Today’s Tech Sightings: VTech Slammed for ‘Unforgivable’ Security Lapse Toy maker VTech is in the crosshairs following the November hack attack that compromised account data for more than six million kids in the company’s app store. Some experts claim a lot of the stolen information was available online for a while before it was taken […]
VTech Under Fire; Apple’s Awkward Battery Case Raises Eyebrows
Dropbox Malware Found; Google Denies Deception in Tracking Kids
Today’s Tech Sightings: New Malware Found Hidden Inside Dropbox Account Researchers at U.S.-based security firm FireEye have discovered a new malware in Hong Kong that hides its Command and Control server in Dropbox accounts. The hackers, called ‘admin@338,’ are thought to have ties to the Chinese government. The malware targets media organizations and creates a […]
Microsoft, Apple Share Holiday Cheer; Is Google Tracking Kids?
Today’s Tech Sightings: Microsoft Employees Serenade Apple Employees for ‘Peace on Earth’ Tech rivals Apple and Microsoft have been at each other’s throats for decades. But as the season of giving approaches, Microsoft’s Manhattan store employees took a special message to their old friends at a nearby Apple store in New York. Google Accused of […]
Wireless-tracking Chip; Kids, Parents’ Info Hacked in VTech Products
Today’s Tech Sightings: Former BlackBerry Execs Create Wireless-Tracking Chip Developed by Cognitive Systems Corp., the chip, called R10, can pick up and analyze wireless radio signals from various devices, including routers and television remote controls. Built on top of that is Amera, a wireless tracking technology that can sense motion by detecting changes in wireless […]
Mobile Consumes Teen Generation; Emoji Makes 2015 Word of the Year
Today’s Tech Sightings: I’m 15 and I Can’t Look Up From My Phone Mobile devices and their various apps are sucking in a whole generation of teenagers. Writer Ruby Karp notes how young people easily grab their smartphones in the middle of a social gathering or a conversation because they don’t know how to be […]
Retailers Lights Have Eyes; Google Launches ‘About Me’
Tech Sightings: Editors Note: Techtonics is taking November 13 off. Will return next week. We’re Watching You: Carrefour Lights Have Eyes Almost three-quarters of British retailers are using new technologies, including facial recognition software, to track customers in stores. French retailer, Carrefour, started using a marketing tool that tracks your movements and beams data to […]
Education Tuition Reimbursement; Facebook Blocking Rival
Tech Sightings: Udacity Now has 1,000 Graduates and is Valued at $1 billion Launched only 13 months ago, for-profit online educational organization Udacity has seen its 1,000th student graduate from a current total enrollment of 10,000 across 168 countries. It has also accepted a $105 million investment, giving it a $1 billion valuation. Udacity offers […]
Dinotrux 5-Minute Favorites; TV Networks Reading Minds
Today’s Tech Sightings: Netflix, DreamWorks Have Videos to Help Parents Get Kids in Bed Sooner Netflix and DreamWorks Animation have teamed up to give Mom and Dad an upper hand when kids often want to watch ”one more show,” before retiring, Netflix now has three new 5 Minute Favorites based on the animated series Dinotrux — each one […]