News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by codeka on Thursday June 20, 2013 @12:21AM (#5910116)
Do people really not trust that it wouldn't actually be disabled if you disabled it? Can the paranoid not just put a piece of tape over the lens, or point it at a wall?
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by kaze on Thursday June 20, 2013 @04:15AM (#5910863)
>Can the paranoid not just put a piece of tape over the lens,or point it at a wall?

- Yes one could tape it. Don't apply the tape directly since repeated application and removal of tape can impair camera functionality due to residual adhesive accumulation and the depositing of dust etc on the residual adhesive. Use Microfiber based cloth material between the tape and camera.

- But having said that, I find it painful to even think of repeatedly taping and 'untaping' cameras. Having to remember to point them the other way too is not good - one can forget to do so at times. And then lose sleep over it after having say, watched a romantic movie with one's girlfriend. And so on.

Physically connect when required is a more comfortable model, at least for me. I've seen some unbelievable shit being pulled by hackers, including changing camera firmware to achieve their objective. So making it easier for users to feel absolutely comfortable with their devices is important.

Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by ericd on Thursday June 20, 2013 @07:20AM (#5911382)
Put a hat on it? Why are we debating this?
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by Narishma on Thursday June 20, 2013 @02:02PM (#5913704)
Because there's no valid reason for it to be required to always be connected.
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by ericd on Saturday June 22, 2013 @05:16AM (#5923047)
I meant about taping over the lens. There are fairly obvious solutions, like putting something opaque and non-sticky over it, like a hat.
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by kaze on Friday June 28, 2013 @03:56AM (#5956812)
Agreed.
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by Silhouette on Thursday June 20, 2013 @03:21AM (#5910684)
Do people really not trust that it wouldn't actually be disabled if you disabled it?

No, of course not, and that caution is entirely justified. Consider how effective Samsung's Smart TV security was, right up until they got rooted at the end of last year, at which point if the only privacy safeguards are under software control then they are essentially worthless.

Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by andyhmltn on Thursday June 20, 2013 @03:56AM (#5910794)
>Do people really not trust that it wouldn't actually be disabled if you disabled it?

Of course, but why would you go through that bother if you can just move to a PS4?

Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by Ygg2 on Thursday June 20, 2013 @12:55AM (#5910252)
I don't know if tape covers all the spectrum of its camera (I assume it does, since its infrared only IIRC).
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by GauntletWizard on Thursday June 20, 2013 @01:21AM (#5910331)
No, the demos for the new Kinect specifically show a visible spectrum camera feed, and I think the original had a standard camera too.
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by sliverstorm on Thursday June 20, 2013 @03:35AM (#5910726)
I don't know the light transmission properties of tape, but I'm guessing they don't transmit anything below the visible spectrum, which means this camera would have to capture UV or higher to see through tape.
Re:Your Feedback Matters – Update on Xbox One by ebbv on Thursday June 20, 2013 @10:09AM (#5912133)
Are you really saying it's OK that I have to put tape over a brand new piece of $499 equipment I bought? You think that's solid design?

I think that's reason enough to avoid it.