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Your WIRED daily briefing. Today, the Supreme Court of the USA is to rule on law enforcement's right to seize data anywhere in the world, there were only 46,500 iPhone X units in Apple's first shipment, Krack has broken Wi-Fi security and more.
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The US Supreme Court is to rule on whether or not US law enforcement agencies have the right to seize data on servers located anywhere in the world, as long as they're owned by US parent companies (Ars Technica). It's to be a critical ruling with massive implications for foreign policy, as well as the ability of companies and individuals around the world to feel confident in doing business with US firms. The Supreme Court will review a ruling, made earlier this year, that a US warrant did not apply to data housed on a Microsoft server in Ireland.
Chinese reports indicate that Apple's initial shipment of its flagship iPhone X consists of just 46,500 phones (Ars Technica). This is significantly lower than expected based on previous initial shipments of new iPhones and is thought to be related to production difficulties involving the new TrueDepth camera, which handles the smartphone's facial recognition based sign-in process. Manufacturer Foxconn has reportedly increased production of the $999 phone to a reported 400,000 units per week, although it remains to be seen whether the reported complexity of the camera assembly and its infrared dot projector will continue to be a bottleneck.
Two Belgian academics have revealed "serious weaknesses" in WPA2, one of the key protocols that secures most Wi-Fi networks (WIRED). Called Krack (short for key reinstallation attacks), the exploit affects all modern protected Wi-Fi networks and allows information sent across those networks to be read, unless it's encrypted using an additional service such as a VPN. In theory, the security vulnerability could be used to eavesdrop on all information sent and accessed by somebody with a mobile phone, laptop, or any product connected to Wi-Fi.
Gravitational waves produced by two neutron stars colliding have been detected for the first time (WIRED). The detection, by the Ligo team, has confirmed long-held theories about what happens when two of these powerful objects come together. The team was also able to detect electromagnetic radiation coming from the event and gamma ray bursts given off just seconds later. "This kind of event is one that scientists working in this field have been hoping for - but it took nature to be pretty kind to give us one at just the right time with the LIGO and Virgo observatories operating together for the first time," says Professor Sheila Rowan, director of the University of Glasgow’s Institute for Gravitational Research.
Google has launched a new Security Checkup interface that automatically looks for potential vulnerabilities associated with your account, rather than simply asking you to go through a list of checks yourself (Engadget). A clear summary screen shows potential risks including authorised mobile devices you've not used in a long time and third-party apps that you've given access to your Google Drive. The company has also added new antivirus features to its Chrome browser to protect against and remove malicious extensions.
WIRED Next Generation is our unique educational and inspirational festival dedicated to and designed for children aged 12-18. On November 4 at London's Tobacco Dock, this one-day event will showcase the future and explain how young people can influence it.
Uber board member Arianna Huffington has confirmed that Uber is in the final stages of a deal that will see Japanese tech investor SoftBank acquire as much as one-fifth of the ride-hailing firm (Recode). Huffington said the deal is "very likely" to come in on schedule, but it will only come together if SoftBank can obtain a minimum 14 per cent stake from existing Uber shareholders. The company is expected to be valued at $50 billion.
A new study has found that wolves perform better at cooperative group tasks than dogs (Science). The finding belies the popular assumption that domesticating dogs produced greater teamwork skills. The researchers had both wolves and dogs carry out a task that rewarded the animals with food if they pulled on different ropes at the same time. Comparative psychologist Sarah Marshall-Pescini of the University of Vienna says: "Wolves will argue over food but also feed at the same time, dogs simply avoid the potential conflict."
Google Maps has added 12 new planets and asteroids to explore, along with a new way to reach them (TechCrunch). Just open Maps, switch to Satellite view and scroll all the way out. Alongside a full map of the Earth, you'll see a sidebar inviting you to take a trip to locations including Venus, Pluto and Titan. The new maps are based on imagery from imagery from Nasa and the European Space Agency.
To promote the forthcoming 3DS release of Shin Megami Tensei: Deep Strange Journey, Atlus has released a quirky side-scrolling platformer for Windows as a free download (PC Gamer). Created by the developer of Pharaoh Rebirth+, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is a Metroidvania style affair that originally appeared in a comic trailer for the new RPG. It features Shin Megami Tensei stalwarts Jack Frost and Jack O’Lantern and will only be available to download until December 24.
Marvel has finally released the jaw-dropping trailer for Black Panther that delighted both cast and fans earlier this year at Comic-Con International (WIRED). Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther takes place in the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, where T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is now king of Wakanda following the death of his father Threats from inside Wakanda and out have little sympathy that he's a newcomer both to the throne and the Avengers; it's time for T'Challa to figure out, in the words of fighter Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), "what kind of king (he is) going to be." Black Panther comes to cinemas on February 9.
In less than a year, Europe's data protection rules will undergo their biggest changes in two decades. Since they were created in the 90s, the amount of digital information we create, capture, and store has vastly increased. Simply put, the old regime was no longer fit for purpose.
How Microsoft got its groove back. This month we go inside Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's mission to transform one of the world's largest technology companies. We also report from Tokyo on art collective teamLab's unique creative process and its ambitious plan to turn the whole world into a canvas. And we visit adidas's new Speedfactory in Bavaria, where robots can make every single pair of shoes unique. Out in print and digital. Subscribe now and save.
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
