Code-Breakers Look to Devices Other Than iPhone
Los Angeles — Computer hacker Will Strafach had no trouble seizing control of the original iPhone. Same went for later generations over the next five years. But by now, Apple Inc. has introduced so many layers of protection inside its flagship device that Strafach and others have moved on. As the frenzied hacking has subsided, publicly shared solutions to crack iPhone security are becoming harder to come by. The frustration he and...
The Smart-Tech Future Beckons
Las Vegas — Look around. How many computing devices do you see? Your phone, probably; maybe a tablet or a laptop. Your car, the TV set, the microwave, bedside alarm clock, possibly the thermostat, and others you’ve never noticed. Much of that computing isn’t doing much while segregated into individual devices. But many of these gadgets have the potential to get smarter by connecting to their fellows, which in turn could open the door...
Could Be Time To Upgrade Your Wi-Fi Routers
What’s the most underappreciated gadget in your home? I’d argue it’s your Wi-Fi router, which is probably one of those gadgets that you a) use every day b) didn’t put much thought into when buying and c) only pay attention to when it isn’t working well. Ever since you — or your Internet provider’s technician — set it up years ago, you probably haven’t spared it much thought. Just a few years ago, routers probably cost less than $50...
Future Cord-Cutters of America
San Diego — On weekdays in the Larsen household, Kirsten, 12, and Soren, 15, get up early and park themselves on the couch before school. But they do not turn on the TV. Instead, the youngsters each pull out their respective phones and fire up YouTube to get a dose of videos, essentially acquiring the information they need to know before encountering peers. Say hello to the future cord-cutters of America. Not only is cable becoming...
Are Your Christmas Lights Killing Your Wi-Fi?
Holiday lights are meant to add some cheer to your day, but a British regulator has pointed out that they may have an unwanted side effect: interference with your WiFi network. Last week, Ofcom — an agency similar to the Federal Communications Commission — named holiday lights as one of many electronic devices that can trip up your Internet connection. The agency has released a new app to check for interference that, alas, is...
