Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » septembre 20, 2013

BetaNews.Com (11 non lus)

Siri security flaw leaves some locked iPhones open to abuse

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 10:26pm CEST par Mark Wilson

The number of people who are running iOS 7, either by buying a new iPhone or by downloading the update from Apple, is high. Very high. But shortly after the excitement of the new operating system, a security flaw with Siri emerges -- and it's not one to be taken lightly. Security firm Cenzic reveals details of a vulnerability that enables anyone to bypass the lock screen of an iPhone using Siri.

The voice activated assistant is better known for providing answers to questions and allowing for hands-free operation of iPhones. But Cenzic researchers show that it can also be used for more sinister purposes. You would think that when your phone is locked it should not be possible to do anything, besides answering calls, until you unlock it.

But Cenzic Security Engineers, Abhishek Rahirikar and Michael Yuen found that it is possible to use Siri to use phone functions that really should be inaccessible when a device is locked -- such as the ability to post Facebook and Twitter updates, viewing call records and even send emails. This means that, in theory, should your iPhone be lost or stolen, someone else could use it to post messages on your behalf.

The ability to make calls from a locked phone could be seen as being useful to a legitimate owner of a phone. Cenzic says that the vulnerability demonstrates that "there is a thin line between security and convenience" and has called on Apple to remedy the problem. I've reached out to Apple to get their side of the story, and I'm awaiting a response.

A video has been posted to YouTube showing how the vulnerability works. It may seem that Siri first refuses to post a Facebook status update and then just gives in on the second request, but Abhishek Rahirikar explains that "you need to give right command, and Siri does not think whether the phone is locked or not, it carries out the action. This is true for some commands that we think should have some restrictions."

The problem is not restricted to iOS 7; it is also to be found in iOS 6.1.4.

Check out the YouTube video to see the vulnerability for yourself:

Image Credit: lucadp / Shutterstock
Microsoft keeps pace with Apple, updates Bing for iOS 7

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 7:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

Two days ago Apple rolled out its latest mobile operating system offering, iOS 7. To compliment this new release, Microsoft is making sure to keep up with the latest version of the OS, by pushing out a brand new version of the Bing app. The company is hitting Apple hard with integration right into the heart of the platform.

"With the release of iOS 7 this week, you can now experience Bing search results in Siri", the software giant announces. The Bing search within Siri aims to deliver various types of results, keeping you from going to the web browser to view the same list of results. Microsoft explains, "for example, when you ask Siri a question, you will either see a specific answer or search results from Bing, including web links, related searches, images and video".

The update to the app also contains four new tiles, allowing you to check trending news and images from Bing Trends, find nearby local businesses on a map, and check the weather. There is, additionally, a new share button that interacts with Facebook and Twitter and a revamped menu that allows you to view saved images, screenshots and bookmarks, as well as sign-in with a Microsoft account to sync them to Skydrive.

The new Bing for iOS 7 is available for free in the iTunes App Store starting today. So, if you installed the latest Apple mobile OS, or managed to secure a brand new device then this is something you may just want to look at.
Microsoft kills Skype (and consumer trust) for Windows Phone 7

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 7:16pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

When a consumer decides to buy into a platform or operating system, they expect commitment from the developer. For instance, Apple released iOS 7 on Wednesday and included support for the iPhone 4 which was released in 2010. An iPhone buyer can reasonably expect a healthy dose of updates for years. As a result, Apple users trust and buy into iOS.

Conversely, Microsoft announces that it is ending Skype development and support for Windows Phone 7. Yes, Microsoft will continue to support the smartphone operating system until September 9, 2014. However, ending support for one of its own apps is a slap in the face to the loyal users who chose to buy into the platform.

The Redmond, Wash.-based company says "as we look ahead to the future, we are focusing all our efforts to bring great experiences and improved performance to Windows Phone 8, building on the capabilities of the platform. As a result we are not planning to release further updates to Skype for Windows Phone 7. However the Windows Phone 7 app will remain available to download in the Windows Phone Store, so users can still keep using the core Skype experiences, such as Chat, Voice and Video Calls".

In other words, Windows Phone 7 users can continue to download and use the app. However, if any bugs or security issues surface, they are on their own (use at your own risk). If users cannot trust Microsoft to update and support its own app, how can they place their trust in the Windows Phone platform at all?

Quite frankly, Windows Phone 8 users should be wary -- when Windows Phone 9 is released, they may face a similar fate.

Photo Credit: Jovan Mandic/Shutterstock
Quick Review: Macrorit Disk Partition Expert Home 2013

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 7:01pm CEST par Mike Williams

Dividing a hard drive into multiple partitions brings many potential benefits. Using "System", "Programs" and "Data" partitions may help to keep your files organized, as well as improving performance, and you’ll be able to install and use multiple operating systems.

Windows provides an applet to handle partitioning tasks (right-click Computer, select Manage > Disk Management), but it’s distinctly short on features. And that’s why you might turn to the lengthily-named Macrorit Disk Partition Expert Home 2013, which promises "advanced hard drive partitioning" and is free for personal use.

The program supports creating new NTFS or FAT32 volumes on MBR, GPT and 2TB+ drives. You can resize or move existing partitions from a single dialog. And there are tools to copy partitions; change their drive letters or labels; check them for errors; delete, format or wipe them, and more.

The interface for all this is much like most other partitioning software. There’s a list of your drives and partitions; select one, and you can choose whatever options you’d like to perform. Any changes aren’t applied straight away, appearing instead in a "Pending Operations" pane. But once you’re happy, just click "Commit" and the program will carry out each of your commands in turn.

This all worked generally very well in our tests. Performance was good, and the "Wipe Volume" option stood out in particular, offering several ways to securely erase the partition (fill sectors with zeros, ones, zeros and ones, the 3-pass DoD 5220-22-M and the 7-pass DoD 5220-28-STD).

We did also come across some issues. Oddly, the program offered only a very limited set of options (View Properties, Surface Test) for one or two of our system partitions. Okay, these were "EFI System" and "Reserved" partitions and should probably be left alone, but we’d still like the ability to wipe or delete them if necessary.

Another notable limitation is that you don’t get a "Merge Partition" option, and so if you do divide your hard drive into several partitions, there’s no easy way to reverse this later.

File system support is relatively limited, too, with support for NTFS and FAT/ FAT32 only. The program can’t convert partitions from one type or file system to another. And there’s no real help, maybe a problem if you’re new to partitioning.

This lack of documentation could mean we’re missing some plus points. In particular, Macrorit claims Disk Partition Expert is "the only one freeware with advanced technology of power-off protection and data disaster recovery", which sounds great. We’re not sure there’s much substance behind this -- we couldn’t spot any recovery tools at all -- but without further explanation it’s hard to say for sure.

Overall, Macrorit Disk Partition Expert Home 2013 isn’t bad: the interface is familiar, it’s easy to use, and there’s enough functionality to carry out most basic partitioning tasks.

The program doesn’t really offer any significant stand-out features, though, and on balance we would still prefer to use something like EaseUS Partition Master Home.
Best Windows 8 apps this week

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 6:54pm CEST par Martin Brinkmann

Forty-seventh in a series. The overall application growth in the US Windows Store continues to remain under the 1,000 app mark. While that is usually a cause for concern in regards to the platform as a whole, this week has seen the release of a remarkable number of quality apps which is reflected below.

A total of 82,641 apps were listed in Windows Store at the time of writing, an increase of 693 apps in the last seven days.

Of these, 63,177 were free to download and install, up 541 applications, and 19,464 paid or trial ware, up 151.

Big news this week was Microsoft's announcement of pricing and packaging for Windows 8.1. The new version, free for Windows 8 users, will be available for $119.99 in the regular version and $199.99 for the Pro version.

It will be available as a download and a full retail product, something that Microsoft did not offer during the Windows 8 launch.

App of the week

Reaper

Reaper is without doubt one of the best looking and playing games released for the Windows 8 platform so far. It is an action based game with roleplaying elements that will keep you entertained for a long while.

You control your character entirely with the keyboard or an Xbox 360 controller. The game walks you through basic mechanics in a tutorial of sorts before you start to explore the world, take on quests, buy new equipment in store or level up your character.

The game is free up to level 10. If you want to play on, you need to purchase the premium version.

Reaper offers lots of variety in terms of maps that you fight on, enemies that you encounter, and options that you have to equip your character.

You earn gold by defeating some enemies, collecting treasures in levels, and by completing quests. Since you are always short of gold, you have to decide what to buy next, as you can't buy all the great equipment shops offer.

It is a fun game that will keep you entertained for a long time. A must have.

Other apps

Where's my Water 2

Another Disney game. Your task in Where's My Water 2 is to control the flow of water from the top of the level down to the crocodile's shower.

It may look like a children's game at first but it is quite challenging for players of all ages.

Your main task in all levels is to remove the earth that is blocking the flow of water. While that may be challenging enough, you may also want to hit all ducks in the level with the water to get a perfect score.

The game features more than 100 challenging levels and great graphics.

Please note that it uses an "energy" system that replenishes over time. This means basically that you can't play continuously but need to wait until the energy replenishes itself.

3rd Floor Blackjack

This app has received more than 500 ratings since it was released less than seven days ago, making it one of the most popular game launches on the system to date.

The main reason it received that many reviews is that it pays players chips when they do so. You start the game with 1,000 chips and either have to earn them while playing Blackjack, get chips every three or so hours, or by purchasing them in the in-game store.

It offers four unique tables, three of which need to be unlocked, and an achievement system to keep players playing the game.

Epson Print and Scan

The official Epson application for Windows 8 adds printing and scanning options to the Start screen.

Just select Printer or Scanner at the top, then the device that you want to work with, and any other parameters that define the job. The application is really easy to use and works with many Epson Artisan, Expression Home, Stylus and WorkForce devices.

IRCTC

The official Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation application for Windows 8 provides you with everything needed to plan and book travels. An account is needed to use the app and the sign-up option displayed here opens a page in the default system browser.

The app itself is easy to use, providing you with all the information you could possible want to look up. From your frequent booking history to cancellations and the checking of your PNR status.

Kaptain Brawe: A Brawe New World (free trial)

Kaptain Brawe is an adventure game that may remind you of Lucasarts or Sierra classics like Day of the Tentacle or the Gabriel Knight series.

It features great looking graphics and two game modes, one for hardcore players who do not want any hints, and one for the casual crowd who like hints and shoves in the right direction.

It is a fun game with over 40 different locations and three different characters to play.

NonoCraft ($4.99, free trial available)

NonoCraft is a challenging puzzle game in which you have to fill out the game board in specific ways. Vertical and horizontal numbers indicate how many fields need to be filled out, and it is up to you to use logic to find out where those fields are.

The game walks you through all the mechanics in the first few stages so that you understand exactly how it is being played.

The game board itself grows over time. You may start with a single row board but will soon be solving 5x5 and larger boards.

Graphics are hand drawn and look really nice, and the game itself is fairly entertaining if you like logic puzzle games.

NFL Mobile

The official NFL application for Windows 8 provides you with the latest news and information about the league in general, and specific information on your favorite team.

You are asked to pick one at the start and will notice that team news is displayed right next to the general news section on the start page afterwards.

The application features a breaking news section, live game scores, a Fantasy Football area (need to sign in for that), and custom team alerts that displays notifications about team injuries, players, highlights and other team related information.

You can look up team standings and schedules, check out a team roster or statistics from within the app.

The official NFL shop and an option to buy tickets directly online has also been integrated into the application.

Game Rewind

Watch full NFL game replays on your Windows 8 device. This is a subscription service that provides you with access to 256 regular season games, 10 playoff games and the Super Bowl, access to a 2012 game archive, and condensed games which are shorter replays that you can watch in about 30 minutes without missing anything.

Phototastic

Create great looking photo collages using local media, the built-in device camera, Flickr, or solid colors. Once you have made the photo selection, you can change how the photos are displayed using the tools menu on the right.

Here you can change the shape of each individual photo, or the shape of all photos at once -- for instance from a regular square look to a heart symbol.

The free version limits the number of photos you can add to a collage to four. If you want to add more, you need to purchase the collage page for $2.99.

Siege Wars

If you like Angry Birds, then you will certainly appreciate Siege Wars. The game uses the same game mechanics as Angry Birds: use catapults to hit all the mages placed in structures not far away.

Some levels provide you with multiple catapults under your control which makes it somewhat more challenging, as you have to factor in the new position for your next shot.
Buying your iPhone 5s or 5c from Apple? Expect to wait a while!

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 3:08pm CEST par Mark Wilson

The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are now here -- or they will be in a bit. Anyone with an older device that isn't too old is able to update to iOS 7 -- the jury is out about whether it is a step in the right direction or not -- but if you're looking for the full iOS 7 experience running on the latest hardware, the new iPhones are a must-buy.

Even on launch day it looks as though buying direct from your mobile provider, or joining the queue at your nearest Apple store might be the quickest way to get your hands on a new phone. Opt to make a purchase direct from Apple's website and you'll probably find that you have quite a wait on your hands.

It doesn’t seem to make much difference where you are in the world. Unless you were fast with your mouse finger, there's a high chance you'll have to wait until next month until your phone even ships. In the US, many iPhone models have a lead time of seven to ten business days, while in the UK, many handsets have an unspecified dispatch date of some time in October.

The fact that supplies are low should come as no great surprise -- it happens after the launch of virtually every new Apple product. But it's not really clear whether Apple was ill-prepared for great demand, whether there is greater demand than expected, or if supplies are being purposefully limited to help keep the hype going.

So how did you get one? Were you one of the enthusiasts waiting in line for the doors to open, or are you relying on an online order? Which proved to be the faster option for you -- direct from Apple online or going through your mobile supplier?

Image Credit: luminaimages /Shutterstock

App downloads set to hit 102 billion in 2013 -- mostly all free

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 2:41pm CEST par Wayne Williams

If you own a smartphone it’s likely you download apps for it, and given the proliferation of mobile devices, it’s not surprising that the volume of app downloads is continuing to rocket.

According to Gartner, mobile app stores will see annual downloads reach 102 billion in 2013, up from 64 billion in 2012, with free apps accounting for a whopping 91 percent of the total downloads this year.

"Free apps currently account for about 60 percent and 80 percent of the total available apps in Apple's App Store and Google Play, respectively," says Brian Blau, research director at Gartner.

While it’s obviously difficult to make a paid app stand out in a hugely crowded marketplace, there is still money to be made, with total revenue from apps set to reach $26 billion this year, up from $18 billion in 2012. Gartner predicts that in-app purchases (IAPs) will account for 48 percent of app store revenue by 2017, up from 11 percent last year.

"We expect strong growth in downloads through 2014, but growth is forecast to slow down a bit in later years," says Sandy Shen, research director at Gartner. "The average downloads per device should be high in early years as users get new devices and discover the apps they like. Over time they accumulate a portfolio of apps they like and stick to, so there will be moderate numbers of downloads in the later years".

"iOS and Android app stores combined are forecast to account for 90 percent of global downloads in 2017," Brian Blau says. "These app stores are still increasingly active due to richer ecosystems and large and very active developer communities. However, we expect average monthly downloads per iOS device to decline from 4.9 in 2013 to 3.9 in 2017, while average monthly downloads per Android device will decline from 6.2 in 2013 to 5.8 in 2017. This relates back to the overall trend of users using the same apps more often rather than downloading new ones".

Mobile App Store Downloads, Worldwide, 2010-2016 (Millions of Downloads)

	2012	2013	2014	2014	2016	2017
Free Downloads	57,331	82,876	127,704	167,054	211,313	253,914
Paid-for Downloads	6,654	9,186	11,105	12,574	13,488	14,778
Total Downloads	63,985	102,062	138,809	179,628	224,801	268,692
Free Downloads %	89.6	91.0	92.0	93.0	94.0	94.5

Source: Gartner (September 2013)

Additional information is available in Gartner’s report "Forecast: Mobile App Stores, Worldwide, 2013 Update".

Image Credit: KROMKRATHOG/Shutterstock

Apple's iPhone 5s and 5c go on sale today

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 2:26pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

Starting today, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are officially available to buy from Apple's online and brick and mortar stores in select markets. Depending on your location, the two smartphones can be purchased, directly from Apple, alongside a mobile operator contract -- you can expect heavily subsidized pricing -- and/or unlocked -- prepare for a hefty bill.

In the US, early adopters have to pay $199 for a 16 GB iPhone 5s, with a two-year contract ($649 unlocked). For those who have higher storage requirements, the 32 GB and 64 GB models are also available, for $100 and $200 more, respectively, on top of the aforementioned base prices.

The iPhone 5c kicks off at $100 less, with the 16 GB model costing $99 alongside a two-year contract ($549 unlocked). Those who want the 32 GB model can also expect to pay $100 more on top of the base prices.

The new iPhones are also officially offered in other markets. Initial country availability also includes Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan (NTT Docomo just joined the ranks of local mobile operators which sell iPhones) and United Kingdom.

The initial sales day kicks off with some bad news for impatient buyers -- shipping delays. The new iPhones will not ship right away, as the lead times range between one to ten business days, as my colleague Mark Wilson explains in an upcoming story, depending on your location and the new iPhone of choice. Generally speaking, the shipping delays are shorter for the iPhone 5c and longer for the iPhone 5s (the gold model is expected to ship in October).

According to the results of our "Will you buy iPhone 5s?" poll, at the time of writing this article, 23 percent of respondents voted that they will purchase Apple's new flagships smartphone right away. A further 13 percent of respondents also answered affirmatively, but their response indicates that the purchase will not be immediate.

The highlights of the iPhone 5s include: 4-inch "Retina" display with a resolution of 1,136 by 640; 64-bit A7 processor; 8 MP iSight back-facing camera with 1080p video recording; 1.2 MP FaceTime HD front-facing camera with 720p video recording; 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB of internal storage; fingerprint sensor; 4G LTE; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS with Glonass support. The iPhone 5s runs iOS 7 and comes in at 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and 112 grams.

The highlights of the iPhone 5c include: 4-inch "Retina" display with a resolution of 1,136 by 640; 32-bit A6 processor; 8 MP iSight back-facing camera with 1080p video recording; 1.2 MP FaceTime HD front-facing camera with 720p video recording; 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage; 4G LTE; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS with Glonass support. The iPhone 5c also runs iOS 7 and comes in at 124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97 mm and 132 grams.
Microsoft: Windows is superior to Android for government and education needs

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 10:09am CEST par Wayne Williams
A new white paper compares Android and Windows devices for use in the public sector and education. It looks at four areas it considers critical -- ease of use, security, productivity and lifecycle -- and finds Windows devices to be the "superior choice".

The paper says there are "significant challenges and issues with Android" and that Windows devices "offer better security and utility, enabling new usage models AND more productive users, while giving IT flexible deployment options to evolve the existing infrastructure and in some cases even produce savings as no new processes need to be developed". But since the white paper comes from Microsoft, those findings are unsurprising.

Obvious bias aside, the paper -- which discusses the penetration of tablets in the public sector and the challenges facing organizations as they evolve their IT infrastructure -- makes some good points.

Microsoft highlights the fact that Google and OEMs do not go back and update all older versions of Android (and devices) with security patches and fixes, and even if they did, "there is no common, streamlined way to get those updates out to the install base of Android devices".

It also says the "hackable nature of Android continues to leave big potential security holes", and the ability to run apps from anywhere makes it vulnerable to malware.

Pushing Windows devices as the far better choice, Microsoft (naturally) mentions Office and lists the following benefits:
- An engaging, first-in-class user experience and familiar software tools that are ubiquitous in the workplace.
- Wide choice of manufacturers, form factors, styles, and price points for every need;
- A seamless experience across devices, allowing users to collaborate, store and share their work through SkyDrive/SkyDrive Pro from any web-capable device, sharing apps and settings for a single user across multiple devices.
The white paper also includes a table summarizing the comparison between Android and Windows based devices and how they map to the government and educational customer needs:

In a blog post to go with the white paper, the Microsoft Education Team says:

The meteoric rise of Android-based tablets in the consumer space, driven mainly by accessible prices points, made many people explore if such devices could be leveraged for Government and Education programs. Android-based tablets have a lot of obvious appeal considering low acquisition costs against tight public budgets. Yet, are there better choices out there?

Yes -- Apple has some products that might fit…

It’s interesting that Microsoft has chosen to target Android with this white paper. Presumably because it’s the easier target. The mobile OS does have potential (and well documented) security issues after all.

The white paper is available to read here.

Image Credit: Ziven/Shutterstock
The secret of iOS 7

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 8:45am CEST par Robert X. Cringely
The Innovator’s Dilemma, a 1997 book by Harvard professor Clayton Christensen, made the point that successful companies can lose their way when they pay too much attention to legacy products and not enough attention to new stuff. They are making so much money they either don’t see a competitor rising up or are too complacent to feel threatened. In either case the incumbent generally loses and the upstart (usually one of many) generally wins. The best way for successful companies to avoid this problem is by inventing the future before their competitors do.

We see this pattern over and over in high tech. Remember Lotus? Remember Word Perfect? Remember Borland? And it’s not just in software. Remember IBM sticking too long with the 80286 processor? Remember the Osbourne Executive?

Microsoft certainly faces this dilemma today, having nothing with which to replace Windows and Office. Some say Apple, too, is living now on the wrong side of the innovation curve, but I don’t think so. I think Cupertino has a plan.

When Apple announced its iPhone 5c and 5s mobile phones I alluded to having an idea of some broader strategy Cupertino had in mind for the devices, especially the iPhone 5s. Here are the clues I am working from:
1. Tim Cook was clear to claim the iPhone 5s had a "workstation-class 64-bit processor".
2. iWork is now free on all new iOS devices.
3. iOS 7 has, for the first time, support for not just Bluetooth keyboards but Bluetooth mice as well.
4. There’s a new Apple TV of some sort coming anytime now.
Here’s what I think is happening. At the very moment when Apple critics are writing-off the company as a three- or four- or five-hit wonder, Apple is embracing the fact that desktop computers only represent about 15 percent of its income, making Apple clearly a mobile technology company. As such, it is more important for Apple to expand its mobile offerings than its desktops. So Apple in a sense is about to make the Macintosh deliberately obsolete.

This doesn’t mean Apple is going out of the Mac business. Why would it drop a hardware platform that still delivers industry-leading profit margins? But a growing emphasis from here on out will be the role of iOS on the desktop.

I see the iPhone 5s and whatever follows as logical desktop replacements. They, and phones like them, will be the death of the PC.

Jump forward in time to a year from today. Here’s what I expect we’ll see. Go to your desk at work and, using Bluetooth and AirPlay, the iPhone 5s or 6 in your pocket will automatically link to your keyboard, mouse, and display. Processing and storage will be in your pocket and, to some extent, in the cloud. Your desktop will require only a generic display, keyboard, mouse, and some sort of AirPlay device, possibly an Apple TV that looks a lot like a Google Chromecast.

That’s what I have running in the picture on this page, only with my iPhone 5 and iOS 7. A year from now I expect the apps will detect and fill the larger screen. And that Mac-in-your-pocket will have not only iWork installed, but also Microsoft Office, which Microsoft will be forced to finally release for iOS. Apple making iWork free on new devices -- devices powerful enough for this desktop gambit -- guarantees that Microsoft will comply.

Go home and take your work with you. Go on the road and it is there, too. IT costs will drop for businesses as desktop PCs are replaced. Having a desktop at home will cost in the $200 range, bringing costs for home IT down, too.

Why would Apple do this? Well for one thing if it doesn’t Google will. For that matter Google will, anyway, so Apple has some incentive to get this in the market pronto.

There are other reasons why Apple would do this. For one thing it is much more likely to hurt the PC market than the Mac market, since pocket desktop performance probably won’t be there for Apple’s core graphics and video markets. Mac sales might actually increase as sales are grabbed from faltering Windows vendors.

But in the end it doesn’t really matter to Apple what happens to the Mac since it is a phone company now. And by embracing its phone-i-ness, Apple will be giving its mobile business a huge boost. Want an iPhone desktop? That will require a new phone, probably sooner than you would otherwise have upgraded. If you are thinking of this new phone as your total computing environment, albeit backed-up to the cloud, you’ll be inclined to spend more on that phone, opting for the maximum configuration. Apple makes a higher profit on maxed-out iPhones than on base phones. And instead of upgrading your desktop every 2-3 years, you’ll now be doing it every 1-2 years.

But wait, there’s more! This desktop gambit completely bypasses Wintel. There’s no pro-Windows bias in the phone market. If anything there’s an anti-Windows bias, so Apple will be playing to its strength. This will be a huge blow to Microsoft, Windows, and Office, yet Redmond will lean into it in an attempt to save Office. Either that or die.

This is a chance for Apple to reinvent the desktop exactly as it reinvented the music player, the mobile phone, and the tablet. For those who say Apple can’t do it again, Apple is already doing it again.

Ironically, for all the stories I’ve been reading about the death of the desktop, this strategy I am laying-out guarantees a desktop resurgence of sorts -- only one that won’t help Dell or HP a bit.

Now take this idea one step further. There’s an opportunity here for Apple to promote yet another hardware platform -- a mobile interface to go with that iPhone. This is a device I seriously considered doing myself for Android a couple years ago but the performance just wasn’t yet there.

You see for all the advantages of having a desktop in your pocket, we really prefer larger displays and even keyboards to do actual work. Tablets have their place, but that place is not everywhere. Commodity desktop peripherals are easy to provide at work and home but much more difficult on the road. Use an iPad to give a bigger screen to your iPhone? That doesn’t make sense. So I expect Apple to build for road warriors a new class of devices that have the display, keyboard and trackpad of a notebook but without the CPU, memory or storage. Call it a MacBook Vacuum, because it’s a MacBook Air without the air.

More likely, since it’s an iOS device, Apple will call this gizmo an iSomething. It will be impossibly strong and light -- under a pound -- the battery will last for days, and it ought to cost $199 for 11-inch and $249 for 13-inch, but Apple being Apple will charge $249 and $349.

What I’m predicting, then, is an Apple resurgence. But let’s understand something here: this is yet another product class that Apple will dominate for awhile then eventually lose. It’s a 3-5 year play just like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Google and Amazon will be in hot pursuit, each more willing than Apple to pay to play. Cupertino will have yet another dilemma a few years from now and possibly another revolution to foment after this one if it can think of something new. The firm will need it. Still I see happy days ahead for Apple with iOS 7 and the legacy of Steve Jobs preserved for now.

Reprinted with permission
Google releases a refreshed Quickoffice for Android and iOS -- for free

Publié: septembre 20, 2013, 4:29am CEST par Brian Fagioli

When I bought the first-generation iPad in 2010, I intended to use it for taking notes in college classes. Unfortunately, the iPad didn't come with an office suite and Microsoft's was not available. And so, I was forced to try a bunch of alternatives. Ultimately, I found one that stood out among the rest -- Quickoffice. I found it to be complete and a pleasure to use.

While my iPad is long gone, Quickoffice has followed me to Android with great results. However, Google bought my beloved Quickoffice in June 2012 and I became very nervous. My concern was that the software development would cease under Google's leadership. I am happy to say that my concerns were for naught -- Google announces today that QuickOffice has been updated and is now free.

"Starting today we’re making Quickoffice for Android and iOS available for free, for everyone. With Quickoffice, you can edit Microsoft Office documents across your devices, giving you the freedom to work with anyone no matter what hardware or software they’re using. Plus, it’s integrated with Google Drive storage so you can safely access your files from anywhere", says the search giant.

The company further says, "while we’re on the topic of free stuff, if you sign in to your Google Account from the new Quickoffice app for Android or iOS by September 26, 2013, you'll get an extra 10GB of Google Drive storage for two years, which will be added to your account in the next few weeks".

In other words, not only is the software improved and free but you will also be gifted 10GB of cloud storage just for trying the app. Even if you don't have a need for Quickoffice, you might as well try it to score the free storage.

In my testing, I found the new Quickoffice to be a dream on both my Android smartphone and tablet. As a Google Drive user, I can now share and edit my documents between Android and my Mac, Chromebook and Windows machines with more ease and style than before. The fact that it is free is just icing on the cake.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, this may be the final nail in the coffin for Office on iPhone and Android phones. After all, unlike the Redmond company's offering, Google's Quickoffice does not require a subscription and is available for Android tablets and the iPad (in full-screen).

Download Quickoffice for Android here.
Download Quickoffice for iPhone and iPad here.