Microsoft wants to bring machine learning into the mainstream

Microsoft just released the open-source licensed beta release of the Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit on Github. This announcement represents a shift in Microsoft’s customer focus from research to implementation. It is an update to the Computational Network Toolkit (CNTK). The toolkit is a supervised machine learning system in the same category of other open-source projects such as Tensorflow, Caffe and Torch.  Microsoft is one of the leading investors in and contributors to the open machine learning software and research community. A glance at the Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS) conference reveals that there are just four major technology companies committed to moving the field of neural networks forward: Microsoft, Google, Facebook and IBM.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

ARM builds up security in the tiniest IoT chips

IoT is making devices smaller, smarter, and – we hope – safer. It’s not easy to make all those things happen at once, but chips that can help are starting to emerge.On Tuesday at ARM TechCon in Silicon Valley, ARM will introduce processors that are just a fraction of a millimeter across and incorporate the company’s TrustZone technology. TrustZone is hardware-based security built into SoC (system on chip) processors to establish a root of trust.It’s designed to prevent devices from being hacked and taken over by intruders, a danger that’s been in the news since the discovery of the Mirai botnet, which recently took over thousands of IP cameras to mount denial-of-service attacks.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

ARM builds up security in the tiniest IoT chips

IoT is making devices smaller, smarter, and – we hope – safer. It’s not easy to make all those things happen at once, but chips that can help are starting to emerge.On Tuesday at ARM TechCon in Silicon Valley, ARM will introduce processors that are just a fraction of a millimeter across and incorporate the company’s TrustZone technology. TrustZone is hardware-based security built into SoC (system on chip) processors to establish a root of trust.It’s designed to prevent devices from being hacked and taken over by intruders, a danger that’s been in the news since the discovery of the Mirai botnet, which recently took over thousands of IP cameras to mount denial-of-service attacks.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Google is trying to reinvent the whiteboard

What's big, red, and supposed to be the next big thing in workplace collaboration? Google's new Jamboard, a massive touch display and accompanying cloud service that's supposed to help business users brainstorm together. Jamboard works like a digital whiteboard, letting users sketch out ideas, attach digital sticky notes, plus bring in content from the web into a single, constantly updating workspace. People can use Jamboard to collaborate both on the 55-inch mega-display of the same name, or using accompanying tablet and smartphone apps for iOS and Android. The Jamboard is available in private beta for business customers of Google's G Suite productivity service offering starting Tuesday. The company expects to make it generally available early next year.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Google buys eye-tracking VR firm Eyefluence

Google has acquired a 3-year-old eye-tracking company for virtual and augmented reality headsets, signaling the tech giant's interest in the immersive technologies.Eyefluence, founded in 2013 by serial entrepreneurs Jim Marggraff and David Stiehr, develops eye-interaction technologies to control VR and AR headsets. "Eyes can instantaneously transform intent into action, enabling communication as fast as you can see," the company says. The deal with Google was announced Tuesday. "With our forces combined, we will continue to advance eye-interaction technology to expand human potential and empathy on an even larger scale," Eyefluence said in a blog post.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Audio Q&A: 20 years of networked cameras

Let’s jump into the Cool Tools Time Machine to go back to the year 1996. The Internet, at least on the consumer side of things, was just beginning to take off, and there was a Clinton running for president (well, at least some things stay the same).  Axis Communications Axis Communications NetEye 200, the company's first network-based video camera. In that year, a company called Axis Communications created its first networked video camera, the NetEye 200, which could transmit video at 1 frame per 17 seconds in normal resolution, or 1 frame per second (fps) in CIF resolution. Since then, resolution and frame rates have gotten much, much better, with current cameras supporting 4K resolution. To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

IBM is folding SoftLayer into its Bluemix cloud services portfolio

OpenStack users running their workloads on IBM's SoftLayer public cloud infrastructure took it calmly when the company's object storage development lead, Brian Cline, announced that SoftLayer is going away.Cline opened his presentation with the news at the OpenStack Summit in Barcelona on Tuesday.But it's not as bad as it sounds. The same services will still be available from the same servers, managed through the same SoftLayer control portal: Only the brand is going away.IBM is going to replace the SoftLayer name with Bluemix, its broader cloud platform, making SoftLayer services just another page in the Bluemix catalog of infrastructure, platform and application services.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

IDG Contributor Network: Beyond 911: Other N-1-1 codes you should know

The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) establishes what telephone numbers exist. It would be safe to say that most people know and understand that the short code of 911 will connect callers with police, fire or medical services in the event of an emergency. But did you know that there are seven other numbers, arguably as important?N11 numbers, or telephone short-codes, provide callers quick and simple access to other special assistance that may be needed without tying up emergency services resources and phone lines.Usage of these codes is established by the Federal Communications Commission based on use defined by the NANP Administrator, and is as follows:To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Privacy and security problems in TrackR, iTrack Easy and Nut IoT trackers

People who tend to lose or misplace things may turn to “smart” trackers, tiny devices which can be attached to keys, TV remotes, just about anything, and then the Bluetooth-enabled tracker helps you find the “lost” item via a smartphone. Many have a crowdsourcing feature so other people on that tracker’s network can also help locate a missing item. But how secure are these IoT trackers? Two researchers at Rapid7 decided to find out.Deral Heiland, principal security consultant at Rapid7, aka @Percent_X, and Adam Compton, senior security consultant at Rapid7, aka @tatanus, took aim at four different trackers: iTrack Easy, Nut Smart Tracker, TrackR Bravo and Tile. They looked at the devices as well as the companion iOS apps and found issues with each.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Privacy and security problems in TrackR, iTrack Easy and Nut IoT trackers

People who tend to lose or misplace things may turn to “smart” trackers, tiny devices which can be attached to keys, TV remotes, just about anything, and then the Bluetooth-enabled tracker helps you find the “lost” item via a smartphone. Many have a crowdsourcing feature so other people on that tracker’s network can also help locate a missing item. But how secure are these IoT trackers? Two researchers at Rapid7 decided to find out.Deral Heiland, principal security consultant at Rapid7, aka @Percent_X, and Adam Compton, senior security consultant at Rapid7, aka @tatanus, took aim at four different trackers: iTrack Easy, Nut Smart Tracker, TrackR Bravo and Tile. They looked at the devices as well as the companion iOS apps and found issues with each.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Azure brings SQL Server Analysis Services to the cloud

SQL Server Analysis Services, one of the key features of Microsoft's relational database enterprise offering, is going to the cloud. The company announced Tuesday that it's launching the public beta of Azure Analysis Services, which gives users cloud-based access to semantic data modeling tools.The news is part of a host of announcements the company is making at the Professional Association for SQL Server Summit in Seattle this week. On top of the new cloud service, Microsoft also released new tools for migrating to the latest version of SQL Server and an expanded free trial for Azure SQL Data Warehouse. On the hardware side, the company revealed new reference architecture for using SQL Server 2016 with active data sets of up to 145TB.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

IDG Contributor Network: Trellyz app, IoT maximize impact of humanitarian relief services

Helping people in a crisis is always hard. It’s even harder when those people in need are on the move.How can they learn about resources available nearby to help them? How can volunteers be assigned to where they can help the most? How can supplies be ordered to meet the demand for meals, blankets and medicine?The Refugee Aid app from Trellyz and the StockVUE inventory management system from LoadStar Sensors can help.   Movement on the Ground The challenge: Finding and helping the homeless and refugees Finding and communicating accurate information about groups in need is difficult. This applies to both the homeless and refugees. Their need is immediate, and they’re on the move. It’s hard to provide them with help that may be available from multiple non-profits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

OpenStack could be a $5 billion industry by 2020

As the OpenStack Foundation kicks off its 2016 international conference in Barcelona this week, 451 Research has new predictions for how fast the open source cloud computing project is growing.The research firm predicts that OpenStack revenues will grow by a compound annual growth rate of 35% in the coming years, ballooning to a $5 billion industry by 2020.+MORE AT NETWORK WORLD: The enterprise wish list for hybrid cloud | OpenStack Director on why open source should be the foundation of your data center +To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Best Deals of the Week, October 17th – October 21st – Deal Alert

Best Deals of the Week, October 17th - October 21st - Deal AlertCheck out this roundup of the best deals on gadgets, gear and other cool stuff we have found this week, the week of October 17th. All items are highly rated, and dramatically discounted.75% off DKnight MagicBox II Bluetooth 4.0 Portable Wireless speaker, 10W Output Power with Enhanced BassThe DKnightMagicBox II Bluetooth speaker offers great quality sound with the latest Bluetooth 4.0 technology. It features two highly powerful 40mm total 10W acoustic drivers for excellent sound. With the ultra-compact size and the soft touch rubber design, it can be easily fitted into a backpack, suitcase, or a travel bag. The built-in 2000 mAh rechargeable battery enables an 10-12 hours of playtime on a single charge. This speaker is strong enough to fill up a kitchen, living room, or classroom. It is ideal for personal usage, indoor party or outdoor BBQ or picnic with friends and family. This portable speaker averages 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 8,700 people (read reviews). With a typical list price of $129.99, this 75% off deal is just $32.99. Check out buying Continue reading

20% off APC Back-UPS 600VA 7-outlet Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with USB Charging Port – Deal Alert

The new APC Back-UPS BE600M1 provides instant battery power to your critical electronics when the power goes out, keeping you connected and available both personally and professionally. Designed specifically to enhance the features that matter most to you, including more runtime, more battery backup outlets, and a USB port for charging convenience, the BE600M1 is also smaller and lighter than the previous model. APC's BE600M1 offers guaranteed surge and lightning protection for attached devices.  When the power goes out, the APC BE600M1 will power critical devices including home networking equipment; allowing you to maintain your internet connection. This allows you to work productively, avoid the loss of valuable data, and safely shut down equipment. It currently averages 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 4,400 people on Amazon (read reviews), where its list price of $74.99 has been reduced 20% to $59.95.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

20% off APC Back-UPS 600VA 7-outlet Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with USB Charging Port – Deal Alert

The new APC Back-UPS BE600M1 provides instant battery power to your critical electronics when the power goes out, keeping you connected and available both personally and professionally. Designed specifically to enhance the features that matter most to you, including more runtime, more battery backup outlets, and a USB port for charging convenience, the BE600M1 is also smaller and lighter than the previous model. APC's BE600M1 offers guaranteed surge and lightning protection for attached devices.  When the power goes out, the APC BE600M1 will power critical devices including home networking equipment; allowing you to maintain your internet connection. This allows you to work productively, avoid the loss of valuable data, and safely shut down equipment. It currently averages 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 4,400 people on Amazon (read reviews), where its list price of $74.99 has been reduced 20% to $59.95.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

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