Google pays Russian hacker $60k for bypassing Chrome’s sandbox

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Google, Internet, Mods / Hacks,

It wasn’t too long ago I was in the Eastern Block of Europe. As you would expect, I had my run in with hackers, excessive vodka drinking, and the mob. But nothing quite says "Russia," like hackers. You want free software? They got it. So it comes to us to no surprise that a Russian university student hacked Google Chrome with bypassing the sandbox.

Now before you get alarmed and up your antivirus and firewalls, Google okayed this hack; more so, it was a competition put on by Google. The hack was the handy work of Sergey Glazunov, who is a regular contributor to Google’s security research department. Glazunov scored a payoff of $60,000 in Google’s new Pwnium hacker contest which began to run this year as an alternative to Pwn2Own.

According to Justin Schuh, a member of the Chrome security team, Glazunov’s by-pass was Chrome specific, which allowed him to bypass the sandbox entirely. Furthermore he added that Glazunov’s work was “very impressive” and would allow the hacker to do anything on the machine. However, bypassing the sandbox is not a trivial matter; that is why Google paid out $60,000 for the hack. A fix has already been released.

Read More | ZDNet

Bleeding Edge TV 443: Third Rail Smart Case for iPhone 4S

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, CES, CES 2012, Features, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,

We show you the awesome Third Rail Slim Case and Smart Battery for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S in this episode. The design of the Third Rail system is brilliant. The case itself protects the iPhone, but is super slim because of the fact that the battery is removable. When you need power, you just slide a Smart Battery into place, and your phone is charging. Even cooler, the Smart Battery can charge other USB devices on its own, not just iPhones. During SXSW last week, I found out just how awesome the concept behind the Third Rail Smart Case was. I had three Smart Batteries with me, which was way less bulky (and way less expensive!) then carrying three separate case chargers, like the Mophie Juice Pack Air or something similar, and the fact that I could use the Smart Batteries to charge my other USB devices was a fantastic bonus. You can find the Third Rail Smart Case on Amazon.

Big thank you to GoToMeeting for sponsoring Bleeding Edge TV. GoToMeeting provides rich, super-simple collaborative virtual meetings - be sure to check them out!

New iPad gets 10 degrees warmer than iPad 2, Apple says that’s expected

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Handhelds,

Some buyers of the new iPad have been reporting that it gets considerably warmer than the previous iPad 2 model. Jim Dalrymple from over at Loop Insight was able to get a statement from Apple regarding the increase in temperature:

"The new iPad delivers a stunning Retina display, A5X chip, support for 4G LTE plus 10 hours of battery life, all while operating well within our thermal specifications,” Apple representative Trudy Muller, told The Loop. “If customers have any concerns they should contact AppleCare."

In other words, Apple is well aware that the new iPad can get a bit warmer, but that is because of all the new technology that it's packing. Tests have shown that the new iPad gets about 10 degrees warmer than previous models under heavy usage.

Fiat hopes Charlie Sheen will help boost sales

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation, Videos,

Fait is taking a chance on Charlie Sheen in hopes of generating sales. The company is betting that the edgey appeal of Sheen will generate more hype for the vehicle, which has been suffering in sales.

The use of Charlie Sheen as a spokesman has generated questionable publicity, Chrysler’s chief marketing officer, Olivier Francois, stands behind his pick, stating, “He [Sheen] definitely has a bit of the scorpion in him.” Francois was the mastermind behind the “Imported from Detroit” ads which starred Eminem, and this years “Halftime” ad using Clint Eastwood. Advertising Age went on the record stating, “From drug use to allegations of domestic abuse, Charlie Sheen is a portrait of bad behavior.”

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Read More | Sun Times

Volkswagen XL1 super hybrid set to go into limited production

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Transportation,

Rumors have been floating around for a year or so that Volkswagen might be putting its Formula XL1 into production. Now if you haven’t heard of the Volkswagen XL1, it’s VW's take on compact hybrids. Yes, we know that name is begs to differ with its size, but XL doesn’t even begin to describe the MPG’s aimed to achieve.

The Volkswagen XL1 is said to achieve 235 miles per gallon. To put that in perspective, you'd be able to get from Seattle to Portland using less than one gallon of gas, which currently costs about $4. The car is powered by a 1-liter motor aided with what we’re assuming will be some sort of electrical motor.

The car may look fast and large in the image, but it’s actually neither. The XL1 weighs in at 1,753 pounds and is the size of Volkswagen Golf. It's also said to top out at a break-neck speed of 75 MPH, however reaching this speed will take some time. Volkswagen reports that the car will take 32 seconds to hit even 50 MPH from a standstill. Given these stats, we’re not so sure we’re all too thrilled with it, but for the MPGs, we can look past this issue.

The Volkswagen XL1 is said to go into production with limited sales. We’re hoping that a few of those sales happen here in the US.

Napster founders Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning talk digital music at SXSW

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, Music, Software,

The revolutionary promise of digital music became reality with the rise of Napster. The file sharing network pioneered a functional and comprehensive catalog of music with its enthusiastic users. Developed by then-teenaged Shawn Fanning in 1998, Napster became a worldwide phenomenon in less than a year. Co-founder Sean Parker helped develop Napster into a company. Mass acceptance came quickly, but legal challenges ultimately doomed the original service. Despite the controversy and lawsuits, Napster changed the music business and paved the way for iTunes, Rhapsody, Spotify, and other music services. The divide between the cultural establishment and technology innovators was defined by the disputes raised by Napster. After more than a decade of declining sales of recorded music and imperfect attempts to present a licensed alternative, the influence of Napster continues to be felt.

At SXSW, I listened in on a discussion with Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning where they discussed these issues in an effort to promote their film Downloaded. The panel opened with a montage of clips from the VH1 rockDocs Downloaded film. The trailer touched on the start of Napster, the revelation of how easy it was to get music based on a search term, how quick the results were in the age of dial-up, and the growth of Napster as a company. There are a couple of gems there as well, such as when Fanning said back in 1999 that he believed the future was instant music access from multiple devices, including stereos and smartphones (well, he said "cell phones," but still.) this is a movie about kids revolutionizing an industry they knew nothing about.

Click to continue reading Napster founders Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning talk digital music at SXSW

Gear of War 3 Title Update 4 details

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Action, Downloadable Content, Third Person Shooters, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

Gears of War 3 Title Update 4 drops tomorrow morning at 2:00am PDT, and brings with it a bunch of improvements and bug fixes. To get it, just load up the game and you'll be automatically prompted to download it if you're connected to Xbox LIVE. We've got the full list of changes for you after the jump.

Click to continue reading Gear of War 3 Title Update 4 details

General Motors officially opposes Washington State Electric Vehicle Tax

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,

GM went on the record opposing Governor Christine Gregoire on Senate Bill 5251. For those of you not familiar with the bill, it would impose a $100 annual tax on electric vehicle owners to make up for lost revenue not paid in gas taxes.

GM’s Regional Director Howard Lenox, Jr. wrote "A fee which singles out electric vehicles will be a disincentive to the growth of the electric vehicle market in Washington State. As a practical matter, there are so few vehicles on Washington's roads today that their impact in replacing fuel tax revenues will, for now, be negligible."

Now, we understand where the Lenox is coming from, but has he sat through 405 traffic in the morning? Seattle area traffic is some of the worst in the nation. The bill is supposed to generate $1.9 million dollars in lost revenue by 2017. However,  it's still subject to approval by Washington state voters. It’s reported that Arizona, Oregon, and Kansas are among other states to pass similar bills.

How about you? Would you oppose or support Senate Bill 5251? Leave your answers in the comments letting us know!

Nintendo 3DS sees massive first year sales

Posted by John Ball Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS,

The Nintendo 3DS sales information is in, and the numbers are astounding.  4.5 million units have been sold in the United States over the past 12 months, and the console was Nintendo’s best-selling in Japan in its first year. It's is also the best-selling Nintendo console in the U.S. as well, after initially being seen as a flop, resulting in a massive price cut soon after it launched. The price drop certainly worked, as the 3DS has even outsold the incredibly popular Nintendo DS, which in its first year sold "just" 2.3 million units. Have you picked up a Nintendo 3DS yet? Hit us in the comments with your thoughts.

Happy 60th Birthday, Corvette!

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation, Videos,

So what's there to do when one turn 60? Well, if you're Chevy, make produce one more model before your next anticipated seventh-generation Corvette and series of YouTube videos to match. Check this one out as the 60th Anniversary Corvette 427 Convertible blows out some candles. Let's hope one of those wishes was for a better interior!