Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » avril 24, 2013

BetaNews.Com (17 non lus)

T-Mobile USA struts out HTC One

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 10:34pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

HTC One gets no respect, and that's not right. We've written stories up the river and down to the sea about Samsung Galaxy S4, and little about its rival. My colleague Mihaita Bamburic posts about the smartphone's arrival on T-Mobile USA next week, for example. But HTC One is available there today. We shouldn't mention the one and ignore the other.

HTC One is available in Glacial Silver color for $99.99 upfront, plus 24 $20 monthly payments, or $579.99 outright. For a limited time, buyers get a free car dock with their purchase. AT&T's upfront price is $199.99, or $599.99 outright. Sprint charges the same upfront, or $99.99 for those bringing a number from another carrier. Otherwise: $549.99.

Last month, T-Mobile switched to no-contract plans where buyers pay full price for phones rather than subsidized and locked, with 2-year commitment and hefty data fees. The carrier passes savings to customers in cost for data plans and charges less upfront. I cut my family's monthly bill by nearly a third switching from AT&T.

HTC One's big competitor is the S4. They're both mighty Androids with 1080p screens. T-Mobile sells the 32GB phone, while AT&T also offers the 64GB model.

HTC One specs: 4.7-inch Super LCD3 display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 468 pixels per inch; 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor; 2GB RAM; 32GB storage; 4-megapixel front-facing and 2.1MP rear-facing cameras; 1080p video recording; 4G: LTE; HSPA+ 42Mbps; WiFi N; GPS + GLONASS; Bluetooth 4; NFC; DLNA; ambient-light and proximity sensors; accelerometer; digital compass; gyroscope; 2300 mAh battery; Android 4.1.2 with HTC Sense. Measures 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 mm and weighs 143 grams.

Galaxy S4: 5-inch Super AMOLED with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 441 pixels per inch; 1.9GHz quad-core; 2GB of RAM; 16GB storage (expandable up to 64GB with microSD card); 13MP auto-focus rear-facing and 2MP front-facing cameras; 1080p video recording; 4G: LTE HSPA＋ 42Mbps (850/900/1900/2100 MHz); WiFi N/AC; GPS + GLONASS; NFC; Bluetooth 4; IR LED; MHL 2; accelerometer; barometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic, gesture, proximity, RGB light and temperature & humidity sensors; 2600 mAh removable battery; and Android 4.2.2 with TouchWiz UI. Measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and weighs 130 grams.

The One comes with a slightly higher pixel density and twice the storage as the S4, which storage can be increased with microSD card and battery swapped. Aesthetically, I prefer HTC's phone. What would matter to me, and might not to you, are the cameras. Samsung packs in 13 megapixels to HTC's 4MP. But don't be fooled. Sensor and intelligent software and controls matter more. I expect the One to be the better shooter, but the S4 to offer cooler tricks (like removing your spouse's mother from the photo).

Other features include HD Voice, which T-Mobile also offers for iPhone 5. BlinkFeed is HTC's feature for consolidating social feeds -- get them all on one screen. There are also front-facing speakers.

I'll probably haul down to my local T-Mobile store today for a looksee. And you?
Alert the kids! Ice Age arrives on Windows Phone 8

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 10:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

I find that having children is an excellent excuse for watching movies like Ice Age, Up, Cars and more. After all, I would feel a bit silly watching those flicks on my own, as I do with scary movies like Paranormal Activity, thanks to a wife and kids who would not sleep for a week if they joined me in front of the screen.

Now Ice Age, and all of its classic characters, like Sid, Manny, Ellie, and Diego, are coming to your phone -- providing that you are using a Windows Phone 8 handset.

Today Microsoft's Michael Stroh announces that Ice Age Village is arriving on the mobile platform. The game focuses on the characters attempt to build a new village for their friends. "Multiplayer options, side missions, and mini-games featuring Scrat, the nutter saber-toothed squirrel, keep things interesting" says Stroh.

If you are installing this for your kids (okay to admit it is for you) then you will need to be aware that the game allows for multi-player mode and is not subject to Xbox Live parental settings. With that said, the game is free from the Windows Phone Store. Install it. We will believe the game is for your kids who just happen to love sabertooth squirrels.
Microsoft can't wait until E3 to show off the next Xbox

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 8:20pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

During the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Microsoft set up a countdown clock to the E3 game show in Los Angeles. Major Nelson (aka Larry Hryb) posted the timer, and, being Mr. Xbox, led to lots of speculation that's when the next-gen console would be announced. Apparently not.

Today, the software giant invites you, me and everyone else to a special shindig on May 21. Select press get invites (I'm not among them) for onsite, while the rest of us can watch online or, in the United States, Spike TV. "On that day, we’ll share our vision for Xbox, and give you a real taste of the future", Hryb says.

"Then, 19-days later at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, we’ll continue the conversation and showcase our full lineup of blockbuster games", he continues.

Microsoft promotes hashtag #XboxReveal, which already is busy churning Twitter tweats.

My question: What do you expect from the next Xbox, and what would you like from it?
What is Bing's China problem?

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 7:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

A few weeks ago, while doing a bit of research for a story, I had occasion to visit the Bing search page. More importantly to this article, it was the Chinese version of Bing. Over the following days I forgot about this brief foray into Asia, but my web browser remembered.

When I return to Bing several days later I am defaulted to the China site -- it still says I am on www.bing.com, but all information is displayed in Chinese characters, which Chrome helpfully translates on the fly. I close the tab, re-open and try again with the same results. I close Chrome and try again -- still nothing.

After a few days (I do not use Bing often, though I do like it) I recall my trip to Bing.cn. I then check the cookies in my browser and find the site has set several of them -- c.bing.com, Bing.com.cn and dict.bing.com.cn. Interesting. I delete all of them and Bing returns to normal. Then, perhaps because I am both adventurous and stupid, I recreate the steps and the same results occur. I try both Firefox and Internet Explorer and again the same thing.

More interesting to this sordid little tale is that search results using Bing.cn are only somewhat different. I say "interesting" because I expected "somewhat" to actually be "radically". I delete the Firefox cookies and begin comparing the same terms side-by-side. For instance, a search for Tianenman Square on Bing.cn results in two travel sites being ranked at the top, with a Wikipedia article about the protests at number three. Bing.com ranks the Wikipedia story at the top of the page.

Other searches also result in similar outcomes, with rankings in different orders -- Dalai Lama, Nepal (which completely strips out a U.S. Department of State travel advisory), Democracy and Freedom. The latter results in a Baidu article that begins "Freedom which is the name of Akon's latest solo album" at the top, versus a link to a web site offering debt consolidation (Bing fails in both cases on this).

I also check "safe search" settings. The short story of which is that it does not exist. Or, more to the point, it does and it cannot be turned off. I find only the following message (translated):

"This setting will filter out adult content. If you are viewing adult material, please let us know so that we can in the future to filter out. For more information about your country / region safe search requirements".

The results, while re-ordered and somewhat stripped down, are not as devoid of real information as I had expected. Perhaps this is due to my actual location, which is not going through a filter -- well, maybe but that is another story.

If setting these cookies is the price of doing business behind the Great Firewall then I could give Microsoft's search engine a pass, but a visit to Google.cn does not result in this settings change. This leaves me to wonder why the Redmond, Wash.-based company feels the need to track this information and, more importantly, what it is doing with those databases. Support for Chinese censorship?

Windows tablets make big share gains

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 7:24pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Back in December, I explained: "Surface RT sales are quite good, you just don't know about it". The Internet Idiocracy called the tablet a failure, while based on sales per store I saw success. Surface Pro shipped the following month. Now there are real numbers, and they're quite good -- for all Windows tablets -- validating touch-focused Modern UI.

During first quarter, Windows captured 7.5 percent global branded tablet market share, according to Strategy Analytics. That's up from zero a year earlier. Unit shipments: 3 million. Right now, Microsoft is the major seller of branded Windows tablets. Granted there are others, like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Samsung.

Actually, Strategy Analytics notes that limited distribution, apps selection and market confusion -- not Android or iOS competition -- hold back Windows tablets. If Microsoft and partners get their ducks in a row, the tablet market could look dramatically different in a year. The point: The software giant may prove to be right after all; many buyers want to run a real operating system, one proven to handle the tasks of robust applications, rather than one migrated up from smartphones.

In February, Microsoft extended Surface RT distribution to more than a dozen new countries and yesterday announced Pro expansion, too. That's sign of changing times.

The ecosystem around Windows 8, and RT, is far from mature, which is the barrier to bigger sales success. There, despite all the controversy about Modern UI, Microsoft made the right choice -- that is if Windows tablet share gains continue.

"We built Windows 8 with touch and mobility at the center of the experience, which positions us well in this new era", Microsoft CFO Peter Klein tells financial analysts last week. "However, the transition is complicated, given the size of our hardware and software ecosystem. We still have an immense amount of work to do, yet we feel good about the foundation we have laid and are optimistic about the long term success of Windows".

Something else: Windows 8/RT will come to smaller devices this year, which, according to NPD DisplaySearch is where the tablet market is headed. Microsoft is "working closely with OEMs on a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows. These devices will have competitive price points, partly enabled by our latest OEM offerings designed specifically for these smaller devices, and will be available in the coming months", Klein says.

Strategy Analytics data shows there is demand for Windows tablets and validates Microsoft's emphasis on touch. Klein is right: "Consumers and businesses are increasingly shifting their focus to touch and mobility". I love Surface Pro, which experience is so good, I came to really like Windows again.

As Microsoft ramps up Surface distribution and partners bring more touch-Windows devices to market, greater share gains are attainable. How much depends on other factors. My expectation is with autumn release of Windows 8.1 nearly certain, Microsoft and partners will invade the market with many touch devices for Christmas.

Global Tablet Operating System Shipments and Market Share


Global Branded Tablet OS Shipments (Millions of Units)	Q1 '12	Q1 '13
Apple iOS	11.8	19.5
Android	6.4	17.6
Windows	0.0	3.0
Others	0.5	0.4
Total	18.7	40.6

Global Branded Tablet OS Marketshare %	Q1 '12	Q1 '13
Apple iOS	63.1%	48.2%
Android	34.2%	43.4%
Windows	0.0%	7.5%
Others	2.7%	1.0%
Total	100%	100%

Growth Year-over-Year %	146%	117%

Challenges are ahead. During first quarter, iPad captured 48.2 percent tablet market share, according to Strategy Analytics, while Androids took 43.4 percent. However, when including unbranded, white-box devices, Android tablets lead with 52 percent share to iPad's 41 percent. Windows slates face an uphill road, and yet seen another way downhill.

The discreet tablet market isn't the only measure of success. Most analysts agree that tablets are a major reason for about 10 quarters of PC shipment declines, with Q1 being the worst since IDC started tabulating numbers in 1994. Given that the majority of PCs sold or in-market run Windows and the majority of tablets do not, Android and iOS gains take away from Microsoft's platform. So the measure of that 7.5 percent market share, and any gains to follow, is an iceberg. The number is bigger than it appears. Sales below the surface represent people going from Windows to Windows rather than Windows to something else.

Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

BurnAware 6.2 gives more control of what's backed up when

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 4:09pm CEST par Nick Peers

Burnaware Technologies has released BurnAware 6.2 Free and BurnAware 6.2 Premium, the latest builds of its free and paid-for disc burning products for Windows.

BurnAware 6.2 adds two new features to its roster: the first allows users to set individual priorities for any file or folder in the Compilation window -- simply right-click the item in question and select Properties. The default setting is Very Low, but can be cranked incrementally all the way up to Very High via the Priority dropdown menu.

The second new feature is the inclusion of a new dual-paned file manager into the main window, simplifying the task of browsing for and adding new content to the disc compilation.

Improvements include non-specified enhancements to the burning and copying process -- presumably linked in with the new priority setting. By default, the original date and time of files is preserved during the import process too -- users can change this setting to the compilation date or a custom file date via the Dates tab of the File > Options screen.

The method for adding and processing data has been modified, again with no specific details provided, while “Browse for Folder” dialog boxes have also been updated along with tweaks to the user interface and language translations.

A number of specific bugs have been fixed with this release too: the program should no longer lock while erasing rewritable discs, and compatibility issues with emulation software including Daemon Tools have also been resolved. The sector size of ISO files should also be correctly detected from version 6.2, and fixes for the incorrect timestamp of UDF compilation directories and problems detecting the source drive while direct copying have also been implemented.

BurnAware 6.2 Free is a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP or later. It supports disc burning, image creation and burning plus disc copying to images. Users wanting direct disc-to-disc copying, audio track extraction and file recovery capabilities should look at BurnAware 6.2 Premiuminstead, which costs $29.95. Also available is BurnAware 6.2 Professional, which costs $39.95 and also offers multi-burn support from ISO images.

Photo Credit: Anneka/Shutterstock
Switching from Google to Microsoft, part 4 -- In with the Bing

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 3:45pm CEST par Wayne Williams

Fourth in a series. Before I switched to using Bing full time my view of Microsoft’s search service was that it was a slightly less reliable alternative to Google, but with some smart touches. I’ve been using it for over a month now and -- spoiler alert -- I actually really like it. Although it’s far from perfect.

As a Brit I do have a gripe with Bing though, and that’s it presents me with two choices. I can set my country to UK and get results that relate more to my life, or I can set it to the United States and get an all-round better search experience. Seriously, what’s THAT all about, Bing?

To give you some examples -- the American version of Bing has a rewards program. Join up, perform some searches and you can win an Xbox 360 prize pack. UK users have no such incentive. US searchers can connect Facebook to "tap into the wisdom of friends and experts across major social networks like Facebook, Twitter, foursquare, Quora, Klout, Google+ and more". UK users? Nope.

The Popular Now bar at the bottom of the screen on the US version has a variety of stories with images. The UK version -- three or four plain text links. Although we do also get a link relating to the image of the day, and a link about something to do with Britain. So yesterday, on St George’s Day (the Patron Saint of England) there was a link about him. While Google UK had a St George’s Day doodle, Bing’s image was a cool interactive shot of Antelope Canyon, Arizona.

There are other benefits to using the US version of the site too -- the US results page is full of images, useful information and links on the right. The UK version just shows text ads and related searches. So for most of my time on Bing I’ve had my country set to the United States. Although, here’s an interesting thing -- the number of results you get varies wildly depending on which country you’re set to. Run a search for "Google" for example, and Bing US claims around 75,800,000 results. Bing UK 2,110,000,000, or 1,650,000,000 if you choose English Only as the language. Very strange. I didn’t check all the results to find the reason for the difference.

When I perform a search on Google it’s usually through my browser’s search box. I only go to Google itself when there’s a doodle worth seeing (like the cool St George’s Day one). I’ve been using Bing in the same way, but I’ve been going to the home page a lot more -- partly to see the photo of the day (I’m a sucker for a great image, some of which can be downloaded and used as wallpaper) and partly to see what’s popular now. It also gives me quick access to previous searches I've performed (you can turn this off if you don't want your searches logged).

For the most part, in my day to day use, I no longer even think about the fact I’m searching with Bing, not Google. The results pages look similar, and the results are as you’d expect them to be. Occasionally Bing’s top result will be a slightly odd choice (it’s almost as if the site does this to check if you’re paying attention), but all the results you’re likely to need will appear on the front page, so the "correct" top choice (which Google pretty much always nails) is never far away.

In comparing Bing’s results with Google I’ve found the two sites often deliver the same results, just in a slightly different order. Bing has some great touches I really like. Search for an artist, like "will.i.am" for example, and Bing will provide quick links to his Twitter account and Facebook page and Klout score. You can also listen to his songs via the MySpace player.

A feature I use all the time on Google is the ability to sort results by time -- any time, past hour, past 24 hours, past week, past month, past year or custom range. Bing added a similar feature last month that lets you order results by past 24 hours, past week or past month. Needless to say this is only available on the US site (the UK site lets you sort the results by language or region).

Beyond Search

As for Bing’s other sections -- Images is, for the most part, very good and offers a selection of choices to filter your search as well as a strip showing related topics. However, if you search for something less well known, such as Zombies Run Google’s results are far more accurate, and show a much deeper understanding of what you are likely to be searching for. Some of the connections Google makes are scarily well chosen. Some of the images Bing presents you with seem almost selected at random. Although, that said, sometimes Bing will come up with excellent images that Google doesn’t find. And if you’re a Pinterest user, Bing lets you pin images you find directly from the photo detail’s page.

Video search is good, and you can sort results by length, resolution and source. Bing Maps is decent, but can’t quite compete with Google Maps. Its Streetside feature -- while good -- only covers a fraction of the places Street View does. Bing News (US) is on a par with Google News (naturally the UK version of Bing News is not as good) and other Bing services, like Shopping and Translator will suit most people’s needs perfectly. As you’d expect, the US site offers lots more additional elements -- like Weather, Events, and Friends’ Photos.

Summing Up

So what’s my overall view of Bing? If you live in the US, it’s a very, very good search engine and you could easily use it as your primary choice for most things. If you live outside of the US, as I do, it’s sadly not as good and means compromising on your location.

Is it better than Google? No. Is it as good as Google? No -- at least not when it comes to results. It does, however, do a lot of things as well, and it does do some things better. The gap between Bing and Google has definitely closed since I last used it, and because Microsoft isn’t trying to force users to a specific social portal (as Google is with Google+) the integration with services that most people use -- such as Twitter, and Facebook, gives Bing an edge I like.

Would I recommend you switch to Bing? It depends on where you live and what you want from a search engine really. If it’s just straightforward, bang on the money results, stick with Google. If you don’t mind occasionally having to hunt a little harder, you use Windows 8 (optional) and appreciate deep integration with all the popular social networks, Bing could well be for you.
Nokia unveils the inexpensive Asha 210

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 3:31pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

If you were expecting Nokia to unveil a mighty new smartphone today then you will certainly be disappointed. Two days after the company released a teaser which showcased bits of a new device, the Finnish maker simply unveiled another phone in its Asha series, dubbed Asha 210.

The highlights of the Asha 210 include a QWERTY keyboard, a 2 MP back-facing camera with a dedicated physical button, WhatsApp button, support for Facebook, Twitter and email accounts, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as well as support for dual-SIM in one of its two variants.

"The Nokia Asha 210 really stands out giving super-social consumers new ways to express their personalities through design, colour and innovations like the world's first WhatsApp button", says Nokia's Timo Toikkanen. "It has been designed to allow people to easily update their social networks, stay in touch with friends and share user created content".

"We are focused on delivering the best WhatsApp experience to as many people as possible", says WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton. "We are very excited about our partnership with Nokia Asha complementing our strategy of giving people around the world an easy experience when keeping in touch with their friends".

The device also comes with Nokia's Xpress Browser which is designed to reduce cellular data usage by optimizing the content's size on a website. Nokia says that the Asha 210 offers up to 46 days of standby in the single-SIM model and up to 24 days of standby in the dual-SIM model.

Nokia says that the Asha 210 is "designed to offer consumers more social experiences at an affordable price". The company estimates that the handset will be available for roughly $72, once it ships in Q2 2013. Available color choices include black, cyan, magenta, white and yellow.
Forget QWERTY it's time for KALQ

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 2:38pm CEST par Ian Barker

Typing on touchscreen devices is very different from using a conventional keyboard and the traditional layout doesn’t help much. Researchers at the University of St Andrews, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics and Montana Tech have come up with a new layout that claims to allow tablet users to thumb type 34 percent faster.

Named KALQ after the order that the characters appear, it's been developed to provide optimal character positions when typing on a tablet. By spreading the characters used in commonly typed words such as "on", "see", "you" and "read" which on a QWERTY keyboard would all need to be typed with one thumb, KALQ speeds up typing and minimizes strain.

Dr. Antti Oulasvirta, Senior Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Germany, says:

The key to optimizing a keyboard for two thumbs is to minimize long typing sequences that only involve a single thumb. It is also important to place frequently used letter keys centrally close to each other.

Experienced typists move their thumbs simultaneously: while one thumb is selecting a particular key, the other thumb is approaching its next target. From these insights we derived a predictive behavioral model we could use to optimize the keyboard.

KALQ also has built in error correction that takes into account thumb movements and a statistical analysis of the text being typed. This enables uses to reach a speed of 37 words per minute as opposed to 20 on a QWERTY layout.

The researchers will present their work at the CHI 2013 conference in Paris on 1st May and KALQ will be available as a free download for Android-based devices.
Popular keyboard Swype lands on Google Play

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 1:17pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

Swype is one of the most appealing and competent third-party keyboards that you can get on Android today, touting more than 250 million users worldwide. The app practically made swipe input popular, a feature which has since been adopted by SwiftKey and even the green droid itself in the second Jelly Bean iteration.

And today, citing user demand, Nuance Communications -- the company behind the third-party keyboard -- brought Swype to Google Play. The app is available for practically any device running Android 2.2 Froyo and higher and comes in at 15 MB.

Swype is available both in free -- trial version -- as well as paid trim. Users must purchase the app -- which runs for $0.99 or the equivalent in other currencies -- in order to use Swype after the 30-day trial period runs out. So what do you get?

Swype input is just one of Swype's many attractive traits. The third-party keyboard sports "crowd-sources" and delivers updates for the dictionaries containing "the latest trending words". That should make you a hip fella on social networks. There's even support for "an additional dialect supplement for your preferred language".

Next word predictions shouldn't really come as a surprise in this day and age. But, based on typing patterns, Swype tries to learn how you write and guess what you might want to type next. The third-party keyboard can "predict words in commonly used long phrases like 'Best of the Best', 'Nail on the head', 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', and 'Dancing with the Stars'".

Users can upload their dictionaries onto the cloud in order to take advantage of the accumulated data across all of their devices or simply perform a backup. Swype also comes with a voice-dictation feature and a "smart editor" which "analyzes an entire sentence, flagging potential errors for a quick fix, and includes suggestions for the most likely alternatives".

Other features such as themes and support for both tablet and smartphone keyboard formats are also available. At the moment, Swype supports 60 languages and 20 dialects.

Swype is available to download from Google Play.
Samsung Galaxy S4 available at T-Mobile next week

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 12:59pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

If you are a T-Mobile customer waiting to receive the Samsung Galaxy S4 then we have some bad news for you. The US mobile operator has announced that the smartphone's availability is delayed until next week.

The Galaxy S4 was supposed to be available starting today, April 24, on T-Mobile's website. However, according to the carrier, due to "unexpected delay with inventory deliveries" the smartphone's official sales date is now pushed to next week. "Online availability is expected to begin on Monday, April 29", says T-Mobile.

Trying to reassure impatient customers that Monday will likely be the big day, T-Mobile says: "We apologize for any inconvenience and are working with Samsung to deliver the device to T-Mobile customers as soon as possible".

The statement, however, indicates that the Galaxy S4 might not be available even on Monday. Hopefully if you have ordered the smartphone you will receive it as soon as possible. We will keep you updated on the progress.
Photo Commander 11 adds auto backups, 3D support, new effects

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 12:52pm CEST par Mike Williams

Ashampoo has announced the release of Photo Commander 11, its all-in-one tool for organizing, editing and sharing digital images.

New features this time start with the program’s automatic backups. Images are preserved as you work, and with a click you can restore a previous copy, or return to the original file.

Elsewhere, a new Effect Centre gives easy access to effects, with real-time previews. There are many new effects on offer, including a Tilt-Shift, Motion Blur, Zoom Blur, Glass and Video. And an Effect Pen enables you to "draw" any effect directly into the image, for the maximum possible control.

Improved compatibility means new support for Adobe XMP metadata, more RAW files and 3D (MPO and JPS formats). The ability to display 3D images as animations helps you to view them on 2D displays, while a new wizard converts 3D images to regular 2D.

Of course there’s the usual range of small interface improvements, performance optimizations and other tweaks you’d expect from an upgrade.

And this builds on what was already a very large feature set, including a very configurable browser; a host of image editing, repair and annotation tools; and the ability to share your pictures by creating slideshows, web albums, calendars, greetings cards and more, or just uploading them directly to Facebook, Picasa or YouTube.

If there’s an issue with all of this, it comes in trying to get started: there are so many features to explore that it can take a while to find your way around. But persevere and you’ll find Ashampoo Photo Commander 11 is an excellent graphics tool with the power to handle all your photo workflow needs.

It will set you back $49.99 (Windows).
At last! BBC iPlayer Radio app finally available on Android

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 12:38pm CEST par Wayne Williams

The BBC tends to favor iOS when it comes to mobile apps. The broadcaster isn’t ignoring Android, it just takes a while to roll out apps for Google’s mobile operating system, and often those apps, when they do arrive, aren’t as slick or don’t have all the features found in the iOS versions.

Case in point -- the Beeb debuted the iPlayer Radio app for iOS seven months ago, but it’s taken until now for the Android version to appear on Google Play (it will also be available on Amazon’s app store "very soon").

If you’re not familiar with the app, it lets UK users tune into BBC radio stations live and catch up on radio broadcasts from the past seven days. It works over both Wi-Fi and mobile networks.

So finally, Android owners get to enjoy iPlayer Radio. As long as they don’t have a Samsung Galaxy S III that is, because according to the BBC:

Some Samsung Galaxy S III users may find that audio playback does not work for them for live or on-demand programmes. This is due to a problem with a specific recent firmware version for this device. Devices purchased independently of your network operator should not be impacted. A firmware fix has been deployed by Samsung but may take some time to be rolled out across all networks. Podcast and video playback should not be affected.

Oh, and of course because the BBC only had an additional seven months to work on the Android app, on-demand and catch-up from local and regional stations is "not yet available".

The Android app does offer some improvements over the iOS version however. James Simcock, executive producer for mobile in BBC Radio, explains:

On iOS some content is tucked beneath the ‘currently-playing content’ area on the screen, revealed by swiping upwards to show a ‘carousel’. However, on Android simply swiping horizontally will take you through all the content from the currently selected station.

Other differences between the Android and iOS versions of the app include the use of the notifications panel which appears at the top of the screen when you are elsewhere on your phone, making it easy to get back to the app.

There is also an alarm clock which works regardless of whether the app is active. Sharing programmes and tracks is also more ‘open’, using the extensive sharing functions of the Android platform to make programme URLs or artist and track names available to any application you have installed which can make use of such links.

Having tried it out myself, I can confirm the app is really good, very slick with a stylish radio tuner dial, and I’ve found the quality of the sound to be excellent so far. If you live in the UK, have an Android phone, and love music, you should download the app now.
Why less is more in the Windows 8 Modern UI

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 11:56am CEST par Ian Barker

My Why I love Windows 8 piece last week generated a lot of comments and a good balance of pro and anti opinion. Thanks for taking the time to air your views. I received one particular comment concerning choice and that got me thinking that it was a subject which deserved a closer look.

In the past Windows has imposed relatively few restrictions on its users. You want to launch a program? You can click the desktop icon, select it from the start menu, select an icon from the task bar, use a gadget or track down the folder where it's stored and run it from there. You can even call up a command line if you want. It's your choice. As is installing a third-party menu system or an Apple-style widget bar, the permutations are endless.

The same goes for developers too. If you're building a program you can make it look how you want. You don't have to use the ribbon toolbar format, there’s no restriction on the size, shape or position of the buttons, the menu items don’t have to be in a particular order.

Contrast this with other systems. Visit the developer site for Apple, or even for Android, and you'll find there’s a whole raft of guidelines and recommendations all aimed at giving a consistent look and feel to programs and apps.

Which brings us back to Windows 8. With the launch of the much discussed Modern UI we have for the first time in Windows an interface that requires developers to conform to a strict template. It also requires users to launch and control all their apps in the same way.

Is this a good thing? Windows has always been about choice whereas other systems have imposed their developer's vision more forcefully on the user. But if you give people too much choice don’t they just get confused? Isn't it better to always have context menus and navigation controls in the same places? To have a one-stop location on the charms bar for settings and searches across all apps?

If all programs are launched from the same place and can be navigated in broadly the same way then you have a huge step towards making a more user-friendly system. Ask yourself this, if you'd never seen Windows before wouldn't the Modern UI approach seem much more logical than the old five ways to achieve the same end model?

The problem of course is that people have seen and used and adapted to older versions of Windows and are resistant to change. As a result there's been a lot of heated debate about the Modern UI way of doing things. This isn't helped by the fact that the desktop has changed little and is still lurking just a click away allowing people to slip back into a comfort zone.

Microsoft has made a bold move with Windows 8. It has provided an opportunity to re-evaluate how all Windows programs look and work. If that leads to improved usability at the expense of stricter development standards then in the long run it must be a good thing. It would be a shame if having come this far Microsoft were now to listen to the shrill voices and take a step back from the Modern UI approach.

Photo Credit: Thomas Pajot/Shutterstock
CW comes to Xbox, no cable subscription required

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 1:38am CEST par Alan Buckingham

If TV shows and Xbox are your things, today is your lucky day. Xbox Live has been busy adding content to its Gold offering in an effort to beef up its entertainment features and bring in the non-gaming audience by positioning the console as a living room entertainment hub.

Today, Xbox Live chief Larry Hryb announces that the latest outlet to come on board is the CW network. This is also a unique offering in that, unlike channels such as HBO and ESPN, the CW will not require customers to verify a paid TV service subscription from a cable or satellite provider. The new app will offer shows ranging from "full episodes to previews and interviews, and is unique in that it will offer next-day episodes free with your Xbox LIVE Gold subscription" according to Hryb.

The new CW offering also utilizes Xbox Smartglass for some of its most popular content, such as The Vampire Diaries. "As viewers tune into The CW app on Xbox this Friday for the latest episode titled 'The Originals', they can access an exclusive Xbox SmartGlass experience that will provide exciting new content via their smartphone or tablet not available to any other viewers" Hryb explains.

Microsoft also plans a giveaway that will be conducted via Facebook and feature custom "Vampire Diaries" and "Supernatural" Xbox 360 consoles. Details of how to enter were not included in the announcement.

Like other Xbox entertainment options, CW does require a Gold subscription, but with no paid TV subscription required, this offering seems geared towards cord-cutters, and with HBO contemplating a similar offering for its GO service, this could spell trouble for the providers. That is really the most intriguing part of this latest offering.

Photo Credit: Major Nelson
Taxing Internet sales is the right thing to do

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 1:29am CEST par J Marra

The fight to keep brick and mortar commerce subsidizing e-commerce is in a crucial stage today.

You never heard of that fight? It also goes under the guise of fighting "Internet sales taxes". A bill (the "Marketplace Fairness Act") is moving along in the Senate that requires merchants with $1 million or more in revenue to collect any sales taxes due in the state of the buyer.

The buyer is already responsible for such taxes, called "use taxes" when paid by the buyer. Real businesses actually pay these taxes, but only a small proportion of consumers, sometimes known as "suckers", pay them. It's rare for anyone to get in trouble (although I did once in 1986).

I am, by inclination, a small-government type, a quasi-libertarian. A new way to tax people for engaging in commerce is not what I'm usually looking for. That's not the issue here: sales taxes are applied at stores with physical presence in the state but not those selling remotely. This is inherently unfair to the brick-and-mortar businesses. I'm probably all for cutting sales tax rates to "starve the beast" but I'm not for taxing commerce sold one way and not the other.

Would online sales taxes help or hurt small business? Some would be helped, some would be hurt. Small businesses operating in the venue of big businesses like eBay would be hurt because the auctioneer clearly does more than $1 million in revenue. For this reason, eBay has started a "spam your congressman" campaign to oppose the legislation. Amazon.com, on the other hand, actually supports the new law. Amazon and its local affiliates have been the target of states for not collecting such taxes from out-of-state customers and perhaps company execs think that they're well-positioned to benefit from an environment where everyone has to collect them.

The main complaint about such taxes used to be based on the legal reason why, back before e-commerce, courts found that out-of-state merchants were not obligated to collect them: It was too great a burden. There's no credible case left for the substantial burden argument. Software and Internet services are very capable of determining sales taxes owed based on an address.

Now the complaint is the burden to small business. Well, if you're doing your own e-commerce collections and have under $1 million in revenue it's not a problem for you. The $1 million ceiling for the exemption is likely to create some perverse incentives for companies near that number, perhaps to split into multiple businesses so as to stay under the limit. Personally, I wouldn't even support the limit. Everyone who does e-commerce above the level of emailing "send me a check and I'll mail it you" uses outside services which are, or should be, perfectly capable of collecting such revenues.

I've seen some really lame complaints about this: "Local businesses use the local services that the taxes pay for; a business out of state doesn't". True, but sales taxes are consumption taxes. The buyer pays, not the merchant. That's why the buyer has to come up with the money. And the buyer is in the state where the taxes are due.

Lame complaint #2: "Internet buyers are already paying for shipping, why should they also have to pay taxes?" They should pay for shipping because they are getting the item shipped. Taxes have nothing to do with this. And there are lots of circumstances, more and more lately, where shipping costs are not directly charged. I'm an Amazon Prime customer and one of the things I get is 2-day shipping included on most of the items I buy.

I would respect the arguments of businesses and Republicans organizing against sales taxes for remote Internet sales if they showed some concern for the injustice that the system creates for local businesses. Is there a better solution? I'm willing to listen.

Photo Credit: 3Dstock/Shutterstock
Audible offers free book to Windows 8, Windows Phone users

Publié: avril 24, 2013, 1:01am CEST par Alan Buckingham
Audible, a leading choice in the audio book market and a company that was purchased by Amazon back in 2008, is now working with Microsoft to drum up new business for both entities with offers to both the PC and mobile platform. The Amazon subsidiary has long offered free book deals in a number of forms, including the many podcasts sponsored with its advertising.

Today Microsoft announces that customers of both Windows 8 and Windows Phone can grab a free audio book with no subscription or credit card required. "Audible has apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone that let you download and listen to books on the go. With over 135,000 titles from classics to New York Times bestsellers, you can enjoy endless hours of entertainment" says Microsoft's Kristina Libby.

Of course, there is a catch -- there always is. In this case it is not a huge one, but important none-the-less. The fact is, you only have three books to choose from.
- The Power Trip by Jackie Collins.
- American Sniper by Chris Kyle or the classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- The Great Gatsby, narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal.
The offer is also only good for a limited time, and while promotional supplies last, though I am unsure how digital supplies run out. I suppose Microsoft has struck a deal to cover the cost of a certain number of books. However, if you are interested in any of the titles, then this is the time to act.

Photo Credit: Mmaxer/Shutterstock