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Adobe has rolled out some security updates that patch holes found in Adobe Acrobat, Flash, and Reader that cause computer crashes. It doesn’t detail anything specific about the security issues that were addressed, nor what the patches fix precisely. Still, the updates went out today, so you can update your applications to fix any issues you might be experiencing.

The majority of its emphasis seems to be on Flash, which it highly recommends users update. The security updates were released for the following versions of Flash Player: 11.5.502.135 and earlier (Windows), 11.5.502.136 and earlier (Mac), and 11.2.202.258 (Linux). Likewise, updates were rolled out for the Android Flash Player for Android 4.x, 3.x, and 2.x. Adobe also recommends updating Adobe AIR.

Likewise, Adobe also says that users running Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader version 11.0.0 and earlier on both Windows and OS X, as well as Adobe Reader 9.x on Linux need to update with the security patches. This is following the latest release of those two application, which Adobe rolled out back in October 2012.

Says Adobe in the security update summary: “These updates address a vulnerability that could cause a crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system … These updates address a critical vulnerability in the software.” The number one priority listed out of the various updates is for the Windows Flash Player version 11.5.502.146, followed by the same version for OS X. The rest of the Flash updates, as well as the AIR updates are level 3 priority. You can get the security patches by updating the applications or downloading the latest version from the Adobe website.

[via Adobe]

Adobe rolls out security updates to fix holes in Acrobat, Flash, and Reader is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Despite the looming threat of being replaced by phase-change memory, contemporary memory modules aren’t quite ready to be shown the door — engineers at Macronix have found a way to revive spent NAND flash cells. Most flash modules fail after being written to and erased about 10,000 times, but Macronix found that the tired memory could be restored by baking it for extended periods of time. The team funneled the time consuming and cumbersome solution into a more practical package: a redesigned memory chip that packs onboard heaters. The new modules are designed to periodically heat focused groups of memory cells to 800 °C (1,472 °F) for a few milliseconds, effectively “healing” worn cells.

Researchers found that heated chips could tolerate more than 100 million write/erase cycles and erased faster at higher temperatures. The team said the power drain of the heaters shouldn’t effect battery life, either — chips don’t have to be heated often, and when they do, it can be done while prospective devices are recharging. Macronix will be presenting the technology at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting next week, but project deputy director Hans-Ting Lue wouldn’t say when the company plans on taking the technology to market. Lue was willing to speculate on what might become of it, however. “This may evolve into a ‘thermally assisted’ mode of operation that gives both better performance — such as the faster erasing — and better endurance flash memory.” Faster, more reliable, super-heated memory. Sounds fine by us.

[Image credit: Emily Cooper, IEEE]

Filed under: Misc

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Via: PhysOrg

Source: IEEE

Even though Samsung only announced volume production of ultra-fast eMMC memory chips back in August, it’s already upgrading to a newer generation of hardware. Moving from the previous 20nm process to 10nm, the new 64GB eMMC Pro Class 2000 has a 20 percent smaller physical footprint, and claims 30 percent advantages in both performance and manufacturing productivity. While its previous chips only starting taking advantage of JEDEC‘s eMMC 4.5 interface standard a few months ago, Samsung plans to approach the group next year to create a new standard that can handle this design. It has a write speed of 2,000 IOPS (input/output per second) and a read speed of 5,000 IOPS, besting the 1,500/3,500 numbers reported on the older hardware, and kicks up the bandwidth to 260 MB/s read and 50MB/s write. These chips went into production late last month and are destined for slim phones and tablets near you, even if they don’t say Samsung on the outside.

Continue reading Samsung’s new 10nm-process 64GB mobile flash memory chips are smaller, faster, better

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Samsung

Samsung’s new 10nm-process 64GB mobile flash memory chips are smaller, faster, better originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint and ZTE decided not to hold a fancy get together to announce the Flash. Heck, there wasn’t even really proper PR. The ICS-sporting handset simply popped up in the online store and a spec sheet was sent out over the wire for those interested enough in mid-range Android devices to pay attention. The leak that caught our attention a couple of weeks back turns out to be spot on — the 4.5-inch phone is running what looks to be a pretty vanilla build of Ice Cream Sandwich on a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon and 1GB of RAM. There’s also plenty of little niceties included, like NFC (fingers crossed for Google Wallet!), Bluetooth 4.0, LTE and a microSD expansion slot to complement the reasonably paltry 8GB of internal storage. Oh, and that display — it’s IPS and HD, so expect nice viewing angles and crisp images. The two biggest bullet points here, though, are the eco-friendly design and that massive 12.6 megapixel sensor. You can pick one up now for $130 with a $50 mail-in rebate. The complete data sheet awaits you after the break.

Continue reading Sprint quietly launches ZTE Flash with 12.6MP camera and vanilla(ish) Android

Filed under: Mobile

Sprint quietly launches ZTE Flash with 12.6MP camera and vanilla(ish) Android originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The ZTE Flash is not dead and buried, but on the contrary, it is making its way to Sprint. Right now, it is not called the ZTE Flash due to sensitivities in the US market (remember how the government was recommended to drop ZTE and Huawei from all contracts because they were suspected of spying?), but rather, has been renamed to a more US-friendly moniker simply known as the Sprint Flash. Originally marked for an October 14th release date, that did not happen, but better late than never, right? The Sprint Flash is tipped to arrive in stores later this November, carrying a 4.5-inch touchscreen display, a 12-megapixel camera at the back with a 1-megapixel shooter in front, running on a 1.5GHz dual-core processor which is accompanied by 1GB RAM, 8GB of internal memory, 4G LTE support, Sprint ID, and a 1,730 mAh battery.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will be tied to the Sprint Flash right out of the box, and we do not have word as to whether the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is in the pipeline or not. No idea on whether the Sprint Flash’s display will carry 720p HD resolution and will it run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 unit processor, but we do hope that all will be revealed in due time. The Sprint Flash ought to retail for a mere $129.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate on a 2-year contract if you are interested, clearly placing it somewhere in the mid-range scheme of things.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: ZTE Flash looks to be headed Sprint’s way, Sprint Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 coming your way this November 11th,