The FBI can remotely activate laptop and Android microphones with spyware

The Feds are taking advantage of techniques more typically associated with malicious hackers to collect information on suspects, leveraging tools that can bring the traditional wiretap up to speed with the always-connected digital age. Federal agencies usually do not disclose information about these capabilities, but recent court documents and interviews with program insiders reveal new details about hacking tools commonly used by the Federal...

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BBM beta for Android and iOS rolling out, worldwide release later this summer

Blackberry has begun rolling out private beta versions of its soon-to-be cross platform BBM app. According to various reports, select users have begun receiving invites to test out the messaging application on iOS and Android. It appears only Beta Zone members and friends and family of employees have been invited at this point. Those who fall into these groups will find the app under Eligible Programs within Blackberry's BetaZone. “BlackBerry...

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Weekend Open Forum: Traitor, criminal, whistleblower, or hero - Classified leaks and their leakers

Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden are infamous in some circles, famous in others. These two men put much more than their reputations on the line to disclose classified documents to the world, they knowingly imperiled their freedom and their lives. There is an undefined balance to be struck between transparency versus surveillance and privacy versus security that the United States and the international community are being forced...

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Gigabyte Brix Mini PC Review

Taking advantage of Ivy Bridge's efficient operation, Intel accompanied its third-generation Core processors with a new small form factor platform dubbed Next Unit of Computing (NUC), the initial wave of which were powered by Core i3 and i5 Ivy Bridge parts mounted to an ultra-compact 4x4" motherboard -- considerably smaller than even the Mini ITX standard. Although we welcome SFF machines from industry heavyweights like Intel, the company's...

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Spec-by-spec: Here's how the Moto X stacks up to the competition

Following a string of leaks and official teasers Motorola finally unveiled the Moto X smartphone at an event in New York this afternoon. The device is not only the first to be developed under Google's stewardship since last year’s acquisition, it’s also the first smartphone to be assembled in the US, which aside from scoring them a few  political and PR points, allows the company to offer ‘built-to-order’ devices with minimal delay. Customization...

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