[UPDATE: RESOLVED] Verizon Wireless 4G LTE suffering yet another nationwide outage

Verizon Wireless has confirmed via its official Twitter account that it is currently investigating customer reports of 4G LTE network connectivity issues this morning, the carrier's third major network outage in the past two months. At this time, it's unclear exactly how widespread the outages are, but it does appear to be nationwide.

The carrier says that 3G data, voice, and text networks are all functioning normally, and 4G LTE devices should automatically migrate to the slower network for the time being.

We'll keep you posted.

UPDATE: Verizon Wireless has provided an update, stating that the outage has been resolved.

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom released from jail on bail

Dotcom is a bath tub

According to local New Zealand news sources, Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom has been released from jail on bail this week, a little over one month after he was initially arrested over copyright infringement and piracy accusations. Back in January, Dotcom's website, Megaupload, was suddenly shut down by federal prosecutors after companies claimed the file hosting website encouraged and hosted pirated content.

The judge who granted Dotcom's bail said that he isn't allowed farther than 80 kilometers of his Coatesville home. Dotcom is also banned from using the Internet while out of jail for obvious reasons (isn't it a bit ironic that his last name is Dotcom). The judge also believes that he doesn't pose a "flight risk" anymore since Dotcom doesn't have access to any of his money that would allow him to leave the country.

Judge Dawson granted bail to his Coatesville house with the conditions that he did not have access the internet, no helicopter be allowed to travel to the property, that he would not travel more than 80km from the property and that he give police 24 hours notice of any appointment that required him to leave the property, except for medical emergencies.

Hacker team finds iPhone security exploit using paper clips

iPhoneIslam, a hacker team that is know for discovering security flaws with iOS, has posted a new video this week that shows off a newly discovered flaw that gives access to contact information, phone calls, emails, and more just by using a paper clip, patience, and the ability to call the phone that you're trying to get into.

The exploit is fairly simple - call the phone that you'd like to hack into, allow the call to go to voicemail, pop out the SIM card of the iPhone (using a paper clip), and swipe the missed call notification on the home screen. The process takes a while and requires patience since it's probably not going to work the first time (as seen in the video below), but it is reproducible. It also requires the device to be running iOS 5 and be a GSM iPhone so that it has a SIM card.

The only way to avoid this happening to you is by turning off missed call notifications on the home screen, but that's obviously going to be inconvenient for most. Apple hasn't commented on this yet, but we expect it to be patched in a future iOS update.

Twitter updates iOS app with “new” features

Yesterday, Twitter released an update to its official iOS app (App Store link) that brings back several features that were removed in the app's previous update, which brought in a refreshed user interface. The ability to use "swipe" gestures, copy and paste tweets, font size options, and the actions display are all back in this update. Bug fixes and performance improvements are also to be expected.

Full release notes:

Changes are for iPhone only:

• Swipe shortcut
• Copy and paste for tweets and profiles
• Press and hold actions on links in tweet details
• Font size settings
• Direct Message improvements
• Confirmation alert for Find Friends
• Improved startup time and general performance improvement
• Improved image quality in tweet detail
• Accessibility improvements
• Profile shows whether a user follows you
• Verified badges in people search results
• New language: Turkish
• Lots of other polish and bug fixes

Google celebrates Heinrich Hertz’s birthday with a (pretty cool) animated Doodle

Google's celebrating Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, who is best known for proving the existence of electromagnetic waves, today, February 22, with an animated Doodle on its homepage. The Doodle, which is currently live on the U.S. version of Google, is pretty simple, but may just give you hours of entertainment - it's a wave graph that moves.

Hertz is accredited with building an apparatus that displayed the existence of certain electromagnetic waves that detected radio waves. He also expanded and clarified James Maxwell's electromagnetic theory of light. He was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1857 and died on New Year's Day, 1894 at the young age of 36.

Apple building 160-acre data center in Oregon

Apple's data center in North Carolina

Local news website KTVZ has received confirmation from Apple that the Cupertino-based company plans to build a new data center in  Prineville, Oregon on a 160-acre lot. Apple purchased the land from Crook County for a whopping $5.6 million. An Apple spokesperson confirmed earlier today that the land was indeed purchased for a data center, but no further information was provided.

A statutory warranty deed for the property off Baldwin Court was filed last week with the Crook County clerk’s office, a public document finally breaking the official silence over a long-term courtship with a company formerly known only as “Project Maverick.”

Just last year, Apple completed the building of a large data center in North Carolina, which currently powers the company's iCloud and Siri services.

Facebook is widely known for owning a fairly large data center in Prineville as well.

Apple extends date of “sandboxing” requirement of Mac App Store apps to June 1

Today, Apple announced that it has extended the date of when all applications available in the Mac App Store are required to make use of "sandboxing" technology to June 1, 2012. Sandboxing is a technology that essentially keeps every app inside of its own little "space" on a user's hard drive, and it is not allowed to access any other user files. It adds a second layer of protection against possible compromised apps, making sure that they wouldn't affect any entire system.

The technology, however, takes quite a while to integrate into apps, and brings into question a number of features that may have to be removed. Apple previously set a deadline for all apps to use sandboxing in November of last year, but this was later delayed to March 1 and delayed again today.

We have extended the deadline for sandboxing your apps on the Mac App Store from March 1st to June 1st to provide you with enough time to take advantage of new sandboxing entitlements available in OS X 10.7.3 and new APIs in Xcode 4.3. Get more details about sandboxing your app and find answers to FAQs.

Developers have made their voices heard, informing Apple that there are still questions on how sandboxing should be implemented properly.

Microsoft directly attacks Google in new video

Microsoft has posted a new video to its YouTube account that directly attacks Google's "lack" of non-experimental products. The company focused on the number of high-profile changes Google has been making over the past eight months, and the fact that end-users are affected in a major way.

The video follows "Googlighting Stranger," who tries to convince a company to use Google products, despite the fact that they are ever-changing.

We've got to give credit to Microsoft to this one - they've got a sense of humor.

Microsoft Office suite spotted on an iPad – release in “coming weeks”?

The Daily has posted a lone screenshot of what appears to be the Microsoft Office productivity suite running as a native app on the iPad, something that has been rumored numerous times now. The report claims that development on the app has been completed, and a submission to Apple for approval into the App Store is coming "soon." A release could come as soon as next month.

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files can be opened and edited (both locally and online) through the app, which seems to have a taste of Microsoft's "Metro UI."

On a side note, the report states that no Android app for Office is currently in development.

Barnes and Noble unveils 8 GB NOOK Tablet for $199

Earlier today, Barnes and Noble announced an 8 GB version of the NOOK Tablet and e-reader for $199. The tablet will tout 512 MB of RAM, a 1 GHz dual-core processor, a battery that lasts 11.5 hours, and a 7-inch display. It's extremely similar to the 16 GB version of the device, except with less onboard storage. It is available for purchase beginning today.

In addition, Barnes and Noble announced that its NOOK Color Android-based tablet will now be available for $169, down from the previous $199. The price change is in effect beginning today.

Comcast launches “Xfinity Streampix” – competitor to Netflix

Today, Comcast announced the launch of its new video streaming service, dubbed "Xfinity Streampix," which will be a direct competitor with Netflix and Verizon's recently announced streaming service with Redbox. Comcast says that the service is subscription-based and will allow customers to watch older movies and TV shows instantly by streaming them to TVs, mobile devices, and online platforms.

To help jumpstart the service, Comcast is partnering with the following movie studios and content providers: Disney-ABC Television Group, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Cookie Jar Entertainment.

Our goal is to consistently deliver greater value to our customers and to bring the best anytime, anywhere entertainment on multiple platforms. Streampix is another step moving TV Everywhere forward by giving customers access to an even greater library of popular choices to watch.

Xfinity Streampix is launching to Comcast customers this week, and will be available on devices such as the Xbox 360 and Android-powered smartphones in the "coming year." The service will be bundled with a number of "Xfinity triple-play" packages, or a separate $4.99 per month.

RIM releases BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

Today, Research in Motion (RIM) announced the release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, bringing several new features and improvements to the company's mid-range tablet. OS 2.0's major new feature is the addition of a native email client, which the PlayBook launched without last year. Customers made it heard that they were upset over the lack of a native email client on the PlayBook.

In addition, PlayBook OS 2.0 brings the following new features:

• Social integration with the Contacts and Calendar apps
• An updated BlackBerry Bridge app, which includes the ability to use a BlackBerry smartphone as a mouse and/or keyboard for the PlayBook
• New apps in the BlackBerry App World, including Android apps that are able to run on the PlayBook platform
• Updated virtual keyboard, new "Print To Go" app, etc.

The PlayBook OS 2.0 update is available over-the-air (OTA) beginning today.

Anonymous says “massive” announcement coming later this week

Renowned hacker group "Anonymous" has revealed that the Internet should expect a "massive" announcement coming sometime later this week dealing with the group's "anti-security" (a.k.a. "anti-sec") movement. "Stay tuned for a MASSIVE announcement from #Anonymous, coming later this week," the group tweeted via their @YourAnonNews account. Several members of the group later retweeted the announcement Tuesday morning.

At this time, it's unclear exactly what the "massive" news deals with, but it's likely something surrounding Anonymous' recent anti-SOPA / anti-ACTA protests. It could also be another (very) high-profile hack that we haven't heard about yet. Previously, the group obtained information from the FBI, FTC, and several military groups.

We'll keep you posted when the news hits.

Apple’s North Carolina data center earns “LEED Platinum certification”; soon to be powered by largest solar array in U.S.

This week, Apple updated its environmental information page, which is where the company displays statistics about its products and how environmentally friendly ("green") they are. The new info deals with Apple's Maiden, North Carolina data center and discusses how it has been awarded "the coveted LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council."

The Cupertino-based technology company says that it knows of no other data center of that size to earn the same level of certification. In addition, Apple has revealed its plans to power the data center, which supposedly is used for its new iCloud and Siri services, "with high percentage renewable energy mix." It plans to build the largest "end user-owned solar array" and "nonutility fuel cell installation" in the United States.

China Telecom to begin selling iPhone 4S on March 9

China Telecom, the nation's smallest of three major carriers, announced today that it will begin taking pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 4S on March 2, with sales beginning March 9, 2012. Customers will be able to choose between the 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB models, the same options that are available world wide.

Google files patent related to Siri-esque voice commands for Google TV

Patently Apple reports on a patent filed by Google that deals with voice input commands for the Google TV set-top box. The feature would act similarly to Apple's Siri service on the iPhone 4S in the sense that it would allow users to ask a variety of questions through an Android app and have the answer outputted on the Google TV, or other specific media device. The technology can also be applied to things like music.

The patent specifically states that "the provision of the query to the television may occur when the user is within a set distance of his home also (e.g., by determining with GPS functionality on the smartphone that he is within 1/4 mile of the home), and the television may be turned on automatically as he approaches the home, with the television tuned to a channel that is determined to be most relevant to the query…"

Whether or not a feature like this will be integrated into a Google TV product is still unknown at this time.

[UPDATE: GOOGLE RESPONSE] Microsoft accuses Google of bypassing security settings on Internet Explorer too

Over the weekend, we brought you the news that Google had been caught bypassing user security settings of Safari on iOS devices, which allowed the Internet giant to track users' behavior while browsing the Web. Google was using cookies in order to track how people browse the Internet.

Today, Microsoft announced via its IEBlog that it has caught Google using the same tactic to track users' behavior on Internet Explorer. "Google is employing similar methods to get around the default privacy protections in IE and track IE users with cookies," the company says.

We’ve found that Google bypasses the P3P Privacy Protection feature in IE. The result is similar to the recent reports of Google’s circumvention of privacy protections in Apple’s Safari Web browser, even though the actual bypass mechanism Google uses is different.

Microsoft recommends that users who don't want to be tracked by Google update to Internet Explorer 9 and begin to use the Tracking Protection list feature in the web browser.

UPDATE: Google has issued a statement to The Verge, responding to Microsoft's claim. The Internet giant says that Microsoft is using older technology in Internet Explorer, causing the "issue" with cookies.

Full statement:

Microsoft omitted important information from its blog post today.

Microsoft uses a "self-declaration" protocol (known as "P3P") dating from 2002 under which Microsoft asks websites to represent their privacy practices in machine-readable form. It is well known - including by Microsoft - that it is impractical to comply with Microsoft’s request while providing modern web functionality. We have been open about our approach, as have many other websites.

Today the Microsoft policy is widely non-operational. A 2010 research report indicated that over 11,000 websites were not issuing valid P3P policies as requested by Microsoft...

Microsoft extends support dates for Windows Vista, 7

This week, Microsoft revealed its plans to extend the support dates of both Windows Vista and Windows 7 by several years. The company was initially planning to support Vista until April of 2012, but this has been pushed back to 2017. This means that users still on the aging version of Windows can expect to see patch updates, but no new feature additions after April of this year.

On the Windows 7 side of things, Microsoft will be offering "extended support" of the newest version of the desktop operating system until January 14, 2020. This date has been extended from the initial January of 2015. Users of Windows 7 can expect to see new feature additions up until January 2015, and after that only patch updates.

Microsoft is planning to launch Windows 8, which is currently under development and testing with consumers, before the end of 2012.

The Pirate Bay risking a block in the UK

According to a report from The Guardian, popular magnet link and .torrent file host The Pirate Bay may soon be blocked in the United Kingdom following a ruling from a judge in London, which states that the website violates copyright laws. British Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are being pressured by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to block customer access to The Pirate Bay. The association claims that the website has cost them millions of dollars in copyright infringement.

Mr Justice Arnold said in a written judgment: "In my judgment, the operators of [The Pirate Bay] do authorise its users' infringing acts of copying and communication to the public. They go far beyond merely enabling or assisting.

"I conclude that both users and the operators of [The Pirate Bay] infringe the copyrights of the claimants … in the UK."

The music groups claim that The Pirate Bay ignored repeated requests to stop making available copyrighted music.

The court will decide in June of this year whether to force ISPs to block access to The Pirate Bay.

ABC previews ‘Nightline’ visit to Foxconn factory

Over the past weekend, ABC announced that it had been granted access to the Foxconn factory in China, where Apple assembles its products. The segment, which is entitled "iFactory: Inside Apple," is scheduled to air tomorrow night, but ABC has posted a preview of the video today as a teaser.

It was around this time when Apple called me. They wondered if "Nightline" was interested in seeing their iPhone, iPad and MacBook final assembly lines at Foxconn during a first-ever audit by the Fair Labor Association. I said yes, very much, and immediately started imaging the reasons why they were offering such a scoop to me, of all people. Among the possibilities...

The segment is hosted by Nightline co-anchor Bill Weir, and features interviews with Foxconn employees and top executives.