Firesheep, The Dangers of Open Wifi

Firesheep running on MacOS Firefox, capturing Facebook accounts

Extra! Extra!: Open WiFi is not safe, it's open! Free, open wireless networks is something that everybody loves. But like every other "free" thing, it has a catch 22: you will pay with your security, or lack of it. It is old news that unencrypted WiFi is really dangerous. I guess we will have to learn this the hard way as always.

Millions of people rely on open wireless hotspots to get their daily fix of the internet without thinking twice. Since it invention 10 to 13 years ago, WiFi was a treat to security; then, to try to fix this problem, came along the defeated WEP; after that, the recently defeated WPA and a little more recently WPA2 encryption techniques. It is true that WPA2 is the strongest, consumer available, wireless encryption technology, but as it is known, people tend to forget to turn it on when they install their routers. Also, in order to free themselves from a little hassle, most public WiFi hotspot providers don't encrypt their networks at all, like in schools and universities or commercial establishments that serve the public, like restaurants and coffee houses.

My Old/New iPod video 5G

Everybody knows that consumer products are designed to be disposable; and of course, the iPod is almost on the top of that list. With it non-user removal battery design and the rest of their draconian measures of "quality and user-friendliness", when your iPod gets damage; it seems that there is no way to repair it by yourself. That's when the folks at iFixit come into play. This guys, famous for their device tear downs, sell all the necessary parts so you can get your hands dirty and start repairing your stuff as any man (and woman of course) should always be able to. From PCs to video games consoles to toasters and most of the Apple products, this people got it covered with great how-to manuals and good prices to boot. Check out some picks of my old iPod Video 5G getting the iFixit display installation after the break.

The 25 Years of Super Mario Bros.

In celebration of the 25 years with the Super Mario Bothers, Nintendo is releasing limited editions of their current platforms. The Wii and the DSi XL, in honor of  Mario's 25th birthday, will wear the best red color that Nintendo could muster, "Nintendo Red". Also, both consoles will be offered with new bundles.

New is in the MacBook Air!

Yesterday, at the Back to the Mac special event, Apple Inc. announced the state of the Mac platform. Steve Jobs showed the world what he called the next generation of the MacBook Air, Mac OS X Lion and the next version of their iLife software package, iLife '11.
Update: Back to the Mac 2010 keynote videos!

Windows Phone 7 is Officially Here!

Today, Microsoft announced the first crop of Windows Phone 7 (WP7) hardware to the world. Eight months later, after the WP7 OS unveiling at MWC 2010 Barcelona, the handsets are finally ready to ship. Some of them are set to invade Europe and Asia on October 21 and others, the ones we like, are set straight for North America early this November; for a total of 10 devices (one, the HTC 7 Pro for Sprint, will be release in 2011).

Nintendo 3DS Shipping Dates Announced

Breaking news! February 26, 2011 for Japan and some day of March, 2011 for the rest of the mayor markets were the dates given by Nintendo to went you will be able to get the next version of their successful portable hardware, the Nintendo 3DS. The price for the unit will be ¥25,000 or $298 in dollar for the Japanese market. Also; a new limited version Super Mario DSi LL (XL in North America), is going to be launch on October 28th in Japan for ¥18,000. Introduction and software lineup videos after the break.

HP Slate Prototype Unboxed

As most of you know, back in the beginning of 2010, the HP Slate was announce to the world by Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer at CES. Back at that time, the device was quite disappointing by the fact that it was perceive as a mere netbook, without the keyboard, running Windows 7. Well, as it always happens with things that are sold as miracles, the HP Slate, was rolled over by the likes of the Apple iPad, a few other lame Android-base efforts and lately, by the Samsung Galaxy Tab. But a few days ago, a video surfaced on YouTube, claiming to be about a prototype version of the almost forgotten tablet. Video after the break.

Boxee Box Ready To Pre-order at Amazon

It was about time; after the unveiling at CES, the Boxee Box, is finally ready to come to our living rooms! ...Well, it can be pre-order at Amazon with an expected November 2010 release date. Anyways, in case you where living under a rock, Boxee is a home theater, cross-platform, PC software that let you enjoy media, from your computer or internet connection, on you regular TV using a very nice 10' user interface, the one that lets you be a couch potato. To run Boxee, also an off-shoot of XBMC, you needed a HTPC (or a regular PC) connected to your media system in order to enjoy the wonders of IPTV or other internet delivered content gathered by the software. With this new device, manufactured by D-Link and more in the lines of the Roku box, Apple TV and others; the power of the Boxee software can be enjoy without the troubles, if any, of attaching a PC to your big screen TV this November.

Nintendo 3DS Hardware Specs Leaked

By the looks of it, it seems that the next incarnation of the Nintendo handheld is going to be pretty powerful. If IGN's whistle-blower is correct, the Nintendo 3DS will have two 266MHz ARM11 CPUs, a 133MHz GPU, 4MB of VRAM (dedicated), 64MB of RAM and 1.5 GB of flash memory for storage (a 1.5GB SSD?).  As Scott Lowe, of IGN, points out, the ARM11 has been used in the ZuneHD, Apple iPhone and iPod Touch (not the 4Gs) as well in some Android-based smartphones. The fact that it has two of then, at that clock speeds plus the 133MHz GPU, makes this new Gameboy a quite mighty little gadget.


Via: Gizmodo
Source: IGN

Got your new pc, now what? The Laptop Bag.

Now that you got that shinny PC, in this case a laptop computer, you are going to feel the need to buy a laptop bag/case to protect it. First of all, you don't really need a laptop bag if you already have a bag big enough to carry books or documents; like a briefcase, messenger bag or backpack. If you have one of those, quite often; they already have available space for your machine.  If a little bit of paranoia is creeping; a laptop sleeve (portable DVD player sleeve) can solve the problem really easy and on the cheap. Like this one that I got for my EeePC 1000HD a couple of years ago.

These days, most bags can accommodate most laptops PCs up to 15.4 inches;  like the really cheap American Eagle messenger bag. When I got this bag (model no longer on sale), I didn't even think I will be using it to carry my books and notebook PC; it was though as a EDC pack to when I have to run some errants in the city. It doesn't have any good features besides a small zippered pocket inside and another front pocket; but it does the job of carry your stuff plus a computer really well. In the picture, you can see how a 15.4" Sony Vaio  fits quite nicely, with a little room to play.

Review: Verizon DROID X by Motorola

Here is an in-depth review of the Verizon DROID X by Motorola from the great folks at MobileBurn. Sadly, Verizon is not longer operating in PR but for the US consumers, it's a great choice. Enjoy the three-part video review after the break and please subscribe to MobileBurn YouTube channel.

Another WP7 Leak: The LG W910

Here are some pics from one of the upcoming Windows Phone 7 launch handsets, the LG W910 (code named BEJGW910 on the FCC papers). According with the FCC documents; this phone has AT&T banding (which means it's going to be an exclusive device) and also, the necessary specs, specified by Microsoft, to run their new mobile OS. Pics after the break.