IC-CRACK

When Apple announced the iPhone 5s in September 2013, much of the popular press hailed the device’s inclusion of fingerprint sensing (dubbed Touch ID) as a major breakthrough in mobile security.
The more astute journalists pointed out that Motorola had brought to market fingerprint scanning in the Atrix 4G handset back in February 2011, more than two and a half years earlier. As an owner of the Atrix 4G since its early days, I can provide some insight into the real-world ups and downs of using a fingerprint scanner on a daily basis, although the proliferation of fingerprint devices presents greater security concerns.

In terms of usability, the fingerprint method clearly surpasses PIN or password or pattern input as a way to unlock a mobile handset, particularly when it’s a function that gets executed dozens of times a day. It’s one of the reasons that I have hung on to the Atrix 4G as one of my phones for this long.

A couple of scenarios confound the Atrix 4G’s fingerprint recognition. One is short term changes in fingertip skin, such as from recently wet hands that distort the skin (an extreme example being “prune finger” from shower or bath) or otherwise cause moisture-related problems for the capacitive finger sensor. (In this type of sensor, the fingerprint image is generated by electrical rather than optical differences between ridges and troughs.)

Another problem appears to be seasonal, in that skin condition varies enough from summer to winter here in New England that I have to recalibrate the handset with a fresh set of print samples a couple of times a year. A device with more sophisticated pattern recognition algorithms and more powerful processing might be able to account for such variability, and perhaps the iPhone 5s is better than the Atrix 4G in that regard.

No doubt law enforcement uses more elaborate techniques for matching prints, but as a consumer device, the Atrix 4G does remarkably well, correctly recognizing my print more than 95 percent of the time on the first swipe (i.e. fewer than 5 percent false negatives). The likelihood of false positives, that is someone else’s finger successfully unlocking the phone, is effectively zero.

Sure, a determined attacker could poach a fingerprint from somewhere else and dupe it onto the sensor, as was widely publicized when a group of hackers successfully accessed an iPhone 5s that way only a few days after the product’s release. However, the odds of that actually happening to a phone in the wild are slim, as long as the handset maker doesn’t build the housing out of a glossy plastic that’s a fingerprint magnet. The odds are probably higher that an attacker would pick up a user’s PIN or password just by watching over the shoulder.

A much greater risk would be if hackers managed to distribute malware via an innocent looking app that uploads fingerprint data to a central server where it could be used for other nefarious purposes. Even if the fingerprint images stored on the handset (Data At Rest) are adequately encrypted, a smart enough attacker with the right level of access might be able to capture the raw data from the sensor as the finger is scanned (Data In Motion). Embedded devices of any kind that include fingerprint recognition need to be designed from the start to prevent such access. (Companies such as AuthenTec offer on-sensor encryption.) In addition to critical infrastructure like energy grid and transportation management, fingerprint sensors increasingly will appear in multi-factor authentication for broader embedded applications for financial transactions, building access, medical records, biotech laboratories, home security, and a range of consumer electronics products.

Theft of one person’s fingerprint would be an immense hassle for that individual but not a societal threat. A method of surreptitiously capturing prints from thousands or even millions of consumers could present a massive security nightmare, especially since those prints later could be employed on other devices for which a user has fingerprint access. All it would take to expose such a risk would be one consumer electronics manufacturer that shortcuts the design of one popular product to save a little on development time or BOM cost.

Users don’t have the option of resetting their compromised fingerprints as they do their passwords, and they don’t have the option of using different fingerprints to access different systems, at least not beyond the limit of two hands’ worth. Ironically, fingerprints may become less secure in the long run than other forms of authentication. In the meantime, I’m hanging onto my phone.
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Read more: http://evertiq.com/design/33464

With the explosion in mobile data traffic, operators struggle to provide the data services that their customers desire.
ABI Research forecasts that mobile monitoring and optimization equipment revenue will increase to over $9 billion by 2018 and operators can remain competitive by continuously providing their customers with high performance data services even with congested networks.

Research analyst, Sabir Rafiq comments, “Mobile operators are feeling the squeeze on data capacity, and with solutions such as Self-Optimizing Networks (SON) and Wi-Fi offloading they can assure that their customers receive the best possible service at all times.”

Optimizing across heterogeneous networks, which are multi-technology and multi-environment networks, also plays a vital role. As many people utilize different devices for their daily data usage, optimizing across technologies such as 3G / 4G / macrocell / HetNets / Wi-Fi is required to profitably deliver an optimum service.

Rafiq continues, “The coordination between the macro cells and small cells is vital to deliver optimum performance of the radio network and provide a meaningful end customer experience.”

ABI Research sees that the leading mobile network infrastructure vendors, Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei, and NSN all provide SON and Heterogeneous Network solutions. NSN has an edge over its competitors with its intelligent SON automation and early field deployments across 3G and 4G. The solution helps operators to monitor the deployment, process alignment strategies, and implement new network elements.

Read more: http://evertiq.com/design/33462

PCB supplier, Viasystems Group, is opening its new North American PCB Technology and Manufacturing Center in Anaheim, California.
“Viasystems’ new Anaheim facility showcases some of the latest state-of-the-art production equipment, with a focus on automation that greatly increases throughput and takes advantage of the most current technology available,” said David M. Sindelar, Chief Executive Officer of Viasystems.

“This new owned facility replaces our previously existing multi-building leased location and houses a significant number of technological and manufacturing upgrades. These upgrades will allow our advanced engineering team to offer our customers unmatched capabilities for PCB applications in the semiconductor, aerospace, and advanced communication end markets,” continued Mr. Sindelar.

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/33031

Since the beginning of October, Zollner Elektronik has been ‘up and running’ at its new production facility in Hombrechtikon, Switzerland, where the company will operate under the name Zollner Electronics GmbH.
At this location, the company will produce complex mechatronics systems for Qiagen. Along side this, the company will also produce products for customers in the field of NMR technology (= nuclear magnetic resonance).

On October 10, 2013, a small ceremony was held with representatives from Qiagen and Zollner to celebrated the successful completion of the joint project. The first product has been successfully tested and delivered. Douglas Liu, Vice President of Operations from Qiagen and Johann Weber, CEO & Board of Zollner Elektronik AG, thanked the employees of Qiagen and Zollner for the good partnership and for successful project work. “We are looking forward to this new challenge and we will continuously expand mechatronics and biochemistry“, says Johann Weber.

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/33015

Microsoft just edged Sony for the top position in ABI Research’s game console Competitive Assessment, based on expectations for the impact of Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One game consoles.
ABI Research evaluated a number of companies across three device categories: game consoles, smart set-top boxes, and TVs/Blu-ray players. Several factors were used to score each company based on two main axes of Innovation and Implementation. The assessment provides deep insight into consumer electronics ecosystems and modern video experiences in the connected home.

Sony fell to second in the game console assessment in part because key PlayStation 4 (PS4) differentiators like cloud gaming are still untested (and won’t be fully available at launch), but largely because Microsoft has shown more features on the broader entertainment front (e.g. hybrid premium/OTT services). Nintendo secured the third position but a significant gap remains between it and market leaders.

Senior analyst Michael Inouye commented, “With the hardware specs between Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PS4 so similar this leaves Nintendo’s Wii U on the outside. If not for Nintendo’s wider distribution network, console heritage, and first party titles it would start to find itself in closer competition with many of the new market entrants.”

Not since the fifth generation of consoles have there been so many competing platforms, but unlike the past there is room for optimism. In this analysis some new platforms scored fairly well due to relatively solid foundations – e.g. Android or Valve’s Steam. Before these new entrants compete on equal ground with the incumbents; however, the markets (mobile in particular) will need to further develop and evolve.

Practice director Sam Rosen added, “As we look at the distribution of companies in this analysis it might look as if we expect a bifurcation in console gaming – a high end populated by two premium platforms and a larger pool largely based on mobile ecosystems. While this might be true in the short term we anticipate the market will come to look more cohesive than not as technologies like cloud gaming place less emphasis on the hardware and more on platforms and services.”

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/33002

Tecnomaster Group has purchased an additional Orbotech Sprint inkjet printer for use in its newly acquired company, LPP GmbH in Germany.
Tecnomaster now utilizes Orbotech’s Sprint technology in production in all of its three facilities (Italy, France and Germany).

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Arduino Pattaro, President of Tecnomaster, said: “Our goal is to maintain a high quality standard and unified process throughout our manufacturing operations. The acquisition of LPP is of major strategic importance to the company, enabling us to capture 80% PCB market coverage in Europe. To meet the demanding requirements of our customers, we must ensure top performing production equipment and modern processes in all facilities. This makes utilizing Orbotech technology a logical decision.”

Mr. Hadar Himmelman, President of Orbotech West, said “With its recent acquisition of LPP and continued investment in capital equipment, Tecnomaster is moving forward with its growth initiatives as a leading PCB manufacturer in Europe. We are pleased to be able to support their strategic goals and further progress with best-in-class technology solutions. ”

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/32992

Swedish PartnerTech has scaled up its operations in Asia. Now the company looks to build on its knowhow gathered from its other ventures.
With its facility in Dongguan, China having ISO 9001, 14001 and 13485 certifications, the factory focuses on medical and clean-tech. The facility is equipped with four SMT lines and several class 10 clean rooms.

The company sees its history and European connection as an advantage in these areas as PartnerTech CEO Leif Thorwaldsson told The South China Morning Post: “We have a strong advantage in the med-tech and clean-tech fields, given our familiarity with rigorous regulations in Europe, the United States and Asia.”

More and more of the economic development takes place in Asia. Something that the PartnerTech looks to be a part of while integrating its Asian operations with the established networks in Europe and the Americas.

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/32984

Hon Hai Precision Industry – Foxconn Electronics – is looking to have at least seven of its subsidiaries listed – either on Taiwan’s over-the-counter stock market or the Taiwanese stock exchange – before the en of 2015.
The connector business of the EMS-giant, New Wing International – Originally Foxconn’s Network Interconnection Business Group – will apply to enter the TSE in 2015, according to DigitTimes, citing market watchers.

The company’s subsidiary, Eson Precision Engineering is already on its way as it has passed the evaluation for listing. Ennoconn – the industrial PC ODM wing of Foxconn – has just applied for evaluation.

Other entity’s that will apply for listing are: Firipower Integrated Technology and Advanced Optoelectronic Technology (AOT), as well as a optical related subsidiary and GIS, the report continues.

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/32939

Tieto will continue with its efficiency improvements as part of its continuous renewal, seeking to improve price competitiveness and to meet its long-term financial targets. Which means, headcount reductions.
Additionally, Tieto needs to address the overcapacity caused by the longer-term decline in the telecom sector. With the actions initiated in 2013, including personnel negotiations started in May and August, Tieto aims at annualized savings of over EUR 50 million.

Tieto aims to reduce up to 770 positions globally, of which up to 455 in its service lines (up to 240 in Managed Services and up to 215 in Consulting and System Integration), up to 205 in Product Development Services and up to 110 in its industry groups and support functions.

The planned reductions affect approximately 350 employees in Finland, 180 in Sweden and 240 in other countries. The reductions are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2014.

According to local practices in Finland, personnel negotiations will be started in the Managed Services Service Line (up to 170 employees), Product Development Services (up to 90) and the Telecom, Energy and Media industry group (up to 25). The remainder of the reductions are being handled mainly through individual agreements and retirement arrangements.

“The IT industry is in the midst of rapid global change: new technologies, such as cloud computing, and changes in customer requirements drive the rapid modernization of old IT systems to standardized and less labour-intensive solutions,” says Kimmo Alkio, President and CEO for Tieto.

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/32923

“We cannot delay this any longer. We must embark on the modernization and technological re-equipment of the industrial sector as a whole. I believe, for our country, it is a matter of survival in the modern world,” said Dmitry Medvedev.
In late 2009 he unveiled plans to create a Russian Silicon Valley called Skolkovo. So, what exactly is Skolkovo today?

For one, it is not just a single geographical area. It can better be described as a program covering all of Russia. Innocity – the heart of Skolkovo – is now under construction. It will be the future centre of the Russian electronic industry. But even such a massive investment as the establishment of a new city is not enough to boost the huge electronics world in Russia. People involved in the Skolkovo project usually describe it as a nationwide idea. A friendly eco-system for innovative companies.

The Skolkovo Foundation is a non-governmental body, having a mandate from the government to create an innovation centre based on government subsidies. In turn, Skolkovo supports over 1’000 innovative companies across the country, organises an Open University, builds a brand new city in Moscow’s suburbia, ensures financing and cooperates with key partners, such as Cisco, Nokia, Intel and many others.

Anna Nikina, Head of Partnership Development, describes the current shape of the Skolkovo initiative: “Today, more than 1’000 innovative companies are Skolkovo participants, employing 13’000 people. These are very young companies, established on average just 15 months ago. Only 35 of them are located here, in Moscow’s Technopark: the rest are spread across all of Russia. Also, 43 international companies – key partners such as Microsoft, IBM, Johnson&Johnson – have shown interest. 28 of them will establish R&D centers in Skolkovo’s Innocity and already have started to work towards that goal.”

In the nearest future, Skolkovo will receive its heart: Innocity. The new city will be build as a green field establishment on a 2.5 million sq.m. plot and will comprise office buildings, a University, numerous R&D centers, the Technopark and an apartment area for 22 – 25 thousand inhabitants. Everything will be connected with the Moscow city centre by a fast train, envisioned to transport another 20 thousand employees daily.

“We are going to create a friendly eco-system which gathers all players needed to boost the innovation process. Something that was never created in the former Soviet Union. In ‘naukogrady’, no connection was made between science and business. One of the key steps to pool both in the same place was – in fact – finding the right location, where such an environment could be created. We have created a master plan of the city of 2.5 million square meters which will enable people to focus on what they are supposed to focus on: innovation”, said Anton Lakovenko, CEO at LLC UDAS Skolkovo, responsible for the construction of Innocity.

Start-ups supported

Even after 2020, when Innocity is ready, the vast majority of Skolkovo partners will stay beyond its boundaries. The foundation supports these companies in many areas. One of the most visible ways are Technoparks, ‘inexpensive offices with access to expensive equipment’ as described by one of our interlocutors. Every Skolkovo partner also receives tax reliefs as well as migration visas and customs duty support.

Separate programs are provided for venture financing: “Each partner can apply for a grant from Skolkovo. This is not a loan which you would have to pay back to Skolkovo or transfer equity in your company for. It is money from government to promote innovation”, said Anna Nikina. Skolkovo approved 209 grants for RBL 9.5 billion. If the grant’s sources are not sufficient enough, 52 venture funds, including 21 international funds, are also part of the eco-system.

Andrey Sartori, Chief Technical Officer, is responsible for labs net functioning: “We have started a countrywide program of lab accreditation. We have more than 400 labs in Russia, but very few of them have a proper, client oriented attitude. This is their weakest point; even if they are equipped with modern technology. For our accreditation process, we have chosen numerous labs, we work with them to meet our requirements, including proper client service. This will enable Skolkovo partners to benefit from the program.”

International partners

One of the office buildings already build in Innocity, named Hypercube, houses Cisco’s office. In future, Cisco will concentrate all its operations in the state-of-the-art research center located in Innocity. Another one, build by Alstom and Transmasz Holding, will be ready in 2016. The list of international companies which announced to establish R&D centers in Skolkovo is long and impressive: Boeing, EADS, Ericsson, GE, Honeywell, Intel, Nokia or Nokia Solutions & Network are the most familiar to Evertiq’s readers. Samsung is also said to be interested in joining this impressive line-up.

“Why should people seriously think about establishing their offices and R&D centers here in Skolkovo?”, asks Anton Lakovenko. “Maybe because Skolkovo has the answer to most of the drawbacks that can be found here in Russia. For the first time we will have a quality environment with all necessary legal, fiscal and infrastructure problems solved.” In the future Innocity, the first few office buildings are already finished and several others, including the new Technopark facilities and the University, are growing fast. The construction of the main boulevard and train station are also under way.

“Skolkovo was established to support start-up projects. It is not really crucial, which country the project comes from, but it is important that the project includes R&D development in Russia. For example, when Intel started its research project with us, the first step was to establish a connection with a Russian project partner. It is a formal requirement to have a Russian entity established and Russian people involved in the team”, explains Albert Efimov, Project Director IT Cluster.

“After that, the application process starts and approximately 2-3 out of 10 projects are accepted. Our experts panel evaluates each project against three main criteria – technology innovation, commercialization & potential and feasibility”, he adds. “The next step could be the application for grant financing, but the criteria for that are much more restrictive. Here only 2 out of 10 project are granted funding through Skolkovo.”

Read more: http://evertiq.com/news/32809