Hasta La Gadget!

A mere eleven days have passed since Apple relaxed its in-app subscription rules, and now All Things D has stumbled upon screenshots of the first major subscription program to comply. A forthcoming update to the Hulu Plus iOS app will nix all references that previously pointed towards Hulu’s own website for signing up new users, allowing Hulu to skirt around implementing Apple’s in-app subscription mechanism (and the thirty percent cut that goes along with it). That said, it’ll also kill Hulu’s opportunity to easily inform folks of where to pony up for Hulu Plus, but we suspect the added friction is worth losing a few eyes instead of buoying Cupertino’s warchest. Seeing as there’s under a fortnight until Apple’s new rules come into effect, we certainly wouldn’t recommend betting against a slew of similarly-positioned apps to follow suit.

Hulu adheres to Apple’s revised in-app subscription rules, others to fall in line? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This article was written on March 18, 2007 by CyberNet.

This is obviously only important for United States residents who still have to file taxes (which are due April 17, 2007), but it is quite a steal that you should scoop up as soon as you can! H&R Block is currently offering TaxCut Premium and Deduction Pro software at no cost to you!

I finished filling everything out in under a minute so it isn’t time consuming. They do ask for personal information (such as address, name, email, etc…) but you can fill in bogus info like we’re used to doing on these types of forms. Here’s what you have to do:

NOTE: I had to use Internet Explorer because Firefox wouldn’t work after step 4.

1. Go to the H&R Block site and select either the Mac/Windows version from the drop-down menu. Then click Add to Cart.
2. Scroll all the way to the bottom of this page and click No Thanks.
3. Click Remove next to the option for Extended Download Protection which normally costs $3.99. Then hit  Continue Checkout.
4. Enter in your personal information. You have to enter in a valid City/State/Zip combination because it will check that. The email address is not used so you can just make something up for that. Also makeup some kind of password at the bottom. Press Continue Checkout.
5. Choose your county and hit Submit.
6. Click Place Order and you are then presented with the download links which looks something like this:

I have downloaded the software, but I have not installed it yet. It doesn’t look like it comes with the state software because the product links to just the Federal version, but I can’t complain since this is free! Now I’m glad I was procrastinating doing my taxes because I thought I was going to have to buy some software.

Thanks to the anonymous tipster who sent this in!

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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This article was written on April 02, 2007 by CyberNet.

Microsoft will be releasing a critical security update tomorrow (via Windows Update) to patch what is being referred to as the “Windows animated cursor” vulnerability. It almost sounds hard to believe that an exploit can occur from something as simple as a mouse cursor, but as CNet points out it is definitely possible: 

There’s a new Microsoft Windows vulnerability caused by an unspecified error in the way Windows 2000, XP, and Vista handles animated cursors. Animated cursors allow a mouse pointer to appear animated on a Web site. The feature is often designated by the .ani suffix, but attacks for this vulnerability are not constrained by this file type so simply blocking .ani files won’t necessarily protect a PC. Successful exploitation can result in memory corruption when processing cursors, animated cursors, and icons.

Most of you probably won’t have to worry though, because a large percentage of our visitors are using either Opera or Firefox as their browser. This vulnerability only applies to Internet Explorer 6 or 7 on Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista. However, if you’re using IE 7 on Vista and you have the User Account Control (UAC) enabled then you are also fine. When you have UAC enabled it will force IE 7 to run in “protected mode” which is helpful at preventing unwanted attacks such as this one.

Microsoft learned about the vulnerability back in December 2006, but the attacks didn’t start appearing until the middle of last week. The severity of this is what prompted Microsoft to push out the patch even sooner:

This update was previously scheduled for release as part of the April monthly release on April 10, 2007. Due to the increased risk to customers from these latest attacks, we were able to expedite our testing to ensure an update is ready for broad distribution sooner than April 10.

While it is unfortunate that this vulnerability even exists, I guess it does demonstrate two things:

• Internet Explorer should not be used by casual computer users because they are the ones who are most likely to get taken advantage of.
• The User Account Control in Vista may actually be more beneficial than I thought. I used to keep it disabled, but as of about two-weeks ago I re-enabled it and I’m actually surprised that it hasn’t annoyed me. I’m confident that I can recognize a suspicious website or file when I see one, but the attacks are getting so advanced these days that I don’t want to take any chances.

Read more about the Windows Animated Cursor Vulnerability

Image Source: University of Texas

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Keeping track of all accusations flying back and forth in the ongoing patent brouhaha between Apple and Samsung? Then we’re afraid you’ll have to update your scorecards again, as Apple has now amended its complaint with some even stronger language than before, and broadened the scope of the devices involved in the suit. According to Apple, the Droid Charge, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy S II and a handful of other Samsung devices are all also infringing on the patents in question, which now total eight in all (two previously included have been thrown out, but three new ones have been added). As for that stronger language, Apple’s now saying that Samsung “has been even bolder” than other competitors in copying its products, and that it’s created “products that blatantly imitate the appearance of Apple’s products to capitalize on Apple’s success.” Hit the source link below for FOSS Patents’ complete breakdown of the amendment.

[Thanks, Fayez]

Apple expands patent complaint against Samsung to include more devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s just one week after Nintendo unveiled dual-screen gaming on the Wii U at E3, but Apple’s iOS 5 beta is already bringing a very similar experience to the living room — many months before Nintendo’s latest console is expected to ship. We installed iOS 5 on an iPad 2 and Apple TV, and took the latest version of Real Racing 2 HD for a test-drive, which enables dual-screen gameplay over AirPlay without the need for Apple’s $39 AV adapter. Other games, like Angry Birds, simply mirror the iPad’s display (and aspect ratio) on your HDTV, but Real Racing streams 16:9 HD video.

For this game (and we imagine many more to come), you use the iPad as the controller — both while navigating through menus and in race mode — while the game appears only on your TV (though the tablet does display some vitals, and a map of the track). There’s noticeable lag between the iPad and Apple TV when using AirPlay, which may be an issue for games where timing is important, such as Rock Band, but didn’t seem to set us back while playing Firemint’s racing game. Overall, AirPlay offered a seamless gaming experience without a single hiccup — surprising, considering iOS 5 just hit beta last week. It’s difficult to do this hands-on justice without a video demo, so jump past the break for an exclusive look at wireless, dual-screen gaming on the iPad and Apple TV.

Continue reading Real Racing 2 HD wireless, dual-screen gaming with iOS 5 on iPad 2 hands-on (video)

Real Racing 2 HD wireless, dual-screen gaming with iOS 5 on iPad 2 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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