A few days ago we linked to a Baltimore Sun article that investigated the recent accidental release of private patient data online by The Dental Network. Now the reporter who broke the story, Liz F. Kay, has contacted us with news that "this was the largest of nearly 40 breaches affecting Maryland residents" since a disclosure law went into effect in January:

Thirty-nine businesses or groups have reported losses of sensitive information involving about 87,500 Maryland residents in the three months since a state law took effect requiring that people be informed of such incidents, records show.

The breaches have included everything from SSNs showing through envelope windows to deliberate attacks on databases by hackers. Luckily for Maryland residents, a state law ensures that you can place credit freezes with each of the three major reporting companies for $5 each.

Not a Marylander? Check this interactive map for a quick overview of what your state enforces by way of disclosure laws in the event your data is compromised.

"No sure bets in personal data security" [Baltimore Sun]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras, HDTV

Sony launched the hot little HDR-SR12 HD camcorder in a overwhelming barrage of new models at CES, so it hasn't really gotten the love it deserves, but the crew over at CamcorderInfo recently took one for a spin and found that while the $1399 cam isn't the cheapest option out there, it's still a strong competitor to popular options like the Canon HF100. Although the video bitrate is a bit lower than the Canon at 16Mbps, image quality was overall comparable due to the Bionz image processor and Exmos CMOS sensor, which is the same chip found in Sony's Alpha DSLRs, and it's got the most storage available at 120GB. The only other potential dealbreaker is the fixed 60i framerate, but if shooting in 30p or 24p isn't important to you, the HDR-SR12 looks like it's worth a spot on your list.

 

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Filed under: Digital Cameras, HDTV

Sony launched the hot little HDR-SR12 HD camcorder in a overwhelming barrage of new models at CES, so it hasn't really gotten the love it deserves, but the crew over at CamcorderInfo recently took one for a spin and found that while the $1399 cam isn't the cheapest option out there, it's still a strong competitor to popular options like the Canon HF100. Although the video bitrate is a bit lower than the Canon at 16Mbps, image quality was overall comparable due to the Bionz image processor and Exmos CMOS sensor, which is the same chip found in Sony's Alpha DSLRs, and it's got the most storage available at 120GB. The only other potential dealbreaker is the fixed 60i framerate, but if shooting in 30p or 24p isn't important to you, the HDR-SR12 looks like it's worth a spot on your list.

 

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Were you affected by The Dental Network's security breach in Maryland earlier this year? Last week we didn't have the address for the official "what to do now" website, but now we do: lds.thedentalnet.org. (Thanks to Liz!)

Last year we came across the Rotoflexion massaging backpack, but alas it was only a concept device. However, someone out there was enterprising enough to turn the idea into reality with the Airo—a backpack that can apply massage, vibration, and relaxing heat to sore shoulder and back muscles. Unfortunately, it appears that they failed to make the device into a functional backpack, which seems like a missed opportunity to me. After all, if I am going to walk around looking like a freakin' turtle, I should at least be able to store my books in the thing. [Discovery via BookofJoe via DVICE]

According to Camcorder Info, Sony's HDR-SR12 is continuing to push the AVCHD format forward as a viable successor to HDV. It is, by far, the best Sony HDD camcorder on the market—and with 120GB under the hood, it is unmatched in the AVCHD category in terms of capacity. As far as preformance is concerned, the SR12 held its own against even the intimidating Canon VIxza HF10, with only a slight inferiority in picture sharpness. They also noted that Sony's Exmor CMOS sensor and Bionz processor has improved in leaps and bounds over their top HDV camcorder, the HDR-HD9.

In the end CI believes that the decision on what do buy is going to come down to a combination of what each individual needs in a camcorder and what they can afford. The HDR-SR12 is going to set you back a few at $1399, but you get a ton of capacity and a HDD for those who prefer it. On the other hand you could always drop down to the 60GB HDR-SR11 and save yourself about $200. If you want to save some money and get a more portable device, the HF10 may still be your best choice at $1100. Hit the link for the full review. [Camcorder Info and Sony]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Details are still shaky, but GigaOM is reporting that the futures of certain AT&T executives may also be dubious. In addition to a recently replaced CTO and recently departed USi CEO, apparently VPs are being offered exit packages or demotions (their choice!), possibly to trim some of the fat at the top of the pyramid before the US economy gets any crappier. We can't say for sure, but hey, those billions of dollars in 700MHz auction funds have to come from somewhere -- immediately, too, you don't want the FCC sending over hundreds of goons to kneecap thousands of employees. AT&T had no comment on matters both of downsizing and the FCC's mafia-like collection practices.

 

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I've just decided to mark today Palm Centro Day for three reasons:
• Fulfilling Brian Lam's prediction, Palm just announced that it only took six months to sell 1 million of the suckers, in 10 countries no less. (Helps when there's a GSM version, doesn't it?)
• AT&T released the obsidian (that is, black) version to go along with its white one. Ruby Red and Pinky Pink are still Sprint only.
• In some Best Buy locations, the normally $100 AT&T Centros have been spotted selling for $40 to new customers. Hopefully these deals will keep cropping up.
Here's what I want to know from you long-term Centro users: does the Centro deserve the honor, bound to sell 1 million more before year end? Or was it just a flash in the old smartphone pan? [Palm Centro]

A lucky Laptop Mag writer recently got a close up view of the upcoming Motorola Z9 at CTIA and came away notably impressed by the 2.4-inch screen, smooth sliding action and tactile feedback of the keypad. Features like AT&T Navigator support, CrystalTalk noise suppression, and video sharing were also noted. On the negative side, the quality of streaming video on the device was less than stellar—although that could have been a reception issue. All in all, not bad for a first impression, although pricing and a release date remain elusive. Hit the link for the full details. [Laptop Mag]

Filed under: Cellphones

We'd normally chalk this kind of thing up as an April Fool's day joke, but we're hearing it's real: the long standing bastions of iPhone hacking, the iPhone Dev Team, posted a note to their site stating that "[today] the DevTeam was approached by an unnamed party to sell all of the intellectual property and related applications. After much consideration [What, hours? -Ed.] the offer was accepted and the [Dev Team] has ceased." For those not in the know, the Dev Team is the same group that posted jailbreaks to 2.0 (before it was out), 1.1.3, 1.1.1, developed the AnySIM unlock, and was thiiiis close to releasing the Pwnage tool (which promised total unsigned firmware control of the iPhone). Funny thing about the hacker community though, take one down and 10 more spring up to take their place -- we're sure the iPhone Elite team is having quite a day.

[Thanks Andrew, Erica]

 

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