Bitcoin’s profitability called into question as energy consumption rises
Growing interest in Bitcoin is wielding a double-edged sword against cryptocurrency operations. Bitcoin mining is estimated to consume 0.5 percent of the world's energy consumption this year, and rising cost needed to cool mining facilities may make cryptocurrency mining unprofitable.
Money-laundering ‘Bitcoin Maven’ receives one-year prison sentence
Theresa Tetley of Los Angeles, also known as the Bitcoin Maven, gets sentenced to one year in prison. The prison term is down from the 30 months that she faced for running an unlicensed money transmission business and, in at least one instance, exchanging Bitcoin for cash that came from illegal means.
Cat got your wallet? CryptoKitties virtual feline fetches $170K in crypto cash
If you thought you paid a lot for in-app purchases to enjoy your latest mobile game, think again. A CryptoKitty named Dragon was recently sold on Etherum-based CryptoKitties, a game that's based on blockchain, for the equivalent of $170,000. In case you were wondering, that's a record.
415,000 routers worldwide reportedly infected with cryptojacking malware
A cryptojacking malware that was initially discovered affecting more than 200,000 routers in Brazil now has grown to infect more than 415,000 routers worldwide. The malware's goal is to steal resources from computers to mine cryptocurrency in a scheme known as cryptojacking. Fortunately there is a fix.
Miner One takes Bitcoin mining to new heights with space mission
Miner One launched a new initial coin offering (ICO) campaign that sent the Space Miner One cryptocurrency mining rig to space to mine for bitcoin. Miner One expects to raise $10 million as part of its ICO to build a cryptocurrency mining center in Sweden and share the benefits with investors.
Your new PC may have shipped with an unsupported version of Windows 10
Microsoft's recalled Windows 10 October 2018 Update may have caused some of its PC partners to ship tablets and laptops with an unsupported version of Windows 10. This issue largely affects the new crop of ARM-based Always-Connected PC devices, though it may have caused launch delays for some AMD and Intel systems.
Amazon breach exposes an unknown number of email addresses
Ahead of the busy Black Friday shopping event, Amazon suffered a data breach. The online retailer blamed a technical error for exposing your email address, though it stressed that your password was not affected and a fix has been implemented. Still, Amazon has not disclosed any details about this incident.
SwiftKey is coming to Windows 10 to improve touchscreen typing
Microsoft’s latest Insider Preview build of Windows 10 makes it easier to type on glass. SwiftKey integration is now part of Insider Preview build 17692, bringing support for swiping gestures, autocorrect, and word prediction. This should help Windows tablets and convertibles be more competitive against Android slates and iPads.
Apple’s first-generation MacBook is Amazon’s Deal of the Day
If you're shopping for a thin and light laptop, Amazon offers significant savings on Apple's first-generation MacBook -- if you're willing to settle for an older, refurbished model. The laptop comes with its own trade-offs, but you should be warned to be prepared to live the dongle life if you're getting this!
Your next virtual reality headset will require just one USB-C cable to connect
VirtualLink wants to simplify the virtual reality experience by replacing all the cables -- USB, HDMI, and power -- needed to connect a VR headset to a PC today with a single USB-C cable. This will help reduce friction in VR adoption and could speed up setup times for those looking to get started with a new headset.
Failure rate of MacBook Pro ‘butterfly’ keyboards is double that of older models
While the butterfly keys helped Apple slim down the newest MacBook Pros, switching to this new design comes with its own cost. With keyboard failure rates double that of older models, repairs almost twice as expensive, and some users requiring multiple repairs, Apple's reliability is now at issue.
Microsoft’s pressure-sensitive software keyboard is ripe for dual-screen laptops
Microsoft is working on a new virtual keyboard that recognizes pressure to make it easier to type on glass. The keyboard may be useful on tablets, phones, and a new crop of dual-screen devices that will show up this year. It will be a great fit on Andromeda, if Microsoft ever decides to launch that device.
Alienware m15 headlines Dell’s gaming PC sale to take on Amazon’s Prime Day
Dell is running its own promotions on a range of gaming PCs and laptops to take on Amazon's Prime Day. With its July Cyber Monday event, you can save up to $710 on the Alienware m15. If you want more affordable options, the Dell G3 and G7 15 are both discounted, along with the Aurora desktop.
Digital Storm Aventum X gaming PC review
The allure of the Aventum X isn’t just about power – you can find similar performance elsewhere at cheaper prices. Instead, the Aventum celebrates gamers by making the technology inside as much a part of the design as the tower itself. In designing the Aventum X, Digital Storm has created the Lamborghini of gaming PCs.
