NSA slapped malware on 50,000+ networks, says report

(Credit: nrc.nl) 

 

A new slide culled from the trove of documents leaked by Edward Snowden shows where the NSA placed malware on more than 50,000 computer networks worldwide, according to Dutch media outlet NRC.
The NSA management presentation slide from 2012 shows a world map spiderwebbed with "Computer Network Exploitation" access points.
Like all the NSA slides we've seen so far, this one is unlikely to win a Powerpoint beauty pageant anytime soon.
Not that this should distract anyone from the profoundly disturbing implications of this US government malware map that's being reported by a Dutch news agency -- an outlet to which the US government gave a "no comment."

Translated from Dutch:

The American intelligence service -- NSA -- infected more than 50,000 computer networks worldwide with malicious software designed to steal sensitive information.
Documents provided by former NSA employee Edward Snowden and seen by this newspaper, prove this.
(...) The NSA declined to comment and referred to the US Government. A government spokesperson states that any disclosure of classified material is harmful to our national security.

An NSA Web page that outlines the agency's Computer Network Operations program describes Computer Network Exploitation, or CNE, as a key part of the program's mission and says CNE "includes enabling actions and intelligence collection via computer networks that exploit data gathered from target or enemy information systems or networks."
In late August, The Washington Post reported on the NSA's "hacking unit" called Tailored Access Operations (TAO).
The Post wrote:

According to a profile by Matthew M. Aid for Foreign Policy, it's a highly secret but incredibly important NSA program that collects intelligence about foreign targets by hacking into their computers, stealing data, and monitoring communications.
(...) Dean Schyvincht, who claims to currently be a TAO Senior Computer Network Operator in Texas, might reveal the most about the scope of TAO activities.
He says the 14 personnel under his management have completed "over 54,000 Global Network Exploitation (GNE) operations in support of national intelligence agency requirements."

This is one letter away from being exact.
On the NSA's network ops page, there is no program with the acronym GNE -- only CNE and,

Computer Network Attack (CNA): Includes actions taken via computer networks to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy the information within computers and computer networks and/or the computers/networks themselves.
Computer Network Defense (CND): Includes actions taken via computer networks to protect, monitor, analyze, detect, and respond to network attacks, intrusions, disruptions, or other unauthorized actions that would compromise or cripple defense information.

Across the newly published slide top and bottom a stripe reads, "REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, GBR, NZL."
These are the  so-called Five Eyes nations -- the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand -- that share intelligence.
Last week, the very same Five Eyes nations moved to oppose the United Nations' anti-surveillance, right-to-privacy draft resolution called "The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age."
Security researchers online are speculating that telecoms were the most likely targets for the malware.
They may not be too far off the mark.
NRC cites an example of Britain's NSA counterpart, GCHQ, being found to use spoofed LinkedIn pages to install surveillance malware on target computers in Belgium telecom, Belgacom (translated):

One example of this type of hacking was discovered in September 2013 at the Belgium telecom provider Belgacom.
For a number of years the British intelligence service -- GCHQ -- has been installing this malicious software in the Belgacom network in order to tap their customer's telephone and data traffic.
The Belgacom network was infiltrated by GCHQ through a process of luring employees to a false Linkedin page.

NRC concludes its article by telling us that the Dutch government's intelligence service has its own hacking unit, but that it's prohibited by law from engaging in the type of operations that the CNE slide suggests the NSA carried out.

Gadget trade-in sites offer cash bonuses this holiday season

Consumers strapped for cash or those expecting a shiny new tech gadget in their stocking this year may want to consider some of the deals trade-in sites like NextWorth and Gazelle will be offering pre- and postholiday
this year.

 

 

Many of these sites are offering cash bonuses to people looking to sell old smartphones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, and other electronic gadgets through their Web sites. The idea is that people, who may need some extra cash to buy presents for loved ones, might want to consider selling their old products. And as more people are likely to get a shiny new tablet or other tech gadget as a gift this year, these same sites are also offering special deals after the holiday to entice people to clean out their junk drawers of old products make room for the new.
In this, my first Ask Maggie column since taking a three-month maternity leave, I highlight some of the goodies on offer this holiday season. I also explain to another reader what it really means to have an unlocked smartphone.

Holiday trade-in treats

Dear Maggie,
I'm thinking about using a trade-in site to sell some of my old devices, like smartphones, tablets, or my e-reader. I know the holidays are a good time to buy these products, but is it also a good time to try and sell them, too?
Thanks,
Hank
Dear Hank,
The short answer to your question is yes. Whether you're planning to receive a new gadget as a gift, or you're looking to make some extra cash to help pay for the gifts you plan on giving to others, the holiday season is turning out to be a great time to sell your old gadgets.
Just as retailers have tapped into holiday consumerism to boost sales volume, trade-in Web sites are also trying to appeal to people's craving for great deals with their own incentives designed to boost the volume of gadget trade-ins.

For example, the site NextWorth has announced a "Pre-Black Friday" deal for Kindle owners. You can trade in any Amazon Kindle e-reader or tablet and get a 50 percent bonus on your device. All you have to do when you trade in your device is enter the code "BLCK50" at checkout. The deal is good for trade-ins of the Kindle Fire, Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard, and more. Payments are made through either a check, Paypal, or a Target gift card.
What this means is that a 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX with 32GB of memory, which would usually fetch you about $104 on Nextworth will be worth $156. The deal is offered only till November 26.
But the pre-Black Friday Kindle Fire deal isn't the only one NextWorth is running this holiday season. The company also plans to run a CyberMonday deal, which it has yet to announce. And just like it did last year, NextWorth will be running bonuses and specials after the holidays to entice people who may have received a new bright and shiny gadget to trade in their old devices. What those exact deals will be, the company has yet to announce. Last year, Nextworth offered a 10 percent bonus on trade-ins of all Apple iPods from Christmas through December 31. And a spokeswoman said consumers can expect something similar this year.
Other trade-in sites are also offering bonuses and incentives. Gazelle.com is offering coupons that let people trade in their old gadgets and get an extra $10 for their trade-in.
"The Gift of Gazelle is a downloadable coupon that can be shared with family and friends," a spokeswoman for the company said. "So if people give a new device as a gift, the coupon can be easily wrapped along with it."
The site Technollo.com, which offers special deals on trade-ins all the time, is offering bonuses just for the holidays to entice people to recycle multiple devices. The way it works is the more you trade in, the bigger the bonus.
Here are the new holiday promos.

• SANTA10 = $10 extra on trade-in orders valued at $20 to $100
• SANTA20= $20 extra on trade-in orders valued at $100 to $1,000
• SANTA50 = $50 extra on trade-in orders valued at over $1,000

Armando Filoteo, president of Technollo, said trading in old gadgets for cash is a way to start the new year fresh.
"The saying 'Out with the old and in with the new' has come a long way when talking about trading in old unused gadgets," he said. Filoteo said people who use Technollo and other trade-in sites can also feel good about their choice to sell their devices rather than throwing them away.
Since used devices are in high demand, especially in developing markets, it means the gadgets get put to use instead of ending up in landfills.
"Think of the children," he said. "Pepe in Africa gets to call his grandma on a used phone. And the money you make is real money. In this economy getting $200 for a 'used' phone is not chump change."
I admit that Filoteo's comments may be a little over the top in terms of the feel-good aspect of trade-in sites. But you can't deny that money is money and any little bit you can get to defray the cost of some other gadget or service you can't live without is a help.
And while many of these sites are planning to run special offers for the holidays on trade-ins, it doesn't mean this is the only time of year they offer such deals. So make sure to keep your eyes peeled for offers throughout the year, so you can be sure to get the most money for your old technology.

Can I use an unlocked AT&T phone on T-Mobile?

Dear Maggie,
I have a Samsung S III with AT&T. But I'm thinking of switching from AT&T. Can I use this phone, once l unlock it, with T-Mobile? How about if I trade it in to Nextworth or Gazelle? Do I have to unlock it first? Can I still use the phone with AT&T service even if I unlock it?
Lastly, if I purchase the new Samsung Galaxy Note III on AT&T, can I use this phone with T-Mobile a year from now? (I do understand about early termination fees -- just want to make sure the model is compatible with both services).
Thank you for your help.
Jo
Dear Jo,
In general, an unlocked smartphone built for AT&T can also be used on T-Mobile's network and vice versa. The two Samsung phones you have indicated will work just fine on T-Mobile's network.
And once the phones are unlocked, they'll still work just as they always have on AT&T's network. The only thing that unlocking them does is let you put a SIM card into the device and get service from another carrier. This is possible because AT&T and T-Mobile use a technology standard called GSM. Service on GSM networks is provisioned by using a carrier-specific SIM card. Most of the world's carriers use the GSM technology.
What this means is that once the device is unlocked, it can be used on almost any GSM network around the world. That said, because different countries and different carriers use different slivers of spectrum to provide different services, you may not get data download speeds equivalent to what you'd get on AT&T. But in general, unlocked GSM phones can be used almost anywhere on another GSM network.
Now for the other part of your question: Must you unlock your smartphone before you sell it on a trade-in site like Nextworth or Gazelle? The answer to this question is no. Of course, you probably could get more money for your phone if you unlock it and try to sell it yourself to a friend or on eBay or Craigslist. But the trade-in sites are a good, no-hassle way to sell your old smartphones and other electronic gadgets. And as I mentioned in the answer above, a lot of these sites offer bonuses and specials to encourage people to trade in their old products.

Can Intel turn Android into Windows?

Dell's Venue 8 runs Android on top of an Intel Atom processor. It starts at $180.

If there were any doubts that Intel wants to embrace Android as a Windows equal, they were erased this week.
Speaking at the chipmaker's investor meeting on Thursday, Kirk Skaugen, general manager of the PC Client Group at Intel, said the following:

The reality is for the last decade we've been essentially 100 percent Microsoft on the client [but] we're starting to see in emerging markets...demands for Android.
A lot of Android apps were written for a phone...in portrait mode. A significant percentage don't even exist in landscape mode, so they can't scale to large screens, whether it's a notebook or an all-in-one. So, we're going to do a number of things here. We're going to scale Android to 64-bit. We're going to allow it to scale from Atom [processors] all the way to the high-end of the Core processor family. We're going...to enable it to deliver a great experience as we go into larger scale screens, allow mutli-windowing.
We don't yet have the ability to treat it as a full-on enterprise vPro client [so] there's a significant investment as we embrace Android.

Translation? Part of the plan is to get Android running on devices, aka clients, that to date were considered PCs. You know, devices that look like laptops -- and presumably computers powering big screens -- that corporate America can gravitate to.

And the multi-windowing part is interesting. He's talking about something beyond the multi-windowing currently available on Android.
Ultimately, demand will determine how Android evolves. "The strategy is very simple: we're going to support what the market desires," Skaugen said.
That likely means Android will be moving into territory that was once exclusive to Windows.

PS4 vs. Xbox One: Round 1 to Sony

The Xbox One and PS4 square off (click image to enlarge).

 

 

The products are out, the reviews are in, so we now ask, who's the winner?
Well, here at CNET, the answer today is the PlayStation 4, though not by much. Both products received 3.5 stars from our reviewer Jeff Bakalar. However, the PS4 received the higher overall score, beating the Xbox One 7.5 to 7.0 in our expanded ratings system (if you didn't know we had an expanded ratings system, roll your cursor over the stars and you'll see what I mean).
That 3.5 stars is a pretty good score -- and we think both systems have a lot of commendable features and strong specs -- but it also reflects a feeling around the office that there isn't a tremendous urgency to run out and buy either console in their current unfinished states.
Still, we didn't arbitrarily award the PS4 an edge in the ratings. We had our reasons and for those of you who don't have the time -- or the attention span -- to read through a couple of very long reviews, here's a more condensed version of why the PS4 ended up with the higher marks.

The PS4 is smaller than the Xbox One, even though it has its power supply integrated into the unit.

 

 

Design (Xbox One rating -- 7.0, PS4 rating -- 8.0)
Design encompasses both the design of the hardware and the designs of the user interfaces or software. The PS4 has the edge in both. From a hardware standpoint, the most noticeable difference is that the PS4's power supply is integrated into the box while the Xbox One, like the 360 before it, still has a chunky external power brick. This is remarkable considering the PS4 is smaller than the Xbox One.
The PS4 controller is also superior. It has a built-in rechargeable battery (that's an optional accessory for Xbox One controllers, though some people prefer using standard alkaline batteries), doubles as a motion controller (replaces the Move), has a built-in speaker and headphone jack, as well as a share button that offers quick links to social media sites (you can easily share your game clips). It's also worth mentioning that the PS4 can now recharge the controller when in standby mode.
As for the user interfaces, which one you like better is a little bit in the eye of the beholder. The PS4's UI is an upgrade from the PS3's and supports such features as multitasking, as well as incorporating a broadcasting hub. The Xbox One has a very slick interface -- we've even called it dazzling -- but you can occasionally end up feeling slightly lost (it's a criticism that's also been leveled at Windows 8). Part of this has to do with the tight integration of the Kinect and the melding of voice commands with button pushes (the interface encourages you to use your voice). It doesn't always work as smoothly as it ideally would. For instance, Xbox One doesn't always respond to your voice commands, which leaves you repeating those commands, followed by a derogatory comment or two.

The PS4's controller (right) is superior to the Xbox One's

Ecosystem (Xbox One rating -- 6.0, PS4 rating -- 6.0)

Neither system is knocking it out of the park with its launch titles or integrated apps (HBO Go, for example, is missing from both, but coming to the Xbox One by spring 2014). But the Xbox One has the edge in terms of exclusive titles. The PS4 has Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack, which is geared more to casual gamers, while the Xbox One has Dead Rising 3, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Forza Motorsport 5. There are some downloadable titles unique to each system, but none of the launch exclusives blew us away. Some of the best games, such as FIFA 14 and NBA 2K14, are available on both consoles.
One big knock on both consoles is that they currently lack any backward compatibility with previous-generation games. That's a bigger issue than it was with the launch of the Xbox 360 and PS3, which offered such a big jumps in gaming performance that you didn't want to bother with older titles (the original PS3 was backward compatible, and the Xbox 360 played about half of the original Xbox titles). Many of the more recent Xbox 360 and PS3 games aren't that far off graphically from their next-gen counterparts. It'd also be nice to be able to play Xbox Arcade and PSN titles you bought on your "old" systems.
Sony's Gaikai streaming service should help address this next year, but the company has been largely mum on details. And Xbox One could certainly release digital versions of popular "classic" 360 games at some point, but that's just fanboy hopefulness for now.
Features (Xbox One rating -- 8.0, PS4 rating -- 7.0)
Xbox One is called the One for a reason. As Matthew Moskovciak says in his deep dive into the Xbox One as a living room device, Microsoft wants to bring all your living room entertainment -- cable TV, gaming, and streaming-video -- to a single user interface with the help of a sophisticated second-generation Kinect camera/motion sensor and video pass-through functionality that's included with every $499 Xbox One. "That's a stark contrast to Sony's gaming-centric PS4, which has jettisoned -- at least at its launch -- many of the living room features that endeared it home theater enthusiasts, including support for DLNA, CDs, MP3s, JPEGs and any type of digital video file," Moskovciak says.
While the PS4 has some impressive new features, including PS Vita remote play (it works surprisingly well), the aforementioned game broadcasting (other users can watch you playing) and clip sharing, and a $59.99 camera of its own for augmented reality games and facial-recognition sign-in, the Xbox One has a seemingly more robust feature set that seems more next-gen or "futuristic." The concept of instantly switching between playing a game and watching TV -- or even watching TV while playing a game (in a PIP mode) -- is appealing.
The only problem is that Microsoft still has some work to do on the software.
"After living with the Xbox One for a few days," Matthew Moskovciak says, "it's clear that Microsoft has a bold, all-encompassing vision for its do-everything living room box that feels different than anything that's come before. But it's also clear that the vision just doesn't match the current reality, where everything feels just a half-step (or in some cases, a full step) away from where you'd want it to be."
The PS4 is not immune from criticism on the features front. It should read files from USB drives like the PS3 does and offer support for DNLA streaming (the Xbox One apparently does offer a form of DNLA streaming, though it's a bit complicated to set up). And the PS4 should play 3D Blu-rays like the PS3 does (the Xbox One also currently doesn't support 3D playback).

Xbox One offers a more robust feature set, highlighted by its OneGuide TV overlay feature.

 

 

Performance (Xbox One rating -- 7.0, PS4 rating -- 8.0)
Comparing the chips inside the two consoles, the PS4 appears to have a slight performance edge (Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts have received the most scrutiny), but expect most games look almost identical on each console.
Where the Xbox One's performance score took the more significant hit in our review was when it came to controlling and navigating the system. The fact is it only recognized voice commands about 75 percent of the time, which created some frustration. That should improve, but for now it's a problem.

Value (Xbox One rating -- 6.0, PS4 rating -- 7.0)
The PS4 has the advantage of being $100 less expensive than the Xbox One, which includes the Kinect. When you add in the PlayStation Camera ($59.99), which arguably enhances the PS4 experience but isn't a necessary component, that brings the PS4's total cost closer to the Xbox One's. But the only problem is you basically can't do anything with the Xbox One without an Xbox Live gold membership, which costs $60 a year. That brings the Xbox One's real cost of ownership to $560 with a $60-a-year fee tacked on.
Sony now requires you to buy a PlayStation Plus account ($50 a year) if you want to do any online gaming. But you can use apps such as Netflix without buying a PS Plus account. At launch, Sony is throwing in a free trial month along with a $10 store credit and a few game freebies.
In the end, if the Xbox TV overlay feature (OneGuide) and all the futuristic Kinect stuff worked swimmingly -- and without certain restrictions, such as lack of DVR support -- it'd be easier to say those extras merited spending the extra $100 on the system along with the $60 Xbox Live yearly fee. Until Microsoft works out the kinks -- and I think it will -- the PS4 gets the higher value score.

... but this is just the first battle in a long war
Of course, as both camps will attest, these are the early days, and you can expect improvements to both consoles. Round 1 may have gone to Sony, but there are many more rounds to come. As we did with the software and hardware updates on the PS3 and Xbox 360, we'll constantly be updating these reviews -- and the ratings -- as major upgrades occur.

Get the new Facebook Messenger for Android

The new Messenger app has dropped its Facebook name prefix, and its jaded blue color. Now, you'll find a freshly designed client masquerading as a standalone chat app.

Facebook wants to help you find the fastest way to reach your friends. For instance, "contacts that also use Messenger ... are denoted by a little blue lightning bolt badge," said CNET's Jennifer Van Grove.
Among other major changes, you'll find that SMS support is gone. However, you can send messages to people in your address book that you haven't connected with on Facebook yet. (Yeah, this part sounds a little scary for the stalker types.) This process requires that the recipient provided a phone number on his or her Facebook profile, and that you have that same number for them.

The new friend list in Messenger.

Ready to try it out? Here's how:

Disclaimer: Installing third-party software means taking risks with your device and/or personal information. You will be responsible for any issues caused by the installation, and should only proceed if you are prepared to deal with the resulting consequences.
Before you dive in, make sure you can install third-party software on your Android device. Head to Settings > Security > make sure there's a check mark next to Unknown Sources.
Next, if you have the current version of Facebook Messenger, you'll want to uninstall it. If you don't, you'll get constant reminders to update your new Messenger app (Facebook gave the new app an older version number).
Now you can grab a copy of Messenger from the mirror provided by the crew at AndroidPolice. You can open the following link from your device, or download it on your computer and transfer it later: click here to download the Messenger APK.

 

 

Once the APK has made its way to your device, open it to install. As noted in my KitKat keyboard post, if you're having trouble installing, upload the APK to cloud storage and install from there.

An example of the new chat interface of Messenger.

Handy Android apps for hassle-free holiday travel i.e tickets,flight,hotels

If you're hitting the road (or skies) this holiday season, these three Android apps can make your journey less of a headache.

Travel can be stressful no matter the time of year, but the holiday season always seems to be worse. You're stuck managing multiple reservations for flights, hotels and car rentals, facing long lines at security, and, depending on where you're traveling, there's often a looming threat of a snowstorm grounding your plane.
Luckily, we have technology to do some of the hard work for us. While nothing can make airport lines any shorter, I've highlighted three Android apps that can help take the edge off the rest of your travel woes.

Editors' note: If you're looking for iOS travel apps, check out Jason Parker's roundup.

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TripIt helps you organize all your travel plans and reservations.

Tripit (Free, 99 cents for ad-free version)
Your trip is all planned out, and now your inbox is brimming with confirmations for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Enter Tripit, a freemium service that corrals all the dates, confirmation numbers, and other vital information from your upcoming reservations and turns them into an organized travel itinerary. All you have to do is forward your travel-related emails to TripIt's address and the service figures out the rest.
All the information you could need as you make your journey from airline counter to hotel check-in, including flight times and confirmation numbers, is stored in the Android app and you can even view it when you're offline. You can also get weather reports, directions, and turn-by-turn navigation for the hotels and destinations listed in your itinerary.

You can also download TripIt for iOS.

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FlightStats tells you if there are delays at the airport.

FlightStats (Free)
There are many, many flight-status apps, but FlightStats is my favorite because of its simple design. This free app helps you track your flight's status and saves your searches for quick access later. It will tell you if your flight is on time, it's estimated departure and arrival times from the runway, terminal and gate numbers, and at which baggage claim carousel you can claim your bags. Once the flight takes off, friends or family who will be picking you up from the airport can track your plane in the air.
You can also search by airport to see local weather conditions and seven-day forecast, time and date information, and a delay index, which tells you if there are any flight delays and how severe they are.
You can also download FlightStats for iOS.

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Get a last-minute hotel with Hotel Tonight.

Hotel Tonight (Free)
This last-minute hotel booking app is essential for when staying with the in-laws isn't working out, or you're stuck at the airport after a canceled flight and don't want to sleep in the terminal. It has an elegant design which makes it easy to find a nearby hotel room on short notice. You might even get a deal since many of the rooms listed are discounted.
There's no need to worry that you'll be staying at a dive, as Hotel Tonight vets all the accommodations that it lists in the app. You also get access to Hotel Tonight's 24-7 customer service, which can help you with a booking.

Nissan's awesome BladeGlider wows Tokyo Motor Show

The 2013 Tokyo Motor Show has everything from zero-emission sci-fi concepts to a jaw-dropping tractor. Check out some pics in our gallery.




TOKYO -- It's all too easy to fall under the spell of concept cars that automakers trot out at car shows. But some make it nearly irresistible.
Nissan showed off its BladeGlider electric vehicle concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday, and it was the sickest set of wheels on the floor at Tokyo Big Sight.
One of several vehicles that seemed to be pulled from a sci-fi film (more "Tron" than "Blade Runner"), the three-seater has a knife-like shape and doors that swing up like wings.
Its profile recalls the 300-horsepower racer Delta Wing, and the interior has an arcade game-style driver pod.

"The BladeGlider provides a glimpse into the potential of Nissan's electric vehicle program," Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told a press conference. "EVs have unique characteristics that open up entirely new design possibilities, possibilities that our industry has yet to fully explore and realize."
The BladeGlider, which has two in-wheel motors in the rear, is supposed to give the driver the sensation of "gliding" over the road due to his or her center position in front of the two back seats.
While Ghosn referred to it as a concept, Nissan calls the BladeGlider a "prototype of an upcoming production vehicle."
The automaker, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, also showed powerful cars in the GT-R series: a 2014 GT-R with 545 horsepower and the GT-R Nismo, which has 600 horsepower.
Toyota exhibited five world-premiere vehicles at the event, including the FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) Concept, FV2 (Fun Vehicle 2), and a next-generation taxi.

A3 e-tron heralds Audi's electric future

The A3 e-tron is Audi's first plug-in hybrid car, with a recharging port hidden behind the Audi logo.

LOS ANGELES -- At the 2013 Los Angeles auto show, I had the rare opportunity to drive a car that won't hit U.S. showrooms until 2015, the Audi A3 e-tron. There will be an A3 model here before that, but it will be a sedan and only comes with gasoline and diesel engines. Audi takes a different tack with the A3 e-tron, using its wagon body and fitting the model with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
In fact, the A3 e-tron will represent the first plug-in hybrid car from Audi.
Similar to the standard A3 model, the A3 e-tron will come packed with cabin tech options, including a built-in 4G/LTE data connection and Google Earth integrated into the navigation system. Audi enables quite a few connected car features into the cabin, including the ability to see which parking garages have empty spaces and hear Facebook or Twitter updates.

The A3 e-tron will be distinguished not only by its drivetrain, but different gauges and power flow displays in the cabin. As a plug-in hybrid, the A3 e-tron has about 31 miles of pure electric range, and an additional 550 miles from its gas engine.
Under the hood sits a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine using Audi's direct injection and turbocharging technologies to produce 150 horsepower. Audi integrates a 75 kilowatt electric motor between the engine and the car's dual clutch transmission. Total drive system output comes out to 204 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

Audi uses a small, 1.4-liter engine coupled to a 75 kilowatt electric motor to drive the A3 e-tron.

Audi packages an 8.8 kilowatt-hour battery pack under the rear seat, which takes about 2 hours to charge from a 240 volt source. Similar to the Nissan Leaf, the charging port is located dead center in front of the car, but in a nifty design cue, the Audi badge in front slides to the side, exposing the port.
When I hit the car's ignition button, it acted like a hybrid car, lighting up the dashboard but leaving the engine off. The instrument cluster had a speedometer and a power gauge, showing when the car was expending electricity and when it was recuperating energy from its regenerative braking system.
Pushing the shifter to drive, the engine stayed off but the car began to creep forward. The accelerator pedal gave it typical electric car thrust, steady and quiet, a linear boost from the front wheels. Power felt adequate and the battery pack didn't make the car feel particularly heavy.
At my first clear straight I floored it, causing the engine to kick in, adding its boost to the electric motor. Audi says the A3 e-tron can hit 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, a number I had no reason to doubt from my experience behind the wheel.
Notably, my burst of acceleration caused the car to go from its default electric-only mode into a hybrid mode. I could have also chosen the hybrid mode by hitting a button on the dashboard, but the car will intelligently try to figure out what the driver wants from accelerator input.
In this case, the car kept its engine on for a couple of minutes, then reverted to electric-only mode as I maintained more gentle pressure on the accelerator. Not that I had to baby it to stay in electric mode -- driving through downtown Los Angeles traffic I was able to keep up with traffic and avoid angry honking behind me when taking off from the stoplights. Giving the accelerator about a half push was enough to make a reasonably fast start and keep the car in electric mode.

Instead of a tachometer, the A3 e-tron has a power gauge, showing how much electricity it is using and when the engine is on.

Of course the A3 e-tron regenerated electricity when I braked, but just lifting off the accelerator put it into what the Germans call "sailing" mode. Here, the wheels decouple from the engine, allowing the car to coast as much as possible.
I also had the option to put it into an electricity saver mode, where it preserves battery pack energy in favor of using the engine. Using this mode, I could save electric-only range for particular situation, such as a zero-emission zone in a city.
Ultimately, the A3 e-tron proved easily drivable. If I had wanted, I could have pretty much ignored its plug-in hybrid nature, letting the drive system decide when it needed to use the electric motor or the engine. I am a fan of the five-door hatchback body style, as it offers more practical cargo area.
Because of its hybrid drivetrain, it didn't feel like a sport driver -- Audi will have the S3 model to satisfy drivers who want speed.
What isn't available at this time are the car's fuel economy numbers or the base price. Fuel economy for plug-in hybrids will always vary drastically depending on how often the battery gets charged, and how many pure electric miles it logs. The 31-mile range given by Audi comes from a European test cycle, so that number may change under EPA testing.
Audi is showing the A3 e-tron at the 2013 LA Auto Show, but it won't be available until early 2015

Mercedes-Benz's Tesla-powered van

Mercedes-Benz used one of its electric B-class research vehicles to give journalists a taste of the new car.

LOS ANGELES--In a launch as quiet as the electric motor that power its wheels, Mercedes-Benz has been readying its B-class Electric Drive for sales in the summer of 2014. During the 2013 Los Angeles auto show, I joined a small group of journalists given the chance to ride along in one.
Instead of a fleet of slick vehicles prepped for the press, Mercedes-Benz only brought two examples of the B-class Electric Drive to the show. These were research vehicles that Mercedes-Benz engineers had driven for thousands of miles on public roads to collect performance data.
The B-class is one of Mercedes-Benz' European models, sort of like a compact minivan with room for five passengers and luggage. The design is practical, if a bit frumpy. It also makes a very interesting choice as Mercedes-Benz' first modern electric car.

The only other current electric car that compares to the B-class in size and utility is the Toyota RAV4 EV. Interestingly, both manufacturers leveraged partnerships with Tesla Motors to develop the electric drivetrains for the cars.
That's right, the B-class Electric Drive relies on a technology from Tesla, which should be considered a point in its favor given the success of the Model S.
However, the B-class Electric Drive, like the RAV4 EV, is a converted gasoline model. That means manufacturing advantages for Mercedes-Benz but could mean compromises in the car. With the 28 kilowatt-hour battery pack encased under the floor in the middle of the car, the rear cabin floor is just a little higher than the front, resulting in what's called 'stadium seating' for the rear seat passengers. I found no issues with headroom in back.
The other compromise is that the charging port, using the J1772 standard, is at the left rear of the car, where the fuel filler is in the gasoline version. With electric cars, a front-mounted plug is more convenient, as most people are going to park head-first, and most charging stations are positioned at the front of parking spaces.

A power gauge to the left of the instrument cluster shows energy usage, and a graphic on the center display shows battery level.

As for the most important number with electric cars, the lithium-ion battery pack gives the B-class Electric Drive a range, estimated by Mercedes-Benz, of 115 miles. The car has not yet been rated on a U.S. test cycle, but a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said the company felt a range of over 100 miles was important for buyers.
Using the J1772 charging port and a 240 volt source, the car recharges in about 3.5 hours, much quicker than the Toyota RAV4 EV. Mercedes-Benz has not included any DC fast charging capability, so there will be no option for a quick, 30 minute charge-up. Similar to the Tesla Model S, a button on the dash lets the owner enable a maximum charge, which loads the battery up with an extra 15 percent, or about 18 miles. That capability is not enabled all the time as repeated use lowers the life expectancy of the battery pack.
The drive motor and power control electronics all sit under the hood, using the B-class' front-wheel-drive architecture. The 75 kilowatt motor generates 174 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz estimates it will get the B-class Electric Drive to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.
The cabin of the car I got into was nice, with typical Mercedes-Benz styling and appointments. The leather seats were comfortable, although not power adjustable, and the circular vents showed Mercedes-Benz' most recent design cue. Sticking up in the center of the dash was an LCD. As typical in Mercedes-Benz models, the drive selector was a stalk on the steering wheel.
More intriguing were the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Thee only thing in the car resembling a transmission would be a single reduction gear between wheels and motor. The paddles were there to engage three different braking regeneration modes, from heavy to none.
A Mercedes-Benz driver got behind the wheel and started the car with the push of a button. The dashboard and screen lit up, but there was no sound other than his explanation of the controls. With a push of the accelerator pedal we were negotiating downtown Los Angeles traffic.
My driver demonstrated repeatedly the car's full acceleration, flooring it so that the needle on the power gauge showed 100 percent power usage. While that took a toll on the battery level display graphic, it resulted in a strong, linear boost for the car. He used that acceleration to pass cars and merge onto the freeway. On a few of these full throttle starts, the motor's instant torque made the front wheels chirp.

The B-class Electric Drive proved just as capable on the freeway as it did on city streets.

Demonstrating the different regeneration modes, he tapped the paddle to engage full coasting, where lifting off the accelerator let the car glide, slowed only by wind resistance and friction at the wheels. At full regen, the car slowed as the drive motor reversed itself and converted our kinetic energy into electricity. But our speed didn't drop as quickly as with the Tesla Model S or BMW i3. It did not seem like one-pedal driving would work with the B-class Electric Drive.
On full regeneration, the car would not come to a complete stop, but drop down to a 4 mph creep.
I could feel little difference in the ride quality on surface streets or the freeway. The motor was, of course, quiet, but more importantly the cabin was well-insulated from noise and the suspension handled the road surfaces well. We were on a set route, though, which might have been planned to avoid any rough pavement.
The B-class Electric Drive weighs about 550 pounds more than its gasoline engine counterpart, so the suspension had to be retuned for ride and handling quality.
Although Mercedes-Benz has not detailed trim levels yet, a spokesperson at the Los Angeles auto show said it would have all the options as the standard B-class. That includes features such as navigation and a radar-based forward collision warning system. Mercedes-Benz does not have a price determined for the B-class Electric Drive yet, but a spokesperson said it would likely be in the low 40s. After government incentives, that would put the price in the low to mid-30s, not bad for any Mercedes-Benz model.
The utility of the large cabin should be attractive to American buyers, and the driving experience is certainly good for suburban transport. As with most electric cars these days, the range could still make this one impractical for many buyers. A spokesperson said the company felt over 100 miles was necessary to put range anxiety at ease, but that still might not suffice for an average round trip.
Mercedes-Benz intends to have the cars available next summer, although initial marketing will only be in select markets such as California and the Northeast.

Get discounts on magazines with the Play Newsstand sale

Now's the time to check out digital magazines available on the Google Play Store. With a sale to celebrate the launch of a new app, it's hard to beat these prices.

 

Not sure if reading a magazine on your phone or tablet works for you? Well, in honor of Google's Play Newsstand launch on Android, the search giant is offering more than 60 free or discounted magazines for you to try out.
Play Newsstand is actually a combination of Google Currents and Play Magazines. Having two separate app identities didn't make much sense, so it's nice to see Google wrap them together so quickly in comparison to its other services. That's right, I'm looking at you, Google Voice and Google Talk/Messenger/Hangouts.
Ready to check out the selection? The quickest way to scope out your choices is to visit this link.
However, if you forget to bookmark the link or want to look on your device later, you can access the sale one of two ways:

Via Play Newsstand

 

 

Open the Newsstand app and then go to My Magazines. You should see a shop button -- tap it. Once the Play Store loads, just look for the title "Free & Discounted Issues."

Via Google Play Store

 

 

Open Google Play on your Android device, then tap on Newsstand. Scroll down to find "Free & Discounted Issues" to browse the sale.
Do you frequently read magazines on your Android device? If yes, share something you think should be improved upon for digital versions of publications. If no, tell us why not in the comments below.

Twitter upping security to thwart government hacking

The micro blogging site adds a new security measure designed to make it harder for organizations like the National Security Agency to uncover its data.

 

 

 

Following in the footsteps of other tech companies, Twitter is beefing up its security to make it harder for outsiders -- including the government -- to uncover data, the company announced Friday.
Twitter has added forward secrecy, a security measure that uses temporary, individual keys to encrypt each Web session, instead of relying on a single master key.
Championed by Google, forward secrecy means an outside organization can't use the same key to decrypt previous messages.

The additional security will add some lag time when connecting to Twitter -- about 150 milliseconds in the US and up to a second in countries that are farther away from Twitter's servers, two Twitter engineers told The New York Times. But the company thinks the delay is worth it.
Earlier this year, Edward Snowden leaked information that the National Security Agency was spying on tech companies. Spurred by the leaks, several technology firms, including Google and Facebook, said they were adopting extra security measures to protect user data.