Hasta La Gadget!

One of the new features that Apple built into iOS 11 is native QR code scanning in the default camera app. This allows users to fire up the camera app and scan a QR code instead of relying on third-party apps, but it appears that there might be a security flaw within the iOS camera QR reader.

In a report from Infosec (via 9to5Mac), it seems that due to the flaw in the feature, hackers can fool the QR code reader where it prompts users to open a website but instead redirects users to a different website instead. This can be particularly dangerous especially when it comes to banking where you might enter your credentials into the fake website, thus exposing your login details to the hacker who might be able to use it to steal your information or money.

Infosec also claims to have reported this flaw to Apple way back in December of last year, but to date Apple has yet to fix the bug which is why they’re publicly publishing the details now. We’re not sure why Apple has taken so long to close this vulnerability, but hopefully now that the information is public, Apple will finally act on it.

In the meantime we guess the only thing iOS users can do is avoid scanning QR codes that they’re unfamiliar with for now to try and avoid getting phished.

iOS Camera QR Code Reader Vulnerability Discovered , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

The idea of electric cars is that they’re meant to help reduce our carbon footprint in the world. However there are some questions, such as what do companies do with the used batteries after they’ve done? Do they simply throw them away? While different companies probably have different approaches, Nissan has an idea: use them to power street lights.

In a program dubbed “The Reborn Light”, this sees Nissan take recycled Nissan Leaf batteries and use them to power street lights. This will involve the use of a solar panel that will be used to charge the batteries so that at night, the batteries can then be used to provide lights on the street for both pedestrians and traffic.

This isn’t the first time that Nissan has explored the idea of recycling its batteries. Previously the company experimented with something similar to Tesla’s Powerwall storage dubbed “xStorage”, and “The Reborn Light” is another program that the company is exploring. At the moment the program is being tested at Namie, Japan, a city that has since been abandoned following the Fukushima nuclear disaster. They also have plans to do a full-scale expansion in the town later this year.

In a way it’s actually kind of contrasting, where Nissan’s green/solar efforts could be seen as an alternative to using nuclear energy. Exactly whether or not Nissan plans on taking this project further beyond testing is unclear, but it is an interesting concept nonetheless.

Nissan To Use Recycled Leaf Batteries To Power Street Lights , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

When it comes to choosing a music streaming platform, how do you make your decision? Admittedly it’s a bit hard because for the most part, music streaming services are almost identical in their offerings since they have signed licensing deals with the major labels and they are usually offered at the same price.

Apparently this is a problem, according to Apple Music exec Jimmy Iovine who told the BBC that eventually “something’s going to give”. According to Iovine, “The streaming services are all charging $9.99 and everyone has the same music, and it’s really nice. You get whatever song you want, you get your playlists – but there’s got to be more interaction between the artist and the audience. Sooner or later, something’s got to give.”

Iovine also points at streaming platforms like Netflix who is heavily-invested in original content. “Netflix [is] spending $6bn (£4.2bn) a year on original content. They have a unique catalogue and they charge you $10.99.” It is unclear as to how streaming services can set themselves apart, although we’ve seen some such as Tidal differentiate itself by offering higher quality music streaming, although that seems to be catered more towards a niche audience.

Another way we’ve seen companies try to set themselves apart is through exclusives, where artists might choose to launch on a particular platform first (or only), but what do you guys think? What else can companies do (besides compete on price) to get users to sign up?

Jimmy Iovine Thinks Music Streaming Services Are Too Similar , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

The “Star Wars” fan got good news from a very special Wookie.

“Call Me By Your Name” had appeared on the screening list for the April fest.