The group has already begun experimenting with models for clients such as Coca-Cola and Verizon as part of a new partnership with D-Wave Quantum.
Originally posted on July 5, 2023 @ 8:41 am
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The group has already begun experimenting with models for clients such as Coca-Cola and Verizon as part of a new partnership with D-Wave Quantum.
Originally posted on July 5, 2023 @ 8:41 am
By darnell
After dethroning Safari earlier this year, Google has been steadily stealing market share away from its rivals by building a browser that is not only fast and stable, but extremely secure as well.
Now it looks like the search engine giant is going the extra distance by ensuring that your privacy information within Chrome is not only protected from malicious flash sites, but also your computer as well.
As one of the engineers working on Chrome’s sandbox, I’m happy to announce that we’re bringing Chrome’s existing sandboxing technology for web pages to the Flash Player plug-in in Chrome for Windows. The sandbox adds an additional layer of protection to further guard against malicious pages that try to hijack your computer or steal private information from your hard drive. Based on this groundwork in the beta, we’ll be bringing the sandboxed Flash Player to Chrome for Mac and Linux in future releases as well. (Google Chrome Blog)
Google also included a few extra features like Google Instant within the omnibox (which doubles as a url box and search box) as well as support for WebGL as a bonus (a key ingredient for specific 3D hardware acceleration technology that will probably benefit Chrome OS netbooks).
These additional security features may help Google to convince even more users to switch away from their current browsers, as well as make it harder for Internet Explorer to curb the defections.
Originally posted on December 16, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
By darnell
Despite all the controversy surrounding Wikileaks, the whistle blowing organization has only released a fraction of the files available to them to the public, creating an on going nightmare for the US State department who thus far has been unable to shut down the site.
Unfortunately for the US government, it looks like a Norwegian newspaper has secured access to all 250,000 cables minus the encryption, which means that world may soon hear more embarrassing secrets contained in the documents.
In cooperation with Svenska Dagbladet, Aftenposten has so far had access to about 2000 documents, which until now has been the background for the issues Aftenposten published. Ole Erik Almlid, news editor of Aftenposten, says it has worked a long time to access the documents to the newspaper.
– We have worked long to get the documents, but it would be wrong of me to tell who is the source. We have not paid for the material, which we have gained access to no conditions. It is we who decide what to publish and how we should handle it, “he said. (Aftenposten)
While other news organizations have received access to the files, most of those were encrypted, giving Wikileaks control over the speed (and sometimes type) of information leaked to the public.
Despite their eyes being able to view all of the cables unrestricted, the news organization is promising to not release information that can endanger individuals lives or expose private information about specific individuals.
They will however report on news deemed interesting to the public, which could spell more embarrassment for the US State Department.
(Hat Tip: RWW)
Originally posted on December 22, 2010 @ 8:48 pm
By darnell
Not content at helping private companies land rovers upon the Moon, Google recently sent several Nexus S devices  into the stratosphere and was able to capture a humorous video of their mascot becoming lost in space.
Recently, we travelled to Ione, CA and sent seven payloads up, up, and away into near space, each equipped with a Nexus S. We took some cues from others who have sent homemade weather balloon rigs far up, and we wanted an opportunity to collect some interesting data about the sensors in Nexus S – GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. We also couldn’t resist what looked like a great way to spend a weekend. Sending the balloons up also gave us an opportunity to capture some stunning imagery and videos of Earth. (Google Mobile Blog)
Previously an iOS fans was able to send his iPhone 4 into space via weather balloon, although Google’s attempt might be the first time a company officially sent over half a dozen smartphones to embrace the final frontier.
It will be interesting to see if other companies (like Microsoft) attempt similar feats in order to raise publicity of their device, although truth be told the space geek in me is hoping that Google will consider sending one of these devices beyond Earth orbit (or even better land an Android device upon the Moon).
Originally posted on December 22, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
By darnell
With Google’s Nexus S now available to the masses, the search engine giant’s favorite smartphone has been facing some criticism over the fact that the mobile OS can be easily rooted (or hacked for you non-geeks), making the device insecure.
Not desiring to let this myth fester unopposed, Google decided to take on the critics by enlightening them on how Android is designed.
The Nexus S, like the Nexus One before it, is designed to allow enthusiasts to install custom operating systems. Allowing your own boot image on a pure Nexus S is as simple as runningÂ
fastboot oem unlock
. It should be no surprise that modifying the operating system can give you root access to your phone. Hopefully that’s just the beginning of the changes you might make. […]Android has a strong security strategy, backed by a solid implementation. By default, all Android applications are sandboxed from each other, helping to ensure that a malicious or buggy application cannot interfere with another. All applications are required to declare the permissions they use, ensuring the user is in control of the information they share. And yes, we aggressively fix known security holes, including those that can be used for rooting. Our peers in the security community have recognized our contribution to mobile security, and for that, we are extremely grateful. (Android Developers Blog)
Google goes on to explain that unlike their Nexus S, rooting a device is not a feature, but rather a user exploiting a weakness within the device in order to gain deeper access to the mobile OS.
Unlike many other smartphones (including heavily customized ones running Android), the Nexus S is designed with rooting in mind to make it easier for users to modify their phones instead of locking it down (something manufactures and carriers prefer to do).
Although it’s great to see Google taking a stand in favor of granting users greater access to their phones, the company will probably need to make a greater effort to convince more developers that building upon Android is safe (which could help convince a few iOS developers to finally port their apps upon Android).
Originally posted on December 20, 2010 @ 5:01 pm