Now WhatsApp end-to-end encryption, Secure yourself.

It’s a security project that’s taken around a year and a half to complete, but messaging giant WhatsApp has now fully implemented strong end-to-end encryption on its platform and across all mobile platforms for which it offers apps.

This means users of the latest versions of the messaging app will have their comms and media end-to-end encrypted by default. And there are a lot of WhatsApp users; earlier this year the Facebook owned company announced it had passed a billion active users.

Securing cross-platform video comms was the last piece of the puzzle, according to a WhatsApp spokesman.
End-to-end encryption means the content of communications are not stored in plaintext on WhatsApp’s servers. Nor is the company able to decrypt users’ messages to access them since it does not hold the encryption keys. So WhatsApp will be unable to be compelled to hand over messaging data — even if served with a warrant by authorities demanding access.

While the WhatsApp news may seem timely in light of the recent high-profile battle between Apple and the FBI over an encrypted iPhone, the company has in fact been implementing encryption since 2013, the year NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden triggered a global privacy storm by revealing the extent of government mass surveillance programs.

WhatsApp then went on to partner with Open Whisper Systems the following year, and has been integrating its widely respected end-to-end encryption Signal Protocol specifically since late 2014. In a blog post today the not-for-profit hacker collective behind the latter open source tech confirmed the WhatsApp implementation is now complete.

“This includes chats, group chats, attachments, voice notes, and voice calls across Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, Nokia S40, Nokia S60, Blackberry, and BB10,” it wrote. “Users running the most recent versions of WhatsApp on any platform now get full end to end encryption for every message they send and every WhatsApp call they make when communicating with each other.”

Although the completion of default end-to-end encryption is a hugely important security milestone for the WhatsApp platform, it does not mean that from here on in every communication sent via the app is end-to-end encrypted, because that’s reliant on all users being upgraded to the latest version of the software.

But the WhatsApp client will now notify users of the encryption status of chats, including showing a notice in the messaging screen, to help bridge the transitional phase:


“Eventually all the pre-e2e [end-to-end] capable clients will expire, at which point new versions of the software will no longer transmit or accept plaintext messages at all,” notes Open Whisper Systems.

WhatsApp users will also be able to confirm the person they are chatting with is the person they think it is, rather than an imposter performing a man-in-the-middle attack, by verifying the authenticity of the encryption session via scanning a QR code or reading aloud a number string.

For its part, Open Whisper Systems says it is looking ahead to additional rollouts of its tech, saying it will “continue to work with additional messengers” over the next year.

Source: Techcrunch

In India, Wi-Fi powered by taxis

Programs from Facebook and Google could make the crazy idea of getting internet access via a hot air balloon or lasers shot from a drone a reality, but how about going online via a network of Wi-Fi-connected taxis in your city. That latter option could become a possibility in the future thanks to a new program from Ola, the India-based ride on-demand service that is valued at $5 billion and fiercely rivaling Uber.
Ola today announced a new Wi-Fi feature for its high-end cars that will enable customers to automatically connect to a Wi-Fi network when they get into a vehicle — no hassle with registration, codes or hotspot connections. Ola’s “Auto-Connect Wi-Fi” requires one initial log-in, after which a user automatically rejoins the Wi-Fi network in any Ola Prime vehicle.
Ola and Uber both began offering in-car Wi-Fi last year, but both required a fresh log-in each time. The feature could soon become standard for high-end on-demand rides in India, where network connectivity isn’t always reliable, so automatic log-ins could become a convenient time saver.
“Ola Wi-Fi addresses the need for consumers to be connected to the internet while on the go, without the hassles of having to use unique credentials every single time. With over 40 minutes spent on an average cab ride in Indian cities, an auto-connect Wi-Fi experience can make every Ola, the ‘third place’ for consumers, beyond their home and workplace,” Raghuvesh Sarup, head of categories and chief marketing officer at Ola, said in a statement.

The feature is initially available with Ola Prime, the company’s UberBLACK-esque high-end category, and is limited to three cities at first. Sarup told TechCrunch that the company is “making plans” to expand the automatic Wi-Fi service to other cities and all other Ola vehicle types, including even its Tuktuk service, in a phased manner, but there’s no immediate timeframe for when that will happen. It isn’t also clear if the service, which is free with Prime, would be charged separately when added to lower end Ola cars like Tuktuks.
Ola is working with multiple providers — it declined to name names — to power the network. Each vehicle contains a Wi-Fi device which emits a network signal with a limited range. But, there’s a grand idea lurking. Further down the line, the company could extend the range in each vehicle and thus create a mesh-style Wi-Fi network that, if there are enough cards on the road, could provide a solid connection for anyone in a particular area. In other words: Ola’s cars could literally be beacons that power a metropolitan Wi-Fi network.
“We are trying to solve one use case first,” Ankit Bhati, Ola CTO and co-founder, said in an interview. “Potentially [we] can use the nodes [to create a network.] We definitely want to get to a future where that is possible. One step at a time, but the potential is huge.”
Ola’s news is line with recent measures that the Indian government is undertaking to improve connectivity in the country, which is already the world’s second largest internet market and counts over 140 million monthly active Facebook users. Google and the government launched a program to bring Wi-Fi coverage to India’s rail network in January, and there may be parallels here.
Ola didn’t work directly with the government on its Wi-Fi service, but it is open to doing so in the future Anand Subramanian, Ola’s head of communications, told us.
If Ola can create Wi-Fi networks in the future, and it is a huge ask, it wouldn’t represent the first time that its reach has extended beyond merely transportation services. The company’s payment service — payment wallets are mandatory for all on-demand services in India — was spun out into a standalone app that can be used to pay for items on a range of other services beyond Ola.

FIR against FREEDOM 251 owner

Noida Police has registered a case of cheating against the owner of Ringing Bells who had offered to sell the world's cheapest smartphone following a complaint filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.

The police registered the case under Section 420 (cheating) of IPC and the IT Act on Tuesday. The owner of Ringing Bells Mohit Goel and company president Ashok Chaddha have been named in the FIR, police said.

Ringing Bells had recently offered with much fanfare a smartphone, named Freedom 251, at just Rs 251 and claimed it to be the cheapest smartphone.

But Somaiya, in his complaint, said it was not possible to manufacture a smartphone at Rs 251 and the owner of the company was fooling the people.

"Primary investigation found the matter fit for FIR. A case has been lodged and a team has been constituted to investigate the case," SSP, S Kiran said.

"We have asked the company to submit documents required for the investigation," said DSP Anup Singh.

The firm said it is ready to cooperate with the police.
"We remain committed to cooperating with any government agency that may require inquiring?our organisation for any reason or suspicion.

"I do maintain that we will deliver the most-affordable quality products to our customers through our various range of smartphones, including the Freedom 251," Mohit Goel said.

Suprising! Facebook Can Now Recognize Your Face

Tagging has always been a controversial Facebook feature. When originally introduced, it was beloved—waking up Sunday morning to tag notifications meant you had a great weekend and there was documented evidence. But very quickly we all realized that perhaps photos of our faces weren’t always a good thing.

In fact, the fact that Facebook’s engine was learning what we looked like and could suggest inserting our identity into images came with some consequences. The scope of Facebook’s facial-recognition abilities has been growing, and fast.

This week, it was revealed that the network can identify you by far more than just your face. According to New Scientist, Facebook’s artificial intelligence lab is working on an algorithm that can identify people even if their faces are hidden. Things like your hair, your clothes, your body shape, and beyond can give you away. It’s astounding technology, but we don’t all want to be so recognizable. Just two weeks ago, talks in the E.U. to determine a code of conduct for companies using facial recognition fell apart.

The representatives and advocates involved in the process announced they “decided to withdraw from further negotiations” because compromise could not be found. Facebook’s newest app Moments, which uses facial recognition to help you share photos with friends, is not available in Europe because of its current policy. Interestingly, you can tell Facebook not to allow anyone to tag you in photos, as well as ask it not to suggest your name to your friends when they’re doing so, but there are people who are taking more thorough measures to maintain their identity independence.

Down below is the proof of what facebook accepts.  Check yourself

How does Facebook suggest tags?

When someone uploads a photo of you, we might suggest that they tag you in it. We're able to compare your friend's photos to information we've put together from your profile pictures and the other photos you're tagged in. If this feature is turned on for you, you can choose whether or not we suggest your name when people upload photos of you. Adjust this in your Timeline and Tagging settings.

We currently use facial recognition software that uses an algorithm to calculate a unique number (“template”) based on someone’s facial features, like the distance between the eyes, nose and ears. This template is based on your profile pictures and photos you’ve been tagged in on Facebook. We use these templates to help you tag photos by suggesting tags of your friends. If you remove a tag from a photo, that photo is not used to create the template for person whose tag was removed. We also couldn’t use a template to recreate an image of you.

More than ever, as Facebook’s system evolves and can identify you beyond your face, the solution for those trying to avoid it is also to evolve. You could dye your hair, vary your wardrobe, consider large tattoos and/piercings. But even that can only protect you so far—there are other factors that help Facebook’s facial recognition systems, namely your metadata. “Social metadata will greatly enhance any type of biometric recognition, especially on Facebook.

Conclude yourself what they are planning to do?

Android N Released

Hi fellas, awesome news for developers,
Android N has been released for them.
Google will not be revealing the Android N name for now. "We're nut tellin' you yet," said Lockheimer. The SVP is almost definitely hinting at N standing for Nutella, the popular hazelnut spread, though of course, he could be purposely misdirecting users. Here are biggest changes to Android that Google has introduced with Android N.

Here goes the list of new noticable features.

Multi-window support
With Android N, Google is adding a much-requested multitasking feature into the OS - multi-window support. The new feature will allow users to pop open two apps on the screen at once and run them side-by-side or one-above-the-other in split screen mode. The company has also added resize option for apps which can be done by dragging the divider between them. Apart from the multi-window support, Google says that users on Android TV devices will be able to put apps in picture-in-picture mode, which will allow them to continue showing content while the user browses or interacts with other apps.

Notification enhancements
Google has also redesigned notifications in Android N build which will include template updates, bundled notifications, direct reply, and custom view.

With notification template update, the hero image and avatar will get more emphasis while the bundled notifications will allow system group messages together. The direct reply will allow users to communicate with apps in real-time such as responding to an SMS or text message directly within the notification pane. Google says that two new APIs has been enabled to leverage system decorations for custom views in notifications.

The Quick Settings panel has also received some tweaks that Google says makes it even "more useful and convenient." In Android N, more room has been added for additional Quick Settings tiles. Further, users will be able to control over what Quick Settings tiles should appear and where they are displayed. For changing the tiles, users can just move or add tiles just by dragging and dropping them.

Revamped Doze
Google introduced Doze, a system mode that saved battery when the device is idle, in Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Now in Android N, Google has improved the feature to save battery while on the go. The company says that with new restrictions to apps it can save battery when carrying the devices in their pockets.

"A short time after the screen turns off while the device is on battery, Doze restricts network access and defers jobs and syncs," adds Google. It points out that on turning the screen on or plugging in the device will bring the device out of Doze automatically.

Background optimisations
In Android N, Google has introduced Project Svelte which is an effort to optimise the way apps run in the background. The new project is focused on keep a check on background processing that needlessly consume RAM (and battery) and affect system performance for other apps.

Android N's Data Saver
Google has introduced an all-new Data Saver mode, which will help reduce cellular data use by apps. With the new Data Saver mode, users will get more control over how apps use cellular data. Once the Data Saver mode is enabled in Settings, the system will block background data and will also signal apps to use less data "wherever possible." Users will also get an option to select specific apps to run in the background and use data even when Data Saver mode is enabled.

Number-blocking
One of the notable additions in Android N is native support for number-blocking in the platform. Google says that the new feature will apply to the default messaging app, the default phone app, and third-party provider apps can also read from and write to the blocked-number list. The company stresses that the list will not be accessed by other apps. With number-blocking added to Android N as native feature, developers can take advantage of the support across a wide range of devices. One of the biggest advantages of having the number-blocking feature in system is that blocked numbers will persist across resets and devices through the Backup & Restore feature. The company also introduced Call screening feature in Android N which will allow the default phone app to screen incoming calls.

Multi-locale support, more languages
Google in Android N will let users select multiple locales in Settings for supporting better bilingual use-cases. Apart from multi-locale support, the Android N also expands the languages available to users. Android N will offer over 25 variants each for commonly used languages such as English, Spanish, French, and Arabic while also adds partial support for over 100 new languages.

Some of the accessibility enhancements introduced with Android N includes Vision Settings directly on the Welcome screen for new device setup. The new feature will make it easier for users to configure accessibility features on their devices

Direct boot
With Direct boot addition, Android N will improve device startup times and will allow registered apps to have limited functionality even after an unexpected reboot.

Google gives an example of a device which is encrypted and reboots while the user is sleeping, the feature will still make sure that the registered alarms, messages and incoming calls continue notify the user as normal.

"Direct boot takes advantage of file based encryption in Android N to enable fine grained encryption policies for both system and app data," adds Google.

Other new features in Android N
Some of the other changes introduced in Android N include a redesigned user interface for system Settings, which now includes a hamburger button on the left side of the screen for quickly jumping to a different option without hitting back to main menu; Android N also adds framework interfaces and platform support for OpenGL ES 3.2; new app switching feature with recent button which also doubles for split-screen option, and Night mode is now available in Android N.

Women's Day Special !! Gadgets for Women.

Women are the real architects of society. – Harriet Beecher Stowe

On this special day, let's check out some cool, trendy and fashionable gadgets solely dedicated to all the beautiful ladies. 

Best five chosen  special gadgets and wearable techs for women.

So lets countdown begin.

 1. Polaroid Snap

 

Polaroid licensee C&A Marketing has spent the past few years developing compelling products, such as the Cube action cam and Zip mobile printer , that combine modern camera technology with hints of nostalgia for the 75-year-old brand. The Polaroid Snap, announced at this week's IFA trade show in Germany, follows suit.
In fact, the pocket-sized instant camera looks a lot like the company's Zip printer , which is less than an inch thick and about 3 inches high by 5 inches wide (23 by 74 by 120mm). However, instead of printing photos sent to it wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet, the Snap has a basic built-in 10-megapixel digital camera.

 

2. Vinaya necklace

 

The jewellery connects to your iPhone via an app, and will vibrate when you receive an 'important message', helping you tune out the unimportant notifications, such as a WhatsApp group message, or Candy Crush game invitation (for example).
The concept is to make managing your digital life more simple, giving you the ability to tune out 'notification noise'.
It connects to your smartphone using Bluetooth Low Energy, and the app allows you to specify (by keyword or person) which emails, texts or calls filter through to the Altruis stone.

 

3. Parrot Zik 3 wireless headphones

The new Zik 3 are a gorgeous pair of cans from the inside out. The exterior is cloaked in leather stitched in different available designs, including a diamond stitch pattern and a crocodile-style texture that’s pretty striking. The cans will also come in several different colors at launch — including classic black, emerald green, ivory, brown, and a brash tone of candy-apple red — along with some extra padding on the band for added comfort. But as you might guess, it’s what’s under the hood that makes these headphones really stand out.

Parrot has added some seriously state-of-the-art new features, not the least of which is wireless charging via a specialized stand, claimed to offer an impressive 18 hours of runtime on just a two-hour charge. Naturally, the Zik 3 offer NFC touch pairing for Bluetooth with compatible devices, and advanced active noise cancelling that can run with full isolation, or be switched into “Street Mode” to let in some of the ambient sound around you for the sake of safety.

 

4. Apple Watch Hermès

Apple has been pushing hard to get the fashion crowd to fall for the Apple Watch. So far it’s been rough going, but it may have just figured out a way.

At today’s Apple product event (Sept. 9) in San Francisco, the company revealed that it’s partnering with French luxury house Hermès to release an Apple Watch with a custom Hermès interface. Three different bands, handmade by Hermès in France, will be available in the label’s high-end leather when the watches start appearing in select stores on October 5.

 

5. Rebecca Minkoff notification bracelet

At first glance, the strikingly handsome pieces look like any other bauble that can easily complement and elevate your wrist game; however, the contemporary​ jewelry actually serves as your iPhone’s best friend. Adorned with a gold chain-link and black pyramid studs, the Notification Bracelet ($120; rebeccaminkoff.com) works as an on-point personal assistant and uses Bluetooth technology to vibrate each time incoming calls and texts come into your mobile device. Similarly, the Lighting Cable Bracelet ($58; rebeccaminkoff.com) sports a sleek black leather strap and gold clasp that while stylish also hides a USB connector that you can use to charge your phone.

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