Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » février 28, 2012

BetaNews.Com (11 non lus)

Celebrate Leap Day with WinISO for free

Publié: février 28, 2012, 11:22pm CET par Mike Williams

ISO disc images are an increasingly popular way of distributing software, but the standard tools for working with them aren’t particularly useful. Windows 7 can burn ISO images to disc, for instance, but that’s about it, and disc burning packages typically don’t do very much more.

Turn to a specialist tool, though, and it’s a very different story. WinISO in particular is one of the most powerful image management packages around, providing everything you need to create, open, edit, extract, convert and otherwise work with a variety of CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc image formats. And while it’s normally priced at $29.95, this Wednesday you can obtain a full copy of your own for no charge at all.

Once installed, you’ll be able to use WinISO to open images, of course (ISO, CUE/ BIN, NRG, MDS/ MDF, CCD/ IMG/ DVD formats are supported). You can then extract the entire image contents in a couple of clicks, or select just the files and folders you need by dragging and dropping. And the program can also mount an image as a virtual drive in Explorer, or burn an image directly to disc.

If you need to build your own image files, though, WinISO is able to create them directly from CDs, DVDs or Blu-ray discs, or you can produce one from scratch by dragging and dropping your chosen files and folders: it can all be very quick and easy.

Don’t think this simplicity means WinISO is short on features, though -- there are plenty of advanced options available if you need them. You can select, customise and bridge your preferred file systems, for instance (ISO 9660, UDF, HFS+ are supported). You might convert an image from one file system to another. And a great set of tools for working with bootable CDs, DVDs or Blu-ray discs makes it easy to set, extract or clear the boot information from any target image.

And if, once it’s all over, the image turns out not to be in a convenient format, that’s no problem. WinISO includes a conversion option which will quickly convert images to and from any of its supported formats with the minimum of hassle.

If WinISO sounds like the kind of tool you need, then head along to the Downloadcrew Giveaway site any time between 00:00 and 23:59 (Central European Time) on Wednesday February 29th to get your copy (Americans can start their downloads at 6 pm ET on February 28 -- lucky you!). But please note that download itself is just the 30-day trial. You must also create a free account if you don’t have one already, log in and click “Get serial code” to obtain the license that will turn the trial into a full version.

Photo Credit: AISPIX by Image Source/Shutterstock
Apple steals Mobile World Congress' thunder

Publié: février 28, 2012, 11:00pm CET par Joe Wilcox

Early today I asked colleague Tim Conneally in group chat: "What happened to Mobile World Congress? One day of announcements and nothing else?" Because Day 2 is unusually light on product news. Perhaps that's good thing for participating vendors, because late this morning Apple stole the show.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company dispatched email invites for a March 7 event, presumably announcing iPad 3. The message teases: "We have something you really have to see. And touch". Well, Apple did Microsoft a favor by not sending invites tomorrow, when Windows 8 Consumer Preview debuts at Mobile World Congress. Or perhaps someone at Apple wisely considered that Microsoft's announcement is simply too big to thump -- or that getting in ahead steals thunder enough.

Blogs and news stories that would have been written about MWC product announcements will go to Apple rumormongering and speculation. The gravity well is just too great. (I got in my MWC quota before writing this post, but still...)

Twitter buzz around #ipad and #ipad3 was so great Mashbable posted a 20-page slideshow of tweets. What? There's no other news today? It's this kind of response that sucks the soul out of trade shows like Mobile World Congress.

Mashable editor Lance Ulanoff tweeted this morning: "Eric Schmidt is on stage at #MWC talking global tech gap, blissfully unaware of the Apple news that just blotted out the sun. #iPad".

Apple has done this many times before, let loose an invite or rumor during some big event or before (if not during) a competitor's product announcement.

What Timing!

Apple's newest iPad comes at a time of great tablet uncertainty. I chatted to Tim Conneally today about MWC announcements: "Lighter on tablets, here and CES [Consumer Electronics Show]" -- that's after more than 100 new ones announced at both 2011 events. Tablet announcements are few at MWC 2012.

So far the only real stand-outs -- and they're not much for new hardware -- are Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0, Galaxy Note 10.1 and Sony P, which goes on sale here in the United States from AT&T on March 4. That's three days before Apple's event. It's lousy timing for Sony.

Meanwhile some executives attending MWC acknowledged that their Android tablet sales aren't meeting expectations, which is a polite way of admitting being whipped by iPad. "Honestly, we're not doing very well in the tablet market," Samsung executive Hankil Yoon said yesterday during a MWC roundtable.

That's startling coming from the company ranked third in tablet sales, according to NPD DisplaySearch. Apple is leader, with 59.1 percent market share, followed by Amazon (16.7 percent) and Samsung (6.7 percent).

Meanwhile, Google's Andy Rubin gave reporters attending the mobile event grim numbers: 12 million Android tablets sold to date. That compares to 55 million iPads sold through end of 2011 -- 15 million, or more than all Android tablets -- just in fourth quarter.

Now along comes Apple's event announcement and presumed March launch of iPad 3. Want to guess what tablet everyone will talk about now. Apple just raised the cloak of invisibility on every other tablet, perhaps other than Amazon's Kindle Fire.

Burning Ring of Fire

Regarding Kindle Fire, there is the lingering question about a smaller iPad to compete. Two weeks ago, the Wall Street Journal reported rumors about the tablet's little sibling. I asked: "Would you buy 8-inch iPad?". Besides comments, there was a poll, to which 3,554 people responded so far. That's a healthy sample size. Results: 55.09 percent yes and, obviously, 44.91 percent no.

The spread is enough to win an election, but lacks when planning product marketing. Consider the context: It's obvious Apple would sell an 8-inch tablet for less than the 9.7-inch model, which starts at $499, I suggested bottom price of $299 in the story accompanying the poll. Yet only little more than half the respondents would chose the smaller, lower-cost tablet. As for those responding no, there's no context to determine whether they would buy a costlier iPad or none at all.

Apple rumors, like those about Microsoft products in the 1990s, have pull. Following just the rumor of 8-inch iPad, BetaNews reader Jessica changed her tablet plans: "I was thinking of buying a Kindle Fire, but am now thinking of waiting for the smaller iPad. The only reason I don't want am iPad is because it is so expensive. But for only about $100 more I would reconsider".

Imagine what happens now. Apple just froze pretty much most tablet sales by sending out the invite. Yes, I'll ask a buying question when the new iPad is announced.

BetaNews reader dougau cracked me up: "I'm loving all these 'would you buy' articles, Joe. I have a feeling 75 percent of BetaNews users would spend $500.00 for a bag of shit if it had a Apple logo on it". Is he right? It's not a frivolous question. Apple's invite couldn't take away from Mobile World Congress announcements, if there wasn't so much interest in that logo and the products behind it.

Photo Credit: SFerdon/Shutterstock
Can Droid be the new BlackBerry?

Publié: février 28, 2012, 8:50pm CET par Tim Conneally

Motorola Mobility on Tuesday announced new initiatives for Android in the enterprise space, asking users to "make the switch."

This initiative focuses on the Motorola Business Ready smartphone line which consists most of Motorola's devices with the "Droid" label, and others including the Atrix and Photon 4G models.

Beginning today, Motorola Mobility will pay up to $200 for an old smartphone when a Motorola Business Ready smartphone is purchased. This includes an instant online quote, a pre-paid shipping label, and payment within four to six weeks of receiving the old phone. In addition, Motorola Mobility will be offering the MotoAssist IT to help set up corporate email accounts, transfer contacts, and work directly with enterprise IT departments on management and deployment of the new devices.

Though it does not explicity target BlackBerry or iOS, Motorola Mobility is obviously hoping to catch the disenfranchised BlackBerry users who intend to switch platforms in 2012. A survey from Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) last October found that 30 percent of BlackBerry users in enterprises of 10,000 employees or greater planned to switch to a different platform this year.

In addition to providing an upfront cash incentive to switch, Motorola Mobility is also building a resource center for developers at MOTODEV for Enterprise. Here, developers working on in-house or commercial enterprise and workforce solutions can find tools, information and community support for their projects.
Sony's dual-screen Tablet P finally coming to U.S. via AT&T next week

Publié: février 28, 2012, 7:54pm CET par Tim Conneally

Sony's foldable, dual-screen Android tablet, known simply as Sony Tablet P will finally be available in the United States beginning on March 4, for $399 with a two-year contract with AT&T or $549 off contract.

Sony first revealed the uniquely designed clamshell tablet almost one year ago along with the wedge-shaped Tablet S, which has been available in the U.S. since last August.

The "P's" claim to fame is naturally its design, which utilizes two 5.5-inch displays that can be used for gaming on one screen with controls on the other, or checking email on one screen while using the other as a keyboard. Like Android's other notable dual-screen device, the Kyocera Echo, the screens can be locked side-by-side and used as a single screen.

It is powered by a dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor with 1GB of RAM running Android 3.2. It has a 5 megapixel rear camera and a VGA forward facing camera, 4GB of built-in storage with a microSD supporting cards up to 32GB in size. In addition the the HSPA+ connectivity, the Tablet P offers Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and 802.11b/g/n wi-fi.

We've handled the Tablet P several times over the last ten months, and we can say it's definitely got its own thing going on. The size, design, and the name itself remind us of the pocket-sized Vaio P from 2009, where it is almost pocketable, almost lap-friendly, and almost powerful and feature-rich enough for it to be somewhat attrctive.

But because of the uniqueness of the hardware, the Android software has been heavily customized, and this practically assures less frequent software updates for the device. Sony however, reportedly will be providing an update to Ice Cream Sandwich for the device some time in the spring.
Apple preps next iPad for March 7 event

Publié: février 28, 2012, 7:01pm CET par Ed Oswald

Apple sent out event invites to selected members of the press Tuesday for a March 7 event to be held at Yerba ay Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Calif. at 10 am PT, reportedly to launch the iPad 3. The location is significant because it is where Apple has unveiled the last two iPad models.

The invitation reads "We have something you really have to see. And touch". The reference could indicate that the Retina Display that has long been rumored to be part of the iPad 3 is coming. The resolution is thought to come in at 2,048 by 1,536 pixels, twice the 1,024 by 768 screen found on the iPad 2.

Financial news network CNBC suggested in a tweet that the event would take place in New York, sent out moments before Apple's official invites. In the moments following Apple's official announcement, reporter Jon Fortt clarified on air that New York will be a "key location" for the iPad announcement, but failed to disclose any further details.

One aspect of CNBC's scoop that has not been debunked yet is its claims of the iPad 3 supporting 4G LTE networks. That has been a continuous claim of those purporting to have details of the next generation device and appears to be a reality.

In addition, AppleInsider reports that the iPad 3 may already be shipping to the United States, indicating a near immediate availability of the device. Close Apple partner Best Buy cut the price of all iPad 2 models by $50. Other iPad 2 retailers have also begun cutting prices in anticipation of a new model.
Will you try Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

Publié: février 28, 2012, 6:22pm CET par Joe Wilcox

The so-called consumerization of IT starts now. Sure people haul Androids, iPads, iPhones and other gadgets to work -- and mix together personal and professional data, and behavior. But workers the world over will soon have something else to haul into the office, and, whoa, may March roar in for many network managers.

Tomorrow, during Mobile World Congress, Microsoft plans to debut Windows 8 Consumer Preview. It's not an IT preview, but, c`mon, you know where the software is going. Many of you will slap this puppy on to every PC you can, including that employer-issued clunker. Talk about March Madness, as Windows 8 storms the enterprise by every backdoor possible.

Or so I contend. You can prove me right or wrong by answering question: Will you try Windows 8 Consumer Preview? And where? What computer? Personal or professional? What hardware configuration? Please answer in comments.

Microsoft says that pretty much any PC running Windows 7 is pimped and ready for an 8 date. You bring the wine, I've got flowers. The computer may be ready, but are you? Windows 8 will demand much from users, starting with the many user interface changes and enhancements. But the operating system also offers much, in terms of potentially improved productivity and security.

The changes have sparked much debate about Windows 8's suitability, particularly in the enterprise. My opinion: Windows 8 adoption will be low, similar to Vista. Most enterprises have recently deployed Windows 7 or will have done so by the time its successor ships. I see October as likely timeframe. From that perspective, most enterprises wouldn't deploy Windows 8 anyway, so now is a good time for Microsoft to make those radical architectural and user experience changes to prep its core market, businesses, for Windows 9. Consumers will take what's on their shiny, new PCs, and they'll bring them to work -- pushing enterprises to adapt and manage Windows 8 faster.

BetaNews reader Froderik asks: "Will Microsoft have a Win8 'Tech Beta' cycle or just release consumer previews to all & sundry?" I don't see how. The Consumer Preview is for everyone, followed by a release candidate for all. Otherwise there's not enough time to release gold code and get Windows 8 on new PCs for holiday sales. Think: Consumerization of Windows, at least this release cycle.

Many of you have used the Developer Preview released in September 2011. To my surprise, reactions are mixed. Commenter nilst2011: "Windows 8 is a joke. It is for tablets but not desktops. Who the H would like to sit and point at a screen with his/her arm for 8 hours a day? No way! The last OS worth its name is Windows 7. I did give it a last chance some weeks ago, and I am still running it and like it".

I expect to hear complaints lots like this one during the Consumer Preview. Absolutely, fatigue is a problem using vertical touchscreens, but users don't have to stay in the Metro UI; they can fall back to the older desktop motif (granted, with Office Ribbon makeover).

BetaNews reader Emi Cyberschreiber is more enthusiastic: "I like windows 8, I'm using, of course, [the] Developer Preview as my main OS since September, and it's been amazing -- lighter, faster, better (not counting bugs) than Win7 SP1 and with a cool new UI, nice new integration, like Xbox Live, SkyDrive, etc...For me it's fine, and I will get it on RTM. I like it now and I will like it more since it's getting better with each new build".

So, will you try Windows 8 Consumer Preview?
SAP deploys Samsung Android smartphones, tablets

Publié: février 28, 2012, 5:03pm CET par Joe Wilcox

What's all this dirty talk about enterprises going gaga for iPads? During Mobile World Congress, Samsung announced that SAP will deploy Galaxy S II smartphones and Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets internally. Oh my, perhaps there is a place for Android in the enterprise. But how much room alongside iPad?

SAP CIO Oliver Bussmann says the Android devices will be available to the company's "global workforce as part of our internal device-agnostic strategy. SAP software running on Samsung's Android devices will allow our workforce to do business in the moment". From an enterprise management perspective, he expressed confidence that SAP "can secure our business data on these devices using an extensive range of IT policies".

Among enterprise software, Samsung Androids will run Sybase Afaria 7.0 "mobile device management system". Employees also will use Exchange Account Management for securely sending emails. Technology managers will have granular control over what apps can be downloaded, what devices can be connected and how passwords are used, among other capabilities.

The companies didn't disclose how widely the Android devices would be deployed.

During Mobile World Congress, SAP also announced the aforementioned Afaria 7.0. The highlight new feature is a redesigned user interface.

"The consumerization of IT is driving our innovation path and commitment to providing customers with the industry’s most comprehensive, robust and streamlined mobility management platform, including mobile device management", Sanjay Poonen, SAP Global Solutions president, says. "The new, delightful UI significantly enhances the end-user experience while helping reduce management costs for enterprise IT".

SAP's goal is to make enterprise software more "personal".

Afaria 7.0 client software is available for iOS -- to mention before someone does in comments. And, of course, Android, as well as other operating systems.
Want hands-free software updates? Try Secunia PSI 3 beta

Publié: février 28, 2012, 4:02pm CET par Mike Williams

Security vendor Secunia has released the first public beta of its Personal Software Inspector (PSI) 3, an excellent tool that now makes it easier than ever to keep your installed applications up-to-date.

The key change this time comes in what the company calls the program’s “dramatically simplified user interface”.

PSI doesn’t present you with a big list of installed software, then. There are no menus, no toolbars, no hidden options or complicated settings: just a Scan button that tells the program to start checking your applications for missing updates.

Once this is complete you’ll see an icon for every program where an update is available (there’s support for applications and plug-ins from thousands of vendors), along with a caption to give you more information about what’s happening.

If the update can be applied automatically, then it will be. You’ll see captions telling you that it’s being downloaded, prepared, installed and so on, and once it’s all finished then the icon will disappear.

Occasionally PSI will require a little more integration, but this is always kept to a minimum. When updating Firefox on our test PC, for instance, a “Choose language” caption appeared. We clicked the icon, choose “English” from a list, and it seemed this was just to ensure PSI selected the appropriate version. This was then downloaded and installed in the background, before the icon disappeared.

Several application icons were left with “Click to update” captions, presumably because the program didn’t want to interrupt them (Skype was one of these, and it was already running in the background). But again, all we had to do was click the icon, and PSI then downloaded and installed the new version.

And a single program, VLC Media Player, was left with a “Run manual update” caption, although PSI still helped out a little here: clicking that icon opened a browser window at the VideoLAN site, so downloading a new version only took a moment.

Experienced Windows users may find this interface a little too pared back, because there really are no options beyond those we’ve described. If you see PSI is updating something and you know you need to keep the old version for some reason, say, there’s no “Stop” button. There’s no option to tell the program to ignore a particular application. There’s not even a scheduler to decide when PSI should next check your system (it’ll automatically scan every 7 days).

There’s no doubt that PSI 3 is extremely easy to use, though, and we’re still hoping Secunia will provide additional controls and options for those who want them (this is only a first beta, after all). The new release is certainly worth a look, but keep in mind that it may contain bugs, and if those should interfere with an update then it could seriously affect your system. Only try Secunia PSI 3 on PCs where you’ve complete and recent backups available.

Photo Credit: glossyplastic/Shutterstock
System Explorer 3.8 supports 64-bit Windows

Publié: février 28, 2012, 3:40pm CET par Mike Williams

System Explorer has for some time been a real contender to Process Explorer when it comes to PC monitoring. The program’s security scan, its ability to permanently set process priority and affinity, its VirusTotal and VirusScan.Jotti.Org integration, easy links to online libraries for quick process information, and a handy History tab logging exactly what’s been happening on your system are all good reasons to give the tool a try.

And the latest release provides yet another, with the introduction of full 64-bit Windows support.

Most of this happens in the background, as you’d expect. System Explorer 3.8 uses new 32- and 64-bit services, which allow it to capture and report on all your 64-bit processes. So you don’t have to do anything new: you should just see that the program now provides a complete and accurate report on whatever happens to be running on your PC (you’re now able to see the list of modules loaded by any 64-bit process of interest, for instance).

As a welcome bonus, the new service also means System Explorer can run fully on 64-bit systems under standard user rights, which means there’s no more yellow bar requesting process elevation.

And if you’ve not tried the program recently then the last few releases have seen plenty of smaller but still welcome tweaks. One of them, perhaps borrowed from Process Explorer, is support for a CPU Graph in the Process view. While the CPU figure shows processor usage right now, the graph reveals how its changed over a period of time, making it easier to spot the real resource hogs at a glance.

Photo Credit: sommthink/Shutterstock
'Discovery' and 'social' define Vimeo for iPad

Publié: février 28, 2012, 3:57am CET par Joe Wilcox

That was unexpected. This evening I tried out Vimeo for iOS 2.0 and much prefer the Android version released last month during Consumer Electronics Show. Conceptually, Vimeo for iOS offers more, so I expected to appreciate it more. Instead, I find the Android app to be cleaner and more intuitive on a tablet. Then, again, I'm not the target audience.

The new Vimeo app's big stand-out benefit is native, iPad support. The other explains why I'm perhaps tripping over perceived complexity: The app's approach and capabilities are more like Vimeo's website, where I have spent scant too little time over the last 12 months or so. If you frequent Vimeo on the web and often use features there, you might just love the app on iPad. You're the audience the video-sharing site wants to reach.

To be clear, the user experience differences I observe with Android pertain more to tablets. I find the phone apps to look and feel similar enough.

Vimeo released the app earlier today during Mobile World Congress 2012.

"We’ve taken what we learned while creating our previous apps and applied it to the updated iOS to improve overall design and usability", Joseph Schmitt, Vimeo lead mobile developer, says. "We’re especially pleased with the awesome iPad user interface, which the Vimeo community has eagerly awaited".

I assume that community will appreciate the iPad UI more than me. The Android app feels more fluid to me, and the iOS app more cluttered and, well, in my face. Those attributes reflect something about platform differences, closer ties to Vimeo's website and emphasis on video discovery and social sharing -- both of which are hugely desirable benefits. No doubt, after a couple hours, Vimeo for iOS 2.0 will fit me better.

Definitely, if you use Vimeo lots -- whether to watch or post videos, or both -- this app is for you. Discovery tools, like at the Vimeo website, are exceptional. The app provides quick access to all the vitals about your uploads and what the heck you've been watching. Taking cues from the website, users can view from or save to their Watch Later queues, Like or access Liked videos, comment and share clips as well. Sharing options reflect some of the services where Vimeo is popular. Facebook and Twitter are givens, as well a Tumblr and WordPress.

Like on Android tablets, there is video-editing capability, something I'm definitely interested to try out but didn't have time to this evening. Users can tap into the Vimeo Music Store from the editor for adding soundtracks to clips. Of course, content creators can upload videos, including those in HD, from the app.

Vimeo is smart to finally support iPad. "We’ve seen mobile traffic triple since we launched our original iPhone app in early 2011", Schmitt says. I'm not surprised. According to comScore report "2012 Mobile Future in Focus", which released last week: "By the end of 2011, iOS was driving 60.1 percent of all connected device traffic in the US from iPads, iPhones and iPod touches. In contrast, the Android OS accounted for only 32.4 percent of traffic".

More remarkable: "A breakdown of tablet traffic by platform indicates that iOS has a substantial lead, driving 90.4 percent of all tablet traffic in December 2011". So absolutely, iPad is where Vimeo should want to be, while improving the iPhone and iPod touch experiences -- and making them more familiar to those people frequenting the website.

Vimeo for iOS 2.0 requires iOS 4.3 and above running on iPhone 3GS, 4 or 4S or iPad.
The best smartphone isn't at Mobile World Congress

Publié: février 28, 2012, 12:41am CET par Joe Wilcox
Now why is that? I want to know. Don't you?

For weeks, persistent leaks and rumors teased about Samsung Galaxy S III and how the phone wouldn't debut at Mobile World Congress. Boy Genius Report has deets that are to die for: 4.8-inch 1080p display, 1.5GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor, 8-megapixel rear and 2MP front-facing cameras, ceramic case, 4G LTE and Ice Cream Sandwich.

You can stop drooling on the keyboard now. Or if you haven't been then perhaps you misunderstood that 1080p. It doesn't refer to video playback but to the actual screen resolution. Can you say pocket Blu-ray, baby? I can already feel Samsung droid boys' swagger before iPhone idolaters and their puny 3.5-inch Retina displays. Not to be forgotten, but definitely mourned for momentary glory: HTC One X, announced yesterday, that suddenly is quite literally oh-so yesterday.

That's all assuming the Boy Genius has got the right specs. Certainly previous track record would suggest they're golden. If S3 is the measure of greatness, then Apple had better start re-evaluating iPhone 5 plans now. ;-)

Big question, assuming rumors about no MWC Galaxy S III launch are true: Why not? Hey, I've got some possible reasons:
- The S3 simply isn't ready.
- Galaxy S II is still selling well and Samsung doesn't want to hurt sales by announcing S3 too soon.
- Galaxy S III won't launch soon (even though announcing in Barcelona, Spain, and shipping many moons later is typical).
- If launch is aways off, Samsung doesn't want to give up too many details for concern competitors (Can you say Apple?) will copy or prepare counter-marketing.
- Samsung plans a simultaneous global launch. The Galaxy S II arrived in major markets China and United States long after other countries. That's a mistake not to repeat.
I rarely write about rumors, but BGR rarely misses and there's great context to fit Galaxy S III into a story.

Photo: Boy Genius Report