5:26 PM
German researchers developed a device that generated the highest frequency ever achieved by a microelectronic device, 1.11 THz. The device is able to operate at room temperature and could generate 3 THz frequencies. Until this device, THz devices couldn't be used much because they were bulky and very expensive. Terahertz (THz) radiation penetrates common materials such as plastics, paper, fabrics, or ceramics so it will allow nondestructive testing or medical analysis that is impossible at lower frequencies:
http://www.tu-darmstadt.de/vorbeischauen/aktuell/ni_43200.en.jsp
Chinese hackers have embedded malicious software that targets smart cards used by DoD, DHS, State Department, and other government agencies to access restricted servers and networks. By cracking smart cards, Chinese hackers got rid of the final barrier protecting some of the US government's most sensitive secrets. Not only does this software use an e-mail campaign to lure victims into opening an infected PDF attachment, it also contains a keystroke logger that steals PIN numbers for smart cards...given hackers the ability to log in to the server or network to tell the malware where to go and what to steal:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/malicious-software-attacks-security-cards-used-by-pentagon/
Morgan Stanley hinted today that Apple's iPhone 5 will be slimmer than the iPhone 4S and could include a quad-mode chip from Qualcomm that would allow for 3G and LTE operation on all "network flavors". They say that Apple sales will remain strong due to the release of the iPad 3 in the first half of this year and the iPhone 5 later this year:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/01/13/morgan_stanley_apples_next_iphone_to_be_slimmer_may_include_quad_mode_lte_chip.html
Apple's flaship store in Beijing turned into a riot scene when the iPhone 4S went on sale today, with Apple having to suspend sales of all iPhones at its 5 mainland China stores for the safety of its customers and employees. Demand for iPhones in China far exceeds supply, so scalpers hire migrant workers to stand in line overnight for about $16--the scalpers make them easy to identify by matching armbands or hates. When police saw that there were more than 1,000 people in line, they ordered the store not to open--those hired to stand in line were really upset since they would only get paid $1.60 for standing in line all night in freezing temperatures. This same Beijing store had also been forced to close when the iPad 2 was released in China. Apple's other Beijing store and their 3 stores in Shanghai had no problems and the iPhone 4S sold out quickly without any incidents:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/technology/apple-suspends-iphone-4s-sales-in-mainland-china-stores.html?_r=1
Target is going to have small Apple centers at 25 of its stores this year. This goes along with the store-inside-a-store concept that Target is trying this year called The Shops at Target, where Target will open small boutiques showcasing local stores inside its locations. Target will have about 400 exclusive items that the local stores will create with Target's guidance, with stores ranging from pet food and accessories to clothing to home goods. Five small boutiques will be in Target for about 6 weeks, then other small boutiques from local stores will replace them (the Apple stores will stay of course), through at least the end of next year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/business/target-plans-apple-mini-stores.html?_r=3
This writer for this BlackBerry-focused site bought a clock app for his BlackBerry that costs $500! He had thought that he was buying the most expensive app in App World, but he later found out that there is a $600 clock app also available for the BlackBerry platform. Needless to say, he has a huge case of buyer's remorse:
http://crackberry.com/500-desktop-clock-app-blackberry-i-was-dumb-enough-buy