Facebook announced a plan to make Internet more affordable by lowering the cost of data per megabyte

Summary: Facebook is set to announce an effort aimed at drastically cutting the cost of delivering basic internet services on mobile phones, particularly in developing countries, where Facebook and other tech companies need to find new users.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, announced the launch of internet.org, a global partnership with the goal of making internet access available to the next 5 billion people.

On facebook post "Everything Facebook has done has been about giving all people around the world the power to connect," Zuckerberg said. "There are huge barriers in developing countries to connecting and joining the knowledge economy. Internet.org brings together a global partnership that will work to overcome these challenges, including making internet access available to those who cannot currently afford it."

(More from techtimes24: The complete lists of Xbox One launch)

The goal of Internet.org is to make internet access available to the two-thirds of the world who are not yet connected, and to bring the same opportunities to everyone that the connected third of the world has today. In order to achieve its goal of connecting the two-thirds of the world who are not yet online, internet.org will focus on three key challenges in developing countries:

1.       Making access affordable

2.       Using data more efficiently

3.       Helping businesses drive access

Half a dozen of the world's tech giants, including Samsung, Nokia, Qualcomm and Ericsson, have agreed to work with the company on the initiative, which they call Internet.org.

(More from techtimes24: Nokia’s Phablet “Bandit” to be first 1080p, quad-core Windows Phone coming soon)

Source: Technology Leaders Launch Partnership to Make Internet Access Available to All

The complete lists of Xbox One launch titles-23 games in all

Microsoft made several announcements as the launch of its next-generation Xbox One video game console draws near, but perhaps the most exciting for eager gamers was the complete list of launch titles that will be available in November when the Xbox One finally hits store shelves. The complete list of 23 titles follows below.

1.       Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag (Ubisoft, Ubisoft)

2.       Battlefield 4 (DICE, Electronic Arts)

3.       Call of Duty: Ghosts (Infinity Ward, Activision)

4.       Crimson Dragon (Grounding/Land Ho!, Microsoft Studios)

5.       Dead Rising 3 (Capcom Vancouver, Microsoft)

6.       FIFA 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)

7.       Fighter Within (AMA Ltd., Ubisoft)

8.       Forza Motorsport 5 (Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios)

9.       Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft)

10.   Killer Instinct (Double Helix, Microsoft Studios)

11.   LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (TT Games, Warner Bros. Interactive)

12.   Lococycle (Twisted Pixel, Microsoft Studios)

13.   Madden NFL 25 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)

14.   NBA 2K14 (Visual Concepts, 2K Sports)

15.   NBA LIVE 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)

16.   Need for Speed: Rivals (Ghost Games, Electronic Arts)

17.   Peggle 2 (Popcap, Electronic Arts)

18.   Powerstar Golf (Zoe Mode, Microsoft Studios)

19.   Ryse: Son of Rome (Crytek, Microsoft Studios)

20.   Skylanders: Swap Force (Vicarious Visions, Activision)

21.   Watch Dogs (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft)

22.   Zoo Tycoon (Frontier Developments Ltd., Microsoft Studios)

23.   Zumba Fitness: World Party (Zoë Mode, Majesco)

Users of Google Maps for Mobile will now benefit from real time incident reports from Waze users

Summary: The Waze Map Editor will now include Google Maps Street View and satellite imagery as tools to make it easier to correct map errors reported by the community.

In a blog post from Google says “No one likes getting stuck in traffic. That’s why the Waze and Google Maps teams are working together to harness the power of Google technology and the passion of the Waze community to make it easier to navigate your daily life”

Real-time traffic reports from Waze app users will now appear on the Google Maps app for Apple iOS and Android. Meanwhile, Waze users will gain access to Google search and Street View. The updates to both services will be available today

For more information, visit the Waze blog

Nokia’s Phablet “Bandit” to be first 1080p, quad-core Windows Phone coming soon

Summary: Nokia is reportedly entering the phablet market, with a 6-inch, 1080p display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor Windows Phone device codenamed "Bandit."

The Verge reports the Bandit will boast a 20-megapixel camera -- almost as powerful as the snapper in the Lumia 1020. Windows Phone 8 currently maxes out at a 720p screen and dual-core processor where Bandit will be quad-core and Full HD 1080p. Recently announced biggest windows phone Nokia Lumia 625 appeared 4.7-inch and Nokia Lumia 925 appeared in a metal shell, the 6-inch Bandit is expected to come in a polycarbonate casing. Whether it'll have a smokin' firebird emblazoned on it is uncertain.

What are the new on Nokia Bandit?

Phone type: Phablet

Codenamed: Bandit

Operating System: Windows

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core

Screen: 6-inch

Display: 1080p

Casing: Polycarbonate

Camera: 20-megapixel

Big-screen Bandit device is currently being tested at AT&T, and it will debut by the end of the year in the US.

Source: Nokia Bandit: a 6-inch giant Windows Phone coming soon

Skype will be added with Microsoft’s services and offerings with Windows 8.1

Microsoft purchased the video- and audio-calling Internet phone service “Skype”, which today has about 300 million users in 2011 Earlier this week, Microsoft added Skype to bundle into Windows 8.1

A number of Microsoft’s services and offerings also would be bundled with Windows 8.1, including search engine Bing, personal cloud-storage service SkyDrive, Web browser Internet Explorer (IE) and Xbox Music, Video and Games.

Source: Microsoft to bundle Skype

Producer of audio products and equipment "Beats Electronics" want to partnership with HTC Smartphone

HTC smartphone

According to Wall Street Journal report Beats Electronics is in talks with an investor to finance a buy-out of HTC’s investment in the company. HTC’s $300 million mistake quickly turned into a $150 million mistake, and now Beats reportedly wants out once and for all. The rumor come as the popular headphone brand prepares to move into several new categories including other consumer electronics and music streaming. Beats hope to buy out HTC’s 25% stake in the company within the next few weeks.

Source: Beats By Dre Looks to Drop HTC

Security Researcher “Khalil Shreateh” posts Facebook bug report on Zuckerberg’s wall

Summary: A Palestinian IT Security Researcher Khalil Shreateh discovered a Facebook bug that allowed a hacker to post on anyone’s wall — even if they weren’t that person’s friend. Khalil has had his account disabled and been told he won't be paid a bug bounty after demonstrating a Facebook security vulnerability by posting an image into Mark Zuckerburg's timeline.

On blog post, Khalil Shreateh discovered a vulnerability that allows an attacker to post images into someone else's timeline, even though they're not in the target's friend list. Khalil tried to report the problem to Facebook's security account twice via the company's bug-disclosure and bounty program. The first time, Facebook security representative "Emrakul" couldn't see the results of Khalil's work – presumably because Emrakul wasn't actually friends with the person who Shreateh used as a proof-of-concept for the loophole. The second time around, Emrakul told Shreateh that his findings were "not a bug." Khalil, who doesn't appear to keen on taking "no" for an answer, did the next logical step: Used his loophole to post directly on Zuck's wall, likely hoping to stir the pot a bit and get a stronger acknowledgement of his findings.

Facebook software engineer Matt Jones took to Hacker News to offer a bit of an explanation behind Facebook's response and why Shreateh is out his minimum reward of $500 for the finding.

“To be clear, we fixed this bug on Thursday. The OP is correct that we should have asked for additional repro instructions after his initial report. Unfortunately, all he submitted was a link to the post he'd already made (on a real account whose consent he did not have - violating our ToS and responsible disclosure policy), saying that "the bug allow facebook users to share links to other facebook users". Had he included the video initially, we would have caught this much more quickly,” Jones wrote.

Source: facebook vulnerability 2013

Microsoft reduced the price of its Surface Pro tablet this weekend by $100

Microsoft over the weekend began offering a $100 discount on its Surface Pro, one of the two versions of the company’s tablet-style computer. Previously, Microsoft announced price cuts of up to 30% on the less-powerful version, called Surface RT.

Microsoft’s website says the lower price on Surface Pro is valid through Aug. 29 while supplies last. The discount is available to people in the U.S., Canada, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Microsoft spokesman said.

Websites of Best Buy and Staples also listed the discounted Surface Pro prices.

Microsoft Surface:

Microsoft Surface was announced on June 18, 2012, by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at Milk Studios in Los Angeles.

The Surface comes in two versions: one with Windows RT and another with Windows 8 Pro. The Windows RT model uses an ARM CPU, while the Windows 8 Pro model uses an Intel CPU. Both models are able to install new applications via the Windows Store, however only the Windows 8 Pro model allows the installation of traditional third-party desktop programs

Source: Microsoft keeps chopping the price on the Surface.

Japan Launches humanoid Kirobo "robot astronaut" Into Space

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the humanoid Kirobo "robot astronaut" into orbit from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan as part of nearly 3.5 tons of supplies and equipment to resupply the space station's six-person crew

Kirobo was packed inside Japan's unmanned  HTV-4 (Kounotori 4) cargo ship when it launched into orbit atop the country's H-2B rocket  at 3:48 p.m. EDT (1948 GMT), though it was early Sunday morning (Aug. 4) Japan Standard Time at the time of liftoff. The HTV-4 spacecraft will arrive at the space station on Aug. 9

Kirobo was put through a series of zero-gravity and other safety tests before it was deemed ready for flight. Image posted June 27, 2013.

Source: Japan robot astronaut ready for space launch

Google has launched new program "Google City Experts"

Google City Experts is a new program introduced by Google to encourage more high quality local business rating and reviews on Google+.

The Google City Expert program brings together the most active users on Google Maps who write reviews and upload photos of local places. As a City Expert you will receive:

• Access to fun, exclusive events in their local areas
• Free custom swag
• Special online recognition

The program is currently limited to select cities in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Japan, and will reward users who have left at least 50 reviews to date, and who produce at least five new reviews each month.

Join now in Google City Experts

Source: Introducing Google City Experts!

Where’s my phone? Android Device Manager can help you to find your lost phone

Android Device Manager is Google’s latest solution to help you hunt out your hidden handset. New Android Device Manager, of a few simple features you can use to keep your device—and the data you store inside—safe and secure.

Locate and ring your misplaced device

You may ended up dropping your phone between those couch cushions, Android Device Manager lets you quickly ring your phone at maximum volume so you can find it. If you left your phone at restaurant last night or if it's been silenced, you can locate it on a map in real time

Protecting your personal information and data

Android Device Manager can help you keep your data from ending up in the wrong hands. If your phone can’t be recovered, or has been stolen, you can quickly and securely erase all of the data on your device.

Availability and getting started

This service will be available later this month on devices running Android 2.2 or above; to use it, you also will need to be signed into your Google Account. There will also be an Android app to allow you to easily find and manage your devices. Stay tuned!

Source: Find your lost phone with Android Device Manager

USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced availability of the USB 3.1 Specification to increase SuperSpeed USB to 10 Gbps

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced the completion of the USB 3.1 Specification which adds enhancements to enable SuperSpeed USB to operate at up to 10 Gbps. SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps uses a more efficient data encoding and will deliver more than twice the effective data through-put performance of existing SuperSpeed USB over enhanced, fully backward compatible USB connectors and cables. Compatibility is assured with existing USB 3.0 software stacks and device class protocols as well as with existing 5 Gbps hubs and devices and USB 2.0 products.

This latest release of the specification will be available today for download from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) website.

Source: USB 3.1