New developer tool aids deployment of AI applications
There's increasing demand for AI and machine learning solutions from businesses, but often a shortage of skills is holding back implementation.
Cloud computing specialist Paperspace is launching a new tool called Gradient to allow developers to tap into a dedicated cloud of AI solutions for building, training and deploying machine learning applications.
Mozilla launches a petition asking Facebook to do more for user privacy
In the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica debacle, Facebook has been roundly criticized for not only its handling of the situation, but also its attitude to privacy in general. The criticism comes not only from users, but also politicians and technology firms. The latest company to speak out is Mozilla.
After it was revealed that the personal data of 50 million Facebook users was shared without consent, Mozilla is calling on the social network to ensure that user privacy is protected by default, particularly when it comes to apps.
Facebook, Cambridge Analytica and our personal data
Facebook shares are taking it on the chin today as the Cambridge Analytica story unfolds and we learn just how insecure our Facebook data has been. The mainstream press has -- as usual -- understood only parts of what’s happening here. It’s actually worse than the press is saying. So I am going to take a hack at it here. Understand this isn’t an area where I am an expert, either, but having spent 40+ years writing about Silicon Valley, I’ve picked up some tidbits along the way that will probably give better perspective than what you’ve been reading elsewhere.
Much of this is old news. There are hundreds -- possibly thousands -- of companies that rely on Facebook data accessed through an Application Programming Interface (API) called the Graph API. These data are poorly protected and even more poorly policed. So the first parts of this story to dispel are the ideas that the personality test data obtained by Cambridge Analytica were in any way unusual or that keeping those data after their sell-by date was, either. That doesn’t necessarily make the original researcher without blame, but the Cambridge folks could have very easily found the same data elsewhere or even generated it themselves. It’s not that hard to do. And Facebook doesn’t have a way to make you throw it away (or even know that you haven’t), either.
Don't want to #DeleteFacebook? Opt out of Platform API sharing instead -- here's how
Following the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal, you can't have failed to notice there’s a backlash against Facebook at the moment, with the #DeleteFacebook movement gathering serious momentum. Even WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, who sold his app to Facebook for $19 billion in 2014, appeared to back it with a tweet in which he declared "It is time. #deletefacebook".
Unless you don’t use it very often, deleting Facebook is a major step, and one that many people will think is taking things too far. But if you do want to take greater control over your privacy settings you might want to consider opting out of Facebook’s Platform API sharing to prevent future data harvesting.
Samsung unveils rugged Galaxy Tab Active2 business tablet with LTE
Quality Android tablets are becoming increasingly rare on the consumer market. Why? There are many reasons, such as the adoption of large-screen smartphones. When your phone has a 6-inch screen, a 7- or 8-inch tablet can feel redundant. Not to mention, despite an arguably stronger economy, there are still many consumers that don’t have much disposable income.
Where Android tablets still have a fairly bright future is in the enterprise. For many jobs, sitting down with a laptop is not possible. Instead, being active with a tablet can be preferable. Today, Samsung unveils the Galaxy Tab Active2 -- a rugged Android 7.1 business tablet with integrated LTE (carrier unlocked). It is very rugged (MIL-STD 810G certified) making it great for dirty jobs -- even the S-Pen is rugged. And yes, it has USB-C.
Take a personal trainer on the road using Freeletics
Everyone has a favorite go-to workout routine to keep fit. Do you prefer to spin, participate in CrossFit, head to the gym and figure your own routine or, perhaps, an all-body circuit class? There is no shortage of options, but sometimes too many options can get confusing and it’s good to get some guidance based on your goals.
One solution is your own personal trainer, in the form of your smartphone. Luckily you can take your smartphone anywhere (often including the gym), meaning there’s no reason why you can’t have a program downloaded to an app.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Spring Creators Update Build 17127 to the Fast ring
New builds for the Spring Creators Update are coming thick and fast now, as Microsoft edges ever nearer to the release date for the next version of Windows 10.
Today’s new release, Build 17127, fixes a number of issues, but also adds some improvements to Cortana, including a new profile page, and an updated Notebook design for all markets.
The Google News Initiative is yet another attempt to combat fake news
The seemingly throwaway tag of "fake news" has developed into an absolute phenomenon over the last year or so. Previously unheard of, it's now not only part of the technological zeitgeist, but also something that Twitter, Google, Facebook et al are on a mission to fight.
Today, Google announces its latest weapon -- the Google News Initiative. It sees Google trying to increase the output and promotion of quality journalism as it tries to "build a stronger future for news" and fight the spread of inaccurate information.
New partnership delivers data-driven insights into customer behavior
Businesses have more data than ever about their customers, but it can be hard to extract meaningful insight from it.
A new partnership between data warehousing company Snowflake Computing and data analytics platform Segment aims to give enterprises the ability to carry out rapid analysis of customer data at scale.
Average website gets attacked 44 times a day
The average website was attacked 44 times a day during the last quarter of 2017, according to new research from security specialist SiteLock.
The company analyzed six million sites to identify trends in the behavior and tactics of attackers. Though the number of attacks represents a 25 percent decrease over the previous quarter, it still means a site could be attacked 16,000 times a year.
Play your favorite retro handheld games with the Internet Archive emulators
The Internet Archive is a staggering piece of work, saving for posterity books, movies, music, and entire websites. For a number of years, the site has also offered in-browser emulation, giving everyone the chance to get teary-eyed with nostalgia and play a range of console games online.
Now the emulation collection has been expanded to cover a wide range of handheld games including the likes of Mortal Kombat, Double Dragon and Q*Bert. The new Handheld History Collection builds on the work the Internet Archive has already done with the MAME development team.
Automated simulation platform helps enterprises understand cyber risks
Hackers and cyber criminals often seek to exploit human errors like misconfigurations, poor security practices and the use of shadow IT.
In order to help businesses assess the risk XM Cyber is launching an automated advanced persistent threat (APT) simulation platform, HaXM, to continuously expose all attack vectors, above and below the surface.
Picture-in-picture mode is coming to YouTube on the desktop
YouTube has been embroiled in more than its fair share of controversy recently -- relating to conspiracy videos in particular -- but this is not standing in the way of Google forging ahead with new features.
Next on the horizon is a picture-in-picture mode; something that will be familiar to users of the YouTube mobile apps. Now the same feature is coming to desktop version of the site, giving you the ability to continue browsing through videos while another one plays.
HyperX FURY and Impact DDR4 memory kits get even faster
When buying RAM, I cannot stress enough just how important it is to buy a quality brand. Performance aside, troubleshooting bad memory sticks can be an exercise in frustration. When you do discover a defective stick (or sticks) of RAM, the RMA process can leave you without a working computer -- unacceptable. True, defective RAM can come from any company, but they are more likely from budget brands. That is why I urge you to please stick with quality companies, such as G.SKILL and HyperX (the gaming/enthusiast brand of Kingston).
Speaking of HyperX, today, the company announces that its popular FURY and Impact DDR4 memory kits are getting even faster. The former, which is for desktops, will now feature frequencies up to 3,466 MHz. The latter, which is designed for laptops and all-in-one systems, will now be available in speeds up to 3,200MHz.
President Trump bans Venezuela's cryptocurrency
Venezuela is the first country to create its own crytpocurrency, after it announced the oil-backed Petro last month. The coin, which is expected to make its debut on public exchanges in April, is highly controversial, and not for the usual reasons players in this market are frowned upon.
Critics say that Petro is used by the Venezuelan government to circumvent international sanctions, which is a serious-enough concern for the US government that President Trump decided to ban the use of Petro in the country.
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