Month: July 2023
Could NIST Delays Push Post-Quantum Security Products Into the Next Decade?
Slashdot reader storagedude writes: A quantum computer capable of breaking public-key encryption is likely years away. Unfortunately, so are products that support post-quantum cryptography. That’s the conclusion of an eSecurity Planet article by Henry Newman. With the second round of NIST’s post-quantum algorithm evaluations — announced last week — expected to take “several years” and the FIPS product validation process backed up, Newman notes that it will be some time before products based on post-quantum standards become available. “The delay in developing quantum-resistant algorithms is especially troubling given the time it will take to get those products to market,” Newman writes. “It generally takes four to six years with a new standard for a vendor to develop an ASIC to implement the standard, and it then takes time for the vendor to get the product validated, which seems to be taking a troubling amount of time. “I am not sure that NIST is up to the dual challenge of getting the algorithms out and products validated so that vendors can have products that are available before quantum computers can break current technology. There is a race between quantum technology and NIST vetting algorithms, and at the moment the outcome is looking worrisome.” And as encrypted data stolen now can be decrypted later, the potential for “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks “is a quantum computing security problem that’s already here.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Slashdot reader storagedude writes: A quantum computer capable of breaking public-key encryption is likely years away. Unfortunately, so are products that support post-quantum cryptography. That’s the conclusion of an eSecurity Planet article by Henry Newman. With the second round of NIST’s post-quantum algorithm evaluations — announced last week — expected to take “several years” and the FIPS product validation process backed up, Newman notes that it will be some time before products based on post-quantum standards become available. “The delay in developing quantum-resistant algorithms is especially troubling given the time it will take to get those products to market,” Newman writes. “It generally takes four to six years with a new standard for a vendor to develop an ASIC to implement the standard, and it then takes time for the vendor to get the product validated, which seems to be taking a troubling amount of time. “I am not sure that NIST is up to the dual challenge of getting the algorithms out and products validated so that vendors can have products that are available before quantum computers can break current technology. There is a race between quantum technology and NIST vetting algorithms, and at the moment the outcome is looking worrisome.” And as encrypted data stolen now can be decrypted later, the potential for “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks “is a quantum computing security problem that’s already here.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
GoBike Speed Review: A Beefy E-Bike in Need of a Power Boost – CNET
The GoBike Speed will get you where you want to go off-road, but it’s clunky and sluggish on the pavement.
The GoBike Speed will get you where you want to go off-road, but it’s clunky and sluggish on the pavement.
These Bang & Olufsen headphones are the best way to do a Microsoft Teams call – but with one big flaw
I’ve been using these Bang & Olufsen headphones for Microsoft Teams and I’m sold – but should you buy them?
When it comes to video calls and meetings, having top audio quality is key – after all, what’s the point in a meeting if you can’t hear what the other participants are saying?
The explosion in popularity for the technology has led to a wide number of manufacturers looking to provide the right kind of kit – whether that’s basic and easy to use hardware, or something a bit more premium.
If you are in the second camp, and prefer a high-end approach, the news that audio icons Bang & Olufsen have released a business headset optimized for the top video conferencing tools is a game-changer.
I was lucky enough to try out the Bang & Olufsen Beocom Portal model designed for Microsoft Teams – so how did it stand up to the test?
Testing testing
First off, as you would expect from a B&O product, the Beocom Portal looks beautiful. Smartly packaged, the headset feels light but solid when first put on, with a range of adjustment options to get that comfortable fit – although our experience did feel a little tight at times.
The headset connected to our work laptop using a USB dongle, (with the option of a standalone app for mobile devices) but set-up was incredibly straightforward, and we were underway quickly.
Given B&O’s heritage, we initially tried out the Beocom Portal with some of our favorite tunes to work too – as we had been told by the company that the aim for this headset was for users to go straight from a business call or meeting to listening to music. The audio experience was fantastic, with clear, crisp treble and deep warming bass.
(Image credit: Future)
Then it was time to fire up the real USP. Pressing a specially-labelled button on the left earpiece puts the Beocom Portal into Microsoft Teams mode. This optimizes the sound quality to make sure your audio is clear and crisp, with the built-in microphone helping block out any annoying background noise.
Our tests found that this was definitely the case, with the Beocom Portal providing an excellent companion to Microsoft Teams calls. Audio from other participants came in loud and clear, and we were able to focus on the call even with background noises such as construction work, washing machine cycles, and even a rather vocal dog wondering what the postman was delivering today.
However, we did run into some serious issues when using the Beocom Portal for other video conferencing platforms. Attempting a Google Meet or Zoom call often resulted in unexpected audio drop-outs, as participants claimed to be unable to hear us properly, meaning that on several occasions we had to ditch the Beocom Portal for our trusty Logitech arm mic and headset.
We do realize that this version of the Beocom Portal we worked with is optimized for Microsoft Teams, but as many of us do have to juggle multiple communications platforms on a daily basis at work, the issues were troubling – especially as the headset costs around £349.
Overall though, if you’re looking for a top-quality audio experience that lets you jump seamlessly from Microsoft Teams call back to listening to your radio or music hits, the Beocom Portal is a must-have.
Megan Rapinoe Is Not Going Quietly
Relegated to a reserve role in her fourth World Cup, the outspoken U.S. forward said she has plenty left to give. And that she’s still expecting to win it all.
Relegated to a reserve role in her fourth World Cup, the outspoken U.S. forward said she has plenty left to give. And that she’s still expecting to win it all.
Pixel Watch 2 faces leak out early ahead of Google’s next smartwatch launch
We’ve got an early preview of the watch faces that are expected to be arriving with the Pixel Watch 2 later this year.
We’re expecting the Google Pixel Watch 2 to appear in the not-too-distant future, and the leak of new watch faces for the wearable would seem to suggest that the device is indeed about to be unveiled.
These watch faces come courtesy of Android Authority, and there are four in total. They’re all going to be exclusive to the second-gen watch apparently, and they all offer plenty of options in terms of the way they can be customized.
The four watch faces are Accessible, Analog Bold, Arc, and Bold Digital, and we’ve embedded a quick look at them below. If the rumors are true, we’ll be seeing these watch faces and the attached smartwatch in October at the Pixel 8 unveiling.
While it’s disappointing that these faces won’t make it to the original Pixel Watch launched last year, it’s also worth bearing in mind that Google has pushed several new features to the wearable in recent months.
More watch faces to look forward to (Image credit: Android Authority / Google)
Those watch faces in full
First up in the leaked watch faces we have Accessible: it’s very plain and simple, and easy to read, and you can have a variety of complications alongside the time (including the current watch battery level and the date.
Then there’s Analog Bold, which has a chunky hour hand, chunky numbering, and a variety of color options to pick from. The face can be customized in a variety of ways, showing the date and alarms if necessary.
The Arc watch face is a more complex one, with six variants in total. These variants change the number of complications you get and where they’re positioned, and control the display of different elements like the date.
Lastly in the leaked watch faces we have Bold Digital, which is based on one of the lock screen clocks recently added to Pixel phones running Android 13. Again you’ve got a few options to choose from in terms of colors and complications.