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Hackers have turned the Nintendo Switch into a functional Linux tablet http://ift.tt/2HrkzjX There are two major reasons I can think of to hack a game console. The first one is obvious: so you can play cracked copies of games. That’s why modern consoles are so difficult to hack, because millions of dollars are on the line. But some people just want to run any software they choose on the hardware they own. And for those people, Linux on the Switch is a huge achievement. A couple of weeks ago, the fail0verflow hacking collective showed a still image on Twitter of a Nintendo Switch booting Linux. They’re one of a small handful of hacker teams who are teasing exploits of the Nvidia Tegra hardware inside the Switch. But now fail0verflow has video of a full-on Linux distro running on the hacked Switch, complete with touchscreen support, a fully operational web browser, and even a GPU-powered demo application:
On Twitter, fail0verflow claims the bug they’re exploiting to sidestep the Switch’s security can’t be patched on currently released hardware, and doesn’t require a modchip. But as for now there aren’t any details on how to do this yourself at home. It’s mostly just nice to know that, given enough expertise and determination, you could. Gadget News via The Verge http://ift.tt/1jLudMg February 19, 2018 at 04:48PM
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Snapchat is selling more than just crappy merch http://ift.tt/2Cwc03G Weeks ago, Snap opened up an in-app Snapchat store to sell merch, which appeared to be an attempt to open up a new revenue stream. But it looks like it will offer more than just dancing hot dogs. During yesterday's NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles, Snap held a concert that doubled as a sneaker drop for yet-unreleased Jordans. Technically, fans couldn't buy the shoes on site -- they had to scan a QR code that then allowed them to purchase a pair of the AJ III Tinkers, which are slated to go on sale March 24th in Snapchat's merch store. Sneakerheads are used to using apps to pick up shoes, so it makes some sense to lure them into using the in-app storefront. But it's also a hint that Snap likely has more planned than just hot dog merch -- and will probably roll the product releases in with other events that combine ephemeral events with e-commerce. And maybe also have a Snapchat filter tie-in, like so:
Source: Fast Company Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 19, 2018 at 04:42PM The Best Tech Gadgets of 2018 (So Far) http://ift.tt/2Fh4D3a Gadget News via gadgets - Google News http://ift.tt/2zdEA80 February 19, 2018 at 04:12PM
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Air Hogs' Supernova packs motion controls in a kid-friendly drone http://ift.tt/2EGqwff Toy drones have been cheap and plentiful over the past few years, but it's really hard for new products to stand out from the pack when they need to keep the price down and can't throw in premium features like a 4K camera. But that hasn't stopped Spin Master from trying new things with its Air Hogs line: At this week's Toy Fair, the company is debuting its first motion-controlled model, the Supernova. It's not quite DJI's Mavic Air, but it's still got some sweet moves to show off in a more kid-friendly form factor. The Air Hogs Supernova is a small quadcopter uncased in a light, spherical plastic cage open enough to allow the propellers to lift the toy, but enclosed enough to keep small fingers away from the spinning blades. It's not entirely foolproof -- at least once when I grabbed the sphere my fingers sunk in a little deep and hit the blades. It hurt for a few minutes, but didn't leave any lasting damage. It's recommended for kids aged eight and up, which is a good age bracket to really understand and master all the movements needed to pilot the Supernova. It doesn't come with a remote control and doesn't connect to a phone -- everything will be done through hand gestures. There are four tiny infrared sensors on the sphere and a laser sensor on the bottom, so you need to engage it at those points for a response. To engage the drone you lightly toss it away from you; throw it too hard and it might wander away. You can grab its attention by placing a hand in front of one of the sensors and it will try to stay near you. If you put a hand on both sides, it'll spin in place. The Supernova can also fly pretty high, but it will eventually come back down once the sensors realize there's nothing nearby. It's so light that it's common for something like an air current to make the drone list a bit; in those cases a quick waggle of your hand near any of the sensors is a sign for the Supernova to correct its sense of direction. When it's time to turn it off, you simply flip it over. The gestures seem simple enough at first, but my time playing with it at Toy Fair had me chasing it across the Spin Master booth, my frantic waving probably making things worse. A few times I watched the Supernova ascend into the rafters at the Javits, which is a little nerve-racking when you consider the drone has no remote. But it did eventually wander its way back down. It's definitely one of those things you're going to want to practice with at home first, lest you take it to a park and a stray gust of wind carries it away. The Supernova will be in stores this August for $40. Check out the rest of our coverage from Toy Fair 2018 here. Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 19, 2018 at 04:12PM Legal eagle Shroff to join Paytm board http://ift.tt/2sHCtf4 Gadget News via gadgets - Google News http://ift.tt/2zdEA80 February 18, 2018 at 11:21PM
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Track Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster on its Way to Mars WIth this Site http://ift.tt/2ob5cnx Earlier this month Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched Falcon Heavy, the company’s most powerful rocket yet. Inside was a red Tesla Roadster sports car with built-in cameras for capturing what it sees as well as a copy of Isaac Asimov’s science fiction book series Foundation, and a plane engraved with 6,000 SpaceX employee names. The car’s destination: Mars. So, what does the road to Mars actually look like? One space enthusiast has created a website for tracking the car’s journey using NASA data to track the Roadster’s course. Aptly named Where Is Roadster? The site offers real-time data on where the Roadster currently is as well as an interactive tool to help you see where it’s headed as well. Video: YouTube As it turns out, the car isn’t making a beeline right for the Red Planet. Like all other things, it has to deal with the force of gravity working against it, which means that instead of going straight for Mars, it’s instead traveling in a bit of an arc. Advertisement Right now, the roadster and its passenger, a dummy named Starman, are roughly 2.25 million miles away from Earth and 137.5 million miles away from Mars. It’s not expected to reach its destination until October 2020. And bad news for Starman if he runs into trouble along the way: The car exceeded its 36,000-mile warranty 636 times while driving around the sun. Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com February 18, 2018 at 10:26PM
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Throat sensor helps you recover from a stroke http://ift.tt/2EM7TWr Your abilities to speak and swallow are frequently signs of how well you're coping after a stroke, but measuring that is difficult. Microphones frequently can't distinguish between the patient and ambient sounds, and there's the not-so-small problem of making sensors that can hold up to the rigors of life outside of the hospital. Northwestern University may have a better way: its scientists have designed a wearable throat sensor that help diagnose and treat aphasia, a communication disorder typically associated with strokes. The wireless device tracks the vibration of your vocal cords to gauge your recovery and determine whether or not doctors need to intervene. The sensor is not only more accurate than a mic, but considerably more comfortable and durable. A set of "novel materials" help it bend and stretch so that it's not irritating your throat or breaking under stress. Doctors can see how you speak and swallow in real life, not just in the controlled conditions of a hospital room. When combined with other sensors that track factors like heart functions, muscles and sleep, the throat tech promises a relatively unintrusive look at how your whole body is faring. It won't guarantee a full recovery, but it could speed your progress and help you resume at least some of your daily routine. Via: Phys.org Source: Northwestern University Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 18, 2018 at 10:12PM
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Wikipedia ends no-cost mobile access for developing countries http://ift.tt/2C637lE The Wikimedia Foundation launched Wikipedia Zero in 2012 with the hopes of democratizing information through a simple concept: cellular carriers in developing countries would offer access to its crowdsourced knowledge without charging data fees. However, it appears to have run its course. The organization has discontinued Zero with plans to phase it out through 2018. Wikimedia has stopped forming new carrier partnerships, and will let its existing alliances end over time. There has been a "significant drop off" in involvement since 2016, Wikimedia said, and that participation is necessary to keep Zero alive. The outlet cited a few reasons for the shutdown, and not all of them were bad. Low awareness may have been one problem -- people in developing nations aren't as aware of Wikipedia as North Americans and Europeans. There have been successes at improving recognition, but they're coming too late to rescue Zero. On the plus side, mobile data costs have fallen in the past several years. Zero may not be as attractive simply because more cellphone users can afford to visit Wikipedia without needing a special exemption. This doesn't mean that Wikimedia has given up on Zero-like concepts. That improved recognition has given the organization "several ideas" for its next course of action, and it's using 2018 to mull things over. The move could amount to a hiatus rather than a permanent end. All the same, the discontinuation is unfortunate for those who did use Wikipedia Zero. For now, at least, they'll have to either pay for enough data to visit Wikipedia or go without. Source: Wikimedia Foundation Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 18, 2018 at 08:42PM Hunt begins for gang that stole cash, gadgets from car near Chromepet http://ift.tt/2ByJnpH
Gadget News via gadgets - Google News http://ift.tt/2zdEA80 February 18, 2018 at 07:14PM
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SpaceX delays its satellite internet launch to February 21st http://ift.tt/2EAlSuW Sorry, folks, you'll have to wait a while longer before SpaceX's satellite internet launch takes place. With hours to go, SpaceX has delayed the liftoff from its February 17th target to 9:17AM Eastern on February 21st. According to the company, the crew at the Vandenberg launchpad needed extra time to run "final checkouts" of the upgraded fairing used to protect the Falcon 9 rocket's payload. The company has been inching toward completely reusable rockets, and it wants to be sure it's making progress on that front. Both the payload and the rocket itself are "healthy," SpaceX said. The rocket is mainly intended to carry a Spanish radar imaging satellite, Paz, but it'll also bring SpaceX's own Microsat-2a and Microsat-2b internet satellites into orbit. If all goes according to plan, they'll help start a constellation of broadband satellites that would provide gigabit internet speeds around the globe. That SpaceX is willing to delay the launch by several days speaks volumes -- it has a lot riding on this launch.
Source: SpaceX (Twitter), Vandenberg AFB Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 18, 2018 at 07:12PM |
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