Was dem Lander Philae nicht gelungen ist, will die Exomars-Mission schaffen: Im Frühjahr 2016 soll ein Lander zum Mars fliegen und im Oktober weich auf dessen Oberfläche landen. (ESA, Nasa) 
Month: December 2015
Raumfahrt: SpaceX-Rakete soll am Sonntag starten
Die Probleme scheinen beseitigt: Das US-Raumfahrtunternehmen SpaceX hat die Triebwerke der Trägerrakete Falcon 9 gezündet. Der Test war erfolgreich - die Rakete wird voraussichtlich am 20. Dezember starten. (
Die Woche im Video: Star Wars! Und eine Datenschutzreform
Wir haben uns in dieser Woche den neuen Star-Wars-Film angesehen, uns über die Einigung zur Datenschutzreform gefreut – und über Cisco den Kopf geschüttelt. Sieben Tage und viele Meldungen im Überblick. (Golem-Wochenrückblick, Internet) 
Wir haben uns in dieser Woche den neuen Star-Wars-Film angesehen, uns über die Einigung zur Datenschutzreform gefreut - und über Cisco den Kopf geschüttelt. Sieben Tage und viele Meldungen im Überblick. (Golem-Wochenrückblick, Internet) 
Consumers Turned off by Philips DRM Light Bulbs
A consumer backlash has forced Philips to reverse a decision that would have added DRM (Digital Rights Management) to light bulbs used in its Hue lighting system.Philips’s Hue lighting system is the company’s latest invention, an “Internet of Things” (…
A consumer backlash has forced Philips to reverse a decision that would have added DRM (Digital Rights Management) to light bulbs used in its Hue lighting system.
Philips's Hue lighting system is the company's latest invention, an "Internet of Things" (IoT) network connected multicolor lighting system that has received some stellar reviews.
However, earlier this week, the company rolled out a firmware update which seems to disable to use of third-party light bulbs, instead, forcing consumers to buy Philips branded bulbs (or bulbs only from "approved" suppliers) to use with the system. While strictly speaking it isn't a DRM system, the implementation of the usage control, based on chips present in the light bulb, isn't too dissimilar to how DRM would be implemented for things like game consoles and movie discs.
As expected, consumers reacted angrily at what they perceived to be Philips's heavy handed attempt to stifle price competition, especially considering that Philips's actions break the Hue system's previous conformation to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for IoT devices. The vocal angry backlash forced Philips to eventually admit their mistake and reverse the firmware update to allow third party bulbs to be used once again.
Philips said the original change was made in "good faith" in the best interest of customers.
"We recently upgraded the software for Philips Hue to ensure the best seamless connected lighting experience for our customers. This change was made in good faith," Philips said.
"However, we under-estimated the impact this would have on a small number of customers who use lights from other brands which could not be controlled by the Philips Hue software. In view of the sentiment expressed by our customers, we have decided to reverse the software upgrade so that lights from other brands continue to work as they did before with the Philips Hue system."
This isn't the first time that a company tried to add DRM into an everyday use item, and was forced to reverse its decision due to the general public's strong anti-DRM sentiment. Coffee machine maker Keurig was too embroiled in its own DRM scandal, blocking out third party "unapproved" pods, before reversing course due to public pressure.
Remix Mini Android PC giveaway
The Jide Remix Mini is a tiny, low-power desktop computer that runs a custom version of Android called Remix OS. You can download and run just about any app available from the Google Play Store on the Remix Mini, but the operating system has been tweaked to look and feel like a desktop OS. There’s […]
Remix Mini Android PC giveaway is a post from: Liliputing
The Jide Remix Mini is a tiny, low-power desktop computer that runs a custom version of Android called Remix OS. You can download and run just about any app available from the Google Play Store on the Remix Mini, but the operating system has been tweaked to look and feel like a desktop OS. There’s […]
Remix Mini Android PC giveaway is a post from: Liliputing
Asus QM1 PC gets a Cherry Trail CPU update
The Asus Chromebit may be the first PC stick from Asus that’s available in the United States. But the company isn’t limiting its PC-on-a-stick products to models that run Chrome OS. A few months ago Asus introduced a Windows stick called the Asus VivoStick, but we noticed that the company also had an Intel Compute […]
Asus QM1 PC gets a Cherry Trail CPU update is a post from: Liliputing
The Asus Chromebit may be the first PC stick from Asus that’s available in the United States. But the company isn’t limiting its PC-on-a-stick products to models that run Chrome OS. A few months ago Asus introduced a Windows stick called the Asus VivoStick, but we noticed that the company also had an Intel Compute […]
Asus QM1 PC gets a Cherry Trail CPU update is a post from: Liliputing
How to succeed with hoverboards without catching on fire
There’s no silver bullet, but here’s what you need to know before buying one.
(credit: Swagway)
The news has been overrun the past few weeks with stories of hoverboards causing frightening fires and explosions. After one of the most popular hoverboards caught fire and damaged someone's home, Amazon pulled the Swagway board from its website (it has since been brought back). Since then a few more stories of flaming and exploding boards have popped up, causing more stores to stop selling them and leading the postal service along with some US airlines to ground them. But don't worry, you can still buy hoverboards—provided they are in stock—but you should know how they work so you can avoid any fiery mishaps.
Why are hoverboards exploding?
The main reason hoverboards have self-destructed is because of their batteries. All of the major hoverboard brands use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for power, and those can be dangerous for two reasons: cheapness and mistreatment. Li-ion batteries are used in everyday devices such as smartphones and tablets, but typically the companies making those devices can afford to use higher-quality, more expensive batteries. You won't be able to tell how good the li-ion batteries are in your hoverboard, but it's safe to say that cheaper, "knockoff" hoverboards use mass-produced cells of lower quality to cut costs.
Also, according to Wired, hoverboard batteries are typically placed inside the footrest of the device, so they're getting stepped on, kicked, and roughed-up every time you go for a ride. Not to mention that hoverboards are going to be abused more than, say, your laptop, so there's a greater chance its battery could get damaged by rough play, and any damage makes them more susceptible to malfunction or explosion.
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Martin Shkreli steps down as CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals
Resignation follows arrest on charges of securities fraud and public outcry.
Martin Shkreli, chief executive officer of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, exits federal court in New York, US, on Thursday, December 17, 2015. Shkreli was arrested on alleged securities fraud related to Retrophin Inc., a biotech firm he founded in 2011. (credit: Louis Lanzano/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Martin Shkreli, founder of Turing Pharmaceuticals, has resigned as chief executive of the embattled company, effective immediately. The chairman of Turing’s board of directors, Ron Tilles, has been appointed interim CEO, the company announced.
The news comes a day after Shkreli, 32, was arrested by the FBI on securities fraud charges. A seven-count indictment, unsealed Thursday, laid out how Shkreli allegedly set up a Ponzi-like scheme, swindled his former pharmaceutical company, Retrophin, out of more than $11 million, and repeatedly defrauded and lied to investors of two hedge funds he managed.
Shkreli was arraigned in a Brooklyn court yesterday. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a $5 million bond.
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Sailfish OS isn’t dead yet, Jolla secures more funding
About a month after announcing temporary layoffs of most of its employees, Finnish smartphone software company Jolla says it has closed a Series C investment round, giving the company enough money to keep going.. at least for a while. That means Jolla plans to continue developing its Sailfish operating system for smartphones and tablets. Jolla was founded by […]
Sailfish OS isn’t dead yet, Jolla secures more funding is a post from: Liliputing
About a month after announcing temporary layoffs of most of its employees, Finnish smartphone software company Jolla says it has closed a Series C investment round, giving the company enough money to keep going.. at least for a while. That means Jolla plans to continue developing its Sailfish operating system for smartphones and tablets. Jolla was founded by […]
Sailfish OS isn’t dead yet, Jolla secures more funding is a post from: Liliputing
Egg-less condiment can still be called mayo says FDA
In a 180, the agency OKs name of vegan spread on condition of labeling tweaks.
(credit: Northamerica1000/Wikimedia)
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Mayonnaise, the creamy, fatty condiment often slathered on sandwiches and fries, may now have a looser definition—at least in the eyes of the Food and Drug Administration.
Generally, mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and vinegar or lemon juice, and classic recipes use egg yolk as the emulsifier. But on Thursday the agency backed-off on the requirement for mayonnaise products to contain eggs, allowing a formerly contested vegan condiment to keep ‘mayo’ in its name.
In August, the FDA sent a warning letter to Hampton Creek Foods, a San Francisco-based start-up, over its vegan products “Just Mayo” and the spicy version “Just Mayo Sriracha.” The egg-less condiment, now sold at Whole Foods, Target, Walmart and others, has a cracked egg on the label.
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