How AT&T – yes, that AT&T – could be America’s surprise fiber hero

%name How AT&T – yes, that AT&T – could be America’s surprise fiber hero by Authcom, Nova Scotia\s Internet and Computing Solutions Provider in Kentville, Annapolis Valley

AT&T fiber roll outs don’t typically generate as much hype as Google Fiber roll outs… but that could soon change. Barron’s flags a new research note from Moffett-Nathanson‘s Craig Moffett, who says that AT&T is vowing to be much more aggressive in building out fiber if its merger with DirecTV is approved. In fact, if AT&T follows through on its plans, it would make the company “by far the largest fiber builder over the next five years or so.”

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Russia bringing back Cold War mini-subs, report says

%name Russia bringing back Cold War mini subs, report says by Authcom, Nova Scotia\s Internet and Computing Solutions Provider in Kentville, Annapolis Valley

Russia is reportedly bringing back a fleet of Cold War-era mini-submarines, a move that could ramp up tensions with the West.

Moscow is set to bring back the Cold War-era Piranha-class midget subs as part of a $350 million military spending spree, according to the U.K.’s Daily Express. An unnamed source told the newspaper that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is “breathing life into many old programmes and thinks subs are an effective way of getting what he wants militarily.”

Relations between Russia and the West have sunk to post-Cold War lows after Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and its support for a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

Amid these simmering tensions, Russian submarine activities are under close scrutiny, particularly in the Baltic. Last year the Swedish military launched amajor hunt for a suspected underwater intruder in the Stockholm archipelago, its largest anti-sub operation since the end of the Cold War. Defense experts cited Russia as the likely culprit, although Moscow denied its involvement.

The incident nonetheless prompted speculation that a Russian Piranha sub was involved.

Described as virtually undetectable, the covert subs can lay mines and fire torpedoes. The diesel-electric submarines displace a mere 390 tons when submerged and can carry nine crew and six combat divers, according to theU.S. Naval Institute.

The Piranha submarines could pose a “significant threat” to the U.K. if they enter British waters, according to the source interviewed by the Daily Express.

However, Dmitry Gorenburg, an analyst at naval research specialist CNA, is skeptical about the prospect of Piranha subs resurfacing in Russia’s military. “The two remaining subs of this class have been out of service for more than 15 years,” he told FoxNews.com, in an e-mail, adding that it would be a major task to refurbish them. “The subs were originally withdrawn because they were seen as difficult to use and too large for their purpose,” he added.

Gorenburg believes that Russia is more likely to build new midget subs at some point in the future, rather then revamping old ones.

Washington has been keeping a close eye on Moscow’s military moves. On Thursday President Obama’s nominee to lead the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff warned that Russia poses the world’s greatest threat to U.S. national security. “If you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States, I’d have to point to Russia. And if you look at their behavior, it’s nothing short of alarming,” Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford told senators at his confirmation hearing.

Other senior military figures have voiced their concerns about Russia. In April Adm. William Gortney, head of U.S. Northern Command, warned that Russia’s modern military is now “far more capable” than that of the Soviet Union, saying Moscow is “messaging” the United States that “they’re a global power.” Gortney disclosed to Congress in March that Russian heavy bombers flew more “out-of-area patrols” last year than in any year “since the Cold War.” The following month, he affirmed that Russia’s “long-range” flights are rising – and occurring in places they haven’t before, like near Canada, Alaska and the English Channel.

On July 4 two pairs of Russian bombers flew off the coast of California and Alaska — forcing the Air Force to scramble fighter jets to intercept both flights, defense officials told Fox News.

The Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. has not yet responded to a request for comment on this story from FoxNews.com.

by James Rogers

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The smallest Bluetooth headset in the world is blowing up on Kickstarter

%name The smallest Bluetooth headset in the world is blowing up on Kickstarter by Authcom, Nova Scotia\s Internet and Computing Solutions Provider in Kentville, Annapolis Valley

Motorola’s Moto Hint is definitely one of the most interesting Bluetooth headsets around, or at least that used to be the case until Dot arrived. The device is an even smaller headset compatible with the iPhone and Android handsets – Dot is dubbed the world’s smallest Bluetooth headset on Kickstarter, where it has almost reached $300,000 in pledges soon after launch.

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This might be the hardest Game of Thrones quiz ever – how many questions can you get right?

%name This might be the hardest Game of Thrones quiz ever – how many questions can you get right? by Authcom, Nova Scotia\s Internet and Computing Solutions Provider in Kentville, Annapolis Valley

Game of Thrones fans, you have your work cut out for you.

Millions of fans of HBO’s hit fantasy series Game of Thrones are reeling now that the fifth season has come to an end. What will become of Daenerys? Is Jon Snow really dead? There are plenty more questions as well, and we won’t be any closer to getting answers until Game of Thrones season 6 premieres next year.

In the meantime, it’s time to test how big a GoT fan you really are.

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The awful things you have to do to survive at Facebook

%name The awful things you have to do to survive at Facebook by Authcom, Nova Scotia\s Internet and Computing Solutions Provider in Kentville, Annapolis Valley

Some people may describe Facebook as the best places to work in the tech industry, but that’s not always the case, as not everyone who’s been hired by Mark Zuckerberg and Co. has been thrilled with the experience. In fact, many former employees have revealed some of the annoying things they had to put up with to stay at Facebook, which has been voted by others as the No. 1 company to work for.

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Watch the first official trailer for ‘The Walking Dead’ season 6 right here

%name Watch the first official trailer for ‘The Walking Dead’ season 6 right here by Authcom, Nova Scotia\s Internet and Computing Solutions Provider in Kentville, Annapolis Valley

Of all the countless trailers that have been and are sure to be shared at Comic-Con this week, none are more anticipated than the official trailer for season six of The Walking Dead. On Friday, AMC finally took the wraps off the first footage of the upcoming season of its biggest show, and it looks just as intense as you expected.

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Super cyclist cheats death and gravity in this mind-blowing video

%name Super cyclist cheats death and gravity in this mind blowing video by Authcom, Nova Scotia\s Internet and Computing Solutions Provider in Kentville, Annapolis Valley

Vittorio Brumotti is a name you’ve probably never heard before, but you won’t soon forget it… assuming you can pronounce it. While freestyle biking isn’t exactly a mainstream sport, it’s something that we can all appreciate when we see it. In Brumotti’s case, however, things go well beyond mere appreciation — this video of one of his latest runs will blow your mind.

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