Sony brings full-capability of the DualShock 4 to the PC and Mac with new accessory

Alongside the announcement of PlayStation Now’s availability on Windows, Sony is introducing a new USB adapter that will bring DualShock4 support to both Windows and OS X. The $29.99 dongle promises to bring “every feature” of the PlayStation 4 gamepad, including full access to “buttons, analog sticks, touch pad, light bar, motion sensors, vibration, and stereo headset jack,” for as long as these features are available on the game you’re playing. The accessory will start shipping next month.

You can already connect the DualShock 4 to the PC via Bluetooth or by using a USB cable but this allows for easier connection and it gives you access to all the capabilities. However, according to The Verge, you can only connect a single controller to the adapter and you’ll just need to use a USB cable to connect the second controller if you want to add another player into the mix.

OS X hit by first ransomware via Transmission BitTorrent client

Apple’s Mac operating system has been hit by the “first fully functional” ransomware threat via the Transmission BitTorrent client. According to Claud Xiao and Jin Chen of Palo Alto Networks, “attackers infected two installers of Transmission version 2.90 with KeRanger on the morning of March 4.” Once installed, the malware connected to a remote server via the Tor anonymizing service and it “begins encrypting certain types of document and data files on the system.” It then “demands that victims pay one bitcoin (about $400) to a specific address to retrieve their files.” If you downloaded the app on Friday or Saturday, it’s recommended you download the 2.92 update to avoid being targeted by the ransomware. And here are steps to identify and remove the malware if it was installed.

Apple on the same day the threat was discovered revoked the signing certificate involved to prevent new installations of the infected version via the iOS-like GateKeeper signed-app security system. They also automatically distributed an OS X XProtect antivirus signature to flag or quarantine existing compromised downloads. With these measures up, those who try to open a known-infected version of the app will get a warning dialog box that notes “Transmission.app will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash,” or “Transmission can’t be opened. You should eject the disk image.”

Source: Apple Insider

Snapdrop is a simpler AirDrop replacement

If Apple’s AirDrop feature has ever acted out on you, Snapdrop is just the tool you need. This website will make it easier for your to transfer files to and from your iOS device to your OS X computer. All you need to do is open Snapdrop’s webpage on both devices while you’re on the same network. After that you can just transfer files between the two with just a few clicks or taps. Just make sure the webpage is open on both devices, they don’t even have to be using the same browser.

Source: The Next Web

iTunes on OS X adds Notification Center widget

Apple is finally taking advantage of its Notification Center for its own software. A new update for iTunes 12.1 now adds support for the Notification Center. It has a widget that will let you control your music right from the system-wide panel. Aside from being able to control your tunes, you can also purchase songs from iTunes Radio right in the widget. The update should be rolling out to you as we speak.

Source: Ubergizmo