Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Software : Raspberry Pi gains more capable Epiphany web browser

Software : Raspberry Pi gains more capable Epiphany web browser


Raspberry Pi gains more capable Epiphany web browser

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Raspberry Pi gains more capable Epiphany web browser

Cute as a button and only the size of a credit card, Raspberry Pi delivers a lot of computer functionality on the cheap, but web browsing hasn't historically been one of its strongest selling points - until now.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation announced in a blog post Monday that the popular hacker-friendly computer finally has a more capable web browser option, one which will eventually become the default option with future software releases.

Named Epiphany, the optimized replacement web browser is the work of Collabora, who based the software on Gnome Web, itself a variant of WebKit 1 that brings a raft of improvements for all but the most JavaScript-heavy sites.

First announced at the end of last year, Epiphany promises to deliver "much-improved" support for HTML5, along with faster scrolling and better interactivity while web pages are actually loading.

Raspberry Pi Epiphany web browser

Out with the old

Raspberry Pi hobbyists who watch a lot of online video content will be most interested in Epiphany's hardware-accelerated video encoding, which removes most of the heavy lifting from the software while playing HTML5 video content.

According to Collabora software engineer Marco Barisione, this accomplishment also enables better support for YouTube video playback, as well as hardware scaling and faster fullscreen playback of video content from anywhere on the web.

Epiphany should also deliver a 3x improvement in startup time as well as a more responsive user interface, along with the same type of progressive, tiled rendering now common with most mobile web browsers.

The browser installation requires only three simple command line prompts to install (hit the blog link to find them), a task that will be made easier in future Raspbian and NOOBS releases thanks to the inclusion of Epiphany as the default web browser.

Apple 'actively investigating' iCloud hack, celebrity nude fiasco

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Apple 'actively investigating' iCloud hack, celebrity nude fiasco

Apple says it's now actively investigating an embarrassing security breach of its iCloud service that allowed hackers to post dozens of celebrity nude photos to the web this weekend.

"We take user privacy very seriously and are actively investigating this report," said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said in a statement to Recode.

The response was prompted after an alleged exploit using iCloud's "Find My iPhone" feature allowed users to break in to steal passwords, view images and other data stored in a users' iCloud accounts.

As a result of the security breach some of the hackers posted nude photos, both real and some said to be fakes, of several actresses, athletes, models and other celebrities.

Of course, since this exploit affect all iCloud accounts, the security hole could have effected every user on Apple's cloud service.

How could this happen!?

The Next Web reports the issue may have stemmed from Apple allowing for an unlimited number of password attempts to access the Find My iPhone service. Supposedly hackers took advantage of this vulnerability by using iBrute to repeatedly try different password combinations until it broke the code.

Apple claims it has since fixed the issue by limiting the password attempts to five. The Cupertino company also advises users to add an extra layer of security for themselves by adding the two-step verification process to their iCloud accounts.

Still we'd advise users to change their password in light of the recent exploit.

TechRadar has reached out to Apple for a comment on the security breach and will update this article once we hear back.

  • Keep your fingers crossed for more security features in iOS 8

New leaks reveal the Moto X+1's M-logo button and secret front sensors

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New leaks reveal the Moto X+1's M-logo button and secret front sensors

We're merely three days away from the Moto X+1's big reveal in Chicago on September 4 and yet another tidbit about the rumored handset has leaked out.

Another set of brand spanking new photos of the handset sent over to TK Tech News reveals the back Moto logo on the X+1's backside might actually be a button a la the LG G3.

Supposedly this small recessed dimple houses the phone's power button, which could also be used for other functions within apps.

Motorola, Moto Aware, Moto G2, Moto X+1, Moto 360, smartphones, smartwatches, Android, Newstrack

Aside from the button it seems users can expect the Moto X+1 to arrive with an aluminum frame and a variety of finishes including wood, plastic, leather and denim. Later this holiday Verizon will purportedly release an exclusive carbon fiber version.

Here's looking at you

Motorola, Moto Aware, Moto G2, Moto X+1, Moto 360, smartphones, smartwatches, Android, Newstrack

A close look at this new set of high-resolution image reveals four camera-esque sensors on the front face of the Moto X+1.

These sensors purportedly will work in conjunction with a new software feature called Moto Aware. But, according to Phone Arena, Moto Aware has been all but removed on from all of Motorola's handsets due to an Apple lawsuit blocking the feature.

Before it's removal, Moto Aware supposedly would have automatically adjusted phone settings on the fly. This includes security settings and the UI tweaks based on the user's location, as well as the lighting and ambient noise in the user's vicinity.

Meanwhile, another TK Tech News source has explained these sensors will actually be used as part of the X+1's faux 3D interface. From the sounds of it, the shifting UI interface will be very similar to Dynamic Perspective on the Amazon Fire Phone.

The price is right

Along with the new details of the Moto X+1 it seems the Moto G2 has begun shipping internationally.

Import codes picked up by Pricebaba reveal the Moto G2 with 16GB of storage space will ring up to $175 (about £105, AU$187). Previously, we heard some worrying figures, which placed a €250 (about $335, £200, AU$360) price tag on Motorola's affordable mid-range handset.

With these latest reports we can breath a sigh of relief that the handset will still be priced within the same ballpark as the original Moto G.

We expect the Moto G2 will be announced right alongside the Moto X+1. Check back in with TechRadar soon as we bring your more from Motorola's Chicago show this Thursday.

  • Will Motorola also announce a release date for the Moto 360?

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