Hasta La Gadget!

The man on your left is Dr. Peng Ning — a computer science professor at NC State whose team, along with researchers from IBM, has developed an experimental new method for safely securing cloud-stored data. Their approach, known as a “Strongly Isolated Computing Environment” (SICE), would essentially allow engineers to isolate, store and process sensitive information away from a computing system’s hypervisors — programs that allow networked operating systems to operate independently of one another, but are also vulnerable to hackers. With the Trusted Computing Base (TCB) as its software foundation, Ping’s technique also allows programmers to devote specific CPU cores to handling sensitive data, thereby freeing up the other cores to execute normal functions. And, because TCB consists of just 300 lines of code, it leaves a smaller “surface” for cybercriminals to attack. When put to the test, the SICE architecture used only three percent of overhead performance for workloads that didn’t require direct network access — an amount that Ping describes as a “fairly modest price to pay for the enhanced security.” He acknowledges, however, that he and his team still need to find a way to speed up processes for workloads that do depend on network access, and it remains to be seen whether or not their technique will make it to the mainstream anytime soon. For now, though, you can float past the break for more details in the full PR.

Continue reading NC State researchers team with IBM to keep cloud-stored data away from prying eyes

NC State researchers team with IBM to keep cloud-stored data away from prying eyes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At this point, it’s pretty much an open secret that Sprint needs to hitch its ride to LTE to stay in the wireless game. CNET caught wind of the operator’s intended 4G plans ahead of its scheduled October strategy announcement — an event at which many in the industry expect Sprint to lay out its LTE cards. According to the report, the Hesse-led network’s been hard at work installing the necessary infrastructure to convert to its towers to FD-LTE, which is the same flavor of LTE as Verizon and future partner LightSquared. Using the iDEN spectrum it acquired from its Nextel purchase, Sprint reportedly plans to set up 4G shop on those radio waves, and make use of current WiMAX provider Clearwire’s proposed switch to TD-LTE by incorporating chipsets in future phones that accommodate both frequencies. The network changeover, rumored to cost Sprint somewhere in the range of $4 – $5 billion, should get carried out over the next five years, laying the groundwork for a true three-way 4G race.

Sprint’s LTE build out already underway, new 4G network to launch first half 2012? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We were expecting something big to come out of Cellular South this coming Monday, but we definitely didn’t anticipate the company going all Diddy Dirty Money on us. Letting the cat out of the bag a few days early, the regional carrier is re-branding itself as C Spire. The name is apparently inspired by the company’s dedication to customized wireless services, and will become official Monday with a new website: cspire.com. The new service includes an app recommendation program, known as Scout, a rewards program called Percs, “social media integration,” and customer service initiatives known as Pulse and Circle. This new name also ushers “personalized plans” with “infinite data,” which C Spire’s CEO, Hu Meena, points out is actually unlimited, with no nights-and-weekends-style restrictions — except when it comes to streaming data (which will carry its own unique charges). He went on to say that the new services will come at no charge to existing Cellular South C Spire customers. And the whole shebang looks like it’s going to be an opt-in affair. More details await you in the very lengthy press release after the break.

Continue reading Cellular South renamed C Spire Wireless, becomes Puff Daddy of regional carriers

Cellular South renamed C Spire Wireless, becomes Puff Daddy of regional carriers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading JetStreamHD starts shipping, leaves iPad media streaming vapor trails in its wake (video)

JetStreamHD starts shipping, leaves iPad media streaming vapor trails in its wake (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When we reported that Bell’s LTE network would be deploying “soon,” the company happily obliged by launching it less than two weeks later. Beginning today, the Canadian carrier will have its next-gen services available to a limited number of markets, including Toronto, Waterloo, Hamilton, Guelph and Mississauga. The deployment will spread over the course of the next year, though no specific plans were mentioned aside from the obvious expansion to urban areas first, followed by rural and remote coverage as determined by the outcome of the country’s upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction. Sadly, the only device available at launch — contrary to our original report — will be the Sierra Wireless U313 Turbo Stick, available online today for $80, though “smartphones and tablets” should be expected to arrive later this year. Head to the presser for more details.

[Thanks, gjac0m]

Continue reading Bell begins rolling out LTE network today to trial markets

Bell begins rolling out LTE network today to trial markets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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