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Roku giving away daily prizes in holiday sweepstakes

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 11:40pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Roku is one of the leaders in an ever-more competitive set-top box market that includes heavy-hitters like Apple and Google, Despite that, the company has carved out a niche for itself through a combination of functionality and pricing. Now, to celebrate both the holidays and its good fortune, Roku is holding a sweepstakes.

Here's how it works -- Roku is giving away a number of items everyday between now and December 22nd. The list of products remains the same each day, but you'll have to enter daily for a chance to win. Head to the Stuff Your Stocking Sweepstakes website and pick the item you desire. Each day the company will give each item away to a lucky winner.

Items include a Roku 3, Slingbox 500, one year subscription to Netflix and a number of other items. The contest is being run through the Roku Facebook page and you will have to like that in order to enter.

The contest is mostly about media, but there are plenty of other items, like tee shirts, being handed out as well. It may just provide you with one item to check off your shopping list.
White Nexus 7 appears in Play store, only one model to choose from

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 9:20pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Without much fanfare, Google has added a new member to its Nexus family, but it's not what you think. For weeks now we have waited, not entirely patiently, for an updated version of the Nexus 10 tablet, enduring endless rumored release dates that have come and gone.

The new addition, however, is a white version of the Nexus 7 that was unveiled back in June at a breakfast event with Android chief Sundar Pichai. The tablet sports a white back and edges, while the face still has the familiar black bezel.

"Today we're introducing a new white Nexus 7 just in time for the holidays. It's available starting now on Google Play in the US, UK and JP", the company states via its Google+ account.

If you're looking for a white tablet, then this is good news, but there are a few limitations here. The new device is available only as a 32 GB model and also is limited to just WiFi. Google has confirmed to BetaNews that there are currently no plans for any white 16 GB model or any LTE version in the new color.
LG G Pad 8.3 becomes the first-ever Google Play Edition tablet

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 8:57pm CET par Brian Fagioli
Android fans are very particular about their devices. For many, a Nexus device is the only way to go. After all, Nexus devices are usually the only way to run pure Android and get fast updates. However, what are you to do if you want the pure experience, but don't like the current offering of Nexus devices?

Google remedied that dilemma earlier this year by releasing Google Play Editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. These phones run pure Android rather than the skinned versions by the handset manufacturers. Today, LG announces that its LG G Pad 8.3 is the first-ever tablet to be designated a Google Play Edition device. Will it be a Nexus 7 killer?

"LG's working relationship with Google has always been strong and our collaboration on the first-ever Google Play Edition tablet is proof of that commitment. The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition is a device with hardware and software that has been optimized for a truly consumer-friendly experience. There's nothing else like it out there in the marketplace", says Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company.

LG further explains, "with the perfect combination of KitKat's Full-screen Immersive mode and LG's stunning 1920 x 1200 WUXGA Full HD IPS display, this special edition of LG G Pad 8.3 offers an optimal viewing experience. Apps can utilize every pixel on the G Pad 8.3 screen to create full-bleed UIs reaching edge to edge. With the ability to hide the system UI such as the status bar and navigation bar, this feature is ideal for rich visual content such as photos, videos, maps, books and games".

LG details the following specifications:
- Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Processor
- Operating System: Android 4.4, KitKat
- Display: 8.3-inch Full HD IPS WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels / 273 ppi)
- Memory: 16GB eMMC
- RAM: 2GB LPDDR2
- Camera: Rear 5.0MP / Front 1.3MP
- Battery: 4,600mAh
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Size: 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3mm
- Weight: 338g
- Colors: Indigo Black
While the screen is bigger than the Nexus 7, the PPI is less (273 vs. 323). However, LG's tablet has a micro SD card slot and a larger battery. Most importantly though is price -- the Nexus 7 is $229 for a 16GB model while the LG G Pad 8.3 is $349. Is the larger screen, larger battery and expandable storage worth the extra money? Tell me in the comments.
Android Christmas tree ornaments go on sale -- quickly out of stock

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 7:55pm CET par Brian Fagioli

I swear, I'm not an Android "fan-boy"; I am not committed to any platform. However, I am a fan-boy of something -- technology. When the first generation of Android collectibles were released, I snatched them up because they were technology collectibles. They are cute and make great conversation pieces. Quite frankly, it is probably as close to art as I will get. I have since collected about thirty of the little figurines.

Every once in a while, the official retailer, Dead Zebra, will sell limited editions of the Androids that sell out pretty fast. A few days ago, I caught wind that limited-edition Android Christmas ornaments would be released on December 10th at 11am. I created a calendar reminder in Outlook to be sure I wouldn't miss out. However, ordering them proved rather difficult.

Dead Zebra suggests that customers "create an account and be logged in before the release, that way all of your address information will be pre-filled in and ready to go". I took that advice and did so about 15-minutes before sale time. However, the moment the ornaments went on sale, the website crashed. There were likely thousands of nerds just like me trying to do the same thing.

While I could have given up, I decided not to. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and my tree had to have these ornaments! I decided to refresh like a madman until the page loaded. Like magic, the site ultimately appeared. Dead Zebra was selling two variants -- a red and a blue one and of course, I needed both. I added the red one to my cart, but when I went to add the other, it crashed again. Feeling afraid I would lose the red one, I checked out and ordered it on its own.

Now that I had secured the red one, the blue was in my sights. I again kept refreshing and once again, the page loaded and I got my chance. I added the blue variant to my cart and successfully checked out. Woo-hoo, I got both! Shortly after this, they both sold out.

Now, I usually don't write about my shopping experiences, but I found this one to be particularly interesting. Based on market-share, we know Android owners are extremely abundant, but this shows that they are passionate about the operating system too. The entire website collapsed under the load of nerds buying a plastic tchotchke -- what other operating system can cause such a frenzy?

If you are still interested, Dead Zebra chose to hold a small amount back for sale at 11pm tonight. If you want one, you'd better be quick and read the FAQ here.
Happy Birthday! The mouse turns 45 today

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 4:22am CET par Alan Buckingham

The seemingly common peripheral that sits on our desks and gets taken for granted has not always been a part of computing. The lowly mouse has also changed more than you think over its lifespan, and its contribution to the technology world should be in little doubt. The tiny hand-held device has made major strides since its debut, 45 years ago today.

Yes, it was on December 9th, 1968, long before Windows was even a twinkle in Bill Gates' eye, that the little product made its first appearance. Years earlier, Douglas Engelbart filed a patent for a device he developed in 1963 at Stanford University. However, it took until 1966 for Patent number 3,541,541 to be granted -- fast by today's standards.

Since those early days, the device has come surprisingly far, for something that seems so simple. The one I currently use has no cord, no buttons and no track ball. Instead, it connects via Bluetooth, uses touch for motion, and has a laser to pinpoint its location. It even has a switch to allow for pairing with two devices. Englebert would be proud.

Sadly, the inventor missed this momentous occasion, having passed away on July 2nd of this year at the age of 88. However, he is known forever as the inventor of "human-computer interaction". Happy birthday to the oft-under-appreciated peripheral that has stood the test of time, and farewell to Mr. Engelbart.

Image Credit: Jiri Hera / Shutterstock
Microsoft accounts get stronger and smarter security

Publié: décembre 10, 2013, 2:39am CET par Brian Fagioli

In the midst of the Snowden leaks, computer users are feeling very violated. After all, a personal computer is personal -- we want to feel that our data and privacy is secure. Microsoft says it best by saying "people won't use technology they don't trust".

While many may feel that the company is just supplying lip service, today the software giant announces that it is walking the walk too. Microsoft accounts are getting stronger and smarter security.

"Last April we announced the release of two-step verification to the more than 700 million people around the world who use a Microsoft account [...] Every day, thousands more users enable this extra protection for their account. We're also delighted to see that customers who have turned on two-step verification are less likely to experience illegal activities with their accounts", says Eric Doerr, Group Program Manager for Microsoft Account.

However, Microsoft is not resting on its laurels. The company is also introducing a "Recent Activity" option too. Under the account settings, the user can see all activity tied to the profile -- including a Bing-powered map showing where the activity occurred. By reviewing this activity, the customer can identify anything suspicious. From there, the user can select "This wasn't me" to alert Microsoft.

Also new is the use of Recovery Codes. While two-step authorization is more secure, it is also risky. After all, if you lose access to both your phone number and email address, you are, well...screwed. Alternatively, Microsoft is now offering a code which can gain you access when all other options are exhausted. The user must generate it in advance and store it in a safe place. Of course, if the user fails to secure the code and a malicious person obtains it, the security of the account is compromised. So while it may save your ass, it could bite you in it too.

Lastly, Microsoft is empowering its users with greater control of notifications. Users can now select where their notifications are sent -- email address or phone number. This is great because, if a notification is sent and the user doesn't see it, it serves no purpose. In other words, if a notification is sent to a tree in the forest and no one is their to read it, has it really been notified?

Are you excited about these changes? Do you feel safer? Tell me in the comments.

Image Credit: vita khorzhevska / Shutterstock