iPhone involved in San Bernardino shooting offers no new leads

The iPhone 5c involved in a highly-publicized legal battle between FBI and Apple doesn’t seem to have produced any evidence of substance or any leads, making it seem like a rather anti-climactic ending for this particular issue. FBI and Apple were up against each other for months as the Bureau was pressuring Apple to break its security measures for an iPhone said to have been used during the San Bernardino attack by Syed Farook. The case was called off in the last minute when the FBI got a third-party method to break into the device. Unfortunately, reports suggest that they haven’t been able to recover any useful information from the device. Anonymous law enforcement officials cited by CNN said there weren’t any unknown contacts or message data seen on the phone.

However, CNN emphasized that the phone was at least useful for confirming that the attackers didn’t get outside help, especially during the immediate aftermath of the attack that the FBI is trying to fill in. There is also data on the phone not obtained from previous iCloud backups but it doesn’t seem to bring about new leads into the case.

Source: CNN | Via: The Verge

Kahoots reminds you to keep in touch with new contacts

Kahoots may seem like yet another way to scan and store digital copies of business cards. But what sets it apart is the app can remind you when to follow up with your new business contact or friend. After you scan his or her business card, all you need to do is pick when you want to follow up with them. You can select options like tonight or tomorrow or a week or a month from now but you can also pick the specific time you want to be reminded to touch base. But if you don’t need to get in touch with them, you can also opt to not set a follow up and just let the app add the person to your contacts. At a later date if you decide to follow up with them, you can still do so. It’ll also let you pick the preferred method for reaching out to them including phone call, text, or email.

Source: Lifehacker | Download: iTunes App Store ($2.79)

Intel's major restructuring effort will result in 12,000 layoffs

Intel has announced a major restructuring effort that will cost 12,000 jobs, or 11 per cent of its workforce to mid-2017. The news comes as the company's plans to "accelerate its evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices." The chipmaker is focusing on data centres and Internet of Things (IoT) as primary growth areas expected to offset the slowing PC market.

"Intel Corporation today announced a restructuring initiative to accelerate its evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices. Intel will intensify its focus in high-growth areas where it is positioned for long-term leadership, customer value and growth, while making the company more efficient and profitable," the company said in a statement.

Source: TechSpot.com

Messaging service Viber now has end-to-end encryption and PIN protected chats

Followinfg in the stead of WhatsApp which introduced tighter encryption in its messages weeks ago, monster messaging service Viber is now inluding end-to-end encryption for its messages as well as PIN protected chats. In what is considered a direct result of Apple's recent debacle with the FBI regarding iPhone hacking and security, various messaging providers are enabling higher levels of encryption for their customers.

Viber has more than 700 million users globally across iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and desktop. “We take our users’ security and privacy very seriously, and it’s critical to us that they feel confident and protected when using Viber,” explained Michael Shmilov, COO of Viber. “Because of this, we have spent a long time working on this latest update to ensure that our users have the most sophisticated security available and maximum control over their communications. We will continue to make this an ongoing priority as digital communication evolves.”

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