What we’ve learned from Mobile World Congress 2016

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The take away from MWC was that phones are great as standalone devices and pocket computers, they can be awesome when you extend their functionality with great accessories and ecosystems.

This year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona brought the focus back on smartphones with various new flagship models sporting the latest processors, the latest display technology, improved cameras and software as well as better battery life, water resistance features and premium materials.

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Vulnerability in Nissan app opens Leaf to remote hacking

It’s never a good thing to hear when cars are something you can hack into. And while this news about the Nissan Leaf doesn’t particularly target safety of the vehicle, it can still drain the battery of the EV. Security research Troy Hunt uncovered the truth that a vulnerability in the companion mobile app of the Leaf can leave the air conditioner and heater open to hackers. An attendee of a hacking workshop discovered that he could connect to his Leaf vehicle over the Internet and control some features and he could do so with Leaf vehicles that he didn’t own. It was described that he could do it “literally from the other end of the earth.”

Hunt sent the information to Nissan on January 23 and as of February 12, Nissan is said to be “making progress toward a solution.” Hunt commends Nissan for being receptive toward talking about the issue and are working on it. “They were receptive and whilst I obviously would have liked to see this rectified quickly, compared to most ethical disclosure security researchers have, Nissan was exemplary.” Nissan won’t give a specific timeframe yet for the solution to this issue.

Source: SlashGear

Steven Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’ gets lead actor

Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One gets it lead star in Tye Sheridan. Sheridan has been a bit low-key in terms of roles but we’re sure you’ll get to see more of him soon as he’s set to play the young Cyclops in X-Men: Apocalypse. For this adaptation he’ll be playing Wade a.k.a. Parzival. He joins Olivia Cooke as Art3mis and Ben Mendelsohn as Nolan Sorrento.

Ready Player One is set in the near future where everyone is connected to a virtual reality called the OASIS. When its creator dies, there comes up a Willy Wonka-esque quest for control of the company. Parzival and Art3mis are among a number of people who dedicate their lives to trying to become the owners of OASIS. The movie is scheduled to be released on March 30, 2018.

Source: io9

Netflix update brings 3D Touch and iPad Pro optimization for iOS

Finally, Netflix has updated its app on iOS to bring some requested features, including iPad Pro optimization and a new layout for iPad Pro users. Aside from that, iPhone users now get auto-play and recommendations. There’s also now 3D Touch support and Arabic has been added to languages that the platform supports. The “Kids” experience also gets an improved layout. And there’s also the usual performance improvements. Unfortunately, picture-in-picture still isn’t available and we hope Netflix listens and finally brings support for that.

Source: SlashGear