Another smart device fail: a padlock - would you believe it?!?

It's never easy to crack into a market with an innovative new product but makers of the "world's first smart fingerprint padlock" have made one critical error: they forgot about the existence of screwdrivers.

Tapplock raised $320,000 in 2016 for their product that would allow you to use just your finger to open the "unbreakable" lock. Amazing. Things took a turn for the worse when the ship date of September came and went, and backers complained that the upstart has stopped posting any updates and wasn't responding to emails nor social media posts.

But after months of silence, the startup assured El Reg that everything was still moving forward and the delays were due to "issues with manufacturing in China."

Fast forward 18 months and finally – finally – the $100 Tapplock is out on the market and it is… well, how do we put this kindly? Somewhat flawed.

No less than three major problems with the lock have been discovered that make it less than useless because presumably people intend to use the lock to secure valuable things.

Smart devices are often horribly dumb. Have a look at this video - spoiler: the scary stuff starts at 3mins 30secs - dismantled with a sticky pad & screwdriver! Pathetic for a $100 security device! Donline tip: If you can achieve what you need to using a quality "traditional" device - just do it!

www.theregister.co.uk

Internet of Things Scanner - by BullGuard

Check if your internet-connected devices at home, are public on Shodan.

If they are, this means they are accessible to the public, and hackers.

Click here to check if you are on Shodan

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things is a network of physical objects such as household devices, smart TVs and security cameras that are connected to the internet.

What is Shodan

Shodan is a search engine for the Internet of Things.

Shodan allows users to find devices that are publicly accessible on the internet, and which may be vulnerable to hackers.

Don't forget that computers are tools. Use them, put them down, then go live your life!

You Are Already Living Inside a Computer. Futurists predict a rapture of machines, but reality beat them to it by turning computing into a way of life.

Suddenly, everything is a computer. Phones, of course, and televisions. Also toasters and door locks, baby monitors and juicers, doorbells and gas grills. Even faucets. Even garden hoses. Even fidget spinners. Supposedly “smart” gadgets are everywhere, spreading the gospel of computation to everyday objects.

Nowadays, people often don’t seek out computers in order to get things done; they do the things that let them use computers.

Computers are a tool.

Use them to get the job done, then go & do something more interesting instead!

 Anyway, when did the gadgets get smart, and the people become dumb?

www.theatlantic.com

Smart gadgets: Tougher rules for sellers of internet connected devices in the UK

Manufacturers will have to follow stricter rules if they want to sell "smart" gadgets in the UK after a new law came into effect.

It is designed to ensure there is better security around devices such as baby monitors, televisions and speakers that are linked to the internet. These gadgets can pose a risk because cyber-criminals use them to hack into home networks and steal private data. The government said the new law should give consumers "peace of mind".

The risks have ballooned in recent years as our houses have filled with more and more web-linked smart devices - from games consoles to fitness trackers, doorbells and even dishwashers, also sometimes referred to as the "internet of things" (IoT).

Until now, manufacturers were expected to follow security guidelines, but the new law makes three new requirements:

• that password procedures are more secure, including ensuring any set by the manufacturer are not left blank or using easy-to-guess choices like "12345" or "admin"
• that there is clarity around how to report "bugs" or security problems that arise
• that manufacturers and retailers inform customers how long they will receive support, including software updates, for the device they are buying

Failure to meet these minimum requirements, known as the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regime, can trigger fines.

www.bbc.co.uk

9 Unstoppable Technology Trends That May Define Our World In 2018

We have never lived in a time of faster technological innovation. Developments like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchains and robotisation are changing the way we live and work. Here we look at the top nine tech mega-trends that may define 2018 and beyond.

1: The increasing datafication of our lives

2: The Internet of Things (IoT) and how everyday devices are becoming more ‘smart’

3: Exponential growth in computing power is fueling massive tech advances

4: The incredible rise of artificial intelligence (AI)

5: The unstoppable freight train that is automation

6: 3D printing opens up amazing opportunities for manufacturers (and others)

7: We’re interacting with technology in very different ways

8: Blockchains: An invention that could change our world

9: Platforms are the way forward for businesses

www.linkedin.com

Basic IT training: have you tried turning it off and on again?

 

OK, it's a bit of a cliché - but true nonetheless: switching an IT device off, waiting a while, then switching it back on - often solves a myriad of problems!

What counts as an IT device? Traditionally a desktop PC, but nowadays it could be a laptop, phone, tablet, smart TV, Router, printer, etc.

Why does this work? IT devices are complex things - a combination of hardware & software, often from many different vendors. Sometimes these devices have been running for days, weeks, even months without a reboot. Occasionally things go wrong. The easiest way to clear an error condition is to power that device off cleanly (not via the power switch - unless it can't be avoided). For a Windows 10 system: Start Button, Power, Shut Down.

A clean shut down will tidily close any software (applications, operating system). 

Then wait (say 30 seconds) & a cold boot (switching the system on - from a powered off condition) will allow the operating system & any applications to load up cleanly once more. This should clear most simple errors.

Hibernation sleep & power save modes can cause issues - often a user doesn't realise that their device hasn't had a restart in many days. Again: turn it off, turn it on again is your friend! More IT hilarity like this from: Roy, Moss & Jen: The IT Crowd - on Netflix!

If you get stuck, and need IT support: contact Donline.

www.donline.co.uk

Personalised dog food that gets the Calli stamp of approval!

 

Back in 2013, a small group of people came together to bring one vet’s idea to life. They set out to solve a problem at the heart of pet food: despite the overwhelming choice of one-size-fits-all food in the shops, there was never anything that could tick all the boxes. Long lists of mysterious ingredients on the label only made things more complicated – there had to be a better way to feed dogs right.

And so tails.com began, assembling a crack team of experts including vets, nutritionists and engineers (and their dogs) to develop a super-smart way to create a unique recipe for every single dog – yes, even yours. From your dog’s weird preference for whiffy fish smells, to that itchy skin condition, your dog’s tails.com recipe is based on information only you could know.

Nothing tops our wet food for quality. 

For nutrition. For taste. No wonder dogs can’t get enough of our recipes. 

20 nutritious and delicious wet food recipes

Choose from jellies, gravies, pâtés and terrines

Free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives

Optimum Care: The ultimate nutrition with natural ingredients

Discover our range of high quality, protein-rich recipes, packed with powerful natural ingredients, and made to support your dog’s health like nothing else. 

Your dog's unique kibble recipe - tailored dog food, the tails.com way

Nutritionally-balanced with goodness in every bite

No added sugar, colours, flavours or preservatives

Complete nutrition for your dog

Your dog’s nutritional needs depend on many things – from breed and age to lifestyle and health. Take a few minutes to tell us about your dog. We’ll create a complete kibble recipe that’s 100% supportive, nutritious and satisfying. And just for them.

What's in our kibble? Our vets and nutritionists choose each ingredient for the specific nutrients it provides. So your dog gets the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals they need in every bite.

How it works:

1. Tell us all about your dog and their health

2. We’ll create their unique kibble recipe

3. Add delicious wet food and treats

4. We deliver your dog's food to you monthly - pause or cancel anytime

Click here to get a free bag of kibble - plus 50% off wet food and treats

www.tails.com

Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger - on why bitcoin sucks

 

Investor Warren Buffett addressed the annual shareholder meeting today for his multinational holding company Berkshire Hathaway — and said he still wouldn't buy bitcoin. But this time he gave a detailed explanation why. CNBC reports:

"Whether it goes up or down in the next year, or five or 10 years, I don't know. But the one thing I'm pretty sure of is that it doesn't produce anything," Buffett said.... "If you said... for a 1% interest in all the farmland in the United States, pay our group $25 billion, I'll write you a check this afternoon," Buffett said. "[For] $25 billion I now own 1% of the farmland... Now if you told me you own all of the bitcoin in the world and you offered it to me for $25 I wouldn't take it because what would I do with it? I'd have to sell it back to you one way or another. It isn't going to do anything... The farms are going to produce food...."

"Assets, to have value, have to deliver something to somebody. And there's only one currency that's accepted. You can come up with all kinds of things — we can put up Berkshire coins... but in the end, this is money," he said, holding up a $20 bill. "And there's no reason in the world why the United States government... is going to let Berkshire money replace theirs."

Later Saturday Berkshire Hathaway's vice chairman Charlie Munger had an even harsher appraisal of bitcoin. "In my life, I try and avoid things that are stupid and evil and make me look bad in comparison to somebody else — and bitcoin does all three," Munger said.

"In the first place, it's stupid because it's still likely to go to zero. It's evil because it undermines the Federal Reserve System... and third, it makes us look foolish compared to the Communist leader in China. He was smart enough to ban bitcoin in China."

www.cnbc.com