This appears to be the new Nokia 870 which surfaced earlier this week. Engadget has just uncovered FCC docs somewhat confirming the device but there are no specifics besides a 45 day request for confidentiality. The 770 featured WiFi, Bluetooth, Opera browser and was based off of Debian Linux. This one appears to have a camera, is expected to support VOIP but other details are sketchy.
Link to FCC Docs
Delayed but not dead yet. I'm glad my passport doesn't expire for another 5 years, maybe by then there won't be as many vulnerabilities in RFID as there are now.
"The Department of Homeland Security's Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee published a draft report that poured cold water on using RFID in government-mandated identity cards and documents (PDF link). But this met with some consternation among the DHS bureaus that plan to use RFID in this way and the businesses eager to sell the technology to the government, and now a vote on the report has been delayed until December."
For all of those interested in security (blackhats or whitehats), Metasploit is adding a wifi module to its software. The module is based off of Johnny Cache Lorcon tool.
Metasploit 3 will integrate kernel-mode payloads to allow users to use existing user-mode payloads for both kernel and non-kernel exploits.
Because the framework provides an easy-to-use interface for connecting vulnerabilities to actual payloads, this Metasploit gives users an avenue to target the most sensitive part of the operating system.
Moore told eWEEK he is collaborating with Ellch on an actual 802.11 exploit. The plan is to use Ellch's LORCON (Loss of Radio Connectivity) hacking tool to send exploits at Wi-Fi bugs that are haunting widely used devices and computers.
The city of New Orleans has decided to unplug its free WiFi network once Earthlink finishes building out its system. Sad to see it go, but having two different systems competing for the same wireless spectrum would have been messy and extemely difficult to maitain.
The wireless network that is run by the city for citizens will be taken down to avoid overlap between the two systems, said Mark Kurt, the city's director of information technology.
"Once EarthLink has deployed their network, we will remove our equipment, and redeploy elsewhere as the situation warrants. The other wireless networks that have been set up by the city for temporary facilities and public safety will continue to be operated by the city as long as they are necessary and funding is available," Kurt said.
Sprint announced today that they are upgrading their EV-DO network to the faster Revision A. Users in San Diego can expect an 8 fold increase in upload speeds.
San Diego is the first of 21 markets where Sprint will roll out EV-DO Revision A this year with coverage expected to reach more than 40 million people. Sprint Power Vision users in these markets should experience significantly faster average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps (compared with 50-70 kbps of current EV-DO networks). Average download speeds should also increase to 450–800 kbps from 400-700 kbps. By 3Q 2007, Sprint’s Power Vision network is expected to be completely upgraded to the faster EV-DO Revision A.
The other markets scheduled to launch this year are:
Denver Las Vegas Los Angeles
Kansas City, Mo. Sacramento, Calif. Salt Lake City
San Francisco Pittsburgh Washington, D.C.
Seattle Detroit Milwaukee
Boston Buffalo, N.Y. Hartford, Conn.
Newark/Trenton, N.J. Providence, R.I. Baltimore
New York City Philadelphia
Classic case of technology outpacing security. Luckily RFID scanners aren't nearly as widespread as WiFi yet.
A report released today by a team of scientists in the RFID Consortium for Security and Privacy (RFID-CUSP) reveals lapses in the security and privacy features of several types of currently deployed RFID credit cards. The report (of which I am a co-author) highlights two basic vulnerabilities in the cards under study:
1. Names in the clear: The RFID credit cards transmit bearer names promiscuously. Any device capable of scanning a card can learn the name imprinted on it—with or without the owner’s consent.
2. Payment fraud: In varying degrees, the RFID credit cards are vulnerable to an attack called “skimming.” An attacker with an RFID reader can harvest information from a card, create an inexpensive clone device, and make charges against the legitimate card. (Alternatively, an attacker may be able to perform online transactions with harvested credit-card information.) Skimming requires minimal technical expertise and expense.
I have to say this is absolutely incredible. I have an interest in user intefaces and wireless technology and new tech in general. This combines all three paving the way for incredible interfaces in the future. This cellphone reconfigures its interface based on use. Its still in beta, but what an incredible idea. The next tech (r)evoloution is one of personalization. I can't wait.
BenQ Siemens has come up with another touch screen phone much like the BenQ Siemens Ruby the amazing difference being its the most popular used fuctions are displayed automatically. If you want to access the other functions you simply press the touch-sensitive 'MORE' button . Basically the phones user interface morphs according to the users usage pattern.
Yep, you read that right. Instead of your typical Pringles can antenna to boost your WiFi signal, someone has created a cantenna for use with cell phone networks.
Pop Sci's How 2.0 has a handy diagram and parts list for building your own cantenna from Mike Outmesguine - the thing that makes this one awesome - it's a cellphone cantenna, not a wi-fi cantenna. Mike crunched the numbers and came up with the right size/length, etc to amp a 1900Mhz cell signal.
Time: 1 hour
Retail Cost: $43.94 (includes free coffee and cookies)
MJB coffee: $3.50
Pepperidge Farms Pirouette: $6
Copper wire: $1, Radio Shack
N-Female panel connector: $10, electro-comm.com (RF Industries part no. RFN-1022)
Connection adapter (if needed): $8.50, electro-comm.com (RF Industries N-Male to FME/TNC/etc. depending on pigtail type)
Cellphone pigtail: $15, alternativewireless.com (depends on exact model of phone)
Total: $ 43.94
May have to participate in this just because. We'll see how the pictures show up.
Link
USB appears ready to go wireless as the market appears ready to be flooded with a number of products getting rid of plethora of devices now connected to your computer through USB.
UWB technology can deliver data rates at up to 480 megabits per second at around 3 meters, with speeds dropping off as the range grows to a limit of about 10 meters. Real-world speeds will probably be a little slower, but this is as fast as the wired version of USB 2.0 and much faster than current Wi-Fi networks are capable of transmitting data.
"This stuff is plumbing," Roger Kay, an analyst with Endpoint Technologies Associates, said of the newer-generation wireless technology. "It's important that it be there, it's going to be handy for getting rid of cables hanging around your desk."
BlogWiNet will focus on emerging news and technologies related to wireless technologies. If its technology and communicates without wires expect to find something about it here whether its cellular phones, WiFi, WiMax, RFID, Bluetooth, PAN, WAN, LAN or the next new technology to rule them all.
