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Comment Re:Malware delivered by PDF (Score 1) 37

This is the real headline.

I did know that PDF used to be able to contain malware, but I had assumed that this was a solved problem by now (email servers scanning PDF attachments for dangerous content, PDF readers not enabling the dangerous features by default, something like that). Apparently I was wrong.

Comment Re:Well, duh (Score 1) 143

Uber Pool does this on-demand. But its not available in all areas. I used it frequently in downtown Toronto. And its cheaper, about 2/3 of what the same UberX trip would cost. But it does make your arrival time more unpredictable because you might have to stop several times to pickup/dropoff other riders.

Comment Re:Glass back (Score 1) 109

This is fixable. I upgraded from a Nexus 5 to a Pixel 2 XL and also missed the wireless charging.

Go buy a case an a wireless charging receiver. The receiver gets sandwiched between the case and the phone so you don't have to affix it using the double sided tape. Works great in my wireless desktop and car chargers.

Android

Google Rebuilt the Android Media Stack To Prevent Another Stagefright 50

Reader Trailrunner7 writes: Android Nougat is bringing with it a slew of security improvements, many of them under the covers, and the one that likely will have the biggest long-term effect is the major rebuilding effort Google undertook on the media stack. That component of the operating system is meant to process audio and video, and it's been a weak spot in Android. The media stack includes the mediaserver process, which is used by a number of apps on Android devices. Researcher Josh Drake last year discovered a critical vulnerability in the libstagefright function in the media stack, which could allow an attacker to get complete control of a target device by sending a malicious MMS message. The Stagefright vulnerability is among the more widespread and dangerous flaws to affect Android, and though Google patched it last year, the company decided to take a more systemic approach to the problem in Nougat. Rather than addressing vulnerabilities on a case by case basis, Google implemented technologies to prevent a large group of bugs.
Hardware

Steam VR Tracking Technology Now Available To Third Parties (pcgamer.com) 13

You will soon be able to play and try out any virtual reality game or app in StreamVR ecosystem without having to purchase HTC's VR gear. SteamVR creator Valve has announced it is opening the floodgates to a new wave to a new wave of VR peripherals. PC Gamer reports: "This tracking technology enables hardware developers to build highly precise position and orientation sensing into devices of all kinds," reads the press release. "Valve expects the technology to be used in a variety of devices, such as VR peripherals and other input devices." The technology being licensed includes everything needed to wirelessly track objects with the HTC Vive base stations (those two laser emitters that you mount in the corners of the room when setting up a Vive), its sensors, and the Steam VR software. To be clear, it doesn't mean we'll see new tracking systems based on the Vive's technology, but that new hardware can work with the Vive's base stations and sensors. The goal is to "support the growth of a healthy portfolio of products that work together with HTC Vive," said HTC VR vice president Raymond Pao.

Comment Re:Does it understand BEING HONKED AT? (Score 1) 156

I wouldn't think so. First off, it would have no idea if the honk were directed at it or some other vehicle.

But mostly its because a honk is usually the equivalent of "hey idiot, pay attention". But Google's cars are always paying attention, so I don't think listening for a honk would be a valuable input.

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