Review: Software For Recording Now, Playing Later

SAN FRANCISCO - If the idea of ​​being stuck on a plane for hours without access to movies in your Netflix queue fills you with fear, software that lets you record streaming videos on the web and watch them later on your laptop can be an attractive solution.

That's the idea behind the play distillates, which describes itself as "DVR for online video." It can record content from a variety of online sources - including Hulu, YouTube and Netflix - and save it to your computer. It costs $ 5 per month or $ 50 per year. New users can try it free for two weeks before you pay.

If you buy or rent more than a couple of Digital Video, Amazon.com, Inc. or Apple Inc. 's iTunes Music Store every month, sounds like a game then to save money. And even if it is a potentially useful product, must be improved long before I would be willing to pay for it.

Included is also possible that sites like Netflix to find a way to prevent a game later. They probably will not, because they do not jibe with the way they do business. In general, streaming movies are sold with the download, so both sites, and the studios risk losing the game later. Web sites do not want you to jump on the ads, either.

It is unlikely that the Web sites and film companies have legal recourse against the parent and its distillates play MediaMall Technologies Inc., as it was determined that digital video recorders (like TiVo) are legal, but you never know. A spokeswoman said Senar MediaMall are associated with certain companies whose content it streams.

In principle, the software works this way: When you click on the video to play within the application and save it on your computer, there will be a video hidden in the Internet browser and copy it from there.

This means that copies of the real-time video streaming, so you have to allow about 93 minutes to save the pilot of David Lynch in the TV movie 90's "Twin Peaks". If you save a video that includes advertising, will be there, too, but you will be able to jump ahead of them when seen.

The software, which currently works only on computers running Microsoft Windows, is easy to download and install PlayLater.tv site. It operates in 30 sites, or "channels", which vary Netflix, YouTube and Hulu is the Cartoon Network, ESPN, Comedy Central, and Internet radio service Pandora. For password protected sites, like Netflix, you must enter your login information.

The software is easy to navigate, but it is ugly and difficult with lots of text and pictures. In general, you have to click through multiple levels of tabs to find the video clip, movie or TV show you want. Fortunately, some of the channels have a search bar, and if there is one I found was, it is generally easier to use it to find what I wanted.

The resulting video, which played in Windows Media Player, were somewhat blurred and the colors fade significantly - probably the result of copying software and the transmission of compressed video and then compressed again. The logs look good when viewed in a smaller window, but have not been strong in the full screen mode. The recording technology is only slightly better than aim a video camera to a television screen, and it shows.

And I can not wait to watch these videos on the tablet PC or Smartphone just yet, they are stored in file format, which can only repeat what the computer software. This is intentional - the company does not want to spread all over the recorded video. But by the end of the year, the company hopes to repeat the iPad.

And while MediaMall also offers a software called Playon, which can be used to view recordings in other places, such as an intelligent computer or tablet, it requires an Internet connection and costs several dollars more per month ($ MediaMall offers two 8 per month or $ 70 per year).

Watch videos PlayLater my PC, I had a series of questions, perhaps indicating my laptop is also taxed to handle playback, record and other programs at the same time. Many times I tried to watch a video while recording another, I could hear the sound, but only saw a bright pink screen. And my computer crashed three times when using the program and the other at the same time. Error in installing Windows 7, and another, not saving Netflix.

There were problems with the registration, too. Senar play several times that he recorded an entire TV show, when in fact he did not. In cases recorded only part of an episode of teen drama "clumsy". MTV. Another time, the software works as if it had recorded a whole episode of "Glee" to Hulu, but could not because the show was only available to paying subscribers to the premium Hulu Hulu Plus service.

As much as I love to watch movies online and fast forward through commercials, PlayLater is not the right tool in its current state. Of things I can not see now, I'll pay for play downloads later.

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Facebook Under Pressure On Privacy: Source

LONDON (Reuters) - Facebook faces monitoring in Ireland, the site of its European headquarters, the processing of personal data, the Financial Times on Friday.

The newspaper said the Data Protection Commissioner of Ireland to carry out an audit of the privacy of Facebook outside the United States and Canada, after complaints by European and American campaign group Irish and Privacy Commissioner U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Facebook groups as problematic, "the even distribution of" reading, listening and viewing activities, and the use of cookies on users 'surfing'.

The Financial Times reported that Gary Davis, vice-curator Irish data protection, said his office to conduct a detailed audit of the group's activities outside the United States and Canada next month.

"This audit will examine the matter, but that is also more comprehensive and will try to explore Facebook in general compliance with data protection laws of Ireland."

The European headquarters is in Dublin Facebook, which makes their operations outside the United States and Canada, subject to Irish law and European data protection.

Facebook was not immediately available for comment.

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Idaho Lab Has Analyzed Stuxnet Computer Virus

Idaho Falls, Idaho (Reuters) - Behind the doors of a nondescript red brick and gray building at the Idaho National Laboratory is the laboratory of malware, where the government cybersecurity experts analyzed Stuxnet computer virus.

Malware targets industrial control systems widely used built by the German company Siemens. Internet experts said it was driven primarily by Iran's nuclear program and sophistication indicated the involvement of a nation-state, perhaps the United States or Israel.

Stuxnet virus was "a significant turning point in the network world, says Marty Edwards, the Department of Homeland Security official in charge of the computer program, in collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory, which makes nuclear research.

The U.S. government fears that the attacks could devastate the industrial base, and cost millions of dollars. Idaho lab programs are aimed at protecting infrastructure industrial chemical plants, food processing, utilities, water and transport.

"It 's probably the most important security issue facing us today," said Greg Schaffer, a senior official of the DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate. "This is a problem that continues to grow."

In the first round of the EDS corporate media Idaho Falls, installation, Thursday and Friday, visiting the laboratory malware journalists and saw demonstrations of how the cyber intrusion can attack the computer networks of industries.

The building that houses the laboratory of malware is also behind the trucks to carry equipment that companies send the analysis of vulnerability information.

Analyzing Stuxnet

The malware is a quiet laboratory with a large conference table in dark Homeland Security analysts Idaho National Laboratory look at the computer screen large study of lines of code in the malware to try to determine how to fight it.

"This is the position of the location we did the analysis Stuxnet the virus when it first came out," said Edwards.

"The virus was brought here and run on a computer installation content control against the current system so that we can study these effects to deliver mitigation measures for the general public," he said.

Edwards would have revealed details of the analysis, because it was sensitive information, but said the findings released by industries that have a "need to know to protect yourself."

"But in general, we found that Stuxnet a sophisticated virus that has been looking for a very specific operating system," he said. "And this system engineered evil intentions."

The laboratory carries out his analysis of malicious code as a "sandbox", an isolated environment is not connected to an external computer to prevent infection.

"You do not want something, do not parse the rest, to crawl out of the U.S. Department of Energy or the Department of Safety Systems," said Edwards.

The United States vulnerable to attack Stuxnet style?

"All the industrial control systems that implement some kind of sensitivity to attacks as Stuxnet. But thanks to the efforts that have been associated with the industry, I can say that there are great strides in protecting systems," said Edwards.

White and a glass cube-shaped building shows signs along the steps, he said, "this area is not approved for classified discussions" rather than mobile phones allowed.

It was the site of the watch and warning center classified, where cyber-threat data collected and shared. It is completely optional for private companies to share data is often protected by the government when they suspect a cyber attack.

EDS has received 81 applications from private companies to evaluate the safety control system this year, against 57 last year.

Look in the middle of the staff to sit on the computer screen and watching large screens in the head to identify cases that may be cyber-threat to the industry.

"Often in the early stages, we do not know what the event is," said Schaffer. For example, they discussed the recent failure of San Diego removed the power of electricity to millions of people but then determined he was not a cyber-attack.

"We are aware of anything that will negatively impact the ability of our Internet ecosystem," said Schaffer.

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Intel Says: "Goodbye Meego, Hello Tizen"

Some days, it seems that mobile platforms are dropping like flies, but it will grow like mushrooms. On Wednesday, Intel announced it was dropping Meego mobile operating system that was launched last year, Nokia, and at the same time, will develop the Linux open-source mobile platform called Tizen.

Intel will work with the Linux Foundation, LiMo Foundation in the creation and launch of Tizen, with the first version of the OS in the first quarter of next year and Tizen based devices in the middle of 2012. Tizen will be built on technologies based on Web standards. MeeGo was an attempt by Intel and Nokia to merge their two previous Linux-based platforms, Intel's Moblin and Maemo, Nokia.

"Why not just MeeGo evolve?"

The official blog MeeGo, asked Intel Open Source Technology Center Director Imad Sousou rhetoric a central question: "Why not just develop MeeGo?" The answer, he says, is that "the future belongs HTML5 based applications in Apart from a relatively small percentage of applications ", and Intel believes that its investments should go in this direction.

But, he added, "going from HTML5 is not just slapping Runtime Web is there for Linux, at least one goal is mobile, such as MeeGo."

Sousou said, stressing the HTML5 API refers to the need to develop the technology and market segment, which is a new platform could easily provide.

Tizen reside inside the Linux Foundation is governed by a technical steering group, will develop an open and supportive tablets, laptops, telephones, televisions and intelligent integrated information and entertainment.

On the new site Tizen.org said a speech of welcome Tizen API capabilities across different platforms, including messaging, multimedia, camera, media and social networking, and there will be a development kit to create native code. It is not yet clear whether Tizen will use some of the developments already made MeeGo.

Nokia Smartphone Meego

Nokia announced Tuesday its first smartphone MeeGo, the N9, which could well be his last. Intel abandons MeeGo addition, Nokia is committed to exceeding its line of smartphones with Microsoft Windows 7, new phone platform for which a feature-rich update was available Tuesday Mango.

Intel long-term commitment Meegan was difficult, especially following the Nokia-Microsoft alliance. Last month, for example, Intel and Google have announced they will work together to optimize the new generations of open source Google Android platform low-power Atom chip maker.

Intel is particularly interested in placing a chip 32 nanometer Medfield for mobile devices, as well as future 22-nanometer processors. The dominant processor for smart phones and tablets are those based on designs from ARM Holdings in the UK. ARM chips used in smart phones from Apple, Samsung, HTC, Research In Motion, and tablets.

At this time last month, Intel said it was still committed to MeeGo, but he was interested in placing more for embedded applications.

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Linux-based Mobile Operating System May Complain Tizen Overseas

The project Tizen unveiled Wednesday to develop a new open source mobile platform based on Linux could gain ground with the wireless carriers abroad, who are afraid of becoming dependent on platforms related to U.S. companies.

The project implemented by Tizen new Intel, Linux Foundation, LiMo Foundation is to provide a viable alternative to Apple's mobile platform Android and IOS Google, which dominates the smart phone and tablet in global markets.

Wireless carriers in Europe and Asia have said privately they believe it is unhealthy for them to rely almost exclusively on two mobile platforms - or even three, including updates for Microsoft Windows for new phones , said IDC Research Manager, Francisco Jeronimo. This provides an opportunity for growth potential Tizen abroad ", because otherwise the United States govern the whole phone industry," he said.

"With Android, Windows Phone iOS and even become the largest of the platforms, European operators will be totally dependent on U.S. companies," said Jerome in an email on Thursday. "That's what they fear."

According to Jeronimo, which is Android device manufacturers wary of a rising wave of patent infringement lawsuits against the Android. And they are also wary of Google long-term intentions regarding its purchase of the Motorola Mobility earlier this year.

"The acquisition of Motorola's recently Google has changed the game [for] alienating most of the major players in the Android," Jeronimo said. "The phone manufacturers do not see Google's partner is no longer alone, but [also] as a competitor."

Long-term strategy

At first glance, Microsoft's new Windows is Phone 7.5, also known as mango, seems to provide handset vendors and wireless carriers with an alternative to the IOS and Android. "But it is not enough to compete with Android and Google, as it is still a closed platform," said Jeronimo.

The first version of the SDK Tizen and is expected to achieve the developers of the first quarter of 2012, which would allow the first device may enter the market as soon as next year in the medium term. However, it is too early to know if the new open-source platform to be widely adopted by consumers.

"Tizen is considered a long-term strategy," said Jerome. "Whether or not it will succeed - that's another story."

Among other things, Tizen promoters need to build "an interesting experience you that attracts consumers to buy phones Tizen instead of the popular iPhone and Android devices," said Jeronimo. Extensive support of industry will be asked to Tizen to grab market share at the expense of the current leaders of the mobile operating system.

Need a robust ecosystem

Jeronimo Tizen believes that foreign carriers should be taken as Telefonica, Orange and Vodafone in Europe, SK Telecom, South Korea and NTT DoCoMo in Japan. In addition, other industry players like Samsung, Huawei, NEC, and access are likely to follow, he said.

Even then, however, would Tizen need to start "a large number of units of different prices subsidized by the operators so that consumers are attracted by better value for money compared to other phones," said Jeronimo.

In addition, Tizen long-term viability will depend on the extent to which the open-source Linux Foundation attracts the support of a community of developers around the world. In the absence of a robust ecosystem, where a lot of applications and services, believes Jeronimo Tizen can not hope to compete with Apple iTunes App Store, Android Market, or even a Windows Mobile Marketplace.

"For any other operating system to be successful, needs a strong community to continually develop new applications," Jeronimo said. "But it will only be sent if you are big enough to attract them."

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Samsung Will Pay Microsoft Royalties Over The Android

Samsung is beginning to pay Microsoft royalties for every sale of smartphones, and tablet PCs that are running Google's Android platform rival.

Microsoft has long accused Android for violating its patents.

Google said that the competitor of Microsoft in the United States had "recourse to legal measures to tighten the profit of the successes of others and makes the pace of innovation."

Meanwhile, Samsung has received support from T-Mobile in their ongoing legal battle with Apple.

IP Wars

Google says Microsoft is using "the same tactics we've seen time and again."

He added: "We remain focused on building new technologies and support for the Android partners."

Fri Roman technology investment bank GP Bullhound said it did not surprise announcement by Samsung of Microsoft.

"Many people have long said that Android contains some Microsoft technologies," he said.

"Ultimately, we are in the field of IP [intellectual property] wars. There is now an intense battle between the technology giants of their intellectual property portfolio. "

In the lateral

Samsung has also received assistance from T-Mobile in its ongoing legal battle with Apple.

Samsung and Apple face off in courts around the world, as used in patent dispute smartphones and tablets.

Apple has applied for an injunction that would prevent Samsung sells several of its products in the United States. A hearing on the injunction is scheduled for October 13.

Now T-Mobile has filed documents with the court, saying any ban would bring "unnecessary damage" to itself and its customers because it would not be able to find alternative products before the Christmas season.

T-Mobile Support for Samsung follows the support of Verizon, who said earlier this week the line corporation that owns more of the patent should not hinder the flow of future devices.

"The dramatic growth"

Microsoft and Samsung is also said to cross-license their patent portfolios.

Samsung in South Korea has also agreed to cooperate in developing and marketing Windows Phone, Microsoft's own operating system smart phone.

Andy Lees, president of Microsoft Windows Mobile, said: "Microsoft and Samsung the opportunity to see the strong growth of Windows Mobile, and we are investing to make it a reality."

The chairman of the president of Samsung executive vice president of global product strategy, Won-Pyo Hong, said the two companies "continue to provide the latest innovations for the mobile industry."

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China Launches Space Station Module

 

Xinhua, Wang Jianmin - In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, a Long March-2FT1 carrier rocket loaded with Tiangong-1 unmanned space lab module blasts off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. China launched the experimental module to lay the groundwork for a future space station on Thursday, underscoring its ambitions to become a major space power. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Wang Jianmin) NO SALES

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BEIJING - China launched an experimental module to lay the groundwork for a future space station on Thursday, underlining his ambition to become a major space power during the next decade.

The size of the box car Falun Tian module was shot into space from Jiuquan Launch Center on the edge of the Gobi Desert on a rocket Long March 2FT1.

It moves in an orbit 217 miles (350 km) above the ground, and to investigate the Chinese farmland by using special cameras, with essays by crystal growth in weightlessness.

China plans to launch an unmanned drone satellites Shenzhou 8 after practicing docking maneuvers remotely controlled with the module, possibly in the coming weeks. Two missions, at least one of them inhabited, are running with it next year for more practice with the astronauts stay a month.

Form 8.5 tonnes, whose name translates as "The Heavenly Palace 1" is to stay afloat for two years, after which the other two experimental modules have been launched in more testing before the unit was real launched in three parts between 2020 and 2022.

"This is an important test. We have never done that before," Jinrong Lu, chief engineer of the launch center, was quoted by official news agency Xinhua.

Space Station, which has not yet officially named, is the most ambitious space project in China, seeking to land on the moon, astronauts could.

Technically, Tiangong-1 launch sites in China, the United States was in 1960 during the Gemini program. Even if you are planning to launch a less comprehensive than the United States, China, the program also proceeds in the United States made every start, it binds, said Joan Johnson-Freese, an expert on how the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island.

"China has the advantage of more than 40 years later, not having to start at the bottom of the learning curve in its manned spaceflight program," said Johnson-Freese.

China's authoritarian, centralized political system also offers the advantage of the freedom of political wrangling over the financing and clearly long-term goals of the program in Soviet-style five-year plans.

China launched its first manned flight in 2003, with Russia and the United States the only country to launch humans into orbit, and to produce enormous amounts of national pride in the communist government.

However, normal, and the secret space program is closely linked to arms that was blocked by co-operation with the space programs of other nations' - such as the International Space Station.

In about 60 tons when completed, will be Chinese station considerably smaller than the ISS from 16 countries, which should continue to operate until 2028.

China has repeatedly asked to join the ISS, but was rejected largely on the objections of the United States, encouraging them to adopt a go-it-yourself approach.

Although the program went off without a problem as was the launch of a module of Falun Tian delayed by a year for technical reasons, and then again after a long Long March 2C rocket in March 2F resembles failed to reach orbit in August. The episode with the rocket have been examined, and problems are ironed out.

Although experts do not see any specific military action in China Space Station, space for other military programs, including the destruction of the dead Chinese satellite rocket in 2007, have caused alarm abroad.

"This is a country made its own, saying," Well, we can do what you have done for our country, apart from cooperation, the Chinese conditions, "said Charles Vick, an expert on the Chinese space program Globalsecurity.org, that tracks military and security news.

There are many challenges ahead of us, also try to dock at a distance - American astronauts aboard the treated room from their spaceship. Long March 5 rocket, which is ready to launch 20-tonne space station modules for real also remains untested.

Yet Beijing is expected to continue despite the difficulties, as it continues to lead the international prestige, credibility, domestic, technological and economic benefits, said Johnson-Freese and Vick.

"Basically, they will get what they want, no matter how long or what it takes for the authoritarian state to perform the tasks assigned," said Vick.

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