joker & Harley QuinnComing Soon asked Margot Robie for confirmation on the rumored Joker/Harley Quinn movie from directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.
Avengers 4Speaking with Cinema Blend, Sebastian Stan revealed he begins filming next month.
RevoltA new trailer for the alien invasion thriller starring Lee Pace has landed.
The Lego Ninjago MovieA “behind the bricks” featurette introduces the film’s cast.
Better still, the film’s first ten minutes have been posted to Youtube.
GothamSpeaking with Rotten Tomatoes, David Mazouz stated Ra’s al Ghul will be up to some “awful, awful very, very controversial things” this season.
Happy!Syfy’s Happy! adaptation has pushed back its premiere date to December 6th. [Entertainment Weekly] The Flash
The CW has released another trailer for season four that examines Iris and Cisco’s conflicting feelings about the return of Barry Allen.
A gallery of photos from the season premiere, “The Flash Reborn” has also been released. Samuroids! More at the link. [Coming Soon] Legends of TomorrowMeanwhile, the Legends face down Roman centurions while vacationing in Aruba in the season premiere, “Aruba Con”. Head to the link to see more. [Heroic Hollywood] Star Trek: DiscoveryThe official Star Trek Youtube page has a behind-the-scenes featurette.
Game of ThronesEmilia Clarke, after years of wearing wigs to play Daenerys, has bleached her hair in preparation for filming the show’s final season.
The Last Man on EarthFinally, here’s a promo for season four of The Last Man on Earth.
Banner art by Jim Cooke. Digital Trends via Gizmodo http://gizmodo.com September 20, 2017 at 08:30AM |
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