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Fiber cut knocks out internet for some in the northeast
If your internet is or was out this evening and you live in the northeastern part of the US, you are not alone. Customers in New York City, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and other nearby areas are seeing outages, which can apparently be traced back to what Time Warner Cable has said are "multiple fiber cuts" at a network provider. Customers from Comcast and Cox have also reported problems, and the network provider in question, Level 3, says it is working on restoring service. In a statement, the company attributed the outage to third-party construction and said technicians are onsite. Time Warner Cable just updated us that repairs are "well under way" and it has restored service for customers in NYC, which matches what we're seeing on outage tracking websites like DownDetector. Update: As of 8:30AM, Level 3 reported service was restored, although most users were back online well before that. Additionally, Comcast contacted Engadget to say that it did not see any effects as a result of this fiber cut.
AmtrakConnect free WiFi added to 12 East Coast routes, snack car will still cost ya
Remember when we noted the existence of AmtrakConnect WiFi on the Adirondack train (number 69) about two weeks ago? Although it wasn't official at the time, it is now -- and it turns out that was just a sliver of what to expect. Amtrak recently announced that the free service is currently available on twelve of its East Coast routes, which should please many a railway commuter accustomed to WiFi deprivation. Eight of those routes (Northeast Regional, Keystone and Empire services, Carolinian, Downeaster, Ethan Allen Express, New Haven – Springfield Shuttle and Vermonter) feature full wireless connectivity from head to caboose, while the others (Adirondack, Maple Leaf, Palmetto and Pennsylvanian) have designated cars that allow for internet access. Factor in its Acela and Northwest Regional lines, and Amtrak says 60 percent of its fleet is now WiFi-capable with more additions due in California before the year's out. Better yet, "4G speeds" are also in the cards for the future, but we won't hold our breath waiting for an equally swift rollout. Full press release after the break.
Criminals constructing ATM skimmers from DAPs
A recent article from Brian Krebs highlights a new trend in ATM skimmers: by using parts from cut-rate audio players and spy cams, criminals are able to construct something called an audio skimmer that records the data from the magnetic strip for later playback. Also included in the device is a miniature spy cam, which captures the user's PIN. The basic methodology behind the device is nothing new (for instance, it could be found in an issue of Phrack dating back to 1992) although the use of DAPs means that the whole thing is a lot more elegant than it was in the days of the portable cassette recorder. According to a recent report by the European ATM Security Team (EAST), devices of this type have been found in five countries, two of them "major ATM deployers" (with 40,000 active ATMs or more). Please guys, don't get any ideas. PR from EAST after the break.
Microsoft opens PC lounge in Saks Fifth Avenue for holiday season
We all know Microsoft's feeling pretty smug -- and with good reason -- about Windows 7 right now. In an effort to drum up yet more hype for its latest OS, and perhaps to try and gauge customer interest in an East coast Store, Microsoft has decided to open up a cozy "PC lounge" inside Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship New York store -- you know, the one that actually is on Fifth Avenue. As part of the agreement, Windows 7 will be used to drive Saks' window displays, and opportunities will be provided for customers to interact with the new software throughout the building. The lounge itself will be populated by Windows 7 laptops and Microsoft experts, who'll probably answer your questions in the sort of overly peppy, commercial way that makes us wonder why anyone goes to offline shops in the first place.
DISH Network transitions 11 East Coast markets to MPEG-4
Back in late August, DISH Network ripped a theoretical hole in the universe (okay, not really) by claiming that it would deliver 100% of its content via the MPEG-4 delivery system. Today, the satcaster is expanding its MPEG-4 reach to 32 markets by converting 11 more locales in the Eastern half of the US. For the whole rundown of new regions, just give the read link a visit, and rest assured that you'll begin receiving every bit of SD and HD content via MPEG-4 if you're listed. Riveting, isn't it?
Heavens herald the arrival of the Wii
Okay, Nintendo. You've gotten millions of hardcore gamers excited for your new, upcoming system. You've already managed to convince people who have never even held a game controller to invest in your product. But now, you're really done it. The skies themselves are clamoring for a new Nintendo Wii.Check this: at approximately 11:45 PM on Saturday, November 18th, there will be an brief yet intense meteor shower easily visible from the eastern coast of the United States. So long as the night skies are crisp and clear, all those people camping out should be able to enjoy the show. The cause? Leonid meteors caused by dust left by the small comet Temple-Tuttle will strike the Earth's atmosphere, incinerating in flashes of bright light.We know not if the Wii is celestial in nature, but it's one hell of a coincidence. Wii-lovers and star-gazers alike, here comes launch day.[Thanks, Brent!]
