microsoft spins android malware into windows phone giveaway

from computerworld: Microsoft is using the latest malware campaign aimed at rival Android to give away new Windows 7 Phones to the five Android users who tell the best tales of woe. "More malware on Android! Been hit? Share yr #droidrage story to win a #windowsphone upgrade. 5 best (worst?) win!" said Ben Rudolph, Microsoft's Windows Phone evangelist on Twitter late Monday. In his tweet, Rudolph linked to a Monday Computerworld story about Google scrubbing 22 malicious apps from its Android Market. The offer appeared legitimate: An hour after Rudolph tweeted, Microsoft's official Twitter feed noted the deal.

kinect for windows to offer 'minority report' computer control

from telegraph: A new generation of PCs controlled by gestures is on its way, after Microsoft revealed it is specially adapting its Xbox Kinect technology for Windows computers. The system will allow Windows users to control software with the wave of a hand, as envisaged in the Steven Spielberg film Minority Report. "Building on the existing Kinect for Xbox 360 device, we have optimized certain hardware components and made firmware adjustments which better enable PC-centric scenarios," Craig Eisler, general manager of the Kinect for Windows program said in a blog post.

Kinect has proved a major hit on Xbox. A small device sits on top of the console or television and translates gamers’ body movement in to commands in racing, fighting and dancing titles. The Windows version offers the prospect of users controlling everyday office applications simply by moving their hands.

Microsoft said it has created a new 'Near Mode' for the PC version of Kinect, suitable for capturing smaller movements more accurately, suitable for working at a desk. "'Near Mode' will enable a whole new class of 'close up' applications, beyond the living room scenarios for Kinect for Xbox 360," said Mr Eisler.

Microsoft is already working with software developers on new motion-controlled Windows applications. "We’ve already seen strong enthusiasm for Kinect among developers who have done amazing things with it in countless different ways, from education to healthcare, gaming to art installations, manufacturing to retail," Mr Eisler said in another blog post.

related video update: 'mission impossible 4' shows #nui

9/22 defcon: secure boot & game transfer phenomena

onstar tracks your car even when you cancel service*
windows 8 secure boot would 'exclude' linux*
comcast's $9.99 internet for low-income families goes nationwide*
what will video games be like in a few decades?*
video games intruding on reality: 'game transfer phenomena'*

stuxnet returns to bushehr reactor

Russia warns Iran too dangerous to bring Bushehr reactor online. Sergei Kiriyenko, Rosatom chief (Russian Nuclear Energy Commission), complained directly to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Stuxnet malworm shouldn't be ignored and warned of potential calamity. An article at Debkafile, "Stuxnet hits Bushehr again, Russia warns of nuclear explosion," can only be called ominous in tone. "The impression the Rosatom chief had gained from his staff at Bushehr was that the Iranian teams had been ordered to activate the reactor at any price to prove that the Islamic Republic had beaten Stuxnet. This concern overrode security." Ahmadinejad ordered the reactor shut down after the Russian departed as reason prevailed on this day. Dimitry Rogozin, Russia's ambassador to NATO, warned the Stuxnet virus is very toxic and dangerous like "explosive mines".

There seems little hope for the Bushehr reactor. Are Windows computers designed to be targeted by the agenda? It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. Putin recognized the danger by ordering the replacement of Windows with Linux in Russia, just last month.