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Windows 10 is adding an Ultimate Performance mode for pros
When you're creating 3D models or otherwise running intensive tasks, you want to wring every ounce of performance out of your PC as possible. It's a good thing, then, that Microsoft has released a Windows 10 preview build in the Fast ring that includes a new Ultimate Performance mode if you're running Pro for Workstations. As the name implies, this is a step up for people for whom even the High Performance mode isn't enough -- it throws power management out the window to eliminate "micro-latencies" and boost raw speed. You can set it yourself, but PC makers will have the option of shipping systems with the feature turned on.
A major bug is forcing Microsoft to rebuild Skype for Windows
Skype has fallen afoul of a security flaw that can allow attackers to gain system-level privileges to vulnerable computers, Microsoft has confirmed. However, the company won't immediately fix the issue because doing so would require a complete code overhaul. The bug was discovered by security researcher Stefan Kanthak, who says the Skype update can be tricked into loading malicious code instead of the right library. An attacker would simply need to put a fake DLL into a user-accessible temporary folder, with the name of an existing DLL that could be modified by anyone without system privileges. Anyone trying to hijack your PC would need access to your file system obviously, but according to Kanthak, once system access is granted, an attacker "can do anything". However, the hacker would require physical access to the computer to do this.
Cryptocurrency mining site hijacked millions of Android phones
Smartphone users are just as vulnerable to cryptocurrency mining hijacks as their PC counterparts, and sometimes on a dramatic scale. Malwarebytes has detailed a "drive-by" mining campaign that redirected millions of Android users to a website that hijacked their phone processors for mining Monero. While the exact trigger wasn't clear, researchers believed that infected apps with malicious ads would steer people toward the pages. And it wasn't subtle -- the site would claim that you were showing "suspicious" web activity and tell you that it was mining until you entered a captcha code to make it stop.
Crucial iPhone source code posted in unprecedented leak (updated)
Critical, top secret Apple code for the iPhone's operating system was posted on Github, opening a new, dangerous avenue for hackers and jailbreakers to access the device, Motherboard reported. The code, known as "iBoot," has since been pulled, but Apple may have confirmed it was the real deal when it issued a DMCA takedown to Github, as Twitter user @supersat noted.
SpaceX confirms it lost the center core of the Falcon Heavy
SpaceX pulled off quite the feat today when it launched the Falcon Heavy rocket. What's more, it landed the two flanking boosters in perfect synchronized formation. But the fate of the core booster was unclear; now it appears that the center booster, which was supposed to land on a drone ship, was lost.
Tesla’s big battery is undercutting Australia’s energy cartels
When Tesla installed the world's largest lithium-ion battery in South Australia last year, it came with the promise that it would revolutionize the way electricity is produced, stored and sold in a region known for blackouts and market monopolizing. Less than two months later, that promise has been delivered to the tune of a multimillion-dollar saving, as the Tesla big battery essentially noped an attempt by Australia's energy cartel to capitalize on power fluctuations and send the market into overdrive.
Elon Musk sells all 20,000 $500 Boring Company flamethrowers
Just a few days after opening pre-orders for $500 Boring Company-branded flamethrowers, Elon Musk has announced that all 20,000 have been sold. That's $10 million in sales for a product that will ship in spring (hopefully) on a website that admits it's overpriced and said: "You can definitely buy one for less elsewhere." At least, according to Musk, each order will come with a complimentary fire extinguisher, and, of course, will help fund his tunnel-digging exploits. If you missed out and absolutely must have a flamethrower ASAP, there are others available. USA Today points out the XM42-M from Ion Productions Team that's a bit more expensive at $899, but promises a range of over 30 feet. If it absolutely must be Musk, however, don't despair -- he tweeted that a "snowthrower" would be fun.
Amazon gets into healthcare with Warren Buffet and JPMorgan
Amazon just took a surprising turn into the healthcare industry, teaming up with investing hero Warren Buffet and New York-based bank JPMorgan Chase, the Washington Post reports. The project is still in the planning stages, so there isn't yet a lot of info on what form it will take. The idea, however, is to reduce costs while improving patient care with the aid of technology. "The ballooning costs of (health care) act as a hungry tapeworm on the American economy," Berkshire Hathaway founder Warren Buffet said in a statement.
White House says it’s not considering a national 5G network
Yesterday, Axios reported that the Trump administration was considering the option of a government-controlled 5G network. Documents obtained by Axios showed that Trump's national security team had proposed a couple of options, including one where the US government funds and constructs a single network, aimed at protecting US networks from Chinese cyberattacks. However, Recode now reports that those documents were outdated and their proposed plans are not actively being considered by the administration.
Researchers create 'true' 3D holograms by trapping particles
SciFi movies like Star Wars and Avatar depict holograms that you can see from any angle, but the reality is a lot less scintillating. So far, the only true color hologram we've seen come from a tiny, complicated display created by a Korean group led by LG, while the rest are just "Pepper's Ghost" style illusions. Now, researchers from Brigham Young University (BYU) have created a true 3D hologram, or "volumetric image," to use the correct term. "We can think about this image like a 3D-printed object," said BYU assistant prof and lead author Daniel Smalley.
Nintendo Labo: Overpriced or innovative?
Weird Nintendo is often the best Nintendo, or so it is said. After all, two of its biggest successes (the Wii and the Switch) are far from ordinary consoles. Now, with a year of huge Switch sales behind it, Nintendo is getting even weirder with Labo -- cardboard accessories that kids can build themselves and use to immerse themselves in a game's world. So far, Nintendo has shown off a mini piano, fishing rod, robot fighting suit, remote-controlled robot walkers ... and what amounts to a cardboard house with your Switch screen built right into the middle. All of these are controlled in some way by the Switch Joy-Cons. It's incredibly unusual and rather expensive (the initial sets start at $70), but it's also the kind of thing that only Nintendo would dream up. Of course, the company's imagination sometimes takes it to places that don't work as well (Wii U, Virtual Boy, the list goes on). Many of Engadget's editors had immediate reactions to Nintendo's Labo, ranging from disgust to extreme excitement -- here are some of the things we've been thinking in the day since Labo was made official.
Watch the first footage from Kodak’s reborn Super 8 film camera
Even if you think film has had its day, there's no denying that it evokes a dreamy nostalgia that digital video can't match. Kodak got a lot of folks, including A-list Hollywood directors, excited about its hybrid Super 8 camera based on that idea, and it has now revealed the first footage that seems to deliver on that promise. Shot by cinematographers like Nick Green and GQ fashion photographers, the video reveals the soft grain, organic-looking flares, low resolution and high contrast you (might) love with Super 8 film.
Engadget Today | CES 2018: It's a wrap!
That's it, the show's over! It's been a wild ride, as usual. After landing here a week ago, we're glad to be packing up and heading back to our own homes, but we'll always have a soft spot in our hearts for the LVCC. We can't wait to see all the new gadgets from the show in the review lab, but for now, it's adios, see you next year. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.
CES 2018 recap: Day one
The CES show floor officially opened yesterday, and suffice to say Team Engadget was kept very busy. As the day began, we divided our time among all the big booths (think: Sony, Samsung, Intel, LG, etc.). But we also had to leave the Las Vegas Convention Center and make our way over to the Sands, which is home to CES's increasingly important startup section. That's where we tend to find unexpected gems each year. The above recap includes just a sliver of what we saw yesterday -- you can find all of our coverage here, and be sure to stay tuned in. After all, we still have two full days left on the show floor. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.
CES begins: smart fridges, accessibility tech and really big TVs
The biggest news that came out of a day of CES press conferences? LG executives pronounce their new ThinQ smart appliance line "thin-cue" instead of "think." We kid, we kid (sort of). The appliances themselves are noteworthy, in that they talk to one another more proactively than we've previously seen with other smart home appliances. Also of interest this early in the show: all the tech we've seen designed to assist the elderly and disabled. And, of course, in addition to all of the above, we've also seen our fair share of TVs: big, rollable and all very expensive, we're sure. As ever, some are more practical than others, and some aren't at all close to coming to market. Find all that and more in our quickie day-zero recap. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.
CES starts this week: TVs, cars and voice-controlled everything
The two things you can count on are death and taxes, so the saying goes. We'd suggest an addition to that list: a slew of new technology pouring out of CES each January. The world's largest electronics show is about to commence in earnest, and the pre-game events are already underway. Gadgets, because we can't think of any other way we'd rather ring in the new year. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.
Apple says slower performance of older iPhones is intentional
You're not alone if you've noticed a slowdown in the performance of your older iPhone. The thing is, it may be more related to your battery than the phone itself. After a post on Reddit and a followup by benchmarking software Geekbench's founder, Apple told TechCrunch that it released a fix for premature shutdowns last year for iPhone 6, 6s and SE by smoothing out CPU demand when a battery is older, cold, or just low on juice. Apple also said that it recently extended this slowdown feature to iPhone 7 devices running iOS 11.2, and plans to "add support for other products in the future."
This is Magic Leap’s mixed reality headset
We've been following the development and rumors surrounding Magic Leap's glasses for awhile. Now, we finally have something official: The company revealed the Magic Leap One: Creator Edition headset on Twitter this morning. The mixed-reality glasses will ship in 2018, and while preorders aren't yet open (and there's no price point), you can sign up to be the first to know when it's available.
Hackers shut down plant by targeting its safety system
Hackers have already attacked critical infrastructure, but now they're launching campaigns that could have dire consequences. FireEye reported that a plant of an unmentioned nature and location (other firms believe it's in the Middle East) was forced to shut down after a hack targeted its industrial safety system -- it's the first known instance of a breach like this taking place. While the digital assault was clearly serious in and of itself, there are hints that it could have been much worse.
The FCC has repealed net neutrality
During today's open meeting, the FCC's proposal to repeal net neutrality protections put in place in 2015 was put to a vote and it passed, three votes to two. As was widely expected, the three Republican members -- Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Michael O'Rielly and Brendan Carr -- voted in favor of the proposal while Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel, both Democrats, voted against it.
