WhatsApp to stop running on MILLIONS of smartphones as 2016 ends -find out if you're affected

The messaging platform willstop working on older phones as it keeps pace with changing technology.
As we enter the last few days of the year, millions of smartphoneusers will need to upgrade their mobiles if they want tocontinue using WhatsApp.The world's most popular messaging app has over a billion users - but says that changes in technology mean it has to phase out compatability with older phones."While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in thefuture," a spokesperson for WhatsAppsaid.The company has set a deadlineof the end of 2016 for several older services that will no longerbe supported.

Will you be affected by WhatsApp's cutoff? Here's what you need to know
iPhone users
WhatsApp will soon stop working on any iPhone 3GS - which is the second generation handset that was released in 2009.More importantly, the messaging app will also stop being supported on any device running iOS 6. That means, potentially, any iPhone 4, 4S, or 5 that hasn't been updated to the newest version of the operating system - iOS 10. It also affects any first, second, third or fourth generation iPad that hasn't been updated.If you're not sure whether you've got the latest version of iOS, you can check on your iPhone by going to Settings, thenGeneral and then Software Update.
Android users
Any phones or tablets running Android 2.1 or 2.2 won't be supported after the end of the year. This covers devices released between May 2010 and November 2011 from manydifferent manufacturers.Android's latest version is 7.0 - known as "Nougat" - although it's still not widely available. Check what version of Android you're running in the Settings menu on your phone or tablet.
Windows
Windows Phone 7 was released worldwide in October 2010 and Microsoft itself stopped supporting the system in 2014. So it's not really a surprise to see WhatsApp dropping support for it as well.If you're still using Windows 7 we'd recommend updating it as soon as possible.
Blackberry and Nokia
WhatsApp was planning to drop support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60 at the same time as the above operating systems.However it appears the Facebook-owned company has had a change of heart and is extending its support period for these devices into 2017. An update on the official blog says that these devices will be supported until June 30, 2017.WhatsApp itself has been around since 2009 and has slowly added more and more features, such as end-to-end encryption and video calling. Because of its cross-platform support it has become the most popular messaging platform in the world."As we look ahead to our next seven years, we want to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use," the company said.So if you're using an older handset and want to keep using WhatsApp in 2017, it might finally be about time to pick up a new mobile.

BHIM app faces high server loads on launch day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app for cashless payments yesterday at a special event. The application is said to offer safe, secure and simple cashless transactions. While it isn’t a mobile wallet, the app is inter-operable with Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and it connects directly to your bank account.The day of the launch saw a few issues for the app as the official BHIM twitter account sent a message saying that the app is facing server issues and that a newversion of app will be launched to solve the issue.Dear All, due to high server loads we are facing intermittent issues. We are updating a new version on the playstore to solve this. Pls RT.— BHIM (@NPCI_BHIM)December31, 2016This means that a large population is definitely interested in the app. But having a server issue on the day of the launch clearly points out that the app developers were not prepared, and didn’t anticiapte the traffic. Another point to note here is that the app is only available for Android users and iOS users have been left in the dark. This was probably done due to the fact that Android has a wider adoption in the country. While we don’t have clarity as to when the app will be available for Apple users, we expect the app to arrive sooner or later.If you have tried the new BHIM app, do tell us about your experience. In case you haven’t here is aquick guideon how to get started.

Samsung may unleash a beast

"There's a strong possibility that Samsung will incorporate Bluetooth 5 into the Galaxy S8," said Ken Hyers, director of wireless device strategies atStrategy Analytics."With the cancellation of the Note7, the Galaxy S8 is now [Samsung's] premier device to showcase the latest and best smartphone technology," he told TechNewsWorld.Samsung had to institute a global recall of millions of Galaxy Note7s after multiple instances in which the device spontaneously burst into flames. Some replacement devices also caught fire."Samsung has a PR problem," observed Michael Jude, a program manager atStratecast/Frost & Sullivan. "Note7 is a disaster, and they need something with which to seize the technological high ground."Putting cutting-edge technologies in the S8"will help a lot," he told TechNewsWorld."Remember, practically nothing is Bluetooth 5-compliant," Jude noted. "As long as the S8 can talk to existing Bluetooth devices, it's golden. People will be drawn to the latest, greatest technology."Bluetooth 5.0 doesn't replace 4.0, 4.1 or 4.2. It extends the functionality of these previous versions of the Bluetooth Core Specification.Further, Bluetooth 5.0 lets manufacturers leverage interoperability and performanceimprovements incorporated in the core specs since 4.2 was released."From Bluetooth headsets and speakers tohome control, personal robots and drones,Bluetooth is a default technology for connecting devices, with the smartphone as the hub of consumers' device universe,"Strategy Analytics' Hyers remarked."We are rapidly moving into a more complex connected device world," he pointed out.Samsung has focused heavily on the Internet of Things, offering smart TVs and smart appliances that can be tied to its smartphones.Bluetooth 5 "is a huge advance over previous versions of Bluetooth from a connectivity speed and capacity standpoint," Hyers pointed out, noting thatit's a natural fit for Samsung's next flagship device.The S8 will "be both a mass market flagship and a showcase for Samsung's technological leadership" since the company has canceled its Note series of phablets, he said.Therefore, Samsung "will be careful to only put technology and features in it that it's certain will not create issues," Hyers contended. As a relatively low-risk feature,Bluetooth 5 likely will appear in the S8 in Q1 2017.
Bluetooth 5.0 Specs
Bluetooth 5.0 offers 2Mbps of bandwidth, twice that of Bluetooth 4.2, with low energy.The bandwidth can be decreased to achieve up to 4x the broadcast range of Bluetooth 4.2 with the same power requirement. That means home automation and security devices can coverentire homes, buildings or locations.Developers can adjust the broadcast range, speed and security for different environments.Bluetooth 5.0 delivers reliable Internet of Things connections, and it will increase therelevance of beacons and other location awareness technologies, which will enablea seamless IoT experience.It also has ad extensions that enable moreefficient use of broadcasting channels on the 2.4 GHz band.Slot availability masks can detect and prevent interference on neighboring bands.Keeping the Note7's Specter at BayMany consumers returned their Note7 phablets to purchase an older Galaxy S7, Hyers said. "Given that history, "I expect that the Galaxy S8 will be the most carefully tested and verified smartphone ever released."Also, consumers in the know will see Bluetooth 5 as a future-proof technology, he suggested, while early adopters will see it as a useful item.

Medical device cyber-safety rules issued by US watchdog

Hackers are "continuously" targeting medical devices and hospitals, the US Federal Drug Administration has warned.The alert comes innew FDA rulesthat define how medical equipment makers should tackle cyber-threats.Manufacturers should be constantly vigilant, said the watchdog, and make sure they can patch the flaws found in gadgets.Its rules come at the end of a year that saw flaws found in many medical devices, and hospitals hit by malware.Death notice"Cyber-security threats are real, ever-present, and continuously changing," wrote Dr Suzanne Schwartz, FDA associate director at its centre for devices and radiological health,in a blog."Hospital networks experience constant attempts of intrusion and attack, which can pose a threat to patient safety."To tackle threats to devices in hospitals or worn by patients manufacturers needed to think about security throughout a product's entire lifecycle, wrote Dr Schwartz.In addition, she said, they needed to:
*.constantly monitor threats
*.detect vulnerabilities in the code their devices run
*.assess the potential dangers the products pose
*.make sure they can update gadgetsto close any loopholesManufacturers should also become morecomfortable working with security researchers who scrutinise gadgets for flaws, she said. Some researchers were threatened with legal action after highlighting a flaw.Researchers have uncovered problems in many products, including defibrillators and drug infusion pumps. Some have also documented attacks on larger pieces of equipment such as MRI scanners.Many hospitals also fell victim to ransomware attacks in 2016 - software that made their data unintelligible and demanded a payment to restore it to its prior state.In some cases operations and other procedures were cancelled because computer systems were knocked out by malware."As hackers become more sophisticated, these cyber-security risks will evolve," wrote Dr Schwartz.The FDA pointed out that the rules are not legally binding but instead represent its advice to manufacturers.However, the guidance said manufacturers had to notify the regulator if a flaw in a product led to someone being harmed or killed.Security researcher Beau Woods said theFDA had been instrumental in getting healthcare organisations, manufacturers and cyber experts talking about how to tackle and fix vulnerabilities."If you look at the general trend over thelast few years we are getting better and we are fixing them faster than we were before," said Mr Woods, who is a member of an organisation called I Am The Cavalry that researches and advises on cyber issues that effect public safety.This had led to many manufacturers adopting good vulnerability disclosure schemes and to some organisations that buy a lot of medical equipment demanding higher standards from their suppliers.However, he said, the hyper-connectedness of all organisations including hospitals meant devices never meant to be online were now accessible via the net.Mr Woods said he had seen attacks aimed at stealing personal data accidentally knock out older medical equipment that helped monitor vital life signs."It's those types of things that scare me much more than someone lurking in the shadows," said Mr Woods who is deputy director of the cyber statecraft initiative at the Atlantic Council think tank.The FDA rules have been issued days before the start of the massive CES tech show in Las Vegas.Gadgets that help people live healthier lives or let them manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, are expected to feature strongly at the show.

The advent of artificial intelligence and digital assistants

Apple was the first to introduce a digital assistant when it acquired Siri and baked it into the OS. The makers of Siri went on to create Viv, a realisation of their original vision for Siri.Viv was acquired by Samsungthis year.Despite the initial head start with Siri, Apple lost ground over the subsequent years by being very secretive about its research. As Apple employees were not allowedto publish research, the best talent was not attracted to the company. All that changed with thehire of prominent Carnegie Mellon University researcher Russ Salakhutdinovearlier in the year. Apple has already gone ahead andpublished its first research paper.Apple’s research allows them to train machines on image data sets, without annotations of the details. Image: University of Cambridge/ Max Planck Institute for InformaticsSundar Pichai, CEO of Google remarked on the onset of a remarkable new disruptive technology at the October hardware event by Google. Every ten years or so, a transformational technology comes along that changes everything. In the mid 80s this was the desktop computer, in the mid 90s, this was the internet, in the mid 2000s, the smartphone revolution began. We are in the mid 2010s, and the next big changewill come about because of Artificial Intelligence.US President Barack Obama said inan interview that it was necessary toimbibe artificial intelligences with human values. Humans have to make harsh decisions, and Obama raised the question of whether machines should be allowed to make such decisions. For example: Can a self driving car be trusted to decide between running over a pedestrian or involving the passengers of the vehicle in a fatal crash? The International Convention on Conventional Weapons meet for a review conference, where theyagreed to regulate lethal autonomous vehicle systems(LAWS), or killer robots. TheWhite House said that it was tweaking policyto handle the huge number of human jobs that are now going to be done by machines.The Amazon Echo and the Google HomeThe year saw the growth of an all new product category called smart speakers. The Echo by Amazon wasa pioneer in this category, with a voice controlled digital assistant hardware for living spaces. TheAmazon Echo Dotwas introduced this year and Google made its debut in the smart speaker space withGoogle Home. Microsofthinted at a high-end smart speakerby Harman Kardon. According to analyst firm, Gartner, smart home speakers are expected to be a $2.1 billion industry by 2020.AI was the talk of the town at theReCodetech conference, with discussions around AI by IBM, Google, Microsoft and Facebook. Elon Musk even suggested that human brains should be hooked upto computers with neural laces so that mankind can keep up to machines. Amazon.com Inc, Alphabet unit Google, Facebook Inc, IBM and Microsoft have teamed up to create anon profit organisationthat hopes to increasethe awareness about aritificial intelligence in the minds of the public. Here is a look back at the biggest artificial intelligence stories of the year.GoogleGoogle DeepMind AI can now learn things on its ownHere’s how DeepMind-powered AI help cut down Google’s electricity billGoogle DeepMind now alerts UK doctors of timely medical interventions that can save livesGoogle open sources DeepMind Lab, aims to make general AI a realityThe big bet by Google for the next ten years is the incredibly useful Google AssistantGoogle DeepMind victory: AI will one day prevail but beautyof Go remains says Go MasterDeepmind AI by Google takes on Starcraft by Blizzard after mastering GoFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg even coded hisown personal digital assistantFacebookFacebook AI is getting more like humans at generating captions for imagesHere’s how AI is empowering Facebook to create a better worldFacebook plans to develop Artificial Intelligence to automatically flag offensive live stream videosFacebook testing AI tech that describes photos to the visuallychallengedFacebook AI Labs working to identify your hidden faceFacebook releases its AI bot-building research in the form of fastText libraryFacebook Messenger chatbots jeopardise privacyFacebook F8: Zuckerberg announces chatbots for MessengerMicrosoftMicrosoft opens up Cortana to developers and manufacturerswith Skills Kit and Devices SDKFacebook plans to develop Artificial Intelligence to automatically flag offensive live stream videosMicrosoft’s Cortana can now talk to other Windows 10 devices, share battery info andnotificationsMicrosoft teases premium smart speaker by Harman Kardon powered by CortanaCortana on iOS can now remember where you parked your carBuild 2016: Microsoft presents Cortana Bots, Cognitive Services APIs and moreBuild 2016: Microsoft Skype bots preview announcedAmazonAmazon announces three new AI services called Lex, Polly and Rekognition for AWSAmazon challenges Apple and Spotify with new music streaming serviceAmazon just put Alexa in a browserAmazon’s Alexa voice assistantnow open to third-party hardware, softwareBuild Amazon’s amazing Echo speaker with just a Raspberry PiAmazon introduces Alexa voiceassistant powered Tap, Echo DotAmazon India launches ‘Amazon Launchpad’ to help startups launch and distribute their productsJust before Google Home release, Amazon ads show how Alexa can be a household heroBragi wearables for workplaces are powered by the AI capabilities of Watson.IBMIBM’s Watson fights diabetes with American Diabetes Association and other collaborationsLaw firm hires IBM Watson AI based legal assistant RossThe Weather channel launchedWatson-powered bot for Facebook MessengerIBM and Cisco to bring Watson to the workplaceIBM launches Global Watson Internet of Things consulting solutionsIFA 2016: IBM Watson and Bragi come together to make IoT hearables for workplacesIBM Watson: Watch the first movie trailer to be created entirely by AIIBM beta tests AI cyber security services from Watson for 40 global clientsIBM launches framework to embed Watson in robots, devices and smart things

Personal data to be primary target for hacking in 2017: Report

With the rise in the number of mobile internet users in India, malware attacks on smartphones’ operating systems have increased and mobile applications through which people hack into phones to access personal data show the same trend, a study has found.The report “Going Cashless and Digital: Top Cyber Threats and Targets for 2017” released on Thursday by BD Software, country partner of Bitdefender — cyber security solutions provider — highlights major trends in the cyberthreat landscape in India in 2017.“Marked with high-profile breachesand the feel of excitement and uncertainty over the country’s move towards digitising all spheresof life and economy, the outgoing 2016 sets high expectations of more advanced, more complicated and possibly more devastating security breaches in the coming year,” said Ajay Khubchandani, IT Security Expert, BD Software, in a statement.According to the report, cashless transactions through ATMs, Point ofSale terminals, online banking websites and others are also potential targets of the cyber criminals.The report noted that personal data is likely to draw the attention of cybercriminals in the coming year.“As India is becoming more and more digital, the personal data of all sorts, from biometrics and family records to bank accounts and social media accounts is in danger,” the report added.Researchers predicted that connected devices or Internet of Things (IoT) is another target for cyber attacks.In governments, government agencies and state-affiliated organisations, the scale of data breaches is going to increase further with cross-border tensions continuing in many regions of the world, the report warned.IANS

Twitter unveils 360-degree live video

The first 360-degree video was delivered over Twitter's live Periscope application from broadcaster Alex Pettitt, showing a Florida sunset, while allowing users to see it from different angles by clicking on the streamTwitter on Wednesday began streaming 360-degree video, allowing users to interact and get behind the scenes of live broadcasts."Starting today, you can check out live, interactive 360 videos from interesting broadcasters and explore what's happening with them," Twitter's AlessandroSabatelli said in ablog post."You'll be able to get an inside look with well-known personalities and go behind the scenes at exclusive events."The first such video was delivered over Twitter's live Periscope application from broadcaster Alex Pettitt, showing a Florida sunset, while allowing users to see it from different angles by clicking on the stream."With 360 video on Periscope, you can experience moments with the broadcaster and take a look around  —  it's one step closer to actually being there," the Periscope team said in a blog post."Starting today, you'll be able to join live 360 videos on Periscope and Twitter from some incredible broadcasters — getting front-row access at exclusive events, traveling to places across the globe, and getting up close with well-known personalities."Earlier this year Facebook began streaming360-degree videos, which require a special set of cameras to capture surroundings.Twitter said it was testing 360 broadcasts"with a small group of partners," and will be rolling out the feature "more broadly during the coming weeks."360 Sunset in Florida. First ever#Periscope360with@Brandee_Anthonyhttps://t.co/AZWbnnT15S— Alex Pettitt (@Alexpettitt)December 28, 2016"Live 360videoisn't just about taking you to places you've never been; it's about connecting you with people and letting you experience something new with them," the Periscope team said."With these videos, the broadcaster anchors the experience so you can be present with them from whatever environment they're sharing from."

Clash of clans mobile game blocked in iran

Iran has put limits on who can play the popular Clash of Clans mobile game.A government committee called for restrictions citing a report from psychologists, who said it encouraged violence and tribal conflict.The app could also negatively affect family life if teenagers got addicted to the game, warned the committee that polices cyberspace.Statistics gatheredearlier this yearsuggested that about 64% of mobile gamers in Iran played the game.The decision to limit access to Clash of Clans across Iran was taken on 27 December.Fan sites in Iran reported that many players began having problems accessing the title - which requires an online connection - afterwards.Some Iran-based playerssaid local reports hadsuggested that an age limit would be imposed, but for now all gamers were affected.They did, however, suggest there were ways to get round the restrictions.In a statement, Iran's deputy attorney general Dr Abdolsamad Khoramabadi said the "vast majority" of the committeebacked the call to limit who could play the app.Iran has a history of taking action againstpopular video games. In August, it cut offthe Pokemon Go game because of fears about the game's location-based system.Created by Finnish firm Supercell, Clash of Clans has become a massive hit all over the world. It involves players creating villages and then using troops toprotect them or to attack other players' settlements.Earlier this year, Supercell announced that 100 million people were playing its games every day.In July, the Chinese firm Tencent bought 84.3% of Supercell in a deal that valued the company at $10.2bn (£8.33bn).

Uk to fund blood based drone deliveries in Tanzania

The UK government is to fund a trial of drone-based deliveries of blood and other medical supplies in Tanzania.The goal is to radically reduce the amount of time it takes to send stock to health clinics in the African nation by road or other means.The scheme involves Zipline, a Silicon Valley start-up that began running asimilar service in Rwandain October.Experts praised that initiative but cautioned that "cargo drones" are still of limited use to humanitarian bodies.The Department for International Development (Dfid) has not said how much money will be invested in the Tanzanian effort or for how long.It also announced plans to fund tests of drones in Nepal to map areas of the country prone to damage from extreme weather, so help prepare for future crises."This innovative, modern approach ensures we are achieving the best results for the world's poorest people and delivering value for money for British taxpayers," commented the International Development Secretary Priti Patel.Parachute deliveriesZipline's drones - called Zips - are small fixed-wing aircraft that are fired from a catapult and follow a pre-programmed path using GPS location data.The advantage of the design over multi-rotor models is that the vehicles can better cope with windy conditions and stay airborne for longer. In theory, they can fly up to about 180 miles (290km) before running out of power, although Zipline tries to keep round trips to about half that distance.Their drawback is that they require open space to land - in Zip's case an area about the size of two car parking slots.Zipline gets round this issue by having itsdrones descend to heights of about 5m (16.4ft) when they reach their destinations and then release their loadsvia paper parachutes. Afterwards, they regain altitude and return to base beforecoming to rest.The aircraft fly below 500ft (152m) to avoid the airspace used by passenger planes.Tanzania, Rwanda and Malawi - which uses adifferent type of dronefor medical deliveries - all take a permissiveapproach to unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] regulations, helping make them attractive places for such trials.Earlier in the year, Tanzania also authorised the use of drones in its Tarangire National Park as part of an effort to deter animal poachers.Saved livesDfid estimates that flying blood and medical supplies by drone from out of Tanzania's capital, Dodoma, could save$58,000 (£47,400) a year compared to sending them by car or motorcycle.But a spokeswoman suggested that the time savings were more crucial."Flights are planned to start in early 2017, and when they do it is estimated that [the] UAVs could support over 50,000 births a year, cutting down the time mothers and new-borns would haveto wait for life-saving medicine to 19 minutes - reduced from the 110 minutes traditional transport methods would take," she explained.The Ifakara Health Institute - which specialises in treatments for malaria, HIV, tuberculosis as well as neonatal health issues - will be the local partner.The Humanitarian UAV Network and other non-profit bodies recentlysurveyed the use of dronesto carry out human welfare tasks.The study highlighted the work Zipline was doing, noting the firm was capable of setting up a new drones launch hub in as little as 24 hours, meaning it was well suited to rapid response efforts as well as longer-term projects.But the study also noted that humanitarian cargos are often measuredin tonnes rather than kilograms, and need to be transported across longer distances than a Zip can manage."Given these current trade-offs relative to manned aviation, the specific cases in which cargo drones can currently add value are particularly narrow in the context of the universe of needs that humanitarian organisations typically face," it said.And it added that more research was needed to properly evaluate whether existing schemes were as reliable as claimed."Organisations considering the use of cargo drones need statistics on flights performed, hours logged, failure rates and other performance measures."

Why you shouldn't skip breakfast

Are you tired of hearing about how breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, this advice probably not going to stop until more of us start eating our morning meals.About 18 percent of males and 13 percent of females between the ages of 35 and 54 arebreakfast skippers, according to a 2011 study by the market research company NPD group.AdvertisementBut the evidence that suggests thatbreakfast is a mealnot-to-be-skipped is overwhelming. In fact, I have never encountered a study that suggests the opposite.Here a look at some of the research showing the possible benefits of breakfast:Diabetes:Skipping breakfast may increase a woman's diabetes risk, according to a study published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Women who ate breakfast an average of zero to six times per week were at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than women who ate breakfast every day. [9 Meal Schedules: When to Eat to Lose Weight]AdvertisementHeart Disease:Eating breakfast was associated with a lower incidence of heart disease in men between ages 45 and 82, according to a July study in the journal Circulation. The study also found that skipping breakfast was associated with hypertension, insulin resistance and elevatedblood sugar levels.Memory:A 2005 Journal of the American Dietetic Association review of 47 breakfast-related studies found that eatingbreakfast is likely to improve cognitive function related to memory and test grades. Translation: Eating breakfast is a smart move!Weight Loss:In one recent study, people who ate breakfast as their largest meal lost an average of 17.8 pounds over three months. The other participants consumed the same number of total calories per day,but ate most of their calories at dinner, according to the study published in July in the journal Obesity. The large-dinner group only lost an average of 7.3 pounds each over the same time period.