Apple Says it Will Fight a Government Order to Unlock the San Bernardino Shooter’s iPhone
Apple says it has no intention of complying with a federal magistrate’s order to unlock the cell phone used by the San Bernardino shooters, calling the back door system requested by the court “too dangerous to create.” The order is the result of the FBI’s inability to unlock a cell phone owned by Syed Rizwan Farook who killed 14 people and injured dozens more when he and his wife opened fire on a San Bernardino County Department of Public Health holiday party in December. The FBI has been trying unsuccessfully to break into Farook’s work phone, an iPhone was issued by San Bernardino County, ever since. On Tuesday, federal magistrate Judge Sheri Pym ordered Apple to create a new operating system that would allow the FBI to try out thousands of passwords without disabling the phone. Story by Gabrielle Bluestone for Gawker.
Smartphones to Replace Cards at Bank Machines
The “cardless” automatic teller machine (ATM) is gaining ground in the US and around the world, with smartphone technology allowing for speedier and more secure transactions. Dozens of US banks are installing new ATMs or updating existing ones to allow customers to order cash on a mobile application and then scan a code to get their money without having to insert a bank card. US banking giants Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Chase are in the process of deploying the new ATMs, as are a number of regional banks and financial groups around the world. Makers of ATMs and financial software groups are ramping up to meet this demand. Story in Phys Org.
This Is What WIFI, Cell Phones, iPads & More Are Doing Your Child’s Brain
Did you know that a child’s brain absorbs much more radiation than that of an adult? Dr. Martin Blank, Ph.D., from the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Colombia University, has joined a group of scientists from around the world who are making an international appeal to the United Nations regarding the dangers associated with the use of various electromagnetic emitting devices, like cells phones and WiFi. Story in Collective Evolution.
911 Operators Left Hanging by Shift to Cellphones, Outdated Technology, Geographical Problems
Right now, your smartphone likely has a better idea of where you are than authorities would if you called 911. That’s because locational technology offered on high-end cellphones isn’t yet available to 911 emergency centers. A lack of the most modern technology plus geographical problems such as tall buildings and deep valleys are part of the sobering gaps in the capability of 911 systems today. Many of today’s smartphones can track their users to within a few feet. But 911 operators must utilize older technology provided by wireless companies that, in the best case, gives the longitude and latitude of the center point of a nearby street or a triangulated estimate within a few dozen yards of where a person might be. Story by Paul Hammel and Andrew J. Nelson for Omaha.com.
Sperm Quality Damaged by Cellphones
A groundbreaking study carried out in Haifa suggests that regularly talking on a cellphone for more than an hour a day, and talking on the phone when it is connected to a charger, doubles the likelihood of a decrease in sperm concentration from 33.3 percent to 66.7 percent. The study also indicates that sperm concentration decreases to an abnormal level in men who carry their phone at a distance of less than 20 inches from the groin. An abnormal concentration was found in about 47 percent of men who carry the phone at a close distance, compared with about 11 percent in the total male population. Story by Abigail Klein Leichman for Jewish Journal.
Indian Village Bans Cell Phones for Single Women
A village in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat has banned single women from using mobile phones, with elders deeming the technology a “nuisance to society”. Members of the Suraj village council in Mehsana, the premier’s home district, passed a resolution in early February outlawing the use of mobile phones for teenage girls and young women. He said mobile phones were distracting unmarried women from carrying out their studies and household chores in the village, which has a population of 2,000. If caught owning or speaking on a mobile phone, the violators will face a 2,100-rupee ($30) fine, according to the council, which is also offering 200 rupees to informers for tip-offs. Story in The Nation.
Mobile World Congress: Huge Mobile Phone Announcments from Samsung, Sony,k LG Coming
The Mobile World Congress will be starting in the coming days, and it is sure to bring some of the most stunning innovations yet seen in the tech world. The MWC is a conference and exhibition of the largest players in the mobile industry, and it will take place from Feb. 22-25 in Barcellona, Spain. Get ready for some big announcements when it launches. One of the most anticipated unveilings is that of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, according to an Engadget report. While the S7 won’t look too different from the S7, they will be refined versions of those popular phones. The new Galaxys are expected to be water-resistant and have microSD card slots. Unfortunately, the camera might have changed for the worst, dropping from 16 to 12 megapixels. Story by Dan Taylor for Morning Ticker.
Bill Murray Admits Throwing Fans’ Mobile Phones Off Roof
Bill Murray, the American actor famed for his big screen portrayals of misanthropic men, has lived up to one of his many characters in an altercation with fans. get Christie: the trouble with mobile phones. The 65-year-old has reportedly admitted to throwing two mobile phones off the rooftop terrace of a restaurant in California after starstruck diners tried to snap a covert picture of the actor. The incident occurred on Thursday night at a party hosted by Justin Timberlake at the Vesuvio lounge in Carmel, an upmarket seaside resort, according to local reports. Murray is said to have become angry when noticing flashes from mobile phones used by patrons at the restaurant to take pictures of him. He allegedly threw two of the devices off the roof, while a third landed on a cushion. Story by Chris Johnston for The Guardian.