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• 

  WinZip for iOS 3.5 adds Google Drive and OneDrive support, makes zip file management easier

  Publié: juin 30, 2014, 11:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

  WinZip has released WinZip for iOS 3.5, a major update to its iOS app for managing zip files on an iPhone or iPad. The latest version of the app, which is heavily discounted to just $1.99 until July 2nd, allows users to zip, extract, encrypt and share zip files safely.

  Version 3.5 opens with added support for two new cloud-based storage accounts, with users now able to directly access both Google Drive and OneDrive accounts in addition to Dropbox.

  To access cloud-based accounts, users need simply tap the account, provide credentials if required, and then the account is fully accessible. Users can zip up files stored online, unzip files to their cloud accounts and even create and save zip/zipx files directly to the cloud.

  The app can also be used to download files from the user’s storage account and save it on their iPhone or iPad, plus -- thanks to improvements introduced in version 3.2 -- upload music tracks from the user’s device to their cloud storage.

  Version 3.5 also tweaks the user interface to simplify the task of navigating files. The UI redesign also makes zipping up, protecting and sharing files simpler than before.

  WinZip already supports the viewing of a wide range of document formats, and version 3.5 extends this further by adding support to the latest iWorks 13 formats for Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

  The update is rounded off by providing users with access to WinZip’s helpdesk should users fail when attempting to open an archive file.

  WinZip for iOS 3.5 is available now for a limited time for $1.99 for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. The normal MSRP is $4.99.

  
• 

  Samsung not concerned about the prospect of an Apple smartwatch

  Publié: juin 30, 2014, 7:27pm CEST par Sam Pudwell

  

  Speaking at a press event as part of Samsung's Business Discovery Day, Jae Shin, the vice president of Samsung's Knox mobile security business group, said that wearable devices will take off with or without Apple's help.

  Historically, the hype surrounding the launch of a new Apple product has provided the kick-start for interest in a new type of technology. This has previously been the case for smartphones and tablet computers, thanks to the iPhone and iPad, respectively.

  However, when asked whether Samsung was worried about losing its early lead in the wearables market when Apple eventually releases its much-rumored iWatch, Shin argued that consumers have "the know-how and the resources to make a smart decision".

  He went on to say that Apple isn't the only company that can generate excitement in its products anymore and that other firms can get in on the action.

  "Consumers are lot smarter these days and there's a lot for information available to them," he continued.

  "At Samsung, we provide a lot of technical support and SDKs to developers so that they actually create innovation solutions and applications and user experiences that provide what the consumer wants; transparent technology. They want to be able to use it for a purpose they're going to benefit from".

  Apple's iWatch will inevitably attract a lot of hype and publicity when it does arrive, but until that time comes, Samsung won't be wasting any time worrying about it.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Silicon Power releases really fast Marvel M70 USB 3.0 flash drive -- looks a bit like a sex toy

  Publié: juin 30, 2014, 7:14pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Everybody is gaga over the friggin' cloud. Sure, I love the convenience of the cloud too -- I backup my precious family photos to Google Drive just in case. The cloud should not be anyone's sole means of backup however, and if it is, there should be redundancy between 2 or 3 services.

  For my important files, I do not trust the cloud exclusively. Believe it or not, I still like to use optical media as a backup medium. However, I no longer use CD or DVD, but 50GB Blu-ray disks. Pricey? Yes, but worth it. In addition to optical media, I also use flash drives, but only ones of quality and performance. In the past, I have had luck with Silicon Power products, and that company announces the M70 flash drive -- super fast and super sexy.

  "Incorporating the surprisingly high transferring rates up to Read/ Write 240MB/80MB/sec and incredibly large capacities up to 128GB, Marvel M70 appears to be the most powerful addition to its current USB 3.0 portfolio, also marking the milestone of memory storage industry. Steering away from conventional designs, Marvel M70 exercises the design concept of sports car and features the sumptuous, sleek and dynamic character with artistically delicate craftsmanship and luxurious zinc alloy casing. Featuring extraordinary performance and contemporary appearance, Marvel M70 embodies the spirit of high-fashion technology which thoroughly shows the new vision of storage device design", says Silicon Power.

  

  The company further says that the "flash drive is built with untraditional [sic] and dynamic shape design that conveys the strength and grace in the same time. Simple yet powerful, Marvel M70 executes sleek and succinct lines to express the sense of speed and power. Moreover, Marvel M70 is artistically crafted with luxurious metallic material of zinc alloy and exquisite sandblasting treatment that altogether create the high-end visual enjoyment. Combining exceptional performance and head-turning designs, Marvel M70 is the drive for professional and modern users. To better satisfy different mobile needs, Marvel M70 offers multiple choices of storage capacities including 32GB, 64GB and 128GB".

  The company lists the following specs:

  • Dimension: 56.6 * 20.0 * 12.4 mm (+/-0.3mm)
  • Weight: 16.8g (+/-10%)
  • Capacity: 32GB / 64GB / 128GB
  • Material: Zinc Alloy
  • Color: Dark Gray / Silver
  • Interface: USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 / USB 1.1 compatible
  • Operating temperature: 0° C ~ 70° C
  • Supported OS: Windows 8/7/XP, Mac OS 10.3.x, Linux 2.6.x
  • Certification: CE/FCC/BSMI/Green dot/WEEE/RoHS/KCC
  • Warranty: Lifetime warranty

  While new ground is not being broken with this product, I can still appreciate it as a seemingly high-quality drive. I would not hesitate to trust my data on a product from Silicon Power. It is fast, beautiful and crafted from quality materials. Hell, it even looks a bit like a pocket-sized vibrating marital aid and that is pretty cool, right? I only wish that it came in 256GB too. Unfortunately, pricing is not available, but it should be available at Newegg and Amazon soon.

  
• 

  NSA under the microscope -- agency releases "transparency" report

  Publié: juin 28, 2014, 10:13pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  NSA, Snowden, spying, yadda, yadda, yadda. This story is old, I know, but it goes on. The activities of the NSA and other government agencies have forced the online world to look very closely at how its data is being used, and how the companies handling it operate. Just about every online company worth its salt has gone out of its way to bemoan the NSA, their need to comply with data requests from the agency, and their inability to reveal everything they want to about what the NSA is asking about.

  We have seen "transparency reports" from Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn and numerous other companies. But as suggested by my use of quotes, and as alluded to in the opening paragraph, there have been (severe) limits to the levels of transparency we have seen. "Quite opaque" might be a better description. Still, with the world and its dog falling over one another to release the most details, most comprehensive, and most self-congratulatory report, we probably should have predicted that pressure on the NSA would reach a point at which it felt forced to show its own hand. That time has come. The microscope has been turned around, and the security agency is now laying bare its own facts and figures.

  The "Annual Statistics for Calendar Year 2013" report is not exactly a willing publication. On the first page, the agency suggests that, left to its own devices, the report would not have seen the light of day: "President Obama directed the Intelligence Community to declassify and make public as much information as possible about certain sensitive U.S. Government surveillance programs while protecting sensitive classified intelligence and national security information". This is not even a case of trying to improve public relations or boost the agency's image, more something that is done -- not even out of a sense of duty -- out of obligation.

  You can take a browse through the report on the NSA's Tumblr page. Here you'll find the delightfully obtuse "Annual Statistics for Calendar Year 2013 Regarding Use of Certain National Security Legal Authorities", and the figures make for interesting, if not particularly revealing, reading. For instance, we learn that there was just one single section 702 FISA order issued. This affected as "estimated" 89,138 targets (a surprisingly precise figure for an estimate), but this is not as clear as one might expect.

  The NSA explains that "the term 'target' has multiple meanings. For example, 'target' could be an individual person, a group, or an organization composed of multiple individuals or a foreign power that possesses or is likely to communicate foreign intelligence information that the U.S. government is authorized to acquire by the above-referenced laws." This renders the figures all but meaningless, especially when we factor in the data requests we're not allowed to know about. But knock yourself out with meaningless stats: 19,212 National Security Letters sent out, 38,812 requests for information, 1,767 FISA orders, and so on.

  This is not the face of a new NSA. This is the same organization dealing with the same levels of obfuscation, misdirection, and fudge. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

  So, what do you make of it all. Has the NSA struck the balance between keeping people happy and maintaining national security, or is the agency just paying lip service to advocates of transparency?

  Image Credit: 360b / Shutterstock

  
• 

  With Surface Pro 3 as mediator, Windows and I reconcile our differences

  Publié: juin 28, 2014, 8:04pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

  

  Before adopting the Chromie lifestyle and declaring independence from Apple two summers ago, I primarily was a Mac user. I wrote most of the so-called anti-Apple stories (so some commentary say) on the company's laptops. Chromebook still warms my heart, but for the summer -- and likely longer -- we part ways. On June 20, I walked out of Microsoft Store San Diego with a free Surface Pro 3. But I am accidental thief; that story later.

  In April, I wrote about "My two years with Chromebook", giving loads of praise. I might still use Chrome OS as my primary platform today, if not for sudden partial loss of vision -- non-diabetic macular edema in both eyes. The ailment compelled a reevaluation of my computing needs. I purchased a refurbished Surface RT preinstalled with Windows 8.1, because of the free Word, which will ease ebook publishing. I really enjoyed the user experience, much more than the Surface Pro reviewed in February 2013. Updated operating system is major reason. Also, Microsoft's ClearType improved my diminished reading ability.

  In early June, the ophthalmologist treated the ailment with shots and reviewed my progress this week. The edema is down about 35 percent in both eyes. Reading and writing are now impaired, rather than impossible, which is quite the improvement even if far from fully functional. Windows' terrific graphics -- on the tablet and Nokia Lumia Icon smartphone -- really help.

  Summer Sojourn

  With Surface Pro 3 release imminent, I considered the device as laptop and tablet replacement. During summer 2011, I used the first commercially-available Chromebook as my only PC. I decided to experiment again, planning to write about the experience. But Microsoft didn't have a loaner -- colleague Brian Fagioli got that. Enamored by the potential benefits, I bought my own. I sold the Chromebook Pixel that I had purchased from a Craigslist-poster and returned my Android tablet to Amazon for refund. My bank recently offered a no-interest credit card, which will carry the balance not raised from the sales.

  I lined up with about 20 other people at 8 a.m. PDT on June 20. Four of the five people waiting in front of me were students -- whom I would stereotype as Mac users. Aside from vision, their priorities resembled mine: Creating content on a device usable as laptop and tablet.

  Microsoft Store staff was friendly, courteous, and as discovered later overly generous.

  When I checked my credit card activity the other night, there was a charge for Surface Pro 3 and then its refund. Backtrack: As I walked out of Microsoft Store a week ago yesterday, the sales associate stopped me. The point-of-sale system overloaded with all the Surface Pro 3 purchases. She wasn't sure my credit card had been charged. But when I checked the account on my phone, the pending amount listed -- and Microsoft later emailed a receipt.

  But there was a problem after all. The charge reversed, and I had a free Surface. Oh yeah! Somebody in this world has to be honest, and a journalist's quest is the honest truth. So I went into the store yesterday to correct the mistake. Sure enough, the co-manager found no payment. He said that when the home office reconciled accounts, the error would absolutely be discovered. So he said at first. When later finding no record at all of the sale, I read something different in his facial reaction. I then wondered if the reversal was deliberate rather than accidental. Did the Microsoft powers that be intercede because of my earlier posting about wanting to use Surface Pro 3 all summer? Unlikely, but one wonders. Anyway, I'm an honest citizen again and eligible for a free Surface case as reward. (Curiosity kills me, wondering what commenters will say to this tale.)

  Fresh Feeling

  I eventually will write a full review, along with a series of ongoing posts. Generally, I am satisfied with Surface Pro 3 as laptop and tablet a week in. Performance is excellent, and unlike some of the blogger reviewers, I find the keyboard responsive and friendly to touch. My typing speed is comparable to Chromebook Pixel, and I am good evaluator. Muscle memory -- fingers to keys -- compensates for diminished vision as I type. My fingers find the keys just fine.

  Windows lets in more light than when I last used it. My computing domicile is fresher and more lively. The differences between Windows 8 and 8.1 are subtle but strongly experienced. While Modern UI is more work than Chrome OS, because swiping takes your fingers all over the screen, the overall experience mostly satisfies this user.

  Two nights ago, I wanted to show my father-in-law a YouTube video on his iPad Air. Suddenly, I was befuddled trying to move around the UI, after in just a few weeks becoming so accustomed to swiping. The benefit I hadn't seen before, glared at me. Modern UI is difficult to appreciate on a non-touchscreen. On Surface, the motif lives up to its name. In my book, The Principles of Disruptive Design, I explain about Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8:

  Both Windows operating systems break free from nearly three decades of skeuomorph software design that Apple pushed to market with Mac OS in the mid-1980s. Three-dimensional icons, toolbars, and other visual elements are examples of skeuomorphism, which seeks to imitate something familiar applied to something else. Apple’s iOS 7 adopts flat as the major design ethic, in a stunning turnabout.

  Modern computing screens are 2D, not 3D, making the skeuomorphic approach an anachronism at best and user hindrance at worst. Building on the familiarity of 3D objects made some sense during the early days of PC acceptance but has no useful benefit on websites or devices that use touchscreens.

  Microsoft’s “Modern UI”, previously called “Metro”, emphasizes simplicity, reduces complexity, and strips away distraction. The more typical 3D design is busy and tires the eyes, particularly on smaller screens, such as smartphones. For example, Samsung’s TouchWiz UI is exhausting (in my experience), which applies to newest iteration “Nature UX 2.0” used on Galaxy S4.

  By contrast, Modern UI maximizes the touchscreen’s utility rather than apply concepts that visually imitate a 3-dimensional, physical experience. The tile approach, particularly on smartphones, fits into a design concept Microsoft calls “glance and go”—the idea being to let users get information they need quickly rather than sift through distracting elements.

  By the way, in July, I will update the book after second-quarter PC, phone, and tablet shipments are available.

  The flat design really appeals to me. More broadly, Microsoft's content presentation crushes competitors. The Live tiles are, well, lively, and services like Bing, Bing News, and Weather look great -- the visuals pull you in. I never read Google News, but now make daily jaunts to the Bing News app on my Start Screen.

  Wrapping up -- because a review someday comes -- Surface Pro 3 is so far tablet enough and laptop enough for me. Sure there are quirks, but generally I am satisfied. Will I feel as such in a month? That's why the long review process, to answer the long-use question.

  Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

  
• 

  Plex will be available at Android TV launch

  Publié: juin 28, 2014, 5:52pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Plex is perhaps the best media server available for customers these days, though that will certainly vary by individual tastes. The server and apps are capable of running across almost any platform, and Google will apparently not provide a stumbling block for that.

  The company is announcing it will be ready when Android TV launches later this year. The platform, which had been rumored for sometime, was announced this past week at the Google I/O conference.

  "Now if there’s a new way to get content on your TV, we try our hardest to be there from the start, and we’re super happy to let you know that Plex will be available when the Android TV launches", Plex says.

  The company also promises that this will not just be a port of the current version, which is available on Google TV. Instead, Plex will be providing a complete redesign of the interface. Plex promises new ways to explore your content, as well as the ability to search by voice and even recommendations based on your viewing habits.

  You can follow this link to check out the screen grabs that Plex has provided. Android TV itself will launch later this year, along with the video app as a partner from the start.

  
• 

  The most popular stories on BetaNews this past week: June 22 -- 28

  Publié: juin 28, 2014, 1:15pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  The battle for dominance between Microsoft and Google continued, with Microsoft offering a huge storage boost for Office 365 and OneDrive users. This was quickly trumped by Google later in the week at 1/0 2014, when the company announced unlimited storage for Google Drive for Work users. Microsoft is basking in the glory of being heralded as cooler than Apple by Joe -- and stunts like offering cashback deals to sway MacBook Air owners into switching into Surface Pro 3 certainly helps. Microsoft opened a new store on Long Island, while Google branched out into new territory with a trial run of a new domain registration service. Microsoft also ventured into new waters with its first Android smartphone, the Nokia X2.

  In something of an interesting twist, Microsoft opted to use Opera Mobile as the default web browser. Opera is also returning to Linux after the surprise release of Opera 24 Developer. Linux Mint 17 "Qiana" KDE was also released. Linux also managed to hit the headlines for facilitating the hacking of Google's Nest thermstats. If this hasn’t put you off, Logitech added support to its Harmony remotes.

  Security news, you say? How about the revelation that there are still a terrifying number of servers lying vulnerable to the Heartbleed exploit. Need a little more? It turns out that the  CryptoLocker ransomware is still out there, and mobile malware in general is on the increase. New Trojans have been uncovered by Kaspersky Lab that affect iOS and Android devices. Windows Phone doesn’t tend to get mentioned when security problems crop up, but that may change -- the ease with which the handset can be made means that more vendors are interested in the devices.

  Smartphones may be more popular than ever, but this is not something that website designers seem to be taking into account. More than a quarter of websites are not mobile-friendly, leaving tablet and smartphone users with a sub par experience. Returning to I/O briefly, Google revealed Android Auto as well and merging the worlds of Android and Chrome OS. Of course, there was also Android L which HTC promised to bring to its flagship handsets -- if you want to get it installed on your Nexus 5 or 7, we had a guide to doing just that.

  Amazon's Prime Music service fared well in its first week of existence… well some form of entertainment was needed after Facebook died for a full 30 minutes -- imagine! We took a look at what can be learnt from the outage.

  Good weekends, all.

  Image Credit: vinz89 / Shutterstock

  
• 

  The Secret of Google X

  Publié: juin 28, 2014, 10:19am CEST par Robert X. Cringely

  

  "All politics is local," said House Speaker Tipp O’Neill, meaning that every politician has to consider the effect that his or her positions will have on voters. What makes perfect sense on a national stage might be a disaster back in the district, where the actual voters live. And so it is, too, with big companies, where local impact is sometimes more important than national or international. Sometimes, in fact, companies can be completely re-routed solely to please or affect a single executive. I believe we are seeing precisely that right now at Google concerning Google X.

  Google X is that division of the search giant responsible for self-driving cars, Google Glass, and the prospect of hundreds or thousands of balloons floating through the stratosphere bringing Internet service to grateful Polynesians. It’s those balloons, in fact, that led me to this topic.

  At Google they call Google X projects moon shots, the idea being that they are multi-year efforts leading toward disruptive innovations and new markets for Google to dominate.  Or not…

  Moon shots I get, but balloons? Balloons I don’t get. Anyone who proposes to bring Internet service to the Third World by setting hundreds of balloons adrift is simply crazy. It’s not impossible, just stupid. The goal is laudable but there are several better ways to achieve it than leaving network coverage up to the prevailing winds. Little satellites are far better than balloons, for example, and probably cheaper, too.

  Why would Google X spend what are likely tens of millions on something as crazy as balloons? I think it is because the real output of Google X isn’t progress, it’s keeping Google co-founder Sergey Brin out of CEO Larry Page’s hair.

  "Balloons? Heck of an idea, Sergey. Go for it!"

  Google is a typical high tech success story in that the very young founders brought in professional managers to help them grow the company and learn how to be leaders and -- most importantly -- take Google public, securing their personal fortunes. For Google that leadership came from Eric Schmidt just as at Yahoo it came from Tim Koogle and at Microsoft it came from Jon Shirley. Michael Dell did the same thing to help smooth the way for Dell’s IPO. And like all these others he then quickly pushed aside the older managers once his company’s fortunes were preserved.

  That’s what Larry Page did with Eric Schmidt, who continues to nominally work for Google and earns a boatload of money, but in fact mainly serves as a G-V-flying global statesman for a company that may not actually need one.

  "Global statesman? Heck of an idea, Eric. Go for it!"

  With Schmidt out of the way Page was still stymied in his quest for total executive power by Brin, who has just as much stock and just as many votes. How to keep Sergey distracted from the day-to-day?

  Google X!

  Invent the future, change the world, spend $2 billion per year. Heck, something may even come of it. But if nothing does that’s okay, too, because $2 billion is a low price to pay for executive stability in Mountain View.

  Ironically this might actually make it more -- not less -- likely that something useful will eventually come out of Google X. That’s simply because Sergey can continue spending for as long as he wants, making truly long-term projects viable in a world where all other R&D has to pay off in a year or less.

  So I love Google X as do all the other reporters who constantly need something wacky to write about. But let’s not pretend Google X is what it’s not.

  Heck of an idea! Go for it!

  
• 

  Apple kills Aperture -- continues to dumb down its software

  Publié: juin 28, 2014, 1:05am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Apple makes some wonderful hardware, like Macbooks, iPads and iPhones to name a few. Plus, its OS X and iOS operating systems are well-designed and rock solid. However, the company's apps and programs are rather hit or miss.

  iWork used to be a very capable office suite. Sure, it was not as good as Microsoft Office, but it got the job done. Last year, Apple updated iWork and while it looked pretty, much of its functionality was removed. The same was done to Final Cut Pro X in 2011. In other words, Apple seems to be focusing more on casual users than professionals. Today, the company kills popular photography program Aperture which continues this trend of dumbing down its own software.

  An Apple spokesperson tells BetaNews, "with the introduction of the new Photos app and iCloud Photo Library, enabling you to safely store all of your photos in iCloud and access them from anywhere, there will be no new development of Aperture. When Photos for OS X ships next year, users will be able to migrate their existing Aperture libraries to Photos for OS X".

  Apple plans to push users of iPhoto and Aperture to the new Photos program on OS X. Sadly, professional photographers that have embraced Apple and spent money and time on Aperture are being ushered towards a basic photo program that seems geared towards home users. While these photographers can switch to Adobe's Lightroom, there will be an additional cost and learning curve. This may benefit Microsoft, as Lightroom is available for Windows.

  While Apple makes beautiful and easy to use computers, it is clear that it does not have professionals' interests in mind. All computer users deserve more respect than this -- the oversimplification of programs not only limits the usefulness of the software, but the creativity of the user too. One has to wonder if the destruction of these once-great programs would be happening under the watch of Steve Jobs.

  Does this change your opinion of Apple? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: kitty / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Smart consumers will be Android Wear wary

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 10:36pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

  

  I find the whole smartwatch craze rather amusing, even more so now that Google has officially announced Android Wear, with two models, made by LG and Samsung, shipping next month. One-day battery life? Bwaaahaha. Do they never learn? Microsoft-powered smartwatches got better than that a decade ago, and short battery life still turned out to be one of the main reasons the timepieces failed.

  In product design you can never ignore existing behavior. A watch is a set-it, and forget-it device. I suppose some gadget geeks accustomed to daily smartphone charges (or less) will be dumb enough to buy. But smart consumers will be Android Wear wary. Just ask Microsoft about the road to ruin, which is paved with the best intentions, the right manufacturing partners, and concept seemingly smart that isn't.

  Right for the Few

  I sympathize with the gadget geeks who on Google+ disagree with my assessment about battery life. We had quite the fervent comment discussion the past two days. I've been where they are now -- enthusiastic about the new thing but wrong about mass-market potential. In January 2004, I wrote:

  Yesterday, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates revealed that MSN Direct (formerly SPOT) watches are ready for sale. Fossil and Suunto are the first manufacturers of the watches, which serve up news, weather, instant messages, sports and calendar information via FM. Beyond the price of the watch, users pay $9.95 a month or, under an annual plan, about $60 a year for the MSN Direct service. Watch owners configure the service on a PC.

  Overall, I was fairly skeptical about the usefulness of a MSN Direct watch. So, my testing didn't begin with enthusiasm about the latest new toy. That said, I find that I use some features, such as the Weather, fairly frequently. I also particularly like alerts that beep and flash when important news events occur.

  I also questioned recharging the battery every couple of days or paying an extra fee for receiving content on the watch. In practice, while a minor annoyance, I didn't find the frequent recharging to be a major inconvenience.

  I tested the first watch for about a month before writing about it. Over time, I found that frequent charging was annoying, and research conducted for analyst reports revealed battery life to be top priority among potential devices buyers. With watches, people often measure battery life in years, not days, or even a day. Frequent charging asked too much then, as it does now.

  The rebuttal: People are accustomed to charging smartphones on a daily basis. Perhaps, but consumer research still shows battery life to be paramount -- revealed if nowhere else than the features device manufacturers emphasize most in product marketing.

  Look around you, fewer people wear watches because their smartphones provide the time. My analyst researched revealed that trend well underway a decade ago, with respect to dumb phones. Watches are more functional jewelry -- set it, and forget it -- but not Android Wear.

  Wrong for the Many

  But the big problem is overlap. Watch or phone do too much the same thing, with respect to providing information. Why carry both devices, when the smartphone does as much or more?

  On Google+, Michael Interbartolo asked me: "Name a set-it and forget-it watch that plays music, gives me turn-by-turn directions and other contextual information when I need it and the time the rest of the time".

  I responded: "I refer you to the first smartphones, which offered amazing informational utility on the go compared to PCs but only started to sell after key attributes reached maturity. Battery life is high among them, and consumer research continues to rate battery life among the top priorities among buyers".

  Cassette tapes and vinyl records could be the applicable analogy. While more portable, the tapes were less functional and duplicated benefits already available from records. But in the 1980s, CDs offered better benefits -- portability, sound quality, and more -- and displaced vinyl. Perhaps by the fifth generation -- the third, optimistically -- voiceless interaction will allow smartwatches to replace smartphones, and with as good or better battery life. That's a potential point of consumer inflection, but Android Wear today is at best a geek wet dream.

  Cool for Some

  In 2004, Microsoft did so much right, starting with partners, which were established watchmakers. Google works with electronics companies that have no experience selling timepieces. That's great for gadget geeks but not the mass market.

  More from my post 10 years ago:

  Microsoft is trying to make its computing products more cool, something more associated with Apple. A wrist watch is more than just a timepiece. It's a piece of jewelry. Jewelry is a status symbol, too -- think Rolex watches in some circles and body piercings in others, or both. So, I would encourage Microsoft and its watch manufacturer partners to carefully consider their marketing, emphasizing style and status as much as the informational features.

  They did just that, and I recommended about the service delivering information:

  Then there is the "cool" the service offers. Consider that the watch also receives instant messages. How about John the teenage or college-age boyfriend zinging romantic IMs from his laptop in class to girlfriend Jane's watch? Or Fred the bored employee with no Internet access at work quietly catching the latest sports scores on his MSN Direct watch? Sharp marketing could easily wrap these scenarios to emphasize style and being cool.

  Google and its Android Wear partners should take that advice, too. Style is behavioral, too. There are great benefits to that information on the wrist.

  But Microsoft had an advantage, by using FM radio to dispatch information. No phone required. Until the smartwatch is an independent cellular device with long battery life, it won't be smart enough for most consumers.

  Photo Credit: Vlue/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Android owners spend less on apps than Apple users do

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 7:13pm CEST par Morenike Adebayo

  

  Many Google fans and developers are still excited in the wake of an eventful Google I/O 2014. From a transcendent show-opener where a metaphor-heavy Rube Goldberg device crossed through the physical and digital space to more discussion on the expansion of wearable technology, there was something for everyone at this developer conference.

  The US tech giant's big hitter of this year was an emphasis on improving the integration of Android apps more seamlessly into users' everyday lives. Conference attendants were also granted an unprecedented look at the figures behind Android users' buying habits in the Play Store.

  It was announced that a major milestone for Android had been hit this year: 1 billion monthly active users (MAUs). In contrast, Apple announced at WWDC that it had sold over 800 million iOS devices so far, though didn't reveal how many Apple Store MAUs there are.

  In the US, it is the iPhone that has an average 60 percent majority over Google Android and Windows Phone. However, MAUs that access Facebook through Google Android dominate markets outside of the US. This is particularly so in emerging markets leading a large majority share against iPhone and BlackBerry. But why?

  Currently, the average cost of an iPhone is $650 whereas for an Android phone, that average price tag shrinks down to about $276. For an outright buy as opposed to a contract option, an Android phone is more cost-appealing. With that in mind, whether cost is or is not an issue for consumers, it does reflect their buying choices in purchasing a free ad-supported or a paid app.

  Developers can also create apps that are available cross-platform on Android and iPhone. Though iPhone apps are solely for use on iPhone, a notable example of a cross-platform app is Google Maps, an initially Android-only app that is the more popular choice for iOS users over Apple Maps. Although Apple pays twice as much as Google to its developers ($10bn against $5bn respectively) it would seem that does not reflect users' spending on apps.

  Cheap Android phones are easier to purchase than cheap iPhones in emerging countries and non-US countries. However, software prices -- especially through the App Store and Google Play -- are almost uniformly the same around the globe without taking into account the spending power of each nation. For the emerging nations, software and service prices of the App Store are expensive relative to the cost of a phone in those countries.

  Though these factors may not be the contributors to such a significant disparity in Android and iPhone users' spending, they do give facts and figures of the possible influences. Nevertheless, to discuss worldwide market share of apps is a complex task, especially as not all consumers have the spending power to buy phones boxfresh.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Amazon makes paid Android apps free for two days only -- download them ASAP!

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 7:02pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  While the Amazon Appstore's app selection is not as abundant as the Google Play store, it does have many premium apps. One of the most endearing qualities of Amazon's store is that every day, it offers one paid app for free. If you check it every day, you can discover some great and not-so-great apps. However, it is tedious to check it every day and easy to forget too.

  Today, Amazon is deciding to be generous and delivers 31 awesome paid apps for free. That's right, you pay nothing for 31 apps that combined would normally cost over $100. There must be a catch right? Well, sort of -- they are only free for two days. Read on to take advantage.

  "Today, as part of Amazon's Free App of the Day program, the company announced that the Amazon Appstore is giving away 31 of its most popular paid apps -- worth over $100 -- for free! The entire bundle features a great mix of apps focused on planning, travel, weather, productivity and games. From games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to keep you entertained during your downtime, to the Travel Interpreter app, which will help you get fluent in no time while traveling abroad, Amazon is ensuring that you have what you need at your fingertips all summer long. Please note that these apps will be available for free download on Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th", says Amazon.

  The company offers the following list of apps:

  Travel and Weather Apps

  • AccuWeather Platinum ($2.99)
  • Travel Interpreter ($9.99)
  • MobiLearn Talking Phrasebook, English-French-German-Italian-Spanish ($9.99)
  • Pho.to Lab PRO ($2.99)

   Productivity and Utility Apps

  • Jump Desktop ($9.99)
  • Root Explorer ($3.99)
  • Notepad+ ($0.99)
  • 2Do: Todo List | Task List ($6.99)
  • Pocket Informant 3 ($9.99)
  • Business Calendar ($4.99)
  • Splashtop Remote Desktop HD ($8.99)
  • MyBackup Pro ($4.99)
  • Acalendar+ ($3.99)
  • EZ Money Manager ($9.95)
  • Plex ($4.99)

   Fun & Games Apps

  • Enigmatis: The Ghoshs of Maple Creek ($2.99)
  • League of Heroes Premium ($2.99)
  • CrossMe ($4.95)
  • Real Shanghai Mahjohn ($2.20)
  • CLARC ($2.99)
  • Pinball Deluxe Premium ($2.99)
  • Wedding Dash Deluxe ($0.99)
  • Sudoku 10,000 Plus ($2.49)
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($2.99)
  • Dungeon Village ($4.50)
  • The Room Two ($4.50)
  • Card Wars -- Adventure Time ($3.99)
  • Ravensworld: Shadowlands ($6.99)
  • Loco Motors ($1.99)
  • Dr. Panda’s Bus Driver ($2.99)
  • PUZZINGO Puzzles (Pro Edition) ($14.99)

  Wow, that is quite the list. Some of my favorites are listed, such as Root Explorer, Plex and Sonic The Hedgehog 2. If you are worried that it will be tedious to install the Amazon Appstore app and download them one by one, I have a solution. Simply click here and click on the "Free" button for each app. You can then download them to your Android device at your leisure in the future.

  If you prefer to do it from your Android device, simply download the Amazon Appstore by clicking here on the device's web browser.

  Which of these apps are you most excited to download? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: concept w / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Amazon Studios releases kids' show Creative Galaxy

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 5:49pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Amazon Prime has been busy these days, both adding a music streaming service, as well as launching its own original programming. The latter has already seen complete first seasons for Betas and Alpha House, and more pilots set to launch later this year.

  Today the Studio arm of the retailer takes on children's shows, debuting a new title called Creative Galaxy. The show comes from Angela Santomero, who previously worked on Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, as well as creating the hit show Blue's Clues.

  "We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Angela Santomero, one of the most influential and renowned minds in children’s entertainment", says Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios.

  "The series features 'Arty', an adorable alien artist, and 'Epiphany', his inspirational side-kick, on their adventures through the Creative Galaxy solving problems through art, music and dance. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to recreate Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode takes families through the craft project Arty showcased in the galaxy", the announcement reads.

  As of today, the first six episodes are available for all Prime customers to stream. It features the voices of such stars as Jason Priestly and Brooke Shields, among others.

  
• 

  Avast 2014 R4 promises improved security, new anti-spam library

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 3:10pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Avast Software has released the fourth update to its Avast 2014 range of products with the unveiling of build number 9.0.2021 for Avast Free Antivirus 2014, Avast Internet Security 2014 and Avast Premier Security 2014.

  As with the previous few updates, R4 contains no new features, but does include several important security enhancements among other tweaks and optimizations that once again make it essential for existing users.

  Avast promises tighter security through improved process security, which is guarded by Avast’s self-defense component. Avast R4 also handles conditions for the Guest account better, increasing sensitivity to any incorrect user inputs that might compromise system security and tuning the import settings tool to prevent it from allowing users to bypass any protections.

  The program’s setup component also now supports resume functionality, which should make downloading smoother on systems where the connection is slow or frequently interrupted.

  On a related note, the install process now detects potentially critical problems post-install, such as missing administrator rights or insufficient disk space, alerting the user should functionality not be 100 percent.

  Paid-for editions also gain a new anti-spam library, which Avast promises should improve the accuracy of spam detection, while promotion popups can also be disabled (these remain mandatory in the free edition).

  The update is rounded off with a number of bug fixes, some through static code analysis, and others promising increased stability and better performance, with a particular focus on the network and engine components.

  Avast’s Free Antivirus 2014, Internet Security 2014 and Premier Security 2014 are all available for free and trial download now for PCs running Windows XP or later. Visit the Downloadcrew Software Store to purchase licenses at significant discounts -- for example, a single-PC, one-year license for Internet Security 2014 can be purchased for just $24.99, a saving of 50 per cent on the MSRP. Three-PC and two-year licenses of both Internet Security 2014 and Premier 2014 are also available.

  
• 

  Best Windows 8 apps this week

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 3:07pm CEST par Martin Brinkmann

  Eighty-seventh in a series. Welcome to this week's selection of the best applications for Windows 8.

  Windows Store saw some excellent releases this week, including a Sudoku application by Microsoft, the photo studio app PicsArt, which made app of the week, the beautifully designed North Face, and Bee Leader, Mega Run and RED. applications and games.

  As always, if I missed an app or game that has been released this week that you believe is particularly good, let me know in the comments below or notify me via email instead.

  Here is this week's selection of apps and games.

  Red Stripe Deals

  Six apps and games are discounted by at least 50 percent each week. The following applications are available at a discount this week.

  1. Rayman Jungle Run, a jump and run game for $1.49.
  2. Joining Hands 2, a puzzle game for $1.49.
  3. Calilou House of Puzzles, a children's puzzle game for $1.99.
  4. Chimpact, a jump and run game for $2.49.
  5. 9 Clues: The Secret of Serpent Creed (full), an adventure game for §3.49.
  6. Billminder, an expense tracking and management application for $1.49

  Windows App of the Week

  PicsArt - Photo Studio

  

  This is a port of the popular mobile photo-editing application which makes available several tools after installation.

  You can use the photo editor to manipulate photos or add effects to them, the collage maker to create collages on any background, and a drawing tool that allows you to draw on a photo or a blank background.

  What makes the app stand out is its social features. It displays works of other users which you can open for inspiration, or like and comment on if you create an account.

  The editor offers an impressive range of functionality. While it is not comparable to full-price products such as Adobe Photoshop, it is good enough for basic image editing tasks.

  Other apps

  Rdio

  

  The official application of the music streaming service Rdio for Windows 8. Customers can sign-in right away to access the service on their Windows 8 powered device.

  The app makes available the full music catalog -- more than 20 million tracks according to the company -- radio stations that you can create and more.

  As far as Windows 8 features are concerned, it supports live tiles, the pinning of albums to the start screen and background audio playback.

  Microsoft Sudoku

  

  Microsoft Sudoku brings the popular logic game to Windows 8. It features five difficulty levels ranging from very easy to expert as well as daily challenges that introduce variants of the game that you may find interesting.

  The game supports keyboard, touch and stylus input, and various features such as a hint system, options to show incorrect entries or to block duplicates from being added to the game board.

  The daily challenges introduce two additional variants to the game. First symbols instead of numbers, and second different block layouts instead of the squared layout that the original game makes use of.

  The North Face

  

  A beautifully designed application that brings all North Face stores to Windows 8. The app is first and foremost a shopping application.

  You can browse the men's, women's or kids' store, check out equipment such as backpacks or technical packs, or browse by activity among other things.

  RED. ($2.99, free trial available)

  

  RED. is a shoot em' up arcade game in which you fight in arenas, a street corner or office, against hordes of geometric-shaped enemies.

  You can select a desired attribute and skill before each level which will aid you in beating wave after wave. This ranges from grenades that you can throw to warping time or being faster in that level.

  You can build experience while you play and with each wave, enemies become stronger as well.

  Mega Run ($1.99, free trial available)

  

  Mega Run looks like any other "run for as long as you can" type of game. On second glance however, you will notice that it has more to offer than that.

  Your only interaction with the game during levels is to tap on the screen to jump. You can tap longer for higher jumps, and perform double-jumps as well.

  What makes this side-scrolling game interesting is the variety in level design that it ships with. Not only does it offer different paths that you can take to reach the level exit, it also features power ups for you to pick up to become stronger or even invincible.

  Add to that enemies that you can jump on or avoid, and you got a fun game that works well both on touch devices and mouse and keyboard devices.

  Pizza Hut

  

  The official Pizza Hut application for Windows 8. Browse the menu, check out daily specials and deals, and start your order with just a few taps right from within the application.

  The app features a store finder, and if you already have an account, sign in for even more convenience. Note that the app only supports orders from the United States at the time of writing.

  My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic

  

  You need to rebuild Ponyville after the return of Nightmare Moon. To do so, you need to restore the town and gather Elements of Harmony with the help of popular ponies such as Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy or Applejack.

  The building part of the game uses elements from similar games. You need to purchase items and buildings such as a windmill using in-game currency, and can speed up the creation by spending premium currency.

  The second part of the game involves little games that you can play, for instance a flying game in which you need to collect white clouds and coins, and avoid dark clouds and other obstacles.

  Bee Leader ($1.99, free trial available)

  

  The game is best played on a touch-device but can be played with the mouse as well. Your task in the game is to collect as much nectar as possible before the sun sets.

  You can pick up bee buddies along the way to improve the nectar harvesting rate, and other extras that make life better, but also need to avoid dark clouds and other obstacles along the way.

  Speek

  

  Speek is a free conference call service that is now available as an application for Windows 8.

  You can sign in to your account or create a new one. The main appeal of Speek is its simplicity when it comes to conference calls as it does so without the need for pins or scheduling.

  The app allows you to make one-click calls, displays who has joined a call so that you are always in the know about that and who is talking.

  
• 

  How to install Android L preview on your Nexus 5, 7

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 2:14pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  At the I/O 2014 conference, Google showcased the latest version of Android, known only as L until its official launch later this year. Compared to its predecessor, KitKat, it comes with 64-bit support, design changes, the ART runtime running the show, tightened security, battery life and performance improvements, notifications tweaks, new APIs and more.

  Android L may not yet be ready for prime time, but a preview version is now available for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013 Wi-Fi model), giving users the option to get comfortable with the slew of changes it introduces. Here is how you can download and install it.

  Backup First!

  Because we are talking about an unstable release, I recommend performing a backup before proceeding any further. On the off-chance something goes wrong you may lose all the data stored on the device (one of the methods I detail below definitely involves it). Better safe than sorry.

  Requirements

  As with any other version of Android, to install the L preview you need a couple of things (downloaded) to get started:

  • The Android SDK Tools, that you can download from Google Developers (check the corresponding section under VIEW ALL DOWNLOADS AND SIZES);
  • The Android L preview factory image for your Nexus 5 and/or 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7, that you can also download from Google Developers;
  • A program that can handle archived files, like 7-Zip or WinRAR (either one is fine; links to the official download pages are included).

  It is best to store the downloaded Android L preview factory image in a folder that is easily accessible, in the root of the drive. I will use a folder called Root on the C drive (the default drive for Windows installs), for the purpose of this guide. The path for the folder, in this case, is C:\Root. If you choose the same one, the steps will be easier to follow.

  Preparations

  Install the archiver and Android SDK Tools. Then open Android SDK Tools Manager and select the following items to download and install:

  • Android SDK Platform-tools -- it contains tools needed for the process;
  • Google USB Drivers -- it contains the correct drivers for your Nexus device.

  This is to ensure that your PC can communicate with your Nexus device (this means commands and file transfers working).

  Now go to the folder where Android SDK Platform-tools is located (in my case, its path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools) and copy the following files to the Root folder:

  • AdbWinApi.dll;
  • AdbWinUsbApi.dll;
  • fastboot.exe.

  While in the Root folder, extract the Android L preview factory image to the same location. This will create a new folder inside Root, which name depends on the device. In case of my 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7 it is razor-lpv79. Open the folder and copy all of its contents to Root.

  Now, you have to install the correct drivers for your Nexus 5 and/or Nexus 7. Here is what you need to do:

  1. After connecting the device to the PC, power the Nexus off.
  2. Turn on your device in fastboot mode; the key combination for your device is either volume down + power (2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7, codenamed flo/razor) or volume up + volume down + power (Nexus 5, codenamed hammerhead).
  3. From Device Manager (Computer -> Properties -> Device Manager) identify your device (it will show up with a yellow exclamation mark icon).
  4. Right click on it, select Update Driver Software and then select Browse my computer for driver software.
  5. Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
  6. From Have Disk... option manually install the android_winusb.inf driver (in my case, its location is C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver). Accept any prompts that may appear.
  7. Select the Android ADB Interface option when given the option. Accept any prompts that may appear.

  Testing the Connection

  If you have followed the aforementioned steps, your PC is able to properly communicate with your Nexus device. To test this, enter fastboot mode, open a command prompt window in the Root folder (while pressing the Shift key, right click inside it and select Open command window here) and use the fastboot devices command.

  If everything is going according to plan, you will see the response in the first window below; otherwise -- if the drivers were not installed correctly -- the device (its specific string of numbers and letters) will not show up:

  

  Clean Install

  This scenario involves deleting everything stored on the device. If you have not yet performed an upgrade, now is the time to do so. Follow the next steps to install the Android L preview:

  1. Connect your Nexus device to the PC in fastboot mode, if you have not done so already.
  2. Open a command prompt in the Root folder.
  3. (If you have already unlocked the bootloader, you can skip past this step.) Use the fastboot oem unlock command to unlock the bootloader. A prompt will show up on your Nexus device; use the volume keys to select Yes and press the power button to validate. This command will erase all personal data from the device.
  4. Use the flash-all.bat command to perform a clean install of the Android L preview. Alternatively, you can also open the file with the same name from the Root folder.
  5. Optional: use the fastboot oem lock command while in fastboot mode to re-lock the bootloader. This will not alter the state of the data stored on the device. I recommend keeping the bootloader unlocked, at least during your time of testing this build.

  Upgrade

  This scenario does not involve losing data, but only if the bootloader was previously unlocked; also, there is no guarantee that the upgrade will go smoothly as this is not a method Google wants us to use. Still, if you want to upgrade to the Android L preview, here is what you need to do:

  1. Using Notepad, open the flash-all.bat file (or, right click on it and select Edit). To avoid any issues make sure that your Nexus device is disconnected from the PC beforehand.
  2. Identify the fastboot -w update sequence.
  3. Remove the -w so the sequence is fastboot update. Save the changes.
  4. Connect your Nexus device to the PC in fastboot mode.
  5. Open the flash-all.bat file in the Root folder.

  All Done!

  Your device is now running the Android L preview. Be aware that you may encounter bugs due to it being in an earlier stage of development. In case you wish to go back to KitKat, you can apply the same steps as detailed in this article, but using a KitKat factory image instead. Alternatively, you can check this how-to guide designed specifically for the task.

  

  
• 

  Comparing the top three cloud storage providers

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 12:55pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Last year around seven percent of all data was stored in the cloud, but by 2016 it's estimated that 36 percent of data will be in cloud storage, generating a potential revenue of over $4 billion. Of current storage users, 38 percent say they already use the cloud with 34 percent planning to do so.

  Salesforce and Google Drive linking specialist Cirrus Files has been looking at the three main public cloud providers, Dropbox, Box and Google Drive to see how their services compare in this fast-growing sector.

  The good news for security is that all three services support the storage of encrypted files. In other areas though they differ quite a lot. When it comes to supported mobile platforms, Google only works on Android and iOS. Box and Dropbox both work on BlackBerry, but only Box supports Windows Phone and only Dropbox has a Kindle Fire version.

  Based on the time taken to load a 13Kb publicly shared file, Dropbox is fastest, closely followed by Google with Box taking almost twice as long.

  Google is the clear winner in terms of free storage though, offering 15GB compared to Box's 10GB and Dropbox's rather disappointing 2GB -- though you can earn more.

  You can see the results of the comparison in infographic form below.

  

  Photo Credit: Sakonboon Sansri/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Best iOS apps this week -- Ministry of Silly Walks edition

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 12:33pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  Twenty-fourth in a series. Apple refreshed its aging iPod touch lineup this week, introducing a new 16GB model with an iSight camera, and lowered the price of the existing models. If you’ve been tempted to pick up an iPod touch, but were put off by the price, now is the time to go for it.

  The App Store saw some excellent releases this week, including a free app which lets you store unlimited photos and videos in the cloud, a Ministry of Silly Walks game voiced by John Cleese, a travel app that covers everything from planning to booking, an origami based puzzle game, and a slot machine that lets you put pictures of friends and family on the reels. And that’s just for starters!

  As always, if I miss an app that you think should definitely have been included, let me know in the comments below, or drop me an email.

  Here is my selection for this week.

  Paid App of the Week

  Monty Python's The Ministry of Silly Walks ($0.99)

  I’m going to be seeing Monty Python in London next week, so this game couldn’t have arrived at a better time for me.

  The aim is to unleash your silly walk across London, while dodging dangerous obstacles and collecting gold coins. Randomized objects and scenery ensure each game is different and you can spend the coins you bank on sillier suits and power-ups.

  The game is voiced by the Minister of Silly Walks himself, John Cleese.

  

  Free App of the Week

  Shutter

  Shutter is an infinite camera app from StreamNation that automatically syncs with an unlimited cloud storage account, eliminating the need to constantly delete content in order to free up space for new photos and videos.

  All the photos and videos you take using it are directly uploaded to the cloud (you can set the app to just use Wi-Fi), but the most recent ones are always available for viewing offline. The app lets you set the number of photos stored on your phone to 0, 200, 500, or 1GB.

  Your media can be retrieved whenever you like and downloaded in its original format. Photos and videos currently stored on your phone are also automatically uploaded to the cloud, making it even more useful.

  Shutter is completely free with no in-app purchases and offers unlimited storage as well as unlimited sharing over most social networks with no size restrictions. It also offers a range of filter choices, album management, and background upload.

  Other Apps

  Jellies ($1.99)

  This handcrafted game is all about catching jellies -- with bombs, clocks and electroshock.

  Join Bob the Fisherman as he embarks on a heroic quest to retrieve his fingers from the wicked jellies that have bitten them off. Traverse the high seas, navigate through arctic glaciers and plunge beyond the ocean depths.

  The aim is very simple -- you have to catch as many jellies as you can in 60 seconds, using power-ups to boost your score and time.

  Minube

  Offers in-app purchases.

  Minube’s app (now available for iPad) is designed to act as a complete travel-planning tool and cover the entire process from inspiration to booking hotels, including arranging last-minute reservations.

  Minube has over 1 million registered travelers providing tips and photos on over 600,000 points of interest around the world. You can use it to discover new destinations and find hotels, restaurants, activities, and interesting things to see and do

  The app lets you see places on an interactive map and save favorites into lists which can be shared via email or over social networks.

  

  Picto Slots

  Offers in-app purchases.

  Picto Slots is a slot machine game with a difference -- users import photos of their family, friends and/or pets to be the game characters. There are eight different slot themes and you can manually stop the reels, earn bonus games and free spins, and play up to 25 pay lines. There are also daily bonus offers and an auto-spin feature.

  

  Swapdom

  You can trade items such as home goods, fashion finds, or kids’ gear directly via this new app.

  Swapdom finds swaps for you based on requests and offers, with no negotiation needed. You simply request the items you want, tell Swapdom what would like to offer in exchange, and it does the rest.

  

  Savor -- Coupons & Deals

  This app lets shoppers find the deal they want and obtain savings through the checkout process by copying and pasting the coupon code from Savor’s site or app. Online shoppers can share Savor’s offers with friends via all the usual social media sites. The updated version sports a new UI and offers sorting by deal type and expiration date. It also offers improved search.

  Paperama

  Offers in-app purchases.

  A fun origami based puzzle game in which you have to fold sheets of paper in order to create origami figures, working as accurately as possible to fit the form, and avoiding using too many folds. There are 70 puzzles to tackle.

  Apple’s App of the Week

  Captain America: The Winter Soldier

  Offers in-app purchases.

  Apple’s free app this week is a quality Gameloft movie tie-in. Originally released three months ago, and priced at $2.99, the official game of the Marvel movie blockbuster lets you play as Captain America and lead a S.H.I.E.L.D. Strike Team against several nefarious criminal organizations. The game offers fun tactical action gameplay, and asynchronous multiplayer so you can join a clan and battle rival players.

  The graphics have a stylish comic book look to them.

  
• 

  10 things most storage vendors don't want you to know

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 8:30am CEST par Gavin McLaughlin

  

  The hype machine is still in overdrive in the storage market, cranking out myths that businesses need to see through if they don't want to be bamboozled into adopting solutions that won't meet their requirements.

  While there are plenty of things storage vendors want you to believe, here are 10 things they don't want you to know.

  Five-year warranties should be standard

  Most storage vendors include a 12-month warranty and will probably extend it to three years if you push them hard. But ask them for a five-year guarantee and they'll hike the total price by a huge amount. Why? It's because they like you to rotate kit every three years. Moore's law means it makes sense to swap out servers but not necessarily storage. Storage should not only last five years but should still be performant -- push for fairer treatment.

  You should be able to use all the storage you buy

  In any scenario outside the storage world, no one would accept they could only use a percentage of the product they purchase. If you buy a five bedroom house, you should be able to use five bedrooms. If you buy a five seater car, you should be able to use five seats. If you buy storage, you should be able to use 100 percent capacity without performance degradation.

  However, many storage vendors issue "best practice" guidelines, warning customers of dramatic performance loss if they use more than 75 percent storage capacity. It is possible to deploy a storage array that can run at 100 per cent capacity without any performance degradation. Why is it that most storage architectures aren't designed for this?

  Upgrades should not be costly or complex

  A large-scale upgrade, or changes to parts of the existing infrastructure, can frequently mutate into a complex project that includes downtime, investment in new hardware and a hefty professional services bill. Background migrations are possible and, with true scale-out architectures, can be a thing of the past.

  Storage doesn't need people

  The biggest causes of data center failures are people. If you can limit the interaction between humans and IT by making equipment repairable in situ, you restrict the potential for data center failure. Around 70 per cent of warranty returned drives have nothing wrong with them or just need a simple recondition. The solution is to find an array vendor that repairs drives in situ and avoids the need for humans to go near the box for at least five years.

  Quality matters when it comes to drives

  Whether you're looking at hard disk or solid state drives, the same rule applies: beware of consumer-grade hardware. There's a huge difference in the quality of components used, the testing carried out and, most importantly, the annual failure rate of drives in consumer- and enterprise-grade products.

  Consumer-grade hardware may well be cheaper to purchase but operational costs and risk are likely to be much higher than for more reliable and robust enterprise-grade products. Make sure you balance capital expenditure, operational costs and risk when looking at any type of drive.

  Flash isn't the savior of the universe

  Flash is not the answer to every problem. It is a great tool to help certain workloads' performance but it has its limitations. When it comes to large sequential writes for example, hard disk drives are much more appropriate. Flash and hard disk are different tools that can and should be deployed for different jobs. To get the right blend of media for their storage requirements right, businesses should talk to vendors that are not restricted to a single type of media to decide which tool is most appropriate.

  All-flash arrays aren't always more power-efficient

  Many people have been led to believe that all-flash arrays are more power-efficient than hard disk arrays. When looking at the power requirements of storage you need to consider the whole array, not just the drive modules, to get the full picture. The truth is, some hard disk drive arrays use less power than all-flash ones. What matters most is how vendors implement more power-hungry components, such as processors and cache memory.

  Vibration kills predictable performance

  Excessive vibration can cause reliability issues, but what a lot of people don't realize is that it can also seriously affect performance. While it is possible to stop vibration and give 100 percent consistent performance, it's not easy and takes significant investment to design such an array. It may sound crazy, but one easy way to test storage for performance is to give it a good shouting at and see what happens -- you might just be surprised.

  You don't need all those bells and whistles

  Decisions around enterprise storage have typically been built on feature checklists, rather than the reliability and performance of the array itself. With the emergence of software-defined storage (SDS), a significant amount of the required functionality is shifting from the storage array to hypervisors, operating systems and applications.

  Many enterprise storage array "deals" end up locking customers in to proprietary software that only works on one platform. SDS gives businesses the flexibility to choose the platform they want without worrying about the underlying hardware -- this improves their bargaining power and frees them to focus on performance and reliability.

  Scalable storage isn't all the same

  Many vendors offer scalable storage but most neglect to explain that it relies on a central legacy storage controller to power performance-hungry software stacks and applications. This can often lead to significant upgrades to scale capacity and performance. However, there is an alternative to the traditional "scale-up" storage model. There are some units that will work seamlessly together in a single storage pool, combining increased capacity and performance.

  Instead of performance and reliability, the current storage market is sadly largely built on hype and jargon. What customers really need are straight-talking, no-fuss vendors to help them get the best storage platform for their businesses. There may not be many of them, but they do exist.

  Gavin McLaughlin is the vice president of worldwide marketing at X-IO Technologies

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Samsung expecting a drop in Q2 profits following weak Galaxy S5 sales

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 8:24am CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  Samsung has told investors to expect lower than anticipated profits for its second quarter results for the fiscal year.

  The news reinforces concerns over a year-on-year downturn and finance chief, Lee Sang Hoon has confirmed the financial woes.

  With shares in the company declining by 1.9 percent this week, Lee stated that Samsung's second quarter earnings were "not that good." This comes after the company suffered an 8.5 percent dip earlier this month.

  Part of the reason for the slump, is unsatisfactory sales of the company's flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone. Shipments of the handset have exceeded 11 million units, but it has not been confirmed how many of these have transferred into over-the-counter sales.

  Another issue is the growing competition in emerging markets, particularly from Nokia's budget smartphones, which has meant reduced sales for Samsung's mid-to-low end devices.

  Ji Sung Hae, an analyst at KTB Investment & Securities said, "Strengthening competitiveness of local players in emerging markets are hurting sales of Samsung's lower-end smartphones. The main reason behind the lowered earnings estimate largely stemmed from weak smartphone sales".

  While Samsung sold one in every three smartphones last year, the news will still come as a reminder of the increasing competition in the smartphone market.

  Samsung is expected to confirm its preliminary earnings for the second quarter early next month.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Opera Mini 8 for iPad and iPhone reveals complete redesign, new compression mode

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 8:16am CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Opera Software ASA has unveiled Opera Mini 8.0, a major new version of its speed-optimized browser for iPhone and iPad. The browser, which uses compression technologies to speed up data transfer and browsing, gets a major overhaul with this new release, the first for over two years.

  It’s also joined by a new version of Opera Developer 24.0 for Windows and Mac, which adds a new Tab Preview feature.

  Opera Mini’s main selling point is that it’s designed to speed up browsing on slow connections through various server-side compression technologies that help reduce the amount of data being sent over the network.

  From version 8, Opera Mini offers a choice of compression modes: the existing Opera Mini mode promises up to 90 per cent data savings, while Opera Turbo mode promises a full web experience while still managing to squeeze data up to 50 percent.

  The app also benefits from a major overhauls of its user interface to fit more closely to the new Opera desktop browser. The browser now supports Themes -- which let users change the browser’s look and feel via the Settings menu (13 are available in this release).

  The new browser also introduces a new Discover feature for finding new content, plus introduces a built-in QR Code reader, which is accessible from Opera’s pop-up keyboard.

  Opera has also unveiled Opera Developer 24.0 for Windows and Mac, a major update to the alpha pre-release channel of its desktop browser. Version 24’s headline new feature is Tab Preview, which lets users roll their mouse over a tab to instantly see a preview of that web page.

  Version 24 also adds support for high DPI displays, with updated visuals enabled by default for those lucky enough to own such displays. However, echoing the build’s pre-release status, users should be warned that some Adobe Flash windows may freeze with HiDPI enabled, while printing is broken on the Windows version.

  Opera Mini 8.0 is available now as a free download for iPads and iPhones running iOS 7 or later. Opera Developer 24.0 is also available for Windows and Mac users, and will install alongside any existing builds of Opera FINAL.

  

  
• 

  Windows Phone scores more premium apps -- Adobe Photoshop Express and Roku

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 4:15am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Being number three can be good. In the Olympics, it is good enough for a bronze medal. However, there are different levels of third place, as it depends on how many competitors there are.

  When it comes to smartphones, Windows Phone is a distant third in a race that only has three legitimate competitors, with iPhone and Android being the other two. Microsoft’s platform however, is making huge strides and today gets two premium apps -- Adobe Photoshop Express and Roku. Apple and Google should be worried.

  Adobe is a longtime Microsoft partner, so it was disappointing that Photoshop Express was absent from Windows Phone. Today’s addition however, really shows the momentum that Microsoft’s mobile platform is gaining.

  Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft explains, "Photoshop Express makes it really easy to edit photos you take on your Windows Phone device really quickly and comes with the basic photo-editing features you would expect like crop, straighten, rotate, flip, and red-eye removal. You can also alter the color of your photos through slider controls that let you adjust exposure, contrast, clarity, vibrancy, and more. But one of the best things about Photoshop Express is its one-touch filters – called 'Looks'. You can choose over 20 Looks for your photos and purchase a Looks Pack and Noise Reduction Pack within the app if you want to really get creative. Download Adobe Photoshop Express for Windows Phone and started editing your photos".

  

  The Roku app is equally exciting for Windows Phone users. While Google and Apple offer low-cost streaming hardware (Chromecast and Apple TV), Microsoft doesn't. A Roku box is an awesome option to avoid the companies that control Android and iOS. Users can finally control their Roku with their favorite Windows Phone device.

  "You asked, we delivered! A Roku app for Windows is now available for Windows 8/8.1 phones and Windows 8.1 devices in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Republic of Ireland. We're thrilled to add Windows to our mobile app lineup, joining our Android and iOS mobile apps", says Roku.

  

  The company further explains, "once connected to your WiFi network, use the app to control any Roku player connected to the same network. Our handy on-screen remote allows you to control and navigate your Roku player. Like our Android and iOS mobile apps, you can easily view and launch your favorite Roku channels in a tap".

  Will these apps cause Windows Phone to overtake iPhone and Android? No. However, it does show that developers are further embracing the platform. It is an exciting time to be a Windows Phone user and the future is looking very bright.

  
• 

  Blender 2.71 adds new Cycles Rendering features, improves Animation and Modelling

  Publié: juin 27, 2014, 4:09am CEST par Nick Peers

  NPO The Blender Foundation has released Blender 2.71, an update to its cross-platform, open-source 3D graphics tool. Version 2.71, also available in 64-bit and portable form on Windows, includes new features and continues to build on the recently revamped user interface.

  Areas that enjoy significant changes include the Cycles renderer, Animation, Modelling, Sculpting-Painting, Game Engine and Freestyle NPR Rendering tool.

  Cycles gains support for rendering volume textures, fire and smoke, deformation motion blur, baking textures from cycles materials, additional texture interpolation modes and a new dedicated UV layer node.

  The Animation tools adds new interpolation types containing “easing equation” presets, while auto-snapping becomes independent from the display type and locking time to other windows is once again possible. It also adds lasso selection support and the ability to set preview range based on selected strips.

  A new per-face normals feature within Modelling allows blender to correctly display and export sharp edges, while the selection tools also offer more options.

  Fans of sculpting and painting will discover a new HSL colr wheel for selecting color alongside performance tweaks for the dyntopo and matcap display modes. The Game Engine adds multi-threaded animations, shadows-only materials and action layers alongside a UI for deactivating logic bricks.

  Freestyle has been upgrade with support for textured strokes, while users also gain the ability to sort lines to more easily control the order of line drawing.

  The user interface, which was overhauled for version 2.70, continues to evolve with resizeable preview widgets, draggable popup menus and new icons for texture painting.

  Users also gain more control for curve bevelling, explicit shadow cast control for blender’s internal materials, improved handles for mask editors and a new distortion model when motion tracking. A new FBX Exporter has also been added and a vast array of documented bug fixes have also been implemented.

  Blender 2.71 (32-bit) is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Also available is Blender 2.71 (64-bit), while Blender Portable 2.70a is likely to be updated to version 2.71 in the next few days.

  
• 

  Linux Mint 17 'Qiana' Xfce is here -- breathe new life into an older PC

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 7:06pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Linux is great for a litany of reasons, but one of the most important is refurbishing. You see, an operating system based on the open-source kernel can breathe new life into an older computer, and effectively turn it into a new machine. This is because the operating systems are typically less system intensive than Windows.

  Unfortunately, not all Linux-based operating systems are equally lightweight. Some may require better specs than others, usually due to the environment. Something like Unity or KDE may require a more modern computer for an optimal experience, but what if your machine has really low specs? A great environment for an old and weak machine is Xfce. Though not the lightest, it feels modern, while lighter environments can feel archaic. Today, Linux Mint embraces the low-end, with version 17 of its operating system, now with Xfce as an option.

  The Mint Team touts the following new features:

  • Update Manager
  • Drivers Manager
  • Login Screen
  • Language Settings
  • Software Sources
  • Welcome Screen
  • System Improvements
  • Artwork Improvements
  • Main Components
  • LTS Strategy

  Xfce is functional and lightweight, so I do recommend it for older machines. However, if you have a more modern computer, you would be better off using Cinnamon or KDE instead. A satisfying computing experience is birthed from the quality of the environment and many users will be dissatisfied with the lack of bells and whistles of Xfce. I do not mean to say it is bad, quite the contrary, but if your computer can power an environment with better eye candy and features, why not do it?

  If you have an old unused computer that you would like to refurbish for a child, friend or relative, Linux Mint 17 Xfce is a great idea. You can download it here. Tell me how you like it in the comments.

  
• 

  Ignorance of digital dangers puts consumers at risk

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 3:31pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Technology users are putting themselves at risk by ignoring how their personal information is being stored and the potential security risks that go hand in hand with digital devices.

  This is the conclusion of a round table panel of security experts put together by hosting company UKFast. According to the panel the buzz of social media and the ever-evolving digital scene has created an ignorant culture of technology consumers.

  Panelist Hugh Boyes from the Institution of Engineering and Technology at the University of Warwick, believes consumers need to realize exactly what their device is capable of, and precisely what information it holds. "People don’t understand exactly what these devices can do. Take a fitness band, for example. The product isn't actually the wristband; it's the data that is inside it. Yet no one is aware of this. The internet is everywhere, and so in turn, we give our personal information out everywhere. Things like social media, loyalty cards and GPS tracking for instance -- these things all require our personal information. No one hesitates in giving it away if it means being able to use a particular app".

  This giving away of information is driven by a culture of convenience says Robert Fuller, director of Innevate, "Because things often seem to happen seamlessly, it doesn't lend itself to people having to think about what processes are involved".

  This is echoed by Lawrence Jones, CEO of UKFast, "People are obsessed with speed and usability -- the faster and easier they can achieve something, the better. Even if that means storing your card details, passwords and personal details in the same place or using the same password for everything. It may be more convenient but it's significantly less secure".

  Zain Hyed, director of security at Hybrid believes if consumers understood the risks, they would take greater care when handing out their personal details, "After all the Heartbleed media coverage, only 4 in 10 people actually changed their passwords. You'd expect everyone to change their passwords just to make sure they were secure, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. It’s the culture we are living in today -- no one understands the dangers".

  The panel offers a number of tips for consumers to ensure that they stay secure. These are:

  * Make sure that you install all patch updates and keep your software up to date.
  * Have different passwords for each account, then if hackers get old of one password they can’t access your other data.
  * Use long passwords, numbers/symbols and full phrase passwords are most effective.
  * Read the news -- find out if any services or companies you use been hacked and what you need to do about it.
  * Find out where your data is stored and how safely before trusting an organization with your information.

  Videos of this and previous round table discussions can be found on the UKFast.tv website.

  Image Credit: JJ Studio / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Apple introduces a new 16GB iPod touch with iSight camera

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 3:14pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Last week Apple quietly introduced a new entry-level iMac. This week it’s added a new entry-level iPod touch to the Apple Store, and slashed the price of existing models.

  The new iPod touch comes with 16GB of storage, a 5-megapixel, 1080p rear iSight camera and color-matched wrist strap loop. It’s priced at $199. The price of the 32 and 64GB models have been slashed to $249 and $299 from $299 and $399 respectively.

  Apple previously offered a 16GB iPod touch, but it cost more and didn’t have the camera or strap.

  The new device is available in the usual color choices -- black, space gray, pink, yellow, blue, and (Product)RED.

  The new 16GB iPod touch is available to buy through the Apple Store now and comes with free shipping and engraving.

  

  
• 

  HTC vows to quickly offer Android L on all One (M7), (M8) models

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 2:43pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Taiwanese maker HTC is now, undoubtedly, at the pinnacle of timely Android upgrades. It was among the first to announce and deliver KitKat, and now it is stepping up to the plate once again by revealing its Android "L" plans.

  HTC says all of its One (M7) and One (M8) smartphones will receive Android L within 90 days of getting the final bits of code from Google. That means both unlocked and mobile operator-branded versions of its two most-recent flagships; One (M7) -- as the original One is referred to by HTC now -- arrived more than a year ago, while One (M8) was launched in late-March, 2014.

  HTC promises to deliver timely Android upgrades as part of its HTC Advantage program, which is a no-cost option that adds a couple of major benefits to users. You can read more about it here.

  HTC adds that other smartphones that are part of the One "family" will get Android L following the two One flagships, which means later than the first 90 days of availability. You can read more about the latest version of the open-source operating system here.

  Now if other major Android manufacturers would follow in HTC's footsteps...

  
• 

  BusyBox crams 117 Unix tools into a tiny Windows executable

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 2:38pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Unix is renowned for its powerful command line tools, and there are many ways you can try at least some of them on the PC. Installing Gnu on Windows gets you 100+ of the best known tools, recompiled to run under Windows, while favorites like grep have been ported individually.

  But if you’re looking for simplicity and convenience, it’s hard to beat BusyBox, which crams tiny versions of 117 Unix utilities into a single 645 KB executable. There’s no bulk, no complex folder structure, just one package which provides everything you need.

  You don’t need any Unix/ Linux knowledge to get at least something from the program, as many of its commands are very simple. Cal displays a text calendar (month or year); df and du summarize hard drive use; head displays the first 10 lines of a text file; sleep pauses your script for a defined time; unzip extracts files from archives, and so on.

  If you’re comfortable at the Windows command line then you’ll appreciate BusyBox’s more advanced tools. Diff compares text files and displays their differences; ftpput and ftpget store and retrieve files via ftp; grep is a powerful search tool with regular expression support; hexdump displays files in various custom formats; and there are smarter ways to copy files, compare them, and generally take better control of your system.

  Linux experts should keep in mind that BusyBox has been optimized for size, and its tools generally don’t have as many options as the originals. The program is more about convenience and portability than supporting every single optional switch.

  For all that, most tools retain their core features, and BusyBox does support a lot of utilities:

  [, [[, ar, ash, awk, base64, basename, bash, bbconfig, bunzip2, bzcat, bzip2, cal, cat, catv, chmod, cksum, clear, cmp, comm, cp, cpio, cut, date, dc, dd, df, diff, dirname, dos2unix, du, echo, ed, egrep, env, expand, expr, false, fgrep, find, fold, ftpget, ftpput, getopt, grep, gunzip, gzip, hd, head, hexdump, kill, killall, ls, lzcat, lzma, lzop, lzopcat, man, md5sum, mkdir, mktemp, mv, od, patch, pgrep, pidof, printenv, printf, ps, pwd, rev, rm, rmdir, sed, seq, sh, sha1sum,  sha256sum, sha3sum, sha512sum, shuf, sleep, sort, split, stat, strings, sum, tac, tail, tar, tee, test, touch, tr, true, uname, uncompress, unexpand, uniq, unix2dos, unlzma, unlzop, unxz, unzip, usleep, uudecode, uuencode, vi, wc, wget, which, whoami, xargs, xz, xzcat, yes and zcat

  That’s a lot to learn, but you can pick out the tools you need, and the program comes with its own basic help. Enter BusyBox at the command line to see the full list of utilities, or add a function name -- BusyBox grep -- for details on exactly what you can do.

  
• 

  Google I/O 2014 Day 1: What you need to know

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 1:28pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Google I/O 2014 started yesterday and, thanks to a lengthy first-day keynote, the search giant has already made plenty of headlines one after another. And for good reason, as it unveiled new software, new hardware (albeit none of it was Nexus-branded) and a number of sweeping changes to its portfolio. Say what you will, but Google sure had plenty of interesting things to show without even announcing a new Nexus tablet (as we were used to in the past two years).

  The amount of information from the conference is overwhelming, so here is the tl;dr version.

  Android Version "L"

  This year, Google decided not to officially launch a new version of Android, but to showcase the "L"-named preview instead. This will give developers more time to bring their apps up to speed before Android "L" is released.

  What's new? Well, there are some design changes here and there (some minor, some more important, coming from Android 4.4 KitKat), the ART runtime is now set as default (bringing extra battery life and graphics performance), search is better, security is improved courtesy of Samsung's KNOX, tweaks to notifications are added, and developers get more APIs. Oh, and there is 64-bit support, so Android makers can soon tick that box too in the specs sheet (much like Apple has already done for about nine months).

  Google also announced Android One, a program designed to help makers of low-end Android devices offer a consistent experience. How? Through guidelines, of course, which involve some minimum requirements.

  Android now has one billion active users per month, who send 20 billion text messages, walk a combined 1.5 trillion steps and take 93 million selfies per day. Impressive. I wonder what "active" means, and how the data was collected.

  Android Auto

  My colleague Wayne Williams already discussed Android Auto here, but the gist is Android is making its way into cars using your smartphones and tablets. You will get information from Google Now, and it is supported by 28 auto makers like Audi, Volvo and Volkswagen (which are part of the Open Automotive Alliance). And, yes, it competes against Apple's CarPlay.

  Android TV

  Android TV is aimed at smart TVs, giving users access to live or streamed content, search (you did not expect this, did you?), the ability to play games and view stuff from their Android smartphone or tablet.

  Android Wear

  As the name suggests, Android Wear is designed for wearables. It works with touch-enabled devices, and was showcased on smartwatches. It offers Google Now with voice support and apps mirroring (install an app on your Android smartphone or tablet and a wearable companion app is automatically installed on Android Wear). You can already buy two smartwatches running Android Wear, from LG and Samsung, with Motorola's offering, Moto 360, coming a bit later.

  Google Services

  Google also introduced a number of updates for some of its services. Google Play Games gets profiles, progress save and quests (or, targets, if you will). Google Play Services adds wearables support, more tools for developers, extra security and a wallet feature. Google Drive gives enterprise users unlimited cloud storage for $10 per user per month -- my colleague Mark Wilson has already covered it here.

  Speaking of Google Drive, QuickOffice is replaced by Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides, the latter of which was just introduced. And support for Microsoft Office file editing and saving is finally available. The service now has 190 million users.

  What Else?

  Chromebooks can now run some Android apps, Chromecast get new features (including live screen mirroring and Google+ galleries), Google Fit is introduced (yes, an Apple HealthKit rival) to provide more fitness and health-related information, carrier billing can be enabled on tablets, and Google Cloud gets some new features and improvements. Oh, and Google Cardboard enables virtual reality through a piece of cardboard -- my colleague Brian Fagioli has already covered it here in detail.

  
• 

  Quickly download Instagram photos and videos with InstagramSaver

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 12:51pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Browsing Instagram photos online is simple and straightforward, but if you’d prefer local copies then that’s also easy to arrange, with just a little help from the open source InstagramSaver.

  Download, unzip and launch the program and you’re presented with a clear and simple interface. At a minimum, all you have to do is enter an Instagram user name, click Download, and watch as InstagramSaver grabs all the photos from that account.

  By default the images are saved into a Documents\InstagramSaver folder, although this can be customized. Once a download is complete, InstagramSaver opens an Explorer folder at that location, ready for you to explore.

  What you won’t find initially are any videos, as they’re ignored, presumably to avoid hogging too much bandwidth. But if you’d like those as well, click Settings and check "Download videos too".

  The other plus point here is that InstagramSaver downloads files in parallel, by default opening up to eight simultaneous connections. This won’t work for everyone, but fortunately the figure can be tweaked in Settings: increasing it may improve performance, while cutting it should reduce InstagramSaver’s bandwidth use.

  There are one or two other small but welcome touches. An update checker alerts you to new releases, for example, and a change log keeps you up-to-date on any changes.

  For the most part, though, InstagramSaver just works as you’d expect, quickly downloading photos and videos whenever it’s asked. Go take a look.

  
• 

  Make one file appear in many folders with Link Shell Extension

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 8:54am CEST par Mike Williams

  If you’re managing your hard drive, and need to have a group of files accessible from two or more folders, then the solution seems obvious: just make some copies. But while this is quick and easy, it wastes hard drive space, and if you forget about the copies (which you will) they could be cluttering your system for a very long time.

  Hard links are an NTFS feature which could offer a better solution. A hard link is essentially an alternate name for a file on an NTFS drive, enabling you to make one or more files appear in as many locations as you need. And as all the references point to the same file, no extra disk space is required at all.

  Windows can create hard links natively via the command line (check out fsutil.exe), but that’s not exactly convenient. Install Link Shell Extension (64-bit) and you’ll be able to use hard links -- and several other advanced NTFS features -- directly from the Explorer right-click menu, just as easily as a copy and paste.

  To take a simple example, suppose we wanted Picture.jpg in folder A to also appear in folders B and C. We would start by right-clicking the file and selecting "Pick Link Source". Right-clicking folder B and selecting Drop As > Hard Link would create our first link, and we’d just repeat the process in folder C.

  The end result is you’ll have what appears to be three copies of Picture.jpg. They’ll be previewed as normal, and you can open them from any application, but they’re all just referring to the same file. There’s no disk space cost.

  It’ll be much the same in real-world use on your own system, except you can select and create links for multiple files in one operation. And you’ll need to keep in mind that hard links only work with files on the same volume; they can’t span drives.

  Using hard links can create complications which you’ll need to keep in mind. If you forget a file is hard linked, for instance, you might open and edit it, thinking there are other copies around. But no, there’s just one, and if you change that, you change them all. (A red overlay is displayed over the icon for a hard linked file to remind you, but this is easy to miss.)

  Be careful when deleting, too. In our example, if you deleted Picture.jpg in folder A you might think it’s gone forever. But again, no: the file will stick around until you’ve deleted all the other links.

  Individual applications may also cause problems, if they don’t understand hard links. A backup program might decide to back up every hard link as a separate file, perhaps, cutting performance and wasting backup space.

  If you’re new to this kind of NTFS trickery it’s probably best to stop here, then, at least until you’ve tested how this works on your own system. And even then, start slowly. Create links for just a few key files before you move on to your 500GB video folder.

  But if you mastered this long ago, Link Shell Extension (64-bit) has plenty of other tools to explore. You can use the same copy/ paste approach to create symbolic links, junctions and volume mount points. Cloning copies a folder tree to a destination, but uses hard and symbolic links for all the new files. And there are copying and mirror functions, a backup mode to copy ACLs and encrypted files -- even if the current user doesn’t have access to them -- and a whole lot more. These can become very complex, and there’s a lot to learn, but the detailed documentation explains all.

  
• 

  Lenovo preparing a Google Glass rival

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 8:49am CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  Chinese electronics giant, Lenovo, looks set to enter the wearable technology market after filing a patent for an "Electronic Device and Sound Capturing Method".

  While the patent is careful to not use the word "wearable", perhaps to avoid any lawsuits with competitors, the images show a device that certainly bears a resemblance to Google Glass.

  The device consists of an audio and video recorder and light-pump VOD displays from Lumus Labs, a company working on augmented reality glasses. In practice, the device would incorporate a wearable heads-up display and wireless communication through bone conduction microphones.

  The product, which appeared on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website this week, is described as a recording device and it remains to be seen how it will match up against more established products in the wearable tech market.

  The patent is also a bold move for the company which has yet to conquer the mobile space and is largely known through its ThinkPad range of products.

  As with any patent, it does not necessarily follow that the pictured device will ever be made, but the fact that Lenovo seems willing to enter the field demonstrates the growing interest in wearable technology.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Google Cardboard is a real thing -- strap a smartphone to your face

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 5:39am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Google is a cool company. Regardless of what you think about its services or products, you cannot deny the cool-factor that it has. However, can a person or company be too cool? What I mean is, can the cool actions become tiring and possibly even annoying? Remember when Fonzie jumped over a shark on Happy Days?

  I'm not saying Google "jumped the shark", but today, the search-giant may have crossed the line into being a parody of itself with a new project called Cardboard. The name is quite literal -- Google wants users to fold cardboard in the shape of a face mask that will ultimately turn  the user's smartphone into a makeshift virtual-reality mask. Yes, Google is asking us to strap a smartphone to our faces. Umm, cool?

  Google lists the following components of the build:

  1. Cardboard Corrugated cardboard sheet, preferably E Flute (corrugated cardboard comes in a variety of thicknesses called "flutes"), available at many art supply stores and online . For best results, you should look for strong, thin cardboard (sturdy shoe box rather than moving box). Minimum size: 8.75in (22cm) by 22in (56cm), and 0.06in (1.5mm) thickness. Online sources here and here
  2. Lenses This is the trickiest component. Lenses that have a 40mm focal distance should work. Biconvex lenses work best because they prevent distortion around the edges. We used the Durovis OpenDive Lens Kit available here (US) and here (EU).
  3. Magnets One neodymium ring magnet - like this or this - and one ceramic disk magnet - like this or this. Approximate size: 0.75in (19mm) diameter and 0.12in (3mm) thickness.
  4. Velcro Two strips of regular strength adhesive-backed velcro. Approximate size: 0.75in (20mm) by 1.25in (30mm).
  5. Rubber band One rubber band, to prevent the phone from sliding out. Minimum length of 3.2in (8cm).
  6. NFC tag (optional) One sticker NFC tag. Program it with the URL cardboard://v1.0.0

  

  Once you complete the build of this face mask, you must install the associated app on your Android smartphone. Then, with the app opened, you drop it into the cardboard housing and strap it to your head. You should look really cool at this point.

  While the cardboard housing looks low-tech, the app is anything but -- it is quite impressive. I ran it on my phone and pretended I had it in a housing and put it up to my face. After about 20 minutes of focusing my eyes, I ended up with a massive headache -- those lenses are a must if you build it. Still, the app is fluid and intuitive and I understand where Google is going with this project.

  Sadly, it seems Google missed one crucial demographic with this project -- the sweaty. Yes, I and many others are very sweaty people; I almost always have beads of perspiration on my forehead. With the cardboard making direct contact with my face, it will likely become smelly, soggy and gross very quickly. Quite frankly, I foresee people getting rashes, so I urge Google to research any health risks.

  Again, Google is a cool company and this is a cool project, but it is frustratingly geeky and witty and for some reason that just comes off as annoying. Still, I expect it to be a popular project for geeks to do and I anticipate user-mods to the plans and third-parties selling pre-made kits as well.

  If you want to build your own Cardboard VR mask, you can get the files here. Tell me how it works out for you in the comments.

  
• 

  NETGEAR goes hardcore -- announces Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band WiFi Router

  Publié: juin 26, 2014, 2:14am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  There are many ways to save money nowadays, such as only brushing your teeth every other day to save toothpaste or filling up your ketchup bottle with packets from McDonalds -- just kidding, guys. However, there are some things you should never do to save money. A good example is shoes -- something that are on your feet all day. In other words, buying uncomfortable shoes to save a buck is hardly a bargain.

  This is also true with wireless routers and trust me, I've learned the hard way. Buying bargain-priced routers results in poor performance and dropped connections. Nothing sucks as much as having to unplug your router to reset it each week. And so, when it comes to routers, I try to get the best. Currently, I am using the newest Apple Airport Extreme AC router. It has proven to be extremely reliable and very fast. Today however, NETGEAR releases a router that makes me consider upgrading -- the Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band WiFi Router.

  "The new Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band WiFi Router (R8000) is the first tri-band WiFi router available for purchase incorporating the powerful new Broadcom 5G WiFi XStream platform. With six high-performance antennas and three network bands, one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz, the Nighthawk X6 delivers the industry's fastest combined WiFi speed, up to 3.2 Gbps (1300+1300+600 Mbps). It balances the network load to ensure the best WiFi performance for each device and deliver the maximum wireless range available today", says NETGEAR.

  The company further explains, "powered by a 1GHz dual core processor with three additional offload processors, Nighthawk X6 soars above the competition so you'll enjoy a blazing-fast WiFi experience using the latest 802.11ac wireless technology, such as the innovative 5G WiFi XStream technology from Broadcom. By optimizing speeds for all your WiFi devices, you'll be able to game on, stream away, and download mega-sized files without network lag from inside and outside your house, garage and yard".

  The company touts the following features:

  • AC3200 WiFi technology enables the fastest combined WiFi speeds currently available -- up to 3.2 Gbps.
  • Tri-band WiFi intelligently connects devices to the fastest WiFi band possible and increases overall network speed.
  • 6 high-performance external antennas and powerful amplifiers deliver maximum range around your home and yard.
  • 1 GHz dual core processor with three offload processors supports blazing-fast WiFi, wired and USB storage performance.
  • Beamforming+ improves range reliability by focusing and locking on 2.4 and 5 GHz device signals as you move.
  • Smart Connect intelligently selects the fastest WiFi for every device which helps your 802.11n and 802.11ac devices choose the appropriate 5GHz band for the best performance.
  • VPN support ensures secure remote access to your home network.
  • Five Gigabit Ethernet ports (one WAN and four LAN) offer fast wired connections.
  • SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port offers high-speed, storage-ready access up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0.
  • ReadySHARE Vault, a free software application, automatically backs up Windows-based PCs to a USB hard drive connected to Nighthawk X6.
  • NETGEAR MyMedia enables you to find and play your stored media from anywhere on your network to your DLNA-ready TVs and music system.
  • iTunes server support enables you to play music on AirPlay-compatible devices using iTunes or Apple Remote.
  • NETGEAR genie is a personal dashboard that makes it easy to install, monitor, control and repair your home network from PCs, Mac OS X, and iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

  As you can see, the Nighthawk X6 AC3200 is fully loaded with tons of great features, which should make it useful for many years. Of course, with great power comes a great price tag -- $299.99. It will be available starting July 11, but you can pre-order it at Amazon today.

  Will you buy it? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  Google brings the marriage of Chrome OS and Android closer

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 11:17pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Ever since Google released its two operating systems -- the one for computers and the one for phones and tablets -- users have talked of a merger of the two. So far that hasn't happened, and at Google I/O today it still didn't. But things got a bit cozier.

  The company unveiled closer integration between the two platforms, bringing phone notifications to your computer. Is your phone ringing? Your Chromebook will popup a notice telling you who it is. Got a text message? That too will appear on your notebook. In fact, Chromebooks will even notify you of low battery life on your mobile device, letting you know it's time to charge it.

  A subset of Android apps will also be capable of running on the Chrome OS -- "At I/O, we demoed the App Runtime for Chrome Platform by highlighting a select group of Android apps that will be coming to Chrome later this year. We’ll be rolling this out soon, and we hope to expand to enable more mobile apps for our users in the future", the company says.

  All of this is brought about through Google Now, which has previously been a part of both operating systems. It seems likely that it will also find its way into Android TV as well, though that is further down the road.

  
• 

  Google revs up Android Auto, its Apple CarPlay rival

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 9:53pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  As expected, one of the big new announcements at Google’s I/O conference was Android Auto which takes Google’s mobile operating system into vehicles.

  Android Auto runs on your smartphone but the apps and features are mirrored and can be controlled through a touchscreen in the vehicle. The car-specific interface is a simplified version of the forthcoming (and unnamed) Android L release, with larger less distracting 'touch targets'.

  You can interact with Android Auto by touch, through in-car controls, or voice -- all of which makes it a lot safer than fumbling about with your phone when you get a text message -- and the platform can be used to control navigation, music and messaging.

  Like Google Now it uses contextual awareness to display information you might want to know at just the right time -- such as reminders when you get close to work or home. And because it’s all linked to your phone, you’ll get these reminders whether you’re inside or outside the vehicle.

  Google says the Android Auto SDK will be made available to developers "soon" and the company has lined up 28 automakers and tech companies, including Fiat, Volvo, Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan and Mitsubishi, as part of the Open Automotive Alliance. The first compatible vehicles are expected to roll off the production line this fall.

  Apple announced its own similar in-car system, CarPlay, four months ago. It will be interesting to see how the two competing platforms do and does beg the question if you switch from an iPhone to an Android, or vice versa, will you need to change cars? Or choose a vehicle based on your smartphone preference? Although there's been no word yet, I'd expect to see car makers opt to simply incorporate both systems in future vehicles.

  
• 

  Google brings out the big guns -- unlimited storage for $10 per month and Office editing

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 9:25pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  At I/O 2014 Google announced that more cloud storage will be made available to space hungry users. Google Drive for Work has a price tag of $10 per month and includes not just more cloud storage, but unlimited cloud storage. Well, there is one limitation; individual files cannot exceed 5TB, but this is, for all intents and purposes, a deal that is unlimited by most people's understanding of the word. As the name suggests, this is a product that is aimed at businesses, but at this price it is hard to imagine that there won’t be swathes of home users looking to take advantage of the package.

  A few months back, Google slashed the cost of its cloud storage packages, but today's news is something quite different. Worries about security may be allayed by the news that Drive, Gmail and Calendar data will be encrypted at data centers. IT admins will also be able to audit and control options, that means internal security policies can be implemented as required.

  The Drive storage announcement from Google comes just after Microsoft increased the amount of free storage provided to OneDrive users, as well as bundling 1TB of cloud storage with Office 365. But Google is also trying to lure Office users away from the grips of Microsoft. Slides is Google's take on PowerPoint, but the big news for Google Docs users is support for editing Office documents.

  This is big news for home users and businesses alike. In a direct attack on Office Online, Google is giving users the ability to edit Word and other Office documents online free of charge. New files can be saved in Word format, addressing one of the biggest limitations of Google Docs -- and bringing Quickoffice to Chrome will help to create a new online experience for users. This is Google wrestling back control of the web and the workplace.

  Photo Credits: l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Microsoft brings Bing Rewards to Windows Phone

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 7:15pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  Some people say Google is better than Bing, and maybe they are right. However, that is a subjective statement. What they really mean to say is that Google is better for them. In reality they are both great search engines with different pros and cons. My favorite aspect of Microsoft's search engine is Bing Rewards -- a program that rewards users for searching. Hell, if you are searching anyways, why not get rewarded?

  Sadly, Microsoft released a Bing Rewards app for Android and iOS, but not its own Windows Phone platform. This was hugely disappointing for users of Microsoft's mobile operating system, including myself. Today, Microsoft levels the playing field and makes it available for Windows Phone too.

  "This new app is something special we’re launching for users in the Windows Phone community. Set the app as a Live Tile to monitor credits and the status of your search and earn offer. Easily access your dashboard to see all your offers, manage your account, earn and redeem credits, enter sweepstakes and more", says Alex Danskin, Bing Rewards Team.

  Dasnskin further explains, "Bing Rewards was designed to help you discover ways Bing can help you do the things that are most important to you. You can earn credits by searching the web every day with Bing and then redeem them for apps and games purchases at the Windows Store on your Windows 8.1 PC or Windows Phone 8. You can also redeem for popular gift cards from top brands or donate your credits to a local school or charity of your choice. Choose among rewards from Amazon.com, Starbucks, Xbox, Fandango and more. All you have to do is stay signed-in and keep searching with Bing".

  What makes the app stand apart from its Android and iOS counterparts is the Live Tile support. Yes, the Bing Rewards app takes advantage of Microsoft's revolutionary UI. This will allow users to see their earned credits without having to open the app -- awesome.

  Windows Phone users can download the app here. Tell me how you like it in the comments.

  
• 

  Aereo's Supreme Court loss proves Washington has no business making decisions on technology

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 5:51pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  We've seen this before. Washington DC proving time and again its lack of knowledge about the modern technological world. We witnessed it when Ted Stephens, in a speech to congress, famously referred to the internet as "a series of tubes". Most recently, we've had to deal with the FCC looking to put an end to Net Neutrality -- see John Oliver's description for the best explanation on that. The latter is more likely less about knowledge and more about being in the pockets of cable company lobbyists.

  Now the latest blow has been dealt. The Supreme Court has handed down its decision on Aereo. If you aren't familiar, Aereo is, or perhaps was, a TV provider which was moving into various cities around the US. If it was in your market, you could "rent" an antenna which picked up over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts. The company then retransmitted this to the customer via an internet connection. Each customer rented his or her own dime-sized antenna.

  The 6-3 decision, which can be read in a 35 page PDF document, begins by citing the 1976 copyright act. The minority vote found Aereo's arguments valid -- that it acts as a cable provider. However the differences helped sway the ruling. Chiefly that, while cable is a continuous broadcast, Aereo is activated only when a subscriber wishes to watch a show. "The systems in those cases transmitted constantly, whereas Aereo's system remains inert until a subscriber indicates that she wants to watch a program", the ruling reads.

  Aereo has been in court almost since it launched, arguing that it was protected under the precedent from a 2008 case regarding cloud DVR services -- something also operated by PlayOn without legal incident.

  The ruling, handed down by Justice Steven Breyer, is a major blow to Aereo and may, in all likelihood, put the company out of business. It also goes a long way towards showing what the government lacks in technical knowledge, as many expected Aereo to prevail. We will await further updates for now -- the ruling has only just been announced.

  Photo Credit: Livestockimages/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Web-based analytics delivers intelligence on DDoS attacks

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 4:32pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  In recent days we've seen DDoS attacks hit some major names like Feedly and even force the CodeSpaces hosting service out of business.

  In a bid to combat the threat presented by DDoS attacks, security specialist Corero Network Security has announced a powerful web-based analytics portal.

  Corero SecureWatch Analytics delivers turn-key visibility into DDoS attacks and cyber threats with comprehensive and easy-to-read security dashboards. Using Splunk software for big data analytics and advanced visualization, Corero has made security intelligence much more accessible and easier to act on. This means that companies are able to react to threats much more quickly.

  "Extracting meaningful information from volumes of raw security events has been a virtual impossibility for all but the largest enterprises with dedicated security analysts. Corero SecureWatch Analytics provides this capability in a turn-key fashion to enterprises of all sizes," says Nirav Shah, Director of Product Management at Corero Network Security. "Big data analytics engines are empowered by valuable raw data. By combining sophisticated event data generated by our industry leading First Line of Defense security appliances with the Splunk platform, we have created a solution that quickly finds the needles in the haystack of security events".

  The portal's real-time dashboards provide easy-to-use visibility into an enterprise's network and security activity enabling rapid response in combating threats. Additionally, SecureWatch Analytics supports archived security event data to allow forensic analysis of past threats and compliance reporting of security activity.

  SecureWatch Analytics is included with the purchase of Corero's SmartWall Threat Defense System and DDoS Defense System security products. For more information visit the Corero website.

  Photo Credit: Duc Dao / Shutterstock

  
• 

  What happens now that phones can see?

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 3:54pm CEST par Julian Green

  

  Photos give us a window to the world -- our own experiences can only show us so much. Photos give us a richness of experience and perspective that we would otherwise be devoid of. The sudden existence of billions of smart phones, which take trillions of photos and videos per year, has given us the biggest increase we’ve seen yet in rich user data -- and now we have the technology to start to make sense of that data.

  With this new technology, it’s now possible to analyze photos for myriad applications. For example, at Jetpac we use 100s of millions of travel photos shared on Instagram to develop the Jetpac City Guides app, and do object recognition on the photos to be able to recommend places such as restaurants with patios (from the blue skies in the photos), hipster bars (by the unusually high number of mustaches we spot in photos), and the best coffee shops (from the highest proportion of latte art in photos). We've also now developed deep learning AI technology to broaden our ability to be able to recognize all objects in photos. Putting deep learning on the iPhone (Spotter by Jetpac) means we can now recognize many objects from the iPhone's real-time video feed, locally on the phone. Having minimized the technology significantly, we also have room to allow you to train the phone to recognize a specific object (Deep Belief by Jetpac).

  It's worth taking a moment to marvel that computer vision algorithms have come a long way, and what was previously the province of super computers, is now being done on your smart phone, in milliseconds, in the palm of your hand.

  Now, it's no human intellect, but for the first time, the phone can "see" -- and it can also handle the massive amount of data it consumes. It can not only place a phone call, send a text or like your grandma’s status update, but phones can also make sense of what they are looking at by recognizing objects and scenes. Check out the amazing capabilities this gives us:

  Photo/video tagging and search

  Have you ever scrolled through your photos on your phone, looking for a particular one? Every wanted to be able to search for "the one with me and my sister next to the tree by the beach"? Instead of scrolling through endless selfies and photos of cats, you can now use tags for all your photos, describing what’s in them, and enable a targeted search. Film and TV companies will now be able to search through their movie archives for the frame with the shark tornado in it. Private investigators will be able to remember whether it was the ballroom they saw the candlestick in.

  Automatic camera filters/settings

  Alongside the existing smartphone camera sensors and settings, imagine having a particular set of default settings if the phone recognizes that the scene is a ski slope, a beach or a nightclub? With real-time recognition of the video stream coming through the camera before the shutter button is pressed, the phone would be ready for the conditions before you.

  Automatic home security alerts

  Cameras on phones can certainly take killer photos, but they can also do much more than that. They can take your pulse, give you an impromptu flashlight and they can even protect your home. Want to lock your cat flap against raccoons, or even cats other than yours? With Spotter and Deep Belief on even lower-end devices like the Raspberry Pi, you can avoid having to duct tape your iPhone to the back door, and throw a cheap device with a battery at the problem of recognizing which animal this way comes. It wouldn't even need to be networked.

  Mobile Search and Rescue

  Phones don’t have a corner on the market of device visibility. Internet of Things devices, robots and drones also share similar vision-wielding capacities. People who have trouble moving around their houses could send a robot to look for their car keys. Drones could look for that missing cow in a farmer's field. As some media outlets have shown ad nauseam, satellites could figure out with parts of the ocean had possible matches for missing airplane debris.

  Hard-to-identify objects

  Ever looked at food in a foreign market and wondered what it is? Ever wanted to tell your kids what kind of bird is chirping from the tree? Want to know the breed of dog that is looking for a home at the dog shelter? Ever wondered if a plant that your child just rolled over was poison oak? Well with the power of object recognition, you could figure out if your child needs some calamine lotion.

  We live in a visual world, and the amount of image data we have access to is exploding. Now that the phone can see, and technology like Jetpac's can help us make sense of image data, we're going to be able to make a lot more sense of our world.

  Let me know if you have any suggestions for other applications of the technology.

  Photo Credits: Maksim Kabakou/Shutterstock

  Julian Green is the co-founder and CEO of Jetpac, the company behind the Webby Award-winning Jetpac City Guides, Spotter by Jetpac and Deep Belief by Jetpac apps. He is a serial entrepreneur who also co-founded Houzz and is a leading authority on mobile, social and ecommerce. Follow him on Twitter: @juliangreensf.

  
• 

  CCleaner optimizes memory usage, adds support for forthcoming Chrome 64-bit browser

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 3:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  As the month draws to a close, Piriform issues its regular update to its freeware Windows cleaning utility with the releases of CCleaner 4.15 and CCleaner Portable 4.15.

  Highlights in the latest release include support for the forthcoming 64-bit build of Google Chrome, plus an improved secure wipe algorithm as well as memory and architecture optimizations.

  Following on from the recent pre-release versions of Chrome 64-bit, CCleaner has been updated to work with the new iteration of the browser ahead of its final release. In addition to this, version 4.15 has also added support for the niche Yandex browser.

  In addition to Yandex, version 4.15 also extends its third-party support to SnagIt 12, Format Factory, Nitro PDF Reader and Virtual DJ.

  The new release also promises improved memory usage and management architecture, which should translate into better performance.

  The Wipe Free Space algorithm, used to securely shred previously deleted data from drives, has also been enhanced with the new release, presumably to make it harder to retrieve the shredded data.

  The update is completed by the usual unspecified round of bug fixes, updated translations and minor GUI tweaks, one of which is the addition of social media buttons to the program’s Options > About page.

  CCleaner 4.15 and CCleaner Portable 4.15 are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is available for $24.95.

  

  
• 

  27 percent of websites aren't configured for smartphone searches

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 3:23pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  A new report from SEO and content marketing specialist BrightEdge reveals that although almost 60 percent of American adults own smartphones and 40 percent own tablets, more than a quarter of websites aren’t mobile friendly.

  This leads to a massive loss of potential traffic and if marketers rectify this misconfiguration, the report discovered they stand to boost smartphone traffic by 200 percent.

  "With smartphone website traffic growing at 10 times the rate of desktop, mobile websites are quickly becoming the cornerstone to content marketing and customer engagement," says Jim Yu, CEO and founder of BrightEdge. "We know that mobile will play an integral role in the future of marketing and want to help brands navigate the challenges that mobile presents. This report will help businesses understand the best ways to create mobile-optimized sites in terms of traffic and search rank, boosting customer engagement and, more importantly, ROI".

  The report also shows the differences between desktop and mobile. It reveals that 62 percent of searches show different results depending on whether the search was performed on a desktop or smartphone and mobile ranks are typically half a position lower than desktop. Since click-through rates are sensitive to rank this can lead to a significant drop in traffic.

  With smartphone traffic expected to grow by 50 percent in 2014 companies need to ensure that they pay attention to the performance of their sites on mobile devices. BrightEdge identifies three different approaches to providing mobile sites.

  Responsive sites deliver the same content across all devices with only the presentation changing. Dynamic sites vary the HTML according to the device used although the URL remains the same, however, the report warns that if not well implemented this can look like the type of 'cloaking' used by malicious sites. The final approach is to have completely separate desktop and mobile versions of the site.

  The report concludes, "As enterprises cater to the growing mobile market, BrightEdge data shows that all three approaches to mobile website configuration rank about the same for a given keyword if implemented correctly. We believe many brands will take on responsive design as their choice of mobile configuration, but what we've found in talking with customers is that one mobile configuration is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution".

  You can find out more and download the report from the BrightEdge website.

  Image Credit: bloomua / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Want a free Surface Pro 3? Win one by using Skype!

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 3:05pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  The Surface Pro 3 is an amazing computer -- one that I highly recommend. It can be your full-time laptop, tablet and desktop too. Yes, there are less expensive computers, but if you can afford it, don't you deserve it? Unfortunately, in these tough economic times, not everyone can afford a new computer. Between utility bills and the rising cost of gasoline for your car, there is not as much money to go around. College students in particular are aware of these woes, struggling to afford the high costs of education, while eating ramen soup.

  Luckily, it seems Microsoft understands these issues and wants you to have a Surface Pro 3 anyway. No, the company isn't just giving them away -- the tech giant is having a sweepstakes in conjunction with Skype and you can possibly win one. Interested? Read on.

  Every week during the month of June, if you make at least three calls from your Skype account to a cellphone or landline, you can win a Surface Pro 3. But wait, today is June 25, it is almost over, right? Exactly. Apparently, this is the final week of the contest, and there is only one prize remaining to win, so you had better act fast.

  Besides making the calls, you must complete the entry form by clicking here. The prize is the Core i3 64GB variant. While not the top model, it is certainly powerful enough, and most users would be in computing nirvana.

  Tell me what you will do with Surface Pro 3 if you win in the comments.

  
• 

  Watch the Google I/O 2014 keynote here

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 2:22pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  It's a big day for Google as the search giant's annual developer conference kicks off with what promises to be a very exciting keynote.

  So what can we expect Google to unveil later today? Well it’s a good bet we’ll be treated to news of Android 5.0 Lollipop (or some other sweet beginning with L -- Liquorice, Lemon Meringue Pie, Lion Bar, or Lifesavers are possibilities too). Hardware that might be announced include a new Nexus 10, the Nexus 8, Google Android Wear watches, Google Project Tango tablets, the modular Project Ara smartphone, the Google Auto Link in-car system, and a set top box to rival Apple TV.

  If you haven’t got an invite to attend the event at the San Francisco's Moscone Center West, or you’ve got something else going on -- like work, for example -- don’t worry. As always you’ll be able to watch events unfold here.

  The keynote begins at 9am PDT/12pm EDT/5pm BST. It's scheduled to run for two hours, but don't be surprised if it goes on a bit longer than that.

  You can also catch up on Google I/O on the events page. Or download the official Android app which will let you watch the live stream on the go.

  What are you expecting/hoping to see announced today?

  
• 

  Acronis True Image for Mac launches, offers local and cloud-based drive imaging

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 2:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Backup specialist Acronis has unveiled Acronis True Image for Mac 1.0, a brand new build of its well-known drive imaging software for Macs running OS X 10.8 or later.

  The new release is described by Acronis as offering "dual-protection data backup" for Mac, a reference to its ability to back up to both local drives -- including network attached devices -- and the cloud through its own Acronis Cloud service.

  As the name implies, True Image takes full disk backups known as "images" of the user’s Mac, although it’s worth noting it’s not currently compatible with Macs set up to dual-boot with Windows using the Bootcamp environment. It will, however, back up machines running virtual environments including Parallels Desktop 9.

  Users are invited to download a free 30-day trial, which is accompanied by 30 days free access to the Acronis Cloud service, with 250GB on offer. The system drive is pre-selected for backup by default, but users can choose to back up any attached hard drive using the software. They then select a destination -- local and network-attached storage are supported (including drives not specifically supported by Time Machine), along with the Acronis Cloud option.

  By default, a fresh backup is taken once a week, with up to 10 incremental backups kept to prevent excessive use of disk space. Users can change the schedule by clicking Settings, and are also encouraged to create bootable rescue media using the system in case of hardware disaster.

  When restoring data, users can opt to recover an entire drive image -- typically after a major issue or when migrating to a new machine -- or select individual files and folders to restore.

  Acronis admits that -- in addition to Bootcamp -- systems with Fusion drive, File Vault 2 and HFS+ encrypted systems aren’t currently supported. Support for these configurations is planned for a future release before the end of the year.

  Acronis True Image for Mac 1.0 is available now as a free 30-day trial download for Macs running OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. The full version costs $49.99 for one Mac, or $79,99 for three, while a 12-month 250GB subscription to Acronis Cloud costs an additional $49.99. Other subscriptions are also available.

  
• 

  Windows Phones are easier to make, so new vendors jump on board

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 1:43pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Microsoft has realized that the only way to get more vendors to embrace Windows Phone is to make it easier for them to release Windows Phones. And that decision is paying off if its most-recent partnerships are of any indication.

  Allview and Hisense, two vendors that target specific markets using low-cost devices, are now supporting the platform. The former, a Romanian company, has unveiled two new Windows Phones while the latter, which is based in China, has teased its newfound affinity for the tiled smartphone operating system on microblogging site Sina Weibo.

  Microsoft made it possible for such vendors to jump on the bandwagon by dumping the ineffective Windows Phone licensing fee, adding new tools for companies to leverage, and lowering the minimum requirements by ditching the camera shutter button as well as the physical (capacitive) navigation buttons from the list. That means less expensive offerings, more vendor-friendliness and the ability to repackage Android smartphones as Windows Phones.

  Since Allview has something concrete to release on the market, let's take a look at its upcoming Windows Phones. They are called Impera i and Impera S, and are now available to pre-order in Romania (and probably other markets) for RON 699 (roughly $216) and RON 749 (roughly $232), respectively (both prices include 24 percent VAT). Both are dual-SIM enabled.

  Impera i highlights: 4.7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720 by 1280; quad-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor; 1 GB of RAM; 1,750 mAh battery; 8 MP main camera with LED flash; 2 MP secondary camera; 8 GB of internal storage; microSD card slot; HSPA+ cellular connectivity; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0; physical dimensions of 135.8 x 67.2 x 7.2 mm and weight of 98.9 grams. It runs Windows Phone 8.1.

  Impera S highlights (pictured at the top): 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720 by 1280; quad-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor; 1 GB of RAM; 1,750 mAh battery; 8 MP main camera with LED flash; 2 MP secondary camera; 8 GB of internal storage; microSD card slot; HSPA+ cellular connectivity; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0; physical dimensions of 144.85 x 72.1 x 8.75 mm and weight of 156.2 grams. It also runs Windows Phone 8.1.

  In the Windows Phone market, Allview's new handsets will go up against devices like Nokia's Lumia 630, which is also available in a dual-SIM version but can be had for less money (it, however, has half the RAM capacity). Needless to say, there already are a bunch of comparable Android smartphone available at similar prices, which consumers will consider.

  
• 

  ID stealing cloned banking app found on Play Store

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 1:19pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  A cloned banking app which steals user login credentials has been discovered on the Play Store this week. Mobile security company Lookout discovered the app and informed Google which immediately removed it.

  The malware, called BankMirage, targets the customers of an Israeli bank called Mizrahi Bank -- the fourth largest in the country. The authors of the app placed a wrapper around the bank's legitimate app and redistributed it on the Google Play store, pretending to be the financial institution.

  Once opened the app displays a login form which siphons off the user's ID as it's entered in a classic phishing attack. Oddly though it captures only the ID and not the password. Once it has the ID the app returns a message to the user saying that the login failed and to, instead, reinstall the legitimate banking app from the Play Store.

  Banking malware is, so far, less common in the US than it is in Europe and the Far East. Korean malware PlayBanker, for example, pretends to be Google Play and sends out push notifications to lure victims into downloading rogue banking apps. Another piece of malware, BankUn, will check for the presence of eight major, legitimate Korean banking apps and then attempts to replace them with rogue ones.

  The problem with an app finding its way onto the Play Store is that turning off Unknown Sources on your phone isn't going to protect you. Lookout recommends that you be wary if apps you want to download have duplicates as this may indicate illegitimate copies, and that you have an up to date app scanner on your device.

  Image Credit: mama_mia / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Survey highlights need for wireless security to keep pace with today's mobile technology

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 12:56pm CEST par Paul Prendergast

  Inhance Technology commissioned iReach Insights to conduct a comparative survey of 2,000 mobile users in the US and UK; the surprise was not so much the differences but similarities in attitudes.

  The headline story is that US users (27 percent) are more worried than 12 months ago than their UK counterparts (21 percent) about being mugged for their device. However, from a mobile security perspective, the more interesting data is contained in the body of the research.

  The study emphasises that these days users’ lives are very much wrapped up in the content of their device. This reveals not only consumer attitudes to buying wireless security warranties but the age group and gender most interested.

  Despite the high cost of today’s sophisticated smartphones and tablets, three quarters of US consumers believe that the content on their mobile device is as valuable as the phone or tablet itself. US females (77 percent) in particular value their content more than males (72 percent). And a significant 80 percent of those aged 18-34 and 35-54 believe that content is as important as the device itself.

  There are two implications of this for the industry. 1) With the right product retailers and providers are pushing an open door in terms of the added-value warranty sale and 2) The days of selling a warranty that covers the device only and not content are numbered.

  In many cases retailers are still offering outdated warranties, which were relevant to the entry-level function phone -- not to today’s extra-smart devices. Basic warranties have not kept pace with technology advances or indeed consumer needs.

  Table A shows that US consumers are almost equally as worried about their content falling into the wrong hands (29 percent) as they are about the replacement cost (30 percent). 70 percent have worries other than replacement cost, which reflects the fact that they are carrying their lives in their pocket from sensitive email to contact information and critical ID data.

  Table A:

  

  The research finds that over half (52 percent) of US consumers are more likely to buy mobile device insurance if it includes an app to protect content. And almost a quarter (24 percent) are much more likely to buy insurance if it includes this option. It is significant from an industry perspective that 62 percent of young adults (18-34) are most likely to buy mobile device insurance if it includes a security app. See Table B.

  Table B:

  

  The survey suggests that users are increasingly open to advanced warranty programs. Next generation warranties provide users with the ability to immediately lock the device (including by sending an SMS from a friend’s phone), locate the device in real-time, capture a picture of the potential thief, sound an alarm to deter a potential thief, wipe important data plus incorporate malware protection and back-up of contacts.

  There are benefits too for the retailer and carrier in providing advanced warranty programs. For example, next generation warranties have been shown to boost consumer loyalty and reduce churn. They also include back office facilities that help to combat fraud.

  The research is good news for those providers that can adapt to the wishes of today’s smart consumer.

  Photo Credits: Slavoljub Pantelic/Shutterstock

  Paul Prendergast is CEO and co-founder of wireless warranty specialist Inhance Technology (www.inhancetechnology.com).

  
• 

  Google announces better Glass, new Glassware

  Publié: juin 25, 2014, 12:43pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Following feedback received from early adopters (known as Explorers), Google has announced a significantly revised Glass wearable. But, unlike prior iterations, it looks like this one will not be available as a free-of-charge upgrade for current users, who will now have to pay full price to get the latest and greatest.

  The improved Google Glass is touted to offer better performance courtesy of a RAM capacity increase to 2 GB, which is 1 GB more than before (prior versions only allowed 682 MB of RAM to be effectively used, making the difference quite substantial). There are also more Google Now cards available, which will display extra information like shipping delivery estimates and car location.

  The "OK Glass, show the viewfinder" voice command triggers the new camera viewfinder, which makes it easy to frame shots and get the composition you want. Taking a picture is done as before, by saying "OK Glass, take a picture", winking or pressing the camera button.

  As far as Glassware (Google Glass software) goes, there are a dozen or so new apps making their way to the wearable. New additions include personal trainer Runtastic, newspaper The Guardian, game Zombies, Run!, music recognition Shazam and lyric finder MusicXmatch.

  Google Glass users responding to the Google+ post announcing the revised model have expressed their disappointment regarding the search giant's decision not to give them a free upgrade, mention how to trade-in an older model for the latest one, and keep the device out of the price reach of many.

  
• 

  Microsoft really, really, really wants MacBook Air users to buy Surface Pro 3

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 9:49pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  It is no secret Microsoft is marketing its new Surface Pro 3 Windows 8.1 hybrid as a direct rival to Apple's venerable MacBook Air ultrabook. As someone who owns the latter of the two I can see why. Both are premium devices that are similarly priced (Surface Pro 3 is more expensive, however, when purchased with Type Cover) and offered in near-identical configurations, power-wise, which yield comparable battery life (MacBook Air is better in this regard, even if only by mere hours). However, as I wrote in a past article, Surface Pro 3 offers extra features, like a touchscreen and tablet credentials, which can, arguably, make it more appealing.

  As I said before, Microsoft's best chance of persuading MacBook Air users to switch to Surface Pro 3 is come upgrade time, as, right now at least, this upgrade, as appealing as it may be for those willing to dump OS X for Windows, is not worth the cost penalty. Microsoft appears to be aware of this, as it launched a new trade-in offer for MacBook Air owners. And, unexpectedly I might add, the Surface Pro 3 maker offers quite a bit in return.

  On Microsoft Store, the software giant reveals that MacBook Air users who are willing to trade-in their Apple-branded ultrabook for the new Windows 8.1 hybrid will get up to $650 in credit towards the price of Surface Pro 3.

  Microsoft clearly mentions this deal is only valid for "select" versions of the MacBook Air, and can be taken advantage of only until the end of July, this year (that would be July 31, 2014). And, it looks like it is only valid in US and Canada, and for those who trade in their MacBook Air ultrabooks in "select" Microsoft Stores.

  What Microsoft does not clearly mention is which MacBook Air models fall under the terms of this deal and which of its stores offer this deal to customers. I have reached out to the software giant for a comment, and will update this story as I receive a statement. Right now, up to $650 in credit sounds like a good deal. On the other hand, for, probably, millions of MacBook Air users living outside of US and Canada, this means nothing. Too bad, Microsoft.

  
• 

  W8 Sidebar is a system monitor, task scheduler, Registry cleaner…

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 8:22pm CEST par Mike Williams

  W8 Sidebar is a handy Windows 7/8 gadget which crams the maximum desktop-friendly power into its compact portable frame.

  A simple system monitor displays your CPU and RAM usage, free drive space, upload and download speeds and external IP address, all on the same screen. Icons next to each section link to related areas, so the RAM monitor opens Task Manager, while clicking a drive icon opens that drive in Explorer.

  A simple scheduler automatically displays a message, runs a program or opens a URL at the time of your choosing. This is very basic -- your task can only be triggered once a day -- but as W8 Sidebar is portable, you can at least keep your schedule with you, and that has some value.

  An MFT-based (we think) search tool quickly locates files by their name (not content). It’s also basic, and has some obvious flaws (results don’t update as you type, or even if you press Enter -- you have to click Search). But again, it could be helpful when working on an unfamiliar PC.

  A system cleaner locates and wipes junk files and orphaned Registry keys. It’s not CCleaner, but it’s not bad: you’re able to choose which Registry hives it searches (HKCU, HKCR, HKUS, HKLM), as well as back up any highlighted keys (or the entire Registry) before they’re deleted.

  A “Computer Performance” module lists various system stats (last shutdown time, last logon time etc). It has sections listing your processes, services, installed applications and Windows startup programs, and you’re able to close, stop, uninstall or delete them with a click.

  There are icons to shut down or restart your PC, log off, hibernate or sleep with a click, while an Auto Shutdown tool does the same at a specified time.

  Your system uptime is also on display. A "Prevent Sleep" button ensures your monitor and computer will stay available, and there are one or two configuration options to help you get everything working (like the network adapter you’re monitoring for upload/ download speeds).

  Some of these modules need work, and there are a few odd interface annoyances. We’re not sure why the sidebar can only be moved by dragging it from the bottom, for instance; if that’s by design, the area should be highlighted to help users discover it. Still, there’s a lot of features here, and if you’ll use two or three then W8 Sidebar might be worth a look.

  
• 

  Microsoft is cooler than Apple

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 7:34pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

  In business perception is everything. Many companies succeed or fail not because their products are great but their brands are perceived to be that way. Apple is a remarkable perception manager. Consider iPhone 5s, which features and benefits fall far behind many competing devices. Rather than innovate, the fruit-logo launches an evocative marketing campaign -- "You're more powerful than you think" -- that makes the smartphone look better. Improved. The ads are compelling because they communicate: Your life will be better, you shall achieve your dreams, by buying iPhone 5s.

  Meanwhile, competitors like Microsoft truly innovate and take the kind of risks that once defined Apple. Last year I asked: "Will 2013 be another year of Apple iteration masquerading as innovation?" Yes, and halfway into another year, little is changed. The answer is the same. Last month I explained "Why Apple no longer innovates". OS X Yosemite and iOS X 8 are prettier, but so what? Meanwhile, Windows 8/8.1 is a radical rethinking of the platform -- as is Surface, which delivers refreshing change to computing. What's that long-forgotten Yellow Pages tagline? Let your fingers do the walking. They do on Surface.

  Like comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Microsoft gets no respect. But the company deserves some and should copy tactics from Apple -- not the modern behemoth but the days-gone-by upstart. A decade ago, Steve Jobs led a company struggling for, but slowly gaining, respect. The choicest apps were available for Microsoft platforms. Developers gave OS X little respect, nor did consumers. Fast-forward 10 years, and apps go first to Apple or Google platforms, not Microsoft's. Meanwhile, the Softie is viewed as your Daddy's brand.

  My daughter was supposed to go to the Electronic Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas this weekend. But because of a new job, we sold her ticket on Craigslist. She asked me Saturday: "Did you see the EDC SnapChat channel?" Concert goers' pics and vids appeared in a stream. That's great for her iPhone 5s, or any Android. But there is no SnapChat app for Windows Phone. Microsoft gets no respect.

  Sail the Surface

  But the winds blow in a fresh direction, if only new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and his leadership team can raise the sails and turn the sloop to catch the breeze. Microsoft's devices and services strategy is succeeding. Windows 8, which started slow like XP, gets warmer reception. Nokia Windows Phones deliver exceptional value and performance -- and hardware, software, and cloud services integration is tight, like you would expect from Apple.

  Then there is Surface. I loved the original, and Surface Pro 3 is even better. But it's not the what that matters but the whom. I couldn't resist hauling down to Microsoft Store San Diego to witness the device's launch on Friday. I expected to see a bunch of die-hard, old-fart Windows geeks waiting. Nope. Among the people at the front of the line, four were college students -- exactly who you would stereotype as Mac buyers. Each expressed similar interest: Creativity. Learning. Again, they fit the Apple customer profile but chose Microsoft.

  Think about that.

  The other person recently graduated from college and works for a healthcare group. He said that one of the company's healthcare clients ordered 2,000 Surface Pro 3s. Stagnant Apple innovation is an opportunity.

  The fruit-logo company's success among creative professionals and in education is legendary and longstanding. Surface shows Microsoft's best, but rough waters bash the sloop even as the winds change in favorable direction. Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 aren't first in line for the best apps. When Apple couldn't get them, it rolled its own -- Garage Band, iMovie, iPhoto, and iTunes, for example. Then came professional apps, largely for people who create digital media content. Microsoft must make more apps and even pay developers to create them.

  Office isn't enough. There the branding effort around Surface and other products works. Example: Last week while in Panera Bread one morning, I saw some businessman using what I assumed was Surface Pro 2. Nope. ARM-based Surface 2, which can only run apps from Windows Store. The guy could have modeled for a Microsoft commercial. He praised the tablet's hybrid PC utility and capability to run Office. His next laptop will be Surface.

  Well, hell, he is exactly the kind of customer two years of Surface commercials target. If indicative of any trend, Microsoft's message reaches the Office, business crowd. But most people don't create content in PowerPoint or Word. They're using apps to share moments -- pics, vids, and short texts. Then there are professionals pining for a tablet with pen that's good enough as a PC. Microsoft must give them what they need.

  Evangelism is Everything

  But apps, or even supporting cloud services aren't enough. Apple's core sustaining success before becoming a popular consumer brand is community. People belonged to something that made them feel special, understood. That's the brand cache Microsoft lacks but in some ways once had.

  I have long said that enthusiasts make the best marketers. If your customers love you, they will evangelize your brand. Microsoft had strong enthusiast community during the 1990s, and it got needed revival with launch of Channel 9 during the last decade and Robert Scoble as chief blogger evangelist. Markets aren't found, they are made. Brand building requires aggressive, consistent promotion. Microsoft must expand beyond businesses and Office to creatives and other professionals or consumers. They need apps, and they need to feel special. To belong. Apple takes them for granted. Microsoft shouldn't.

  Microsoft should promote or hire (Hell, I'd do the job) a new chief evangelist and broaden product marketing for stuff the company makes, starting with Surface and Nokia phones. Why is Nokia such an invisible brand, while iPhone 5s floods primetime commercials? People won't buy something they don't know about, or for which they don't feel something. Disdain is better than nothing! Microsoft is cool again -- cooler than Apple -- but people don't know if they aren't told.

  Microsoft should be an aspirational brand, selling products that promise to make people's lives better. The company did just that over three decades by driving the personal computing revolution to the masses. Apple usurped leadership with iPhone and iPad. Time is come for Microsoft to reclaim through innovation and evangelism what was lost.

  Photo Credit: Julien Tromeur/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Linux Mint 17 'Qiana' KDE now available

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 6:44pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  I love using and tinkering with Linux -- it is a very rewarding hobby. However, I am quite busy most days and don't have as much time for tinkering and playing around as I would like. Still, I enjoy using Linux-based operating systems for general use, and for that I demand something easy and mindless. There are so many distributions to choose from (some may argue, too many), but lately I just go with dependable and easy-to-use Mint.

  I am a huge fan of Gnome 3, but I will concede that it isn't the most productive environment when working with a large monitor. While Cinnamon is great, it cannot be customized to my liking and is overall not as pretty as the superior KDE. Today, the Mint Team announces the availability of Linux Mint 17 KDE and I am excited.

  Like other versions of Linux Mint 17, like Cinnamon and Mate, the KDE edition will receive support until 2019, making this an attractive option for many. If you have a friend or family member still using the now-unsupported Windows XP, this may be a solid option. Besides the long term support and reasonable system requirements, KDE is very similar to the XP UI, so they may feel right at home. If they live in the web browser, just install Chrome and they will be in heaven.

  The Mint Team touts the following changes:

  • Update Manager
  • Driver Manager
  • Login Screen
  • Software Sources
  • Welcome Screen
  • KDE 4.13
  • System Improvements
  • Artwork Improvements
  • Main Components
  • LTS Strategy

  Even though Mint is good for Linux beginners, experts will appreciate the operating system too. KDE faithful in particular will be glad to know that Linux Mint 17 has the very modern 4.13 version of the environment.

  To download, please click here. Be sure to tell me in the comments how you like it.

  
• 

  Amazon boasts of big first week for Prime Music service

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 6:05pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Almost two weeks ago, retail giant Amazon added music streaming for Prime customers. This is in addition to the other awesome benefits, such as a solid instant video service, free two day shipping and a Kindle lending library. For $99 per year, customers get all of these features, and Amazon reaps rewards in the background.

  Now the company is boasting of the big first week that its new music service experienced, claiming tens of millions of songs have already been streamed in those opening days. "Prime members across the country have been rockin' out this week, exceeding our expectations for how well this new benefit would be received," says Steve Boom, vice president of Digital Music for Amazon.

  The company went on to list some statistics on what customers are listening to. For instance, the top pre-made playlist was "50 Great Epic Classic Rock Songs", while the top song was "Timber" by Pitbull and Ke$ha, followed by "All of Me" performed by John Legend.

  While the new service certainly adds some extra value for Amazon Prime customers, it is isn't ready to replace your Spotify or Google Music All Access just yet. In searching through the offerings, you'll find a lot of the music just isn't there quite yet. However, we can expect Amazon to build up the offering rather quickly.

  Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

  
• 

  New Seismic release gives sales and marketing teams a competitive edge

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 3:00pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Cloud-based sales platform specialist Seismic is launching a new version of its product aimed at giving marketing teams a deeper insight into how their material influences actual sales.

  It's focused on increasing conversion rates for B2B sales, shortening sales cycles and boosting customer retention rates.

  "Given marketing automation's rise in the last five years, today's B2B sales funnel is half in the light and half in the dark", says Doug Winter, CEO of Seismic. "Sales and marketing teams have almost perfect visibility into how leads interact with the top half of the funnel and the insights needed to improve the marketing process, yet they remain blind to how content is supporting sales reps in the bottom half. Seismic's latest release illuminates the bottom half of the sales funnel -- a blind spot for most marketing teams who send sales materials over the proverbial 'Chinese Wall' -- providing them with the information and content delivery platform their sales teams need to accelerate sales and increase close rates".

  Features of the new release include sophisticated content analytics with drag and drop simplicity to provide a holistic view of effectiveness. This is supported by content creation tools which allow marketers to quickly deliver on generating materials for team and individual tasks.

  A LiveSend feature means sales reps will be notified when prospects view content and can even see how much time has been spent on each page of an attachment. This not only helps show which content is most effective but also provides material for follow up conversations.

  In addition LiveShare makes it possible to instantly share screens with prospects in order to increase engagement. Combined, these features in Seismic's platform give marketing teams the ability to measure and analyze how prospects interact with content sent by sales reps. Armed with this information they can determine which content is the most engaging and create a successful sales strategy that puts personalized content in front of the customer.

  For more information on the latest Seismic release or to request a demo of the product you can visit the company's website.

  Photo Credit: EDHAR / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Apple, Google and the kings of 'abandonware'

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 2:22pm CEST par Randall C. Kennedy

  

  "Abandonware". It’s the scourge of the industry. Every time a vendor abandons a software product, a puppy dies. Or an orphan. Or a Java developer.

  Regardless, nobody likes to see their favorite app/game/platform get left behind. It’s the worst kind of techie betrayal. You spend days, weeks or even months mastering a product only to have the virtual rug pulled out from under you.

  Cue the Soup Nazi: "No more updates for you!"

  Some would argue that it’s the nature of the business. Technology changes, and companies must adapt their offerings accordingly. Sometimes this means discontinuing an underperforming product or service that has outlived its usefulness, even when said product has a loyal user base.

  Frankly, I have no problem with vendors declaring EOL for products that are truly unsalvageable. However, in our brave new "Post-PC" world device-centric computing, the specter of abandonware has now crossed over the threshold from the Ethereal (software) realm to that of the Physical (hardware).

  In other words, manufacturers of tablets and smartphones are now orphaning products at a dizzying pace, leaving behind a trail of angry customers who have been screwed-over in the process.

  Case in point: Blackberry. The once proud (some would say "too proud") smartphone pioneer trumpeted the arrival of its cutting-edge (at the time) Playbook tablet, only to dump it unceremoniously after barely a year on the market. Sure, the company-formerly-known-as-RIM got hammered by the media for shipping a product with missing features and a poorly-defined value proposition. And yes, the device got steamrolled vs. the juggernaut that was Apple iPad 2.

  But despite all the bad press, the Playbook still managed to attract a loyal following of more than two million users, many of whom jumped on the bandwagon when Blackberry promised a seamless upgrade path to Blackberry 10. So when the company went back on that promise in early 2013, many in the Playbook community (including yours truly) were stunned. Needless to say, the folks in Waterloo lost a lot of fans that day.

  Of course, Blackberry isn’t alone in the abandonware blame game. Google, by virtue of its OEM licensing model for Android, is perhaps the industry’s biggest offender, albeit indirectly. Because manufacturers must customize Android to fit their specific devices, they have total control over the platform upgrade cycle.

  As an Android device customer, you’re lucky to get one or maybe two OS updates over the life of your device. In my case, I got Ice Cream Sandwich on my Acer Iconia Tab A200, but never Jelly Bean or KitKat. And since there’s no such thing as a generic Android image (a la Microsoft or even Linux), average users are stuck at whatever version a vendor deems to be the final destination for their product (fortunately, there are still uses for such devices).

  Note: More savvy users can find satisfaction through homebrew channels and ports of AOSP, CyanogenMod, etc. But installing these requires a level of technical knowledge that’s beyond the average user, and the images themselves are often available for only the most popular devices.

  Even Apple, that stalwart of platform longevity, is guilty of abandoning some of its more popular platforms. My iPod Touch 4G will never see iOS7, let alone 8 or 9, which is fine with me as long as I can still run the majority of App Store offerings. However, with more and more new app submissions requiring iOS7 or later (the latest example: Skype for iOS), my iPod is rapidly descending into abandonware territory.

  A lone bright spot in my personal abandonware dealings has been my Windows tablet. Since buying the device in early 2013, I’ve received no less than two major platform updates (Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update 1), along with myriad minor updates and fixes. And given the open nature of the PC architecture (no locked bootloaders here), I can look forward to continued upgrades through Windows 8.1 Update 2, Window 9, and beyond.

  In fact, outside of the unfortunate Windows Phone 7 dead-end device fiasco, Microsoft has provided the least jarring upgrade process of any industry player, Post-PC or otherwise. Even if a future Windows version isn’t officially supported on a particular device, chances are there will be a way to finagle it to work.

  Such is the beauty of the much-maligned PC architecture -- and another reason why I’ll be recommending Windows 8.x devices to my friends and family this coming holiday season.

  Photo Credit: arindambanerjee/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Too many servers still vulnerable to Heartbleed exploit

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 2:15pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Since it was brought to our attention three months ago, Heartbleed made countless headlines due to the severe dangers it poses. The vulnerability, which affects systems using the OpenSSL library, allows hackers to penetrate affected servers without leaving any trace of their actions behind. Its severity would lead us to assume the people responsible to prevent it from making any (more) damage have already taken all the necessary precautions in this direction.

  And, indeed, popular service providers have been quick to address the problem, with the likes of Google, Facebook and Microsoft publicly stating whether the vulnerability could affect their products and users, and issuing patches where needed. This has given us a false sense of security, knowing that the worst has passed. Yet, even today, Heartbleed can still do quite a bit of damage.

  Errata Security analyst Robert Graham says that, of the 600,000 servers Errata Security found to have been vulnerable to Heartbleed at the time of its revealment, three months later 300,000 systems (309,197, to be exact) continue to be unpatched. The analysis was performed by scanning the port 443.

  The count remains the same compared to a prior assessment that occurred two months. What does this tell us?

  "This indicates people have stopped even trying to patch", says Graham. It is worrying, but a plausible scenario. The Heartbleed pool of affected servers should be growing smaller in the coming decade, estimates the security analyst who believes that its potential impact will decrease alongside the replacing of older systems. "Even a decade from now, though, I still expect to find thousands of systems, including critical ones, still vulnerable", adds Graham.

  Graham also says that he will "scan again next month, then at the 6 month mark, and then yearly after that to track the progress". When asked if the owners of the affected servers have been contacted, the security analyst said no as this "would cause more problems than it would solve". No list of "guilty" systems has been provided, so tread carefully.

  Photo Credit:  Les Scholz/Shutterstock

  
• 

  BlackBerry Passport to arrive in September

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 1:26pm CEST par Darren Allan

  

  BlackBerry is still alive and kicking in the smartphone market, at least in terms of intentions if not market share, and the company will be launching a major handset by the name of Passport this September.

  This phone was previously known as "Windermere", and the spec was rumoured last month, with the handset boasting a 4.5-inch screen with a 1440 x 1440 resolution, offering a very sharp 453 dpi.

  Mobile Syrup has confirmed that spec, and the fact that the phone will have a touch-sensitive keyboard panel to facilitate easier auto-correction -- along with the launch event in September, of course, which CEO John Chen said would happen in London.

  The previous spec spillage also pointed to this handset having a 13 megapixel camera, and a 3,450 mAh battery which should mean the Passport will offer a lot of longevity away from the power socket.

  While the device does actually sound quite neat -- particularly for those who like a traditional QWERTY BlackBerry with full keyboard -- the company really has its work cut out to make itself relevant in the smartphone market again. In terms of the UK, according to Kantar's latest figures (for April), BlackBerry has slipped to a 1.6 percent share of the smartphone market, way behind Windows Phone which is in third place at 9.5 per cent.

  The company is also looking to push an alternative strategy of lower-end handsets such as the BlackBerry Z3 which was recently launched in Indonesia.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Opera decides to support Linux (again)

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 1:09pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Even though it has gone to the effort of switching to another rendering engine to reach more users, Norwegian software company Opera, in mid-2013, ceased to further update the Linux version of its browser, leaving users without new features, bug fixes and security patches. In the meantime, Opera's main competitors, like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, continued to give them the level of support that they deserve.

  Now, after close to a one-year hiatus, the company behind the well-known browser announces the availability of Opera Developer 24 for Linux (and, of course, OS X and Windows). It is an unexpected release, and also great news for those hoping to witness the browser's triumphant return in the land of the open-source kernel.

  "Linux is highly secure and performs well, even on machines with limited memory or suboptimal hardware", says Opera. "Not all of us can afford the latest Mac or Windows machines, not all of us want proprietary operating systems, and some of us simply love using Linux. But, everyone agrees that they should have access to a beautiful browser".

  Interestingly enough, Opera reveals that, even though it had abandoned the platform, many of its employees are actually Linux users.

  "Adding Linux to our browser line fulfills an important part of Opera's vision to shape an open, connected world. We want everyone to have fast and safe access to the web. Adding Linux opens up that possibility to more machines running the open-source operating system", adds the company.

  

  As you might expect, there are new features in tow (a list which includes new extensions and themes, Discover and Stash) as well as other changes, compared to the last official release. As its name suggests, Opera Developer 24 is aimed at those who are not afraid of running into issues with experimental software.

  If you want to download Opera Developer 24, hit the link in the third paragraph for the Linux, OS X and Windows versions of the browser. There is no word yet on when we can expect a more stable release.

  Photo Credit: ollyy/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Instantly close or restart programs with ProcessKO

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 1:09pm CEST par Mike Williams

  Closing one Windows process is usually straightforward. Clicking File > Exit should get the job done, Alt+F4 may also work, and Task Manager is on hand if you need it (Ctrl+Shift+Esc, right-click the process, select End Task).

  Life gets a little more complicated if you want to close multiple instances of one program. Or restart them. You can still do this from Windows, but ProcessKO (also available in a 64-bit version) makes it much easier to close, restart and generally work with troublesome processes.

  The program is a tiny 207KB download, a single executable which runs on anything from Windows 98 up. And once running, you’re able to close any user program (not system processes) by right-clicking ProcessKO’s system tray icon, selecting "Instant K.O." and choosing your target process from the list.

  You need to be careful here, because ProcessKO closes the program immediately, so you won’t be warned about any unsaved work. But it’s definitely quick. The similar "Restart" menu is much the same, instantly closing and relaunching a process, perhaps useful if it’s locked up.

  Fire up the ProcessKO console and you’ll find a Favourites system where you can list processes you’re working with regularly, and then close them with a single click. (Terminating any process without warning is risky, so ProcessKO demands that you check an "I am an expert and I know what I am doing" before this will work. Fortunately you only need to do this once.)

  Right-click a favourite and there’s an option to run that process, too, which turns ProcessKO into a simple launcher.

  A "KO Timer" feature monitors your system for whatever processes you specify, closing them automatically after a given delay (2 to 19 seconds).

  There’s hotkey support to kill (Ctrl+Alt+F4) and restart (Ctrl+Alt+F5) the foreground application, as required. (Alt+4 still works as normal, but ProcessKO’s version forces the program to close, even if it has unsaved data.)

  You even get a system shutdown menu, also accessible from the system tray. This offers the usual "Shut down", "Restart", "Log off", "Hibernate" and "Standby" options, and in two flavours. "Normal" acts just like the regular Windows options, but "Aggressive" works immediately, forcing all your programs to close.

  ProcessKO has limits. It can’t touch system processes. And it only uses the regular Windows "close" technique, so if Task Manager can’t close it, ProcessKO (64-bit version) won’t, either. But there is plenty of genuinely useful functionality here, which could save you a few clicks and some process management hassle.

  
• 

  LinkedIn introduces its own job search app

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 11:45am CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  LinkedIn has launched its first standalone job search app that provides a dedicated service for users looking to search and apply for jobs on the social network.

  The decision to release LinkedIn Job Search on iOS comes as no surprise, with 40 per cent of the network's 300 million users accessing the site on mobile devices.

  The company also revealed that the free app would not publicise your job search to anyone else within your network.

  "It can be hard to search for a job while you're at your desk, not to mention the potentially awkward conversation with your current boss", product manager Daniel Ayele said in a blog post. "Our goal is to help make this process easier for you and to help you be discreet. Everything you do within the app will be completely private and not shared with your network".

  The app, which is currently only available in the US, is LinkedIn's latest attempt to make applying for jobs more accessible on mobile devices, and follows a similar update to the company's main app in August 2013.

  New features available for LinkedIn Job Search include a more detailed, customizable job search function, tailored job recommendations based on your profile and a notifications service that tells you when new jobs are coming up or deadlines approaching.

  The new app sees LinkedIn expanding the kind of content it offers and opening the platform up as a means of increasing traffic, and therefore, ad revenue. In the last quarter, "Talent Solutions", which includes recruitment advertising, made up 58 percent of LinkedIn's revenue at $275.9 million.

  This sector also grew by 50 percent last year, providing a thriving area of growth for the company and the firm is likely to have noted the way other social networks like Facebook are diversifying their app portfolios with the standalone Messenger app and Slingshot.

  The new app, which the company said will launch in other markets soon, faces stiff competition from already established job search apps, such as CareerBuilder and Monster.com, as well as many smaller competitors, like Proven, that emphasise user feedback.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Image Credit: Maxx-Studio / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Why IT departments will soon be the exception, not the rule

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 11:44am CEST par Derrick Wlodarz

  

  For many organizations under 100 users or so, there has been a trend on the rise that is either decimating formal IT departments entirely, or trimming them down to bare minimum levels. Many in the IT industry wouldn't notice it, because, of course, they may likely be working for such a department themselves. It's hard to have an objective viewpoint when you're part of the status quo.

  As an outside consultant, who works with a variety of organizations small and large, I see my clients and their support structures from a different lens. Being an outsider here has its advantages, namely in being able to see many of these IT departments for what they are.

  While many times we're merely being called in to help manage high stakes projects, like email system transitions or network upgrades, we're also being pegged with an increasingly common question: "Can you just take over our IT for us?".

  The driving forces behind business owners looking to dismantle their internal tech departments are as varied as the Heinz product catalog. Some are looking to drive down support costs from bloated staff counts. Some are disenchanted by the level of service they are getting.

  And many others complain that their tech people don't seem to be aligned with business needs; they're busy pushing their own last-decade agendas and are complacent with sticking to a "No, sir" answer on cost-cutting trends like cloud IaaS/PaaS and other similar initiatives.

  This is a tough article for me to write in many ways. I have good friends and colleagues who work in large, formal IT departments in the public and private sectors. And I personally used to be an IT staffer for the very high school district I graduated from.

  Without a doubt I don't regret my time spent in an enterprise IT setting. It taught me a lot of what I know today, both in the people and technical skills that gave me the confidence to branch out on my own and form my managed services company, FireLogic. It was a wonderful four years that allowed me to grow and advance as an IT pro.

  But that doesn't mean I wasn't aware of the numerous problems which plague large static IT departments. Groupthink is a big problem afflicting much of K-12 IT (although they aren't the only segment of IT suffering from this, honestly). I dedicated an entire piece to some of symptoms of said groupthink, namely the tunnel-vision drive towards 1:1 computing.

  While it's an end goal I fully agree with, the path towards getting there is fraught with IT and administrative leadership that is too busy picking technology that can sugar coat press releases; not tech that truly meets the needs of students and teachers alike for the long term.

  But the problems affecting formal IT departments go much further than issues at the highest decision making levels. The IT department as an institution most organizations feel married to without any recourse for divorce or reform is one half of the equation. The other part, I feel, is the condescending attitudes that permeate many (but not all) that call themselves "the IT guy".

  I hate furthering stereotypes, but there is something to be said for why most non-technical people have idealized the average IT person as something as seen below.

  

  (Image Source: ITPro.co.uk)

  I'm not here to attack the dress code of the iconic IT geek; I find it rather differentiating. The negative stigma associated with the "IT guy" at your company comes from a mixture of some or all of these traits:

  • A feeling of superiority based solely on technical knowledge.
  • A notion that most average computing users being supported are a burden on the "IT guy".
  • A belief that average non-technical users are victims of their own doing. The oft-mentioned "id10t error" joke among IT crowds captures this well.
  • A general distrust of landscape-shifting initiatives like cloud computing due to the widespread belief it will lead to a loss of job security.
  • A general belief in entitlement -- my company needs computers and therefore they need me.

  I hate painting a picture across the whole valley of IT workers because I know there are many great individuals working at large organizations trying to personify the opposite of the downtrodden, back-closet IT person. But the stereotype for IT departments didn't arise overnight, nor did it happen because the above descriptions were isolated incidents.

  Based on how many organizations I've come in to provide tech consulting for, and how many instances I've seen the above problems at play, I know many IT departments are still plagued with these ills. It's tough for a lot of them to admit it. Looking inwards objectively is extremely hard to do. Making improvements based on these findings is even tougher.

  I wasn't surprised to find that my opinions were shared by others in my own industry. David Hansson, a founder at Basecamp (better previously known as 37signals), penned a piece simply called The end of the IT department. By far one of the best snippets from his op/ed is:

  The problem with IT departments seems to be that they're set up as a forced internal vendor. From the start, they have a monopoly on the "computer problem" -- such monopolies have a tendency to produce the customer service you'd expect from the US Postal Service. The IT department has all the power, they're not going anywhere (at least not in the short term), and their customers are seen as mindless peons. There’s no feedback loop for improvement.

  His thoughts echo much of what I mentioned earlier in this piece. IT departments increasingly represent a necessary evil serving users that have no choice on the quality of service they receive. David's reference of the US Postal Service instantly brings to mind the iconic poster boy for everything the USPS stands for: Seinfeld's Newman. You can read up on the iconic portrayal of the USPS in Seinfeld episodes on the unofficial Seinfeld Wiki.

  Newman for the USPS is very much a metaphor for what the angry, back-closet "IT guy" represents at IT departments which are seen in a similarly negative light.

  David went on to note that "IT job security is often dependent on making things hard, slow, and complex". Regretfully, he's right on the money with that remark. The kind of aging, archaic technologies my company encounters at companies with sprawling IT departments boggles my mind sometimes. When we come in as outsiders to propose easier and cheaper to maintain alternatives, that are easier to operate, many times we're met with silence or evil glares from the IT folks.

  That kind of resistance to positive change, with an embrace towards things like the cloud, VoIP, virtualization, and other similar advancements is another reason why formal IT departments are driving themselves towards irrelevance. Many of the worst offenders of the above critiques are the ones focused solely on keeping their complex "machine" oiled and sputtering away. Business as usual, you can say.

  Legacy Exchange servers that can easily be converted to Office 365 or Google Apps. Creaky application servers that can very well be virtualized on platforms like Azure or Amazon AWS. Even consistently out-of-space file servers that could be tossed right into Azure or onto NAS boxes or up into SharePoint Online still keep chugging away through the fervent, frequent attention of a pre-occupied IT department that could otherwise be time better spent.

  Things like focusing on business objectives, end user training, or converting the department itself into an actual profit center would serve an organization ten times better than indefinitely wasting resources away on menial IT tasks better suited for the 1990s.

  

  The famous US sitcom Seinfeld featured a character called Newman, who portrayed his introverted superiority and subsequent plight as a postal worker in countless memorable episodes. He's a direct metaphor for how some of today's IT workers are giving their departments a bad rap. A culture of entitlement; viewing users as mindless cogs in the wheel; and a refusal to embrace modern cloud technologies. (Image Source: Weasel Zippers)

  The narrow minded dilemma of IT departments viewed harshly by the users they support comes from a twisted belief that modernization will force them into obscurity. A notion that every server to come down means one more tick on the job loss clock. A notion that each extra cloud service a company employs will lead to extra internal IT layoffs. And this belief can be extended to any facet of moving IT responsibilities away from internal staff and outwards towards vendors or managed service providers (MSPs).

  While I'm not here to claim that every organization can be run without a formal IT department, there are indeed many who could very easily make do. A decade ago, anything an organization wanted to store, automate, or analyze having to do with a computer needed to be somehow managed internally. Today, the plethora of options surrounding XaaS (anything as a service) has unchained organizations from the reliance on doing everything themselves through capital expenditures.

  It's not that IT departments cannot innately succeed. They very well can in many situations. But if there is one thing that is killing their reputation faster than anything else, it comes down to one word: trust.

  The Trust Factor: How IT Staffers Are Kindling Their Own Extinction

  Trust is a value that takes a long time to build, but can be easily broken in a very short period. Even an IT department that had a good relationship with the users it supports for the last 15 years could bust its image as a key company asset in short order. And this usually stems from those who make up the department -- the "face" of IT for an organization, whether it be two or twenty people.

  Computerworld penned a piece tackling a similar angle on whether IT departments are on their way out. The article's author, Steve Ragan, actually fueled his op/ed with content submitted by a Twitter user who responded to a very simple question: "What's a dumb practice in IT that needs to go away?".

  The response, of which only a sliver I will republish here, was as follows:

  [One] big problem is the arrogance that emanates from IT departments that they're somehow important to the organization. I believe that was the case 15 years ago, when people would hire you for simply knowing HTML [or knowing how to use FrontPage], but now the credit card and cloud provider phenomenon has allowed businesses to say "f*** you IT that charges me 10 times as much money, takes 20 times longer and still gets my requirements wrong".

  The bolded statements are my emphasis, of course. But the meat of the discussion at play connects back to a core concept I am referring to when it comes to IT being its own worst enemy. Can a business or organization survive in the modern era, where servers are being swept away into the Cloud and XaaS is the answer for how to offload nearly anything IT related these days?

  IT workers aren't stupid. They have seen the developments occurring in manufacturing, auto work, coding and other sectors where offshoring and outsourcing are viable, plausible business alternatives. And rather foolishly, they have been fighting a simmering battle with the organizations that rely on them. Simply put, it's a war full of FUD, and it has been aimed at making it seem nearly impossible to outsource any facet of operations due to overblown security, privacy, financial, and other concerns.

  Not all of the pushback is hot air, mind you. I've penned about some of the rightful issues to be contemplated when, for example, deciding on whether to move major systems into the cloud.

  But time and time again, for at least the organizations we are being asked to come in and consult with, the IT department is either partially or fully taken over by a team of No-Men. "No, you can't use the cloud for file storage". "No, you can't move your phone system into the cloud". "No, you can't virtualize servers in a cloud-hosted IaaS environment". "You don't understand... if you want it working, I HAVE TO MANAGE IT MYSELF".

  Just as David Hansson alluded to in his brilliant piece, these legacy IT crusaders are hell bent on keeping all IT operations as complex, on-premise, and difficult to transition as possible. This is the same reason we see things like One-Man Knowledge Silos (key IT people who refuse to share critical passwords and info with others); a reluctance to cross-train others on specialized technical systems; and a heretic attitude towards anything that has the word "managed" or "cloud" in its description.

  He remarks on the backwards mentality engulfing many IT departments today:

  If the Exchange Server didn't require two people to babysit it at all times, that would mean two friends out of work. Of course using hosted Gmail is a bad idea! It’s the same forces and mechanics that slowly turned unions from a force of progress (proper working conditions for all!) to a force of stagnation (only Jack can move the conference chairs, Joe is the only guy who can fix the microphone).

  The negativity surrounding the relationship between end users and the IT staff is a vicious circle, one that can be encapsulated in a theory I call the "Circle of Distrust".

  

  It's considered a festering loop because each set of individuals involved feed off eachother in fostering a continual, downward spiral in relations.

  The IT department naturally views users as an unfortunate symptom of the "beast" they have to maintain. That complex, expensive assembly line of an IT infrastructure at their disposal provides them with wonderful employment, but without end users, such systems are meaningless. Besides, why would an organization invest in complex systems if it didn't get business value from them?

  And so if end users are to achieve business value for the organization, they have to man the wheel for their respective aspect of the complex machine. This is the part some of today's IT staffers dread. But it's a funny dilemma, actually -- one being sometimes an outward result of the very Leviathan that these IT staffers pushed for, purchased, and subsequently implemented.

  When this or that feature doesn't work, or a particular server needs to be rebooted for the umpteenth time, it tends to always be seen in the light of users being too needy, too impatient, or not knowing enough. To the IT staffer I've described above, end users become the worst part of their job.

  "If only IT could be without end users...". I'm sure this is a wish many ponder at night.

  The flipside of this dilemma then grows from the friction caused by an IT department unwilling or unable to support end users in a proper manner. End users and execs end up losing faith, or trust, in their own IT department and the downward spiral begins. A shift to BYOD starts to unravel. Cloud providers are picked without the knowledge of the IT people. End users begin finding answers to their own problems; even if the solutions aren't in line with what "IT wanted".

  The Circle of Distrust envelops the very relationship that should be fostering competitive advantage.

  Is it any surprise, then, that the BYOD era has whalloped IT so fast and so hard? The generation of "No-Sir" has turned into a symptom of rogue IT exemplified namely by BYOD users. The ones using their personal tablets in meetings. The ones connecting their personal smartphones to company email and leaving corporate-issued cell phones in a desk drawer. And the same ones who are yearning for SaaS alternatives to the complex, slow, and error-prone solutions offered up by internal IT.

  Many tech news pundits like to point the finger at the BYOD problem solely at end users trying to get around formal infrastructure. Surely, this notion of super-users flocking to BYOD would be believable if statistics for how wide scale this problem is were far smaller in scope and scale. But BYOD has become an epidemic, not a scattered problem that could be solved through rounds of whack-a-mole.

  

  The above graphic, which can be found on everything from shirts to mousepads aimed at help desk staffers, exemplifies everything that is wrong with the modern self-infatuated tech department. The end of the IT department may very well be hastened by its own doings. (Image Source: Zazzle.com)

  Those IT departments that spent the last decade saying no to the cloud, XaaS, and capable third party devices are now paying the price, in some ways, for pushing the age old policy of what we choose is all you can use, period. In many ways, the consumerization of IT and the prevalence of the cloud over the last half decade has shown average users that perhaps the IT department doesn't always know best.

  And this is exactly where the divide between the tech of yesteryear, and those that will thrive into the future, will continue to grow. Rod Trent of WindowsITPro calls it the age of Cloud IT. Jeffrey Snover elaborated further, and believes it involves the clear evolution of the "click next" technology professional, into something best described as Differentiated IT.

  Whatever you wish to call the next flavor of cherished IT worker, one thing is invariably clear: the status quo of the archaic tunnel-vision IT pro is nearing its end.

  Can The Cloud and MSPs Dismantle the IT Dept?

  ComputerWeekly very frankly thinks that the end of the IT dept is situated right smack in the cloud. Basecamp's founder David Hansson has similar conclusions about how SaaS is turning a reliance towards internal IT on its head.

  Even InfoWorld's J. Peter Bruzzese isn't afraid to say it how it is: that there may be no future in on-premises IT sometime soon.

  Bruzzese says of traditional IT:

  The shift to a full cloud-based infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) or platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model is imminent. Yes, in the next five years there'll be hybrid and convergence solutions teed up across the board to provide a transition from on-premises to cloud, but ultimately there'll be little on-premise IT left for admins.

  Could all of these industry voices be wrong? It's naive at best to think that everyone is colluding against the forces that be within traditional IT. The interesting part about most of these voices, including my own, is that we are well acquainted with both sides of the on-prem and cloud arenas. And from everything I can gather, at least from the above pieces, the cloud is a fad which is anything but going away quickly and quietly.

  The other factor allowing organizations to chip away at, or entirely dismantle, their IT departments are managed services providers (MSPs). Just do some Googling and you can find outlets that are willing to outsource any number of traditional IT operations, usually for a fraction of what an entire internal team of IT staffers can provide.

  From disaster recovery, to cloud-hosted PBX solutions, to file servers in the cloud. The options are plentiful and pricing in many of these arenas is extremely competitive as providers fight to carve out crevices in these up-and-coming offerings. Due to the differentiated expertise they can bring to the table, along with the economies of scale they can build around their offerings, it is becoming increasingly hard to find insourcing as being the better option.

  My own company, which started off merely doing computer repair for local area residents, has now turned full circle and specializes in providing outsourced IT for small and midsize businesses. Just two years ago it seemed like no one was interested in such a concept -- their computer broke and they just wanted it fixed. Turn to today, and customers are calling us near weekly to see how we can either partially or fully take over IT operations for them.

  Organizations I speak with are, in many ways, not only fed up with the "No Sir" attitude coming out of their own IT departments, but finally realizing that they don't have to endure it any longer. While larger, static organizations have tougher times with overhauling how they handle IT, small and midsize organizations are leveraging combinations of the cloud and MSPs to solve their previous ills. And in most cases, offloading IT externally is saving money, headache, and delivering solid results.

  Is the cloud being its own inadvertent referee in some ways? Most definitely. It's not only bringing price points down on commoditized IT, but it's also leveling the playing field and allowing organizations to dole out IT operations to parties that can provide better service at lower cost with less staff overhead. What's not to like?

  In the end, it's a win-win for everyone involved. Except the "Click-Next" IT pro.

  Photo Credit: Ahturner/Shutterstock

  Derrick Wlodarz is an IT Specialist who owns Park Ridge, IL (USA) based technology consulting & service company FireLogic, with over eight+ years of IT experience in the private and public sectors. He holds numerous technical credentials from Microsoft, Google, and CompTIA and specializes in consulting customers on growing hot technologies such as Office 365, Google Apps, cloud-hosted VoIP, among others. Derrick is an active member of CompTIA's Subject Matter Expert Technical Advisory Council that shapes the future of CompTIA exams across the world. You can reach him at derrick at wlodarz dot net.

  
• 

  Hyped OnePlus One smartphone sees yet another delay

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 11:41am CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  A shipment of OnePlus One smartphones heading for Europe has been delayed for two weeks due to having incorrect font on the back of the handsets.

  In a somewhat embarrassing setback, Android World reported that the company explained to consumers the reasons for the delay to the prototype shipment in an e-mail sent this week.

  "The issue stems from our vision for the design of the OnePlus One", the company said in the email. "For the back cover, we wanted the regulatory icons and text to be in harmony with each other and appear be as minimalistic as possible. In order to achieve this, we modified the CE icon to match the other icons".

  With the EU known for its strict adherence to regulations, the shipment's rejection should come as no surprise, but this is not the first setback to hit the much-hyped smartphone.

  Last week, it was revealed that a serious software error needed to be corrected before the handset could launch. OnePlus has offered the affected customers complimentary screen protectors and covers when the phone ships later this month.

  The OnePlus One smartphone, which promises specs similar to the Samsung Galaxy S5, but for a fraction of the cost at £229, has the potential to shake up the Android phone market, but the latest in a series of issues will leave consumers wary that the device really is too good to be true.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo Credit: Ljupco Smokovski/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Finding social media trends automatically

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 11:41am CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Social media is increasingly important to brands, both as a marketing tool and in terms of managing their image. But fully monitoring and understanding social trends is impossible using only human analysts.

  Data intelligence specialist Bottlenose has launched a solution in the form of Nerve Center 2.0, which gives brands the ability to act on social and media-driven trends in real time using automatic trend detection and alerts, emotion and demographic analysis, and open APIs.

  "The automatic trend detection in Nerve Center 2.0 alleviates the need for constant attention from human analysts. Now, without having to monitor the platform 24/7, users can be alerted of any important trends such as breaking news, emerging influencers, viral content, bursting topics and hashtags, and spiking sentiment", says Bottlenose CEO and co-founder Nova Spivack. "This eliminates the choke point of humans in the process of real-time comprehension of patterns in vast amounts of data. And that's just the beginning. In the future, our platform will be able to spot a growing repertoire of complex patterns and trends in data streams. We are automating the analyst, one skill at a time".

  Key features of Nerve Center include automatic trend detection with customizable alerts to remove the need for constant human monitoring. Advanced emotion profiling and demographics using sample profile data for 350 million social media participants leads to 95 percent average accuracy. The underlying platform, StreamSense, can analyze over three billion messages per hour.

  Customers can use the software to identify audience characteristics including occupation, age, family status, brand affinities and more. Bottlenose is also releasing APIs for developers and customers who want to use trend intelligence for visualization, process automation, advertising, and new analytics applications.

  You can find out more about Nerve Center on the Bottlenose website.

  Photo Credit:  ra2 studio/Shutterstock

  
• 

  What we can learn from Facebook's 30 minute outage

  Publié: juin 23, 2014, 10:51am CEST par Tom Levey

  

  Facebook is at the heart of delivering applications to a generation of content-hungry consumers, who expect short, intense experiences and flawless execution when they engage with brands. Because of this, companies like Facebook invest millions to ensure their platforms are robust enough to withstand almost any situation.

  Apps look simple to the user, but under the hood they are often incredibly complex. When someone Likes a post on Facebook or places a comment, a single click triggers millions of lines of code and activates thousands of servers, so managing these applications is challenging.

  This week's outage goes to show, that despite this investment, focus and effort, even Facebook can suffer from performance problems and outages. In these situations, it is key for businesses to have a deep understanding of the interactions users are making with their applications.

  The public outcry surrounding Facebook's 30 minutes of downtime echoes findings from our new research: consumers can be more loyal to a brand's app than to the brand itself, having little patience for slowdowns and even less for outages.

  This is indicative of the seismic shift we're witnessing in how customers are interacting with and buying from organizations. These days, much of the interaction between consumers and businesses is via a mobile app -- according to research by Kleiner Perkins, mobile applications now account for 25 percent of all internet traffic, with 1.6 billion users around the world.

  Those users expect their experience to be flawless. Nearly half of the 2,000 respondents we surveyed said they were less tolerant of problems with apps or websites than they were just a few years ago.

  With so many social networks and messaging apps available, if consumers experience slowdown or outages, it is extremely easy for them to switch and use alternative platforms. This means that businesses are losing customers, confirmed by our research: 56 percent said they'd experienced a mobile app crashing in the past 12 months, an experience that 62 percent said was "frustrating" -- and some 20 percent said that a crash meant they were less likely to use the app or website again.

  The lesson is that users are most likely to look for an alternative when an app or website crashes -- 38 percent said that they would look elsewhere, while 23 percent said they would stop using that website altogether.

  Yesterday's outage serves as a reminder that we are living in an applications economy, where just seconds of downtime can have a severe impact on business revenues and customer loyalty. In Facebook's case, some estimate the social network lost $500,000 in ad revenue.

  For many organizations today, business success is now defined by software. Applications not only contribute to corporate performance, they are the main source of revenue for an increasing number of businesses spanning multiple sectors, retail to banking, media to travel. These companies, such as Expedia, iTunes and Nike, need to have a range of tools at their disposal to monitor the performance of their IT back ends which can then respond quickly to -- or even predict -- problems before their users notice and go elsewhere.

  These tools provide application intelligence which ensure business certainty. Certainty helps trains run on time, multinational chains run like clockwork, and enables the impossibly complex to become elegantly efficient. It is the deployment and use of such tools in a business environment that depends extensively on the performance of its software that is one of the defining factors of an age in which "software is eating the world", as Marc Andreessen, one of the key entrepreneurs of the web age, so astutely put it.

  Customers who have come of age in the digital world are demanding. Whether making an online purchase, streaming video and music content or checking a bank balance, they demand flawless execution of the technology they utilize.

  For the businesses that focus on delivering the best user experience, the rewards are high. Our research revealed that 32 percent of those responding would spend more money with an organization that has a good mobile app, while 30 percent said they would be prepared to pay more for a product or service if the provider's app performed better than that of a rival.

  The bottom line is that organizations must deliver a reliable, consistent mobile experience. Key to this is having the necessary Application Intelligence so that any problems can be anticipated or rapidly solved.

  Tom Levey is a tech evangelist for AppDynamics.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  New Microsoft Store opens on Long Island with Demi Lovato

  Publié: juin 22, 2014, 2:54pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  While Long Island is rather close to Manhattan, it is a far different experience. NYC is full of things to do, Long Island simply isn't. Retail is a pastime for us -- going to Best Buy, Target or the mall is a big deal. So, when Microsoft announced plans to open up a new store in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, there was a huge buzz. Lately, that buzz was magnified when a Demi Lovato concert was announced to accompany the opening. Microsoft would be giving away tickets and chances to meet the singer.

  Truth be told, I did not know who Demi Lovato was (a pop singer), but apparently I am in the minority as thousands upon thousands of people (mostly young girls) started lining up at 10pm the night earlier to sleep at the mall so they could achieve tickets at 11am the following day. Yes, they waited in line 13 hours! This resulted in a really exciting store opening and BetaNews was there covering it.

  When I entered the mall at 9:30am, on the opposite end from the soon to open Microsoft Store, it was dead. There was nothing happening except older people power-walking around. Many stores had yet to even open. However, as I made the trek to the other side, a faint sound of music became louder and louder until I came to a madhouse of excitement and electricity as sleep-depraved teen girls and their parents sat in a line that went farther than the eye could see.

  To take peoples mind's off the insanity of sleeping in a mall, there were prizes being raffled off, such as GoPro cameras, signed Demi Lovato guitars and Bluetooth speakers. There was also a DJ playing all the newest hits, using an HP Windows laptop and turntables. It was refreshing to not see a Macbook being used by a DJ for once.

  

  To officially open the store, Panos Panay, the Surface Guru, was on-hand with some giant scissors, to cut a symbolic ribbon. Before he did that though, he generously gave two Surface Pro 3 computers to the loudest and most excited fans. As you can see below, many people wanted to win, but two young guys scored the loot. Hilariously, the first guy was so excited that he let a naughty word go into the microphone and Panay had to warn him -- it was good fun though.

  More importantly than Surface Pro 3 giveaways, Microsoft donated 1 million dollars to Long Island charities. The money was distributed as follows:

  • Autism Speaks -- $500,000
  • Girl Scouts of Nassau County -- $100,000
  • Variety Child Learning Center -- $200,000
  • United Way of Long Island -- $200,000

  Finally, it was time to open the store, so Panos Panay cut the ribbon and insanity happened:

  Besides giving away the concert tickets, Microsoft was selling the Dell Venue Pro 64GB for $129 and the Xbox 360 4GB for $99. These were flying off the shelves and this reporter took advantage of both deals.

  

  Believe it or not, while the majority of people were there for concert tickets, I saw many Surface Pro 3 tablets being sold during the ordeal. An older Microsoft loyalist even cancelled his vacation to attend the opening!

  Ultimately, a good time was had by many, and most importantly Long Island charities received a substantial amount of money from the tech-giant. The store is beautiful and in a prime location, being directly downstairs from the Food Court. The layout is similar to other Microsoft Stores -- open and inviting. Kudos to the store employees for having fun and dancing.

  

  
• 

  Xlideit excels as an image viewer

  Publié: juin 22, 2014, 1:55pm CEST par Mike Williams

  It’s tough to make an impact in the crowded Windows image viewer market, and so most newcomers try to impress users with advanced features, like their vast file format support or a lengthy list of editing tools. And that would be fine, except they often forget about the basics, like building a comfortable interface which people actually want to use.

  Xlideit is following a different path. There’s no RAW format support here, no red-eye removal, no automatic image correction or other extras. Instead the developer is focusing on the interface fundamentals first, and so far he’s doing a very good job.

  Download, unzip and launch the program and it opens full-screen at your Pictures folder. There’s a thumbnail bar at the bottom of the screen, small toolbars top left and to the right, but most of the screen is taken up by the first image.

  The core controls are natural and intuitive. Click a thumbnail and that image is displayed; you can pan around an image by clicking and dragging; spinning the mouse wheel zooms in and out; double-clicking an image displays it full screen, then toggles to a normal view; and when you’re finished, pressing Esc closes everything down.

  Xlideit provides many ways to navigate through your images. You can click a thumbnail, click "next page/ last page" buttons at either side of the thumbnail bar, click and drag on a scroll bar, press the left/ right arrow keys, Home/ End, PgUp/ PgDn. There’s even a touch-like feature, where dragging an image to the far left or right acts like a swipe and moves you backwards or forwards. And so, no matter how you normally like to browse your images, you’ll probably find Xlideit just works.

  You’re not restricted to viewing images. There are crop, flip, resize and rotate tools, as well as tweaks for brightness, contrast, saturation, hue and gamma. You’re able to convert images between a few formats (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, TIF), and there are options to view or clear their tags.

  Xlideit can apply these actions to multiple files, too, and this is almost as straightforward as the rest of the program. You might double-click a thumbnail to select it, use the Ctrl or Shift keys to select individual images or a range, press Ctrl+A to select them all: they’re all fine. Right-click one of the selected files, choose an option from the menu and it’ll be applied to them all.

  The program doesn’t quite get it right everywhere. When we right-clicked the toolbar and selected Properties, individual buttons were highlighted and we thought selecting one, and pressing Del, might remove it. But no. Although we were working on the toolbar, the focus remained on our photos, and all we’d done was delete the image we were viewing. (It was sent to the Recycle Bin, fortunately, so only a temporary problem.)

  For the most part, though, Xlideit works very well, thanks to an intuitive, comfortable and configurable interface, and we’ll be interested to see how the program develops in the future.

  
• 

  Capture, record or broadcast your desktop with QIP Shot

  Publié: juin 21, 2014, 8:33pm CEST par Mike Williams

  QIP Shot is an interesting screen capture tool with some unusual bonus features.

  It doesn’t just capture the usual full screen, active window or freehand rectangle, for instance. You can also grab ellipses, freehand areas and even scrolling windows (web pages which are too lengthy to fit on the screen, perhaps).

  The program doubles as a desktop recorder, capturing all or a part of your screen – optionally with audio – and saving the results as an AVI video.

  Captured images may be rotated, mirrored and cropped, or annotated with various tools (line, arrow, rectangle, ellipse, pencil, text and blur). It’s a bitmap, rather than a vector editor, so you can’t move or edit your annotations later, but it’s fine for basic use.

  When you’re happy QIP Shot will save your image locally, upload it to Facebook, VK, or its own shot.qip.ru/ photos.qip.ru. Choose the latter and a browser window opens to display your capture, which shows you everything has worked correctly, and provides a link to share with others.

  If there’s something you need to share with a lot of people then you might prefer the Broadcast tool, which can broadcast part or all of your desktop via Justin.tv, CyberGame.tv, Ustream and more.

  Some welcome usability features include a History sidebar with thumbnails of your recent captures. Not only does this make it easy to view them again (just double-click), but right-click options can also open them in the editor or your browser, copy their path/ URL to the clipboard, or open Explorer at their folder/

  This is all very configurable, too. QIP Shot allows you to customise its hotkeys, screen capture names (they can use numbers, dates, times), default file formats, video codec, optional audio settings, proxy settings and others.

  The editor is the weak spot here. If annotations are important for you, maybe you’re hoping to use the results in a document without editing them elsewhere, we’d opt for HotShots: its excellent vector editor is one of the best around.

  QIP Shot’s screen recorder and broadcast tools are major pluses, though, and if they’re more important to you then the program is worth a try.

  
• 

  The most popular stories on BetaNews this past week: June 15 -- 21

  Publié: juin 21, 2014, 2:26pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  This is the week of the Surface Pro 3. Brian had already attended the launch event earlier in the month, and has provided an essential list of hardware and software purchasers need to grab for the best all round experience -- he even goes as far as suggesting that it's better than a MacBook Air. Even before launch there was an update available for the tablet-cum-laptop, and there was also news that the Intel Core i3 and i7 models would be shipping earlier than previously expected. But not all of the products we looked at this week were quite so "every day". There was the wifi doorbell complete with camera, and also the prospect of charging your phone wirelessly with your pants -- yes you did read that correctly.

  The Windows Phone market is dominated by Nokia, but a new batch of handsets has been unveiled by Indian manufacturer Micromax. If Android is your mobile OS of choice, you may be thinking about venturing into the rooted world. This week a new tool was released that makes the process as quick and painless as possible, opening up a whole new breed of apps and options. Joe decided to take a walk on the wild side and adopt the Nokia Lumia Icon as his phone of choice. In the Android arena, a new contender entered -- the Amazon Fire Phone. Will a kill switch be added? Microsoft and Google have agreed to add it to their mobile operating systems.

  Whatever your preferred phone choice, do you side with the 88 percent of Brits who are under the impression that their phones are being tapped? Whether you are paranoid or not, more speed is on the way as the foundations for 5G networks have been set. For anyone concerned about privacy, the news that online mapping services such as those offered by Microsoft and Google will be allowed to use higher resolution satellite images will be enough to send them scurrying under the bed covers.

  When it wasn't busy going offline -- just for about half an hour all over the world -- Facebook was softening its guidelines surrounding photos of breastfeeding. The #FreeTheNipple campaign proved a success in the end. This was far from being the only social network-related news. LinkedIn is going to be in court at some point in the future after a judge found it had violated the privacy of users by "spamming" their contacts. Twitter managed to make its way into the headlines as well after the company reinstated a series of tweets and user accounts that had previously been deemed blasphemous. An interesting patent case has made it clear that simply applying an existing idea to computers does not make it patent-able -- patent trolls beware.

  No week's roundup would be complete without its fair share of security news, and this week is no different. Hackers discovered a sneaky way to double their money through PayPal but better news came from Avast who released an Android app to remove ransomware -- and it might be just as well because batches of phones have been leaving factories pre-infected with malware. New figures showed that using dating apps could be a security risk, but there are security problems on the desktop as a fifth of businesses refuse to upgrade from Windows XP. But as it turns out, it's the users who are the biggest security risk.

  That's all for this week. Pleasant weekends all round!

  
• 

  Quickly transcribe audio or video files with easytranscript

  Publié: juin 21, 2014, 11:29am CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Accurately transcribing audio and video files can be a long and difficult process. No matter how fast you can type, it seems there’s always someone who can talk faster. And then mumble half of what they say, leaving you frequently rewinding to try and figure it out.

  There is no simple solution to this, but specialist transcription software should at least save you some time. It doesn’t have to be expensive, either -- the open source easytranscript offers some useful starting features entirely for free.

  You’ll first need to install the program, of course, and that’s trickier than you’d expect. The program needs Java, VLC for media playback and Pandoc for exporting, and it won’t install these itself. The developer does at least provide a Ninite package to set up and install everything for you, so this isn’t too much of a hassle, but just keep in mind that -- unless you have these components already -- installation is going to be a two-step process.

  Once easytranscript is up and running, you’re asked to create your first project. A wizard simplifies the process, and an incomplete translation complicates it again (some of the text is still in the original German), but it’s relatively straightforward. Choose a media file; accept some defaults; click Play, and start typing -- that’s essentially it.

  The first easytranscript extra you’ll notice is that, when you press Enter to complete a section, the program adds a timestamp after your text. This shows you at a glance where any text appears within the file. But also, if you double-click within any timestamp then playback will start at the beginning of that section, helpful when reviewing your work.

  If some words aren’t clear then clicking the Back button jumps back a few seconds so you can hear them again.

  There’s support for automatically identifying the speaker. When transcribing an interview, you can have easytranscript add the text "Interviewer" and >name< to alternating sections of text. Simple shortcuts help you handle more complex situations manually (Alt+1 is "Interviewer", Alt+2 is "Person 1", Alt+3 is "Person 2", and so on.

  The program can expand abbreviations to speed up transcribing, although translation issues make this less than obvious. To begin, click Preferences > Stenographie, and check "Activate Stenography". Enter the abbreviation in the Kurzel column (et), the full word or phrase in the Voller Text column (easytranscript), press Enter and click Save. Type that abbreviation, press the spacebar and it’ll be expanded.

  You might be working on a lengthy project, but there’s no need to complete the transcription in one setting. Reopen easytranscript’s project file and it restores your source file and everything you’ve done so far, ready to carry on where you left off.

  When you’re done, it’s possible to export your transcript as a document or YouTube subtitle file, or just copy some or part of it to the clipboard. Enable easytranscript’s "Worktime" support and it even records how much time you spent on the job, and calculate whatever you’ve earned.

  There’s clearly work here to do on setup and the English translation. We’d like an option to adjust playback speed, too. But easytranscript also has plenty of useful features and should reduce your transcription time and hassles.

  
• 

  Google uses Nest as a middleman to buy Dropcam

  Publié: juin 21, 2014, 2:45am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Google has been on a buying-spree lately. It feels as if the company is a nouveau riche lottery winner with money just burning a hole in its pocket. I guess in some ways, the company did win the lottery and its users' information is the winnings. You see, the search-giant earns a lot of money from advertisements and harvesting user info, but to continue that success, it cannot rest on its laurels.

  With the acquisition of Nest, Google obtained an ability to earn money from hardware and home services, expanding on its existing business focus. However, while Nest represents an expansion, it also represents "business as usual", as the search-giant can eventually utilize home-automation for advertising and harvesting data too. Today, Google buys a company called Dropcam, which offers cloud-based home video monitoring. Clearly, Google wants to be in our homes, but will you put out the welcome mat?

  "Although this was a big decision for us, it wasn’t a difficult one to make. Before deciding to extend an offer to Dropcam, we spent a lot of time looking at camera companies and technologies around the world. And I can say without a doubt, Dropcam has the best products, services, and customer experience in the business", says Matt Rogers, Nest founder.

  Rogers further explains, "eventually, the plan is for us to work together to reinvent products that will help shape the future of the conscious home and bring our shared vision to more and more people around the world. For now though, not much will change. Dropcam products will still be sold online and in stores. And Dropcam customers will still continue to use their Dropcam accounts".

  So Google bought Nest and now Nest buys Dropcam. In simpler terms, Google bought Dropcam. While I am sure the newly-aquired company's products are great, I question why Google is unable to just design similar products on its own. Maybe I am missing something, but a cloud-connected webcam does not seem to be a very unique business. Quite frankly, the same can be said for the Nest acquisition. Hopefully this will not go up in smoke.

  Did Google make a smart purchase? Will you trust Dropcam products in your home? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  Microsoft to retire old versions of Skype -- Mac users should be worried

  Publié: juin 21, 2014, 12:56am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Hate all you want, but Skype is awesome. The fact that it is supported on like, everything makes it one of the best video chat solutions. It works on Linux, Android, Windows Phone, iOS, OS X -- it is the bomb. Microsoft shows no favoritism to platform when this software is concerned.

  Today, however in a bit of shocking news, Microsoft announces that in an effort to move everyone to the newest version of Skype, it will be retiring older versions for Windows and Mac. Does this mean that outdated versions will move to Florida and join AARP? No, well...maybe. Actually, it is not at all clear what retirement means in this case.

  "As we look ahead to the future, we're focusing our efforts on bringing the latest and greatest to the most recent versions of Skype. As a result, we are going to retire older versions of Skype for Windows desktop (6.13 and below) as well as Skype for Mac (6.14 and below) over the next few months" says Tom Huang, Microsoft.

  Huang further explains, "don't panic -- whether you’re using Skype for Windows desktop or Skype for Mac, you can download and update to the latest version today for free. We encourage all users to update to the latest version today to continue using Skype without disruption".

  Whoa, Whoa, Whoa -- stop the clock. Disruption? This seems to imply that Microsoft will purposely block access to older versions. However, the company is mum on that for now. But, you are a BetaNews reader, so you should enjoy being on the most recent versions of software, right? As fas as I can tell, there is no downside to this, right? Wrong.

  

  Newer versions of the Skype software may not run on older computers. Case in point, the new version for Mac requires Mavericks (OS X 10.9.x). This could mean that if your Mac cannot run Mavericks that you cannot use Skype! The Windows version however, is supported all the way back to XP SP3.

  Are you worried about the potential "disruption" to older versions? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: Robert Kneschke / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Parallels Access 2.0 lets you control your PC or Mac remotely using iPad, iPhone or Android device

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 9:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Looking for a way to access programs on your desktop or laptop from your mobile? You could go down the route of installing something like TeamViewer, but with the best will in the world, trying to control your entire Windows or Mac desktop from your mobile is a fiddly experience at best.

  A more practical solution can be found by going down the Parallels Access route, and it’s one that’s just been made even better with the release of version 2.0.

  Parallels Access adopts a slightly different approach to accessing your computer remotely -- it assumes your primary objective is to be able to access specific programs and apps while you’re on the move, and focuses its interface accordingly.

  The service -- which you sign up for via https://access.parallels.com -- sees you download a server program on your PC or Mac, then install the relevant mobile app. As of version 2.0, Parallels Access extends itself to the Android platform as well as becoming a universal iOS app, giving iPhone users the ability to run desktop apps on their phone too.

  The app’s simple to use: once connected, it takes control of your PC’s display, resizing it before transmitting it back to your mobile. It then presents a home screen of app icons with the most popular apps included (you can add to or edit this list easily). Tap one, and the app opens on your mobile, ready for you to view and edit documents almost as if you were sat at your computer.

  Parallels Access scores points for utilizing smart features for both navigating and controlling your app using your touchscreen, plus makes it easy to switch between open apps using a Task Switcher window.

  The new Android version looks slick, and is responsive and quick over a local Wi-Fi connection. But it’s the iOS version that really stands out, particularly with a number of new enhancements added to version 2.0.

  

  Chief among these is the addition of a file browser, which allows you to access your entire file system (including favourites and other links) from the app. You can’t transfer files in this way, but you can move them around your file system and open them directly using apps on your computer.

  The iOS version also gains the ability to change the screen resolution to a more comfortable level, plus capture microphone input on your iPad or iPhone. It also comes with the usual promise of better stability and performance.

  You can try Parallels Access for free for 14 days, thereafter you’ll need to purchase a subscription -- currently $19.95 nets you 12 month’s access with up to five PCs and Macs.

  Parallels Access for iPad and iPhone 2.0 and Parallels Access for Android 2.0 are both available now. iOS 7.0 or Android 4.0.3 or later is required. The apps work with PCs running Windows 7 or later and Macs running OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later.

  
• 

  Best Windows 8 apps this week

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 6:48pm CEST par Martin Brinkmann

  Eighty-sixth in a series. Welcome to this week's selection of the best applications for Windows 8.

  New app and game releases this week include the excellent next generation comic book reader Madefire, two TV show apps by A&E, and an adaption of the popular board game Zombies!!!.

  As always, if I missed an app or game that has been released this week that you believe is particularly good, let me know in the comments below or notify me via email instead.

  Here is this week's selection of apps and games.

  Red Stripe Deals

  Six apps and games are discounted by at least 50 percent each week. The following applications are available at a discount this week.

  • Skulls of the Shogun, action game for $1.99
  • Phototastic Pro, create photo collages for $1.49
  • Maya the Bee, educational application for children for $1.49
  • Billiards HD, billiard game for $2.49
  • The Mystery of the Crystal Portal (Full), adventure game for $2.99
  • Slingcat, action game for $0.99.

  Windows App of the Week

  Madefire

  

  Madefire is a free comic book reader on first glance but once you have downloaded one of the books it makes available, you will quickly notice that it takes the concept to a new level.

  Instead of just making available the book for you to read online it adds sound, depth and motion to them.

  Madefire calls the concept motion books because of that. The app offers a preview of things to come. You can download several Transformers chapters currently with comics from publishers such as DC Comics, Dark Horse or IDW following after the preview.

  The concept is interesting and while reading comic books this way may take some getting used to time, it offers an interesting unique experience.

  Other Apps

  Heroes of Order & Chaos - Multiplayer Online Battle

  

  The Moba plays similar to games such as Dota 2 or League of Legends. Play against other players in 3vs3 or 5vs5 matches or play solo games against the computer.

  Select one of more than 40 different heroes, upgrade hero skills and equipment and try to conquer the enemy base before your own is conquered by the enemy team.

  Heroes have unique sets of skills  that you need to utilize to the best of your abilities to beat the enemy team.

  The Temple Tactics

  

  This is a strategic board game in which you play against the computer or human opponents over the Internet.

  The goal of the game is to score more points than your opponent. This is done by selecting a title on the board whenever it is your turn. Each tile adds -10 to +10 to your score and determines which tiles your opponent may pick next.

  You can also use bonus tiles and create combos for extra points.

  Staples Connect

  

  Control your lights, thermostat, fans, sensors and other home automation products.

  What's interesting about this solution is that it supports several brands and not just one of them which means that you can use it to control connected home products from different companies using it.

  The application itself is free but you need to purchase the Universal Wireless Hub for $99 to control the home automation products using the application.

  Zombies!!! The Board Game ($4.99, free trial available)

  

  This is the official adaption of the board game Zombies!!!. The goal of the game is to reach the center square of the Helipad as the first player or be the first player to kill 25 zombies.

  During a turn, players place a location tile on the map, combat zombies, draw event cards to fill them up to three, make a movement roll and move the number of spaces indicated by the roll.

  You can play the game against up four human or computer controlled opponents using pre-build maps and the classic board game rules.

  Scribd

  

  The official Scribd application for Windows 8 provides you with access to all books the service makes available.

  You do need to sign up for an account or sign in to an existing account to use the application. It is also worth noting that the Windows app requires an online connection to read books,

  Scribd charges a flat fee of $8.99 per month for access to its library of more than 400,000 books.

  Hotel Tonight

  

  Search last minute hotel deals worldwide using the application. Select a city or place that you want to find a hotel for and browse the selection the app displays to you.

  The hotel's name, rating, type as well as its regular and discounted price are displayed to you afterwards in the search results.

  You can click on any hotel to display detailed information, photos and booking options or change the number of nights you want to stay from one to up to five.

  Pocket Army

  

  Play against the computer or human opponents as a general in this strategy game. You control the general directly on the battlefield which comes down to moving left or right and using skills available to you.

  Combat is automatic for the most part and outcome is mostly determined by your general's equipment and skills as well as the composition of your army.

  It needs to be noted that the game offers in-app purchases to speed things up. While you can grind your way to victory -- or the next best item, skill or unit -- it will take quite a while to do so.

  A&E

  

  Watch episodes of A&E television shows such as Bates motel, Bonny & Clyde, Storage Wards or Bad Ink using the application. The app makes available full episodes as well as clips, but requires that you are connecting from the United States to do so.

  One interesting feature of the application is the watchlist which you can add shows to. Most episodes are only available for a limited amount of time though before they are pulled again.

  Lifetime which gives you access to reality, drama and movies Lifetime has to offer has also been released.

  GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience

  

  The car racing game features 67 different cards for you to purchase from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz or Audi.

  You start with enough money to buy a Class F car like the Fiat 500 or the Alfa Romeo Mito. Cars can be upgraded to improve speed, acceleration, handling or breaks, but only up to a certain point.

  Faster cars can be purchased for currency that you earn when you race but also for premium currency that you can purchase in the in-app store.

  Besides options to race in the campaign you can also race against other player's online. Events are planned as well but not available yet.

  
• 

  Intel Core i3, i7 Surface Pro 3 to ship sooner, Docking Station gets official date

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 6:44pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  Today is finally the day that the Surface Pro 3 becomes available to consumers; well, the Core i5 variants anyway. Sadly, if you are interested in the less expensive i3 model or more powerful i7 model, you will have to wait. For the past few weeks, Microsoft had been communicating an August 31 release, which is like an eternity in internet years. Consumers were faced with a dilemma -- buy the i5 now or wait for the other variants at the end of August.

  Today however, Microsoft eases the wait for the i3 and i7 variants, as it actually pushes up the release date to August 1. This is amazing news and quite unique too -- the technology world usually sees release dates pushed back. Will this change your decision as to which Surface Pro 3 to buy?

  Panos Panay, leader of the Surface Team says, "many of you have placed pre-orders for the new Surface, and those who ordered the Intel Core i5 versions will be receiving them directly. Those who are interested in the Core i3 and Core i7 versions will remember that when we first announced the product we said these would be shipping 'in August'. Thanks to some great work by our team, I can confirm that, in this case, 'in August' means August 1, which is when these versions will arrive in stores and at commercial resellers in Canada and the US".

  Panay further explains, "I've had a lot of questions about Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 -- particularly when it's coming. The docking station will be available beginning Friday, August 15 in Canada and the United States, and you can pre-order it starting today in these markets through Microsoft Stores and other select retailers".

  The docking station is what I have been anticipating. Not only can the Surface Pro 3 replace a laptop and tablet, but a desktop too when paired with it. The accessory is a game-changer.

  If you want to buy the Surface Pro 3, you can do so by clicking here. Which Surface Pro 3 will you buy? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  The day the music didn't die: Earbits rises from the ashes

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 5:01pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  This past weekend we wrote about music service Earbits shutting down, effective June 16th. The service sadly ran out of funding after making a good run, competing against the big players in the music streaming business. But rumors of the service's demise were greatly exaggerated -- nod to Mark Twain.

  Founder and CEO Joey Flores sent out a message to customers with some good news -- the site will live to fight another day. In brief, Flores states "The sentiment of the community did not go unnoticed. Since then, a strategic partner has stepped forward and provided the necessary funding to bring Earbits back online indefinitely. The web service and mobile apps have been relaunched, effective immediately".

  Flores refers to a Twitter campaign launched by disenfranchised customers. It was enough to get attention from someone capable of funding the service, though the new partner remains anonymous for now.

  This is good news for both Earbits and its customers and future users, not to mention emerging artists looking to get discovered. Hopefully the service will remain active for the foreseeable future.

  Photo Credit: CREATISTA/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Harley-Davidson unveils its first electric motorcycle

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 4:12pm CEST par Sam Pudwell

  

  Legendary motorbike manufacturer Harley-Davidson has invited members of the public to test its first electric motorbike. Instead of the bike going on general sale, US customers will be invited to take it out for a spin and provide feedback.

  The bike, labelled project LiveWire, will visit over 30 Harley-Davidson dealerships between now and the end of the year by travelling down the US' iconic Route 66.

  "Project LiveWire is more like the first electric guitar - not an electric car", said the senior vice president at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Mark-Hans Richer. "It's an expression of individuality and iconic style that just happens to be electric. Project LiveWire is a bold statement for us as a company and a brand".

  Fans have, so far, offered mixed reactions, with members from the Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain displaying some early scepticism.

  Dave Scott said, "It looks OK but I'd need a real engine in it", whilst others questioned its safety. "For an electric bike it has a good look, but I can't help think a silent bike is a recipe for disaster on our ever increasingly busy roads".

  A teaser video released by the company shows the motorcycle travelling down Route 66 in almost complete silence.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Elasticsearch releases new Hadoop connector

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 4:07pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Search analytics specialist Elasticsearch has announced the 2.0 release of its Hadoop connector, bringing advanced search techniques to the popular big data platform.

  It's also now certified for Cloudera Enterprise 5. This means Elasticsearch is now compatible across all Apache-based Hadoop distributions, helping businesses extract immediate insights regardless of where their data is stored.

  Using Elasticsearch in conjunction with Hadoop, organizations no longer need to run a batch process and wait for hours to analyze their data. Elasticsearch for Apache Hadoop can make data available for indexing as it's being generated, making it available for search and analysis in a matter of seconds.

  Steven Schuurman, co-founder and CEO of Elasticsearch says, "Hadoop was created to store and archive data at a massive scale, but businesses need to be able to ask, iterate, and extract actionable insights from this data -- which is what we designed our products for. With today's certification from Cloudera, Elasticsearch now works with all Apache-based Hadoop distributions, and with it, solves the last mile of big data Hadoop deployments by getting big insights, fast".

  Key features of the new release include the ability to read and write data between Hadoop and Elasticsearch which lets businesses get immediate, actionable insights using real-time search and analysis. There's native integration and support for popular Hadoop libraries so users can run queries natively on Hadoop through MapReduce, Hive, Pig, or Cascading APIs. A Snapshot/Restore feature also makes it easy to take a snapshot of data within Elasticsearch -- perhaps a year's worth -- and archive it in Hadoop. At any time, this snapshot can be restored back to Elasticsearch to carry out extra analysis.

  You can register for a webinar set to take place on August 20 which will discuss the features and benefits, or go to the Elasticsearch website to find out more.

  Image Credit: alphaspirit / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Convert scripts to exe files with Bat To Exe Converter

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 3:13pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Scripts can be a great way to automate tasks on your PC, and are usually very easy to create and share. Just launch Notepad, enter a few lines, and after a quick File and Save it’s ready to go.

  Batch files have down sides, too. You don’t always want others to be able to view or edit them. It’s difficult to restrict their use, and of course the console window appears every time they’re launched. But fortunately the free Bat To Exe Converter can solve all these problems by converting your scripts into stand-alone executables.

  The program arrives as a single portable executable, and presents all of its options in a single dialog. To get started, select your source script, and click "Versioninformations". Here you’re able to customise the exe file with its own icon and file information (version, company, product name, description, copyright).

  Life gets more interesting with the Options tab, where Bat To Exe Converter provides some useful features of its own. Scripts often need to create temporary files, for instance, but you can set up your executable to work in the system temporary folder by default, and/or delete any temporary files when it’s done.

  Select the "invisible application" setting and your executable will run without a console window. You shouldn’t turn this on if the source script needs to interact with the user, but otherwise it’s a very good idea.

  An "Add administrator manifest" option ensures scripts which need administrator rights will be launched and executed correctly.

  You can even bundle other files within your executable, before compressing the results with UPX or Mpress. But beware: antivirus tools are already more likely to falsely flag exe files from this kind of tool, and if you attach other files and use packing (both very common malware tricks) then there’s an even greater chance of problems.

  Once you’ve finished, click Compile and your executable is produced almost instantly. One small issue is that there’s no real feedback provided. We expected a status report saying compilation was successful, the exe file is this size, in this location, maybe with a button to launch it, another to open that folder. But there’s nothing, and if you want to test the file you must find and launch it yourself.

  That aside, Bat To Exe Converter proved simple to use, and correctly converted and ran all our test files. If regular scripts aren’t always enough then we’d give it a try.

  
• 

  US Supreme Court squares up to software patent trolls with stricter rules

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 2:36pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  A ruling by the US Supreme Court could change the way patents are assigned in the future. A case between New York-based CLS Bank International and Australian company Alice Corp found judges unanimously agreeing that software patent was invalid because it was simply an existing idea transferred to a computer. In order to qualify for a patent, an idea must be unique, and the court ruled that the simple addition of a computer application is not enough.

  CLS Bank International had complained that Alice Corp had applied a "generic computer implementation" to a patent owned by the bank, rendering it invalid; the court agreed. "The representative method claim does no more than simply instruct the practitioner to implement the abstract idea of intermediated settlement on generic computer", the ruling states.

  The ruling could help to stamp out the problem of patent trolls -- or non-practicing entities, as they are sometime known -- as it would force companies to come up with completely unique ideas. Trolls have become a serious issue for the tech industry, with many companies stockpiling patents in the hope that they will be able to force big companies into buying them. Software patents have been something of a sticking point for many years, and there have long been complaints that patents have been issued that are too vague. Similarly, it has previously been very easy for companies to take an existing idea that has been patented by someone else, add a tech twist, and call it their own.

  The BBC points out that the US has the "most generous approach" to patents. In Europe software patents can only be awarded to software products that address technical problems. In the US "business methods" can be patented, and software falls into this category. The case has been very closely watched by the tech industry. The decision that combining a set of pre-existing ideas into one product without adding more features, or taking an existing patent and "computerfying" it, does not qualify for a new patent could have wide-reaching ramifications.

  Photo Credit: Feng Yu/Shutterstock

  
• 

  US Marshals Service has no idea how email works

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 2:12pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  A list of prospective bidders for a significant haul of US-government seized bitcoins has been leaked by the very administration that is organizing the auction.

  The US Marshals Service accidentally revealed the confidential email addresses of interested parties when messaging them about the process and it has already apologized for the mistake that "was in no way intentional".

  The "gaff" was revealed by CoinDesk, a Bitcoin news site, and it now holds a list of those that requested more information about the auction including Fred Ehrsam, co-founder of UK-based payment processor Coinbase.

  "The US Marshals Service (USMS) sent an email to individuals who had enquired about bidding in the Silk Road Bitcoin auction informing that that a new FAQ had been published on the USMS website. However, the recipient list was accidentally exposed because it was copied rather than blind copied", CoinDesk reporter Joon Wong told the BBC.

  It all concerns the US government plans to auction off around 30,000 bitcoins (£10.2 million) on 27 June, which were seized during an FBI raid in October 2013 linked to the dark web marketplace titled Silk Road.

  The coins form part of a civil forfeiture and criminal action taken against Silk Road owner and founder Ross William Ulbricht that was undertaken following his arrest last year.

  Wong added the list is not a watertight run down of registered bidders so isn’t a significant breach but the email addresses themselves would be enough for most to identify the bidder involved.

  "It is more significant in terms of giving us an insight into the agency handling this auction", he said. "The USMS is the first government agency to conduct a crypto-currency auction. Its clerical error has compromised the anonymity of individuals who contacted it, so this doesn't inspire confidence".

  USMS announced the auction last week and informed prospective buyers that it would need a bidder registration form, a copy of a government issued ID as well as a $200,000 (£117,500) deposit wired to an American bank and that all winners have to pay the amount in cash with no instalments accepted.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo Credit: Joe Wilcox

  
• 

  Request legally binding signatures via any email client

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 12:33pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Email may have revolutionized business communication, but if you need a signature on a contract or business document in most cases you still have to send it through the post or use a cumbersome e-signature app.

  Until now that is, Barcelona-based startup Signaturit has a new solution that enables you to request handwritten signatures through any email client.

  The technology complies with the EU and US e-signature laws and spares users the need to visit third-party websites or download apps.

  After signing up all it takes to request a handwritten signature through Signaturit is sending a PDF file using your preferred email client and adding ".signatur.it" to the end of the signatory's address. The platform not only keeps a record of the email address, the name of the file, the location and the exact time it was signed by a Time Stamping Authority (TSA), but also uses a state-of-the-art biometric authentication system and the same encryption standards used by banks and government agencies to ensure the integrity and validity of each signature.

  Juan Zamora, CEO of Signaturit says, "While e-signature is a tried and true technology, the increasingly demanding regulatory and legal requirements for binding electronic signatures threatens the easy-to-use nature of the solutions available in the market. That is why Signaturit not only provides the simplest solution by allowing users to request signatures through their email client of choice, but does so in compliance with the most demanding data protection requirements".

  The technology allows deals to be closed faster and saves on traditional document costs by eliminating the need for printing and scanning. It offers real-time reporting along with a dashboard where users can view the status of each transaction.

  The service is available now and there are pricing models for various sizes of business. You can get more information and try out the service for free on the Signaturit website.

  
• 

  Paedophile use of dark net increases for child abuse images

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 12:10pm CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  Tens of thousands of paedophiles are using the dark net to circulate images of sexual abuse, according to a report by the BBC.

  The National Crime Agency said that abusers were increasingly turning to encryption software to maintain anonymity. The dark net is a hidden part of the Internet which can only be accessed by special software, one of the most popular of which is the TorBrowser.

  This enables people to use Tor, an "onion-routing" system, which bounces encrypted data through several randomly selected servers on the network, making a PC's net address untraceable.

  Paedophiles are using the TorBrowser to access chat rooms where they circulate illegal images. One such site received up to 500 page views a second, and information suggests that British paedophiles are heavily involved in producing and sharing obscene images.

  Many of the dark net sites cannot be accessed using a standard search engine, and so Tor, which was first developed by the US military, has to be used. It has also been known to have positive applications, particularly in parts of the world where oppressive regimes attempt to curtail free speech. During the Arab Spring, for example, activists used the TorBrowser to escape detection.

  During the BBC investigation, the broadcaster contacted an active paedophile who ran one of the illegal chat rooms, until it closed in May 2014.

  "We had over 40,000 user accounts on the site. We used to get sometimes 500 page views per second. My own collection is 12 gigabytes", he said.

  Although undercover officers try to get the paedophiles to reveal their identities online, it is often a difficult process. Last November, Prime Minister David Cameron, held a summit on online safety in which he hoped spy agencies would co-operate with the police force to apprehend the abusers.

  "That expertise is going to be brought to bear, to go after these revolting people sharing these images on the dark net", he said.

  While the amount of child abuse imagery on the Internet is growing, the founder of DeepDotWeb.com, which reports on the dark net, stressed that the majority of users are "disgusted" by the paedophile sites. He added, "The deep web is still, just an open reflection of the real world thanks to its anonymous conduct, so this problem needs to be tackled in the real world.

  "The deep web is nothing more than a peep hole into this unfortunate reality."

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo Credit: scyther5/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Microsoft, Google to include kill switch in Windows Phone, Android

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 11:47am CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Both Microsoft and Google have agreed to add a kill switch their mobile operating systems. Following an agreement with the New York Attorney General, the next versions of Windows Phone and Android will include a feature that will render handsets useless if they are stolen. The attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, published a report yesterday outlining the importance of such a feature, and revealed that two of the biggest names in technology are on-board.

  It's something that authorities have been calling for for some time now, citing the sheer number of mobile phone thefts taking place around the world. Schneiderman's report points to Apple as proof of the efficacy of a kill switch. Thefts of iPhones dropped by 17 percent in New York City after the introduction of a remote wiping and locking feature. The Secure Our Smartphones report took fire at Samsung. The company had opted not to include a kill switch, and thefts of Samsung handsets jumped by 40 percent in NYC. "Reactivation Lock" has since been implemented on a small number of new Galaxy handsets.

  But while a kill switch can act as a serious theft deterrent -- "An activated kill switch converts an easy-to-sell, high-value multimedia device into a jumble of plastic and glass, drastically reducing its street value", says the report -- there are also security concerns. There is potential for the mechanism to be hijacked so the kill switch could be activated by a hacker or malicious user. It is likely that it will also be possible to block the kill switch signal -- perhaps by activating airplane mode until a workaround can be implemented.

  The Save Our Smartphones initiative started one year ago as a joint venture between Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón. The Major of London, Boris Johnson, joined the project as co-chair, and in recent months various US states have pushed through kill switch legislation.

  Photo Credit: Mark Dyer/Shutterstock

  
• 

  AOMEI Backupper Standard 2.01 review

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 11:14am CEST par Mike Williams

  

  When we first looked at AOMEI Data Backuper in January 2013 it was a capable free image backup tool with some limitations -- no scheduler -- but a lot of promise. Now at version 2.x , and renamed to AOMEI Backupper Standard, is the program worth considering again? We checked it out.

  Installation remains quick and easy. It’s the free edition of a commercial product, but there’s no adware, no nag screens, no unmarked functions which display annoying "can’t use this until you pay" messages. Only an unobtrusive "Upgrade" link on the main page reminds you there are other options available.

  The interface hasn’t changed much since version 1.x, and that’s fine with us. It looks good, and is simple and clear, organizing key features into four categories (Backup, Restore, Clone, Utilities) and using a wizard-type approach to walk you through every task.

  As before, you’re able to back up partitions, drives or your system drive. A host of options includes compression, encryption, splitting, intelligent backups (only back up used sectors) and VSS backup support, and you’re able to run fill, incremental or differential backups.

  One very major addition is that you’re now able to back up individual files and folders. These are more difficult to select than in other backup programs, because Backupper Standard doesn’t have its own file viewer: instead, you must choose files or folders by selecting them in regular Windows File > Open dialogs. This won’t matter if you’re only looking to back up one or two folder trees, say, but could be an issue for more complex backups.

  Another big improvement sees the addition of a flexible scheduler. You’re able to run unattended backups daily, at fixed intervals, on specific days of the week (Tuesdays and Fridays, say), or on a defined day of the month (fixed -- "the 10th" -- or variable, like "the third Friday"). All that’s really missing is support for running jobs on an event ("Startup", "Login", "Shutdown"), but there’s enough here for most people. In all cases you can choose to run full, incremental or differential backups, and your job is launched by Windows Task Scheduler so reliability should be good.

  Now you can run backups automatically, it’s good to see Backupper Standard also supports email notifications, letting you know if a backup succeeds, fails or needs user interaction. This free version doesn’t support using your own email account, with the program sending messages from its own server, which left us a little concerned over reliability. But as a plus, it’s also easier to set up, as there’s no need to specify server names, protocols, passwords or anything else: enable the setting and it just works.

  A good range of restore options means you can recover an entire image from the program console, or mount it to select just a few files. New support for partition alignment should help to optimise SSDs when restoring, although we didn’t test this. AOMEI now also provides a Windows PE-based bootable recovery disc, too, and there’s better support for booting on EFI and UEFI-based systems.

  There are plenty of thoughtful touches. Once you’ve run a backup, say, it’s listed on the Home page. You can then restore it, or run it again in a click or two. An Advanced menu allows you to locate, validate or explore the image, edit the backup, even schedule it. And so if you’ve created a one-off backup job, then decided you want to run it regularly, you don’t have to start again: just click Advanced > Schedule, choose your settings and it’ll run automatically in future.

  This free build does have one notable limitation. It won’t automatically delete old backups, so for instance you can’t have it always keep the last three: you’ll have to manage that yourself. But as restrictions go, that’s not bad, and if your destination drive has plenty of space it may not affect you much at all.

  AOMEI Backupper Standard still needs a little work. In particular, we’d like an integrated file browser to help you select source files and folders. But overall, it’s a triumph -- good-looking, easy to use, packed with features and very configurable – and a must-see for anyone looking for a free backup tool.

  
• 

  Heartbleed: Really that bad?

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 11:04am CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Most information security scares come and go with relatively little fanfare, some though make a splash and catch the attention of the public and media.

  Heartbleed was the latest to fall into the latter category and sent the IT world into a bit of a frenzy. But how bad was it really? Security specialist Secunia rates vulnerabilities on a one to five scale and given the amount of publicity it received you might expect Heartbleed to be at the top end.

  In fact Secunia only rates it as a "moderately critical" three, a score usually used for denial of service vulnerabilities against services like FTP, HTTP, and SMTP, and for vulnerabilities that allow system compromises but require user interaction.

  Secunia's Director of Research and Security, Kasper Lindgaard explains, "It gets this rating because it enables information retrieval from remote without any user interaction or authentication requirements".

  He goes on to point out that the extremely critical rating is reserved for, "Remotely exploitable vulnerabilities that can lead to system compromise, where successful exploitation does not normally require any interaction and exploits are in the wild".

  The company does acknowledge though that the effect of Heartbleed depends to an extent on the size of the vendor. Lindgaard says, "Small vendors didn't have such a big ordeal with the vulnerability, however for larger vendors like Cisco, IBM and HP, it was -- and is -- a very different story: they will be hard at work on this one, for some time yet. Thus the costs and implications for large vendors is what will make the Heartbleed bug a long term problem".

  You can read more on Lindgaard's blog and Secunia has produced an infographic charting the timeline of the bug which you can see below.

  

  
• 

  Android 4.4.4 KitKat available now, here's how you can install it

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 10:47am CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Less than a month after the last Android update launched, Google is now treating Nexus users to another iteration of KitKat. It made its way to the factory images repository first, but is also slowly rolling out over-the-air to compatible smartphones and tablets.

  Android 4.4.4 KitKat, build version KTU84P, is available, through a corresponding factory image, for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, 2012 Wi-Fi Nexus 7, 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7, and Nexus 10. The Nexus 7 slates with cellular connectivity (3G and 4G, launched in 2012 and 2013, respectively) have yet to receive the same treatment.

  While there is no official changelog provided so far, an unofficial one reveals that we are looking mostly at bug fixes, security patches and various tweaks. These affect the Android Compatibility Test Suite and Framework Classes and Services, Chrome browser (WebKit and OpenSSL) and OpenSSL library. You can check out the unofficial changelog here (it includes changes from Android 4.4.3 KitKat build version KTU84M).

  At the time of writing this article, the OTA upgrade link was only captured for the Nexus 5. Keep in mind that you need to be running Android 4.4.3 KitKat, version number KTU84M, in order to successfully upgrade using this method.

  If you want to upgrade your Nexus device to Android 4.4.4 KitKat, there are two ways you can do it. First, you can leverage the available factory image (which must match your Nexus device) by following this step-by-step guide. Second, you can use the OTA file (once it is available, if it is not rolling out already) by following this other step-by-step guide.

  Photo Credit: Mihaita Bamburic

  
• 

  LinkedIn repeatedly ignores warning of widespread security flaw

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 9:22am CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  LinkedIn has failed to address a security flaw for over a year that puts at risk the data of all of its over 300 million users and means that sensitive user information can be pilfered easily.

  A report conducted by Zimperium Mobile Defense Security found a straightforward MITM attack that uses an SSL stripping technique allows hackers to steal user credentials and gain full control of an account.

  "We have reached out to LinkedIn six times over the last year to bring this critical vulnerability to their attention and have urged them to improve their network security, but more than a year after disclosing the bug they have yet to implement a patch for this vulnerability", read a release from Zimperium.

  The information exposed by the flaw includes the user’s email address, password, messages, connections and "who viewed my profile", and the hacker can hijack a session in order to gain access to all this information and impersonate the user.

  Impersonating the user allows the hacker to do anything a regular user can such as send invitations to connect, read and send messages, edit the user profile and job postings, and manage company pages.

  "Not only is your personal LinkedIn information at risk, but also, if you are an administrator for your corporate LinkedIn presence, your company’s brand reputation could also be damaged if a malicious actor were to gain control over posts and email communication on LinkedIn", the firm added.

  Every single user that was tested by Zimperium is open to the attack and it doesn’t just exist when an attacker is on the same network as the target. If an attacker has already compromised a device then once it enters a new network the attacker can use it to attack even more devices on the new network.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Image Credit: Gil C/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Quickly access your favorite folders with FoldersPopup

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 4:46am CEST par Mike Williams

  When managing files, it's important that you can browse quickly to your most frequently-used folders, and Windows provides various ways to help. You might add some to your Explorer Favorites, pin more to the taskbar or Start Screen, create custom shortcuts for Explorer, maybe a batch file: there's a lot to do.

  Alternatively, you could just use the free FoldersPopup, a single tool which provides quick, easy and configurable access to your key folders from just about anywhere.

  To give the program a try, run it, launch Notepad and click File > Open. Middle-click the mouse or press Ctrl+K and the FoldersPopup menu appears. Common folders like C:\, \Program Files or \Folders are a click away, Recent or System folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) are on submenus, and once you select something the Open dialog updates immediately.

  This isn’t just about opening files. FoldersPopup also works in Save, Export, Import, Insert, Select and Upload dialogs. You may be able to customize the program to work with other dialogs, too (see Settings > Supported Dialog Boxes).

  FoldersPopup is just as helpful in Explorer. It’s an easy way to change folders; just call it up and select whatever you like. Or, if you're at the desktop and need to open a folder, you're able to launch Explorer there with a hotkey or mouse action.

  Better still, this even works at the command prompt. Forget typing a really long path, only to find it contains spaces and you forgot to use quotes: just activate FoldersPopup, choose your folder, and the program enters the appropriate "CD \…" command for you.

  Configurability is another highlight. You're not restricted to a single list of favorite folders, for example: they can be categorized into as many submenus as you need. (Although we'd be careful with that: the whole point of the program is to avoid complex browsing.)

  And if you're already using the middle click or Ctrl+K for something else, no problem. Every FoldersPopup feature has its own custom hotkey and mouse action, so any conflicts can be fixed in seconds.

  
• 

  Mozilla partners with the New York Times, Washington Post and Knight Foundation

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 4:01am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Firefox is like a good friend I haven't seen in a very long time. Sure, I still care about Firefox, but I don't care to use it every day. There is nothing wrong with it, but it no longer offers a compelling reason to choose it over competitors. Even Internet Explorer 11 has proven to be a great browser. You know that old joke, where people would say they only used IE once, to download Firefox? Well, the tables have unfortunately turned.

  Mozilla is in trouble and no one is happy about it. Everyone thinks fondly of the Firefox browser. It is just worrying that the company's major source of income is Google, the maker of a competing browser. Also, there was the whole CEO scandal, that caused many people to question the leadership at the organization. But ultimately, the question is, if the Google cash-cow stops, where would money come from? Today, Mozilla may have an answer, albeit partial, by partnering with the New York Times, Washington Post and Knight Foundation. Wait, what?

  "Mozilla is proud to announce a new partnership with The New York Times and The Washington Post, funded by $3.89 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, to build a new, open-source content and commenting platform", says Mozilla.

  Dan Sinker, Director of the Mozilla-Knight OpenNews project, explains, "this is a project that has the opportunity not only to improve community engagement in journalism, but to strengthen the web itself. Technologies like Backbone.js, D3, and Django have all been forged and tested in the demanding environment of the newsroom, and then gone on to transform the way people build on the web. We don't know that there’s a Backbone lurking inside this project, but we're sure as hell going to find out".

  Mozilla lists the following benefits:

  • Making user-generated contributions easier to collect and package.
  • Helping news organizations produce immersive, user-driven narratives typically only seen in large newsrooms.
  • Giving journalists a platform to discover unique voices within their communities.
  • Reaching experts to increase content quality and create value for readers.
  • Changing the way journalists and users interact by shifting the relationship from comments to conversation.

  While the project is interesting, it is definitely not the saving-grace that Mozilla needed. Quite frankly, $3.89 million is a lot of money to individuals like you and I, but it will likely be burned through quickly by the project. Maybe one day, Mozilla will have a dependable source of income, but in the interim, the organization had better hope Google keeps the dollars flowing.

  Do you think this open-source content and commenting platform will succeed or flop? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: 3D character / Shutterstock

  
• 

  On the eve of the Surface Pro 3 release, Microsoft releases firmware update

  Publié: juin 20, 2014, 1:29am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Dear BetaNews readers, a poem from yours truly. Ehem. Twas the night before Surface Pro 3 release and all over the net, people were anticipating having their computing needs met. If you preordered the tablet you should be fine, but if you didn't reserve it, get up early and start waiting in line. Thank you.

  Yes, tonight is the eve of the official Surface Pro 3 release. If you are buying it tomorrow, you will be very happy. However, once you turn it on, before you do anything, you should check for updates. Why, you ask? Well, earlier today, Microsoft released an important firmware update and you might as well get it out of the way. As per a Microsoft representative, here's how to get it manually:

  • Step 1: Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Settings.)
  • Step 2: Tap or click Change PC settings, tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Windows Update.
  • Step 3: Tap or click Check now.
  • Step 4: If there are updates available, tap or click View details.
  • Step 5: Tap or click to select the updates you want to install, and then tap or click Install.
  • Step 6: Restart Surface twice after the updates have been installed; the entire update process should take 10-15 minutes.

  For experienced Windows users, I am not telling you anything new. Of course, if you enable automatic updates, you should be alerted to it at first boot anyway.

  As per Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft told her that the firmware update fixes the reported power bug that some people encountered, where the Surface Pro 3 would not boot. Strangely, not everyone was affected, and with very heavy use, I never had a problem booting once. Also included are performance improvements.

  In addition to the firmware fix, an additional update will enable the enhanced stylus/pen functionality for OneNote, such as double-clicking the pen to take screenshots. After you install all Windows Updates, you will want to update the pre-installed OneNote Modern app too, by doing the following:

  • Step 1: Launch the Windows Store app
  • Step 2: Swipe in from right and tap or click the Settings charm
  • Step 3: Tap or click App updates
  • Step 4: Tap or click check for updates

  There you go, now you are ready to use your new Surface Pro 3. You should start having fun immediately. Lastly, I would suggest clicking here for some awesome app and program recommendations.

  
• 

  How the mobile threat landscape is challenging companies’ ability to respond

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 7:57pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  As with cyber security generally, the mobile threat landscape is constantly evolving. So although businesses may have invested heavily in solutions like antivirus and mobile device and application management they can’t afford to relax.

  Mobile security specialist Zimperium, the company that uncovered the recent LinkedIn flaw has released a whitepaper looking at the attack vectors that specifically target mobile devices.

  The whitepaper highlights a number of attack vectors that specifically affect mobile devices. The main focus of these is network attacks and, as of today, existing solutions in the market do little to address these threats.

  The market highlights Apps as one of the most dangerous threat vectors, with huge recent increases in mobile malware targeting Android likely to top the million mark by the end of the year. Although significant in volume, other types of attacks have the potential to cause significantly more impact to organizations.

  Zuk Avraham, CEO and co-founder of Zimperium, says, "apps are seen as the most dangerous threat, but if you're sent one at random it's unlikely you're going to install it. Network threats, links or files like PDFs that hide malicious content are in fact more dangerous".

  Enhancing network protection becomes more important as more companies adopt BYOD or CYOD policies. The mobile arena is still quite immature in terms of intrusion prevention systems and the report highlights the need for a robust solution to supplement first-generation protection technologies. It also points out that when it comes to advanced network threats both Android and iOS share the same risks.

  For a more detailed look at the threat landscape you can download the whitepaper from the Zimperium website. You can also check out the company's ZANTI mobile penetration testing toolkit.

  Image Credit: Anan Chincho / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Microsoft claims Bing can predict the NBA Draft -- do you agree with the predictions?

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 6:59pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  I am a huge fan of the NBA -- the New York Knicks to be precise. Basketball is a great sport as it does not require too much equipment. You can visit any park with a hoop and bring nothing but the basketball and spend hours just fooling around. This is in contrast to something like baseball, where everyone needs a glove and you have to find a bat, or hockey where everyone needs a stick. This makes basketball the ideal global sport, especially in low income areas.

  Besides watching games on TV or live at Madison Square Garden, there is something else I love -- the draft. If you aren't familiar, every year NBA teams are ranked from worst to best based on record, except for the top 3 which are chosen by lottery. Also, since draft picks can be traded, this can alter the list too. Hell, some teams don't even have picks as a result of trades, such as my Knicks this year. Then, one by one, teams select eligible amateur players to join their teams, for a total of 60 new players (30 in the first round, 30 in the second round). Today, Microsoft announces that Bing has gained the ability to predict the NBA Draft. The question is, how accurate will it be?

  "Harnessing the wealth of signals available to Bing and training the model on results from past seasons, we estimate the relative potential of amateur players in this year’s draft. We take publicly available data such as player statistics, player profile information, team needs, combine statistics, and expert evaluations to generate a projection of a basketball player's on-court capabilities. We then add search data and social signals into the model to determine the projected associations between teams and players and player trends to reach the final ordering", says Walter Sun, Principal Development Manager, Bing Predicts.

  Sun further explains, "unlike the voting shows, where we had high confidence in the predictions and final rank order, because the outcomes depended heavily on popularity and were determined incrementally one night a week over one to two months, the NBA draft picks are made by team management and happen over the course of a few hours, where selections are made in minutes and trades happen in real-time. As a result, reaching 100% accuracy for each of the top 14 picks, while ideal, is realistically less likely. For the cases where we don't get the exact position, our goal is to be as close as possible to the exact position. We think our model will compare favorably in relation to other expert picks".

  To 100% correctly pick the top 14 picks is a near impossibility, especially by computer algorithm, so Microsoft is smart not to claim perfection. The NBA draft is very different from the NFL for example, where teams often pick based on needs. In the NBA, more teams employ taking the BPA, or Best Player Available, even if the player duplicates the skill-set of an existing player. One of the reasons for this is because of the 1984 draft. You see, the Portland Trailblazers infamously drafted for need, choosing the lackluster Sam Bowie because of his height over Michael Jordan. Yes, that Michael Jordan, arguably the best player of all time.

  If you want to see Bing's predictions, simply go to Bing.com and search for "NBA Draft Predictions". Tell me if you agree with them in the comments.

  Photo credit: Sarah2 / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Amazon's Fire Phone is a puzzle

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 6:11pm CEST par Sameer Singh

  

  I've gone back and forth on the prospects for Amazon's smartphone, and yesterday's launch of the Fire Phone hasn't really helped me make up my mind. Apart from the heavily rumored 3D interface, most of what Amazon announced was a surprise to me. It's difficult to ignore the fact that Amazon holds some distinct advantages, but there are also certain areas where they seem to be fighting an uphill battle.
  

  Amazon's Challenges: Pricing and Dynamic Perspective

  Let's begin with the obvious, the pricing. Amazon's pricing strategy for the Fire Phone is very similar to those of other premium smartphones -- $650 unsubsidized and $199 on contract. This is especially curious given that the device is exclusive to AT&T, a carrier that has made it a priority to shift to unsubsidized, financing plans. Of course, it's entirely possible that Amazon has given AT&T a subsidy waiver. In this case, the potential of Prime users on heavy data plans could be considerably attractive to AT&T. But this is just speculation on my part.

  Another challenge is that the Fire Phone's heavily emphasized differentiator (the 3D interface or Dynamic Perspective as Amazon calls it) may not be much of a differentiator at all. The Fire Phone's market penetration is unlikely to be high enough to spur a large number of developers to leverage it in a meaningful way. This would limit the value of Dynamic Perpective to the device's UI. For the sake of argument, let's assume that consumers find it valuable. This is by no means a given, but if it does happen, what stops other premium OEMs like Apple and especially Samsung from using this feature?

  Amazon's Advantages: Mayday and Firefly

  The Fire Phone certainly faces a host of challenges, but it holds some distinct advantages as well. The first is Mayday, Amazon's one-tap access to customer service (via video chat). Amazon's customer service is really unparalleled and there are few companies (if any) that could attempt to offer a 24-hour video chat service with a 15 second response time. This could be very useful for technology laggards and first time smartphone buyers. However, this proposition would have been far more valuable if the pricing strategy catered to that segment.

  Firefly is another interesting feature that will be difficult for other firms to replicate. It is effectively a camera-driven, real-world search engine which hooks into Amazon. In other words, a customer could look at a product in a physical store and buy it on Amazon within a few seconds. In a way, it attempts to use Amazon's product range and credit card database to make mobile payments unnecessary.

  The primary goal of the Fire Phone is to support Amazon's e-commerce business model and this partly explains why Amazon went the premium route -- Premium smartphone buyers are likely to make more online/offline purchases. However, high-income customers can only use Firefly if they end up buying the phone.

  This story was reposted with permission from tech-thoughts.

  Sameer Singh is an M&A professional and business strategy consultant focusing on the mobile technology sector. He is founder and editor of tech-thoughts.net.

  
• 

  The future face of mobile marketing and why companies must adapt

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 4:09pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Companies spend a lot of time looking for the best marketing tools to reach their customers and convert communication into sales. Part of this involves collecting information about people's preferences.

  Online form specialist Formstack recently published its Form Conversion Report on what makes people fill in online forms. Based on the data from this it's now released some predictions on the future of digital marketing.

  The first and most important is that mobile marketing is becoming essential, not just an option. With growing numbers of people who exclusively use their phones to access the Internet, businesses need to embrace this trend.

  Online forms can help capture information to generate leads but Formstack predicts that it’s the quality of the information which will become key. As personalized content becomes a more common part of our online life, customers will begin to expect a customized experience from marketers rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

  Features like "smart" forms are likely to play a part in this. Smart logic lets marketers hide sections of their web forms. These hidden questions are only revealed when a user selects certain options. This lets marketing teams obtain relevant information without scaring away customers with a long form.

  Finally it predicts that marketers will need to take advantage of third-party apps to generate more leads. Integrating data collection with popular marketing apps will create more tailored lead generation. This can then be followed up by triggering actions through email marketing platforms or CRM systems so that every customer is engaged in a unique way.

  The future of digital marketing then is in data collection and management. As marketers gain more information about their customers, they will be increasingly able to reach them with desirable content. You can find out more on Formstack's website about how the company's offerings can help.

  Image Credit: 3Dmask / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Never miss a caller again with the i-Bell

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 1:33pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Wouldn't it be useful to know there is someone at the door when you're out in the garden or even when you're away from home completely?

  The people behind the i-Bell, which launches its crowd funding campaign this month, obviously had the same thought. A Wi-Fi enabled doorbell, it lets you use your smartphone to see and even communicate with whoever is at your door. You can tell the delivery man to hang on a second or leave the package in a safe place for example.

  Designed in the UK, the i-Bell can be used with any PC, tablet or smartphone. Its integrated 1080p camera, speaker and microphone means you can screen callers and high security brackets mean it will stay attached to your front door.

  Graham Kershberg, co-founder of i-Bell, says, "there's nothing quite like i-Bell on the market right now. It's going to revolutionize daily life for a lot of individuals and businesses. Arranging deliveries around working hours or getting an unexpected visit from a relative who gets no answer at the door can really disrupt an individual's plans. But now it's possible to communicate directly with the person ringing the doorbell, let the postman know where to leave a package, or telling Aunt Mabel that you'll be home as soon as possible without even being on the premises. Fun to use and practical, i-Bell makes it possible to answer the door from any corner of the world, whether that’s five minutes down the road on the school run or from a sun lounger overseas on a long awaited holiday."

  You can find out more and pre-register to get information as the product moves towards launch by visiting the i-Bell website.

  
• 

  Evernote 5.4 for Windows Desktop adds user-requested features, including shortcuts toolbar option

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 1:32pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Evernote Corporation has released Evernote 5.4 for Windows Desktop, a minor update to its popular cloud-based, cross-platform note-taking and organizational tool.

  Version 5.4 introduces two new features based on user feedback: the ability to request additional permissions when accessing shared notebooks, and the ability to view shortcuts horizontally on their own dedicated toolbar.

  When assigning shared notebooks to others, users can opt to give them read-only or editing access. As from version 5.4, the Evernote Windows client allows users with read-only access to shared notebooks the ability to request editing rights.

  The feature is accessed by clicking the lock button in the top right-hand corner of any note within the shared notebook, which then sends a request to the notebook owner. If editing rights are subsequently granted, an email is sent back to the person requesting elevated access.

  Shortcuts allow users to place frequently accessed notes, notebooks and tags via their own dedicated section in the Evernote navigation pane. Based on user requests, these shortcuts can be moved to their own dedicated section in the main toolbar by selecting View > Shortcuts > Show in Toolbar.

  The update is rounded off with the promise of unspecified performance and reliability improvements.Evernote 5.4.1 For Windows Desktop is available as a free download for Windows XP or later. Also available are Evernote for Mac 5.5, Evernote Touch 2.0 for Windows 8, Evernote for iPhone & iPad 7.3.5, and Evernote for Android 5.7.

  
• 

  Internet Explorer Developer Channel adds GamePad, WebDriver support

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 1:26pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Microsoft has unveiled Internet Explorer Developer Channel, a special preview version of the browser which includes upcoming developer-oriented features and extended standards support.

  One major highlight of this release is that it’s packaged as an App-V application, which means it runs in a virtualized environment and won’t affect your existing Windows or Internet Explorer setup at all. There are none of the usual dangers of installing an unfinished IE build. You can run Internet Explorer Developer Channel alongside IE11 without any conflicts, and uninstall it cleanly at any time.

  Once the program is running you’ll be able to explore its initial GamePad support, which allows JavaScript to access gamepad stick positions, button presses, connect and disconnect events, and more.

  WebDriver support allows developers to run automated tests on their web pages and analyze the results.

  WebGL has been enhanced with support for instancing, which could bring major performance improvements in some situations.

  More generally, there are many additions to the F12 developer tools. New event breakpoints and tracepoints are triggered when your specified event fires. The UI Responsiveness tool can now export memory snapshots, so you can restore them later and continue your analysis (or share them with others). You get new icon bar notifications, more navigation options and keyboard shortcuts, improved autocomplete, new event filtering, dominator folding and more.

  Internet Explorer Developer Channel is available now for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1 users running IE11.

  
• 

  ChargeKey changes its name and offers 25 percent discount for BetaNews readers

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 11:40am CEST par Ian Barker

  You might recall that we recently reviewed the ChargeKey and ChargeCard USB charging gadgets. These are now being relaunched with an updated design using more durable materials and have had a name change to NomadKey and NomadCard -- though we’re guessing they won't recharge your camel.

  There's also an extra product, the carabiner-style NomadClip that you can fit on your key chain, belt or anywhere else to ensure you’re never without a charger. It’s non-load bearing but with a steel frame and polycarbonate outer shell it should be tough enough to survive life's day-to-day knocks.

  As with the other devices it's available in Apple Lightning connector -- MFI certified by Apple to work with their products -- and microUSB format for most Android and many other devices. To celebrate all of this the company is offering readers a 25 percent discount for the next week on pre-orders of the new products.

  Use the code LIVESIMPLE when ordering from the hellonomad.com website to claim. Shipping is free to the US, Canada, Australia and the UK with a $5 flat rate anywhere else in the world.

  Visit the revamped Nomad website for more information.

  
• 

  Google's YouTube could ban indie labels

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 11:10am CEST par Darren Allan

  

  Do you enjoy listening to a bit of Radiohead on YouTube -- well, perhaps "enjoy" might be the wrong word for Thom Yorke's compositions -- but anyway, if you do, you might find that your viewing pleasure is disrupted when the band's music videos are stripped from Google's service.

  This could happen pretty soon, according to reports, because of a dispute between the video streaming giant and the independent labels which look after the likes of Radiohead and the Arctic Monkeys.

  So what's going on here, exactly? Well, YouTube is busy renegotiating contracts with all record labels as it prepares to launch a subscription music service which has the potential to be a major cash cow for Google.

  And while the majors have inked the deal, some indies feel they are being pushed around by the terms Google has laid down, and given the short end of the stick.

  According to a report by Auntie Beeb, some independent labels have said the proposed deal has "highly unfavourable terms", and the guitarist of Radiohead complained that Google was trying to twist the arms of indie labels and force them into accepting lower payments and worse terms than the majors secured.

  This could mean that artists from holdout labels are struck off from YouTube possibly as soon as later this week. Though they won't disappear entirely, as the BBC reckons videos from affected artists would still remain via channels such as Vevo. Footage which is exclusively licensed by said labels is likely to be the content affected -- and obviously, that would still be a major blow for fans of these artists.

  In a comment, YouTube unsurprisingly refused to be drawn into the fracas, merely stating: "Our goal is to continue making YouTube an amazing music experience, both as a global platform for fans and artists to connect, and as a revenue source for the music industry."

  "We're adding subscription-based features for music on YouTube with this in mind -- to bring our music partners new revenue streams in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars YouTube already generates for them each year".

  YouTube also said that hundreds of both major and indie labels were already partnered up with it. It's expected that the new YouTube subscription service will be rolled out at the end of summer, and will strip ads away and allow for offline listening (as with other popular streaming services which offer a premium paid option), among other boons.

  Streaming music is becoming a bigger and more competitive business rapidly, with the likes of Amazon recently joining the club with its Prime Music offering, and Apple snapping up Beats partly for its streaming service.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo Credit: HomeArt/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9.0 adopts Windows 8-themed facelift, available for just $9.99

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 10:49am CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Emsisoft has released Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9.0, a brand new version of its dual-engine anti-malware tool for Windows users. Version 9.0 sports a major facelift, improved performance and "hundreds of detail improvements" for better usability.

  To celebrate the release, users have a nine-day window in which to purchase 12 month’s protection for the special introductory price of just $9.99, a saving of 75 percent on the usual MSRP.

  The biggest change in Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9 is the most noticeable: a completely retooled user interface, inspired by the Windows 8 look. The tool is split into four broad sections: protection, scan, quarantine and logs, and has been redesigned to provide a more user-friendly and minimalist experience with clear colour-coded warnings to mirror the suite’s own "fast and lean" approach.

  Performance is enhanced throughout the suite thanks to plugging of various resource leaks, internal optimizations and more efficient memory usage. All components also benefit from taking advantage of internal security enhancements found in modern Windows versions such as ASLR and DEP.

  The anti-malware tool employs a dual-scanner engine for greater protection, and version 9 comes with the twin promise of greatly increased scan speeds while also offering better detection and thorough removal, even of the latest threats.

  The dual-scanner engine is one of three layers of protection offered by the program, the other two being Surf Protection (protection against malicious websites, both within and without browsers) and Behavior Blocker (protection based on behavioural analysis to help spot even brand new threats). Version 9 comes with the promise of greatly improved performance from the Behavior Blocker’s cloud-assisted detection tools, which Emsisoft promises translate into fewer false positives and more accurate malware classification.

  The update is rounded off with "hundreds" of usability improvements based on customer feedback, and optimised integration into Windows 8 and 8.1.

  Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9.0 is available now as a trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Users with a valid license can upgrade to the new version for no charge for the remainder of their subscription, while a single-PC, one-year license can currently be purchased for just $9.95 from the Downloadcrew Software Store, a saving of 75 per cent on the MSRP. Please note this offer is valid through June 27.

  
• 

  Huawei Ascend G6: Affordable 4G smartphone [Review]

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 10:35am CEST par Sandra Vogel

  

  I was quite a fan of the Huawei Ascend P7 when I reviewed it last month, noting that it was a worthy flagship phone. At the high-end of the market, Huawei's problem is less what it does with its handsets, and more the profile it gets as a company in competition with the likes of Sony, Samsung and HTC.

  The Ascend G6 is not a flagship handset. It is currently available for around £225 SIM-free as a 4G handset, and an otherwise identical 3G version will be around £185. It is a good comparator for the new £235 HTC Desire 610.

  However, the Ascend G6 has two potential problems -- and neither has anything to do with the phone itself. It may suffer because Huawei's profile is relatively low, but it may also flag because Huawei makes the EE Kestrel. This is an own-brand 4G handset that's recently been launched by EE at £99 on PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go), and contracts as low as £13.99. I've got a Kestrel and will review it in due course, but it is worth noting there are some startling similarities between the two handsets both inside and out.

  Anyway, on to the Huawei Ascend G6 itself.

  If you have looked at any recent Huawei handset reviews you will instantly recognize the trademark physical design feature of a rounded bottom edge which differs from the flattened long and top edges. It's a clever tweak that helps Huawei's handsets stand out while not being visually jarring.

  The problem with the design is that the curve means that the charge slot can't go on the bottom, so in this case it has been positioned on the top edge of the phone. That's probably not going to cause you that much grief, though I find it is more awkward to take calls when the phone is charging if the cable is poking out of the top of the handset as opposed to the bottom.

  In fact, the design fault –-- and I do think it is a fault -- is that the headphone port is at the bottom of the left long edge. That means the connector pokes out of the side of the phone, making slipping it into a pocket tricky, and leaving you at the risk of jarring the connector. It's the same problem Huawei had with its flagship Ascend P6, which was fixed for the Ascend P7.

  Unlike the higher-end Huawei handsets, the build material of choice here is plastic, though the three non-curved edges have a brushed metal sheen to them that's both attractive and easy on the eye. The backplate has a semi-rubbery finish that helps with grip, and it comes off to reveal slots for the microSD card and microSIM. The battery isn't removable, though. Power and volume buttons are on the right edge, easily accessed for one-handed use. They're both nicely raised, so that they are easy to locate when you want to adjust music volume without removing the phone from your pocket or bag.

  

  The Huawei Ascend G6 is incredibly light at just 115 grams, but it feels solid in the hands. This is an average sized phone by today's standards, with a 4.5-inch screen sitting inside a notable but not oversized bezel. It is nice to see the Android capacitive buttons below the screen area rather than taking up some display space by being part of it. I found these buttons needed a reasonable press rather than a light touch -- more so than the screen itself which was very responsive.

  On paper the screen is disappointing with a resolution of just 960 x 540 pixels -- but in fact it is fine for most tasks. I was even fairly happy reading an ebook, though I tend to prefer larger displays for video and web browsing these days. The auto setting seems to take brightness a few notches lower than I like, no doubt to help battery life, but it is easy to override the auto feature and set the brightness level manually.

  

  The quad-core Qualcomm processor runs fast enough for everyday use, and having 1GB of RAM to help it out is a plus. If you don't push it by running too many apps at once it should do well. In this respect, Huawei provides a little helper in the shape of its Phone Manager app. This can scan the handset's memory and let you clean the cache, close down apps and so on to keep the G6 running smoothly.

  In fact, Huawei's user interface is one of the things that makes its handsets stand out. Emotion UI, as it is called, doesn't have an app drawer; instead apps sit on home screens. This encourages you to get rid of apps you don't use as you're always looking at their icons, and to keep things orderly by using folders. It is not the norm, but I've been won over to it through regular use.

  

  It is nice to see NFC here, and there's 8GB of memory on board, reduced to 5.5GB by what's pre-installed, including Huawei's Emotion UI, apps, and Android 4.3. It would have been nice to see Android 4.4 here, of course, but Emotion UI does have some neat features including a range of themes and some add-on apps that might be useful. Indeed, where others can be accused of bloating their handsets with apps, I'd say Huawei's extras are often handy utilities.

  I've already noted the Phone Manager app and there's also a DLNA app, notes app, weather app, FM radio, file manager, tool that backs the handset up to microSD and a few more. There are also some power saving settings you can apply to stretch the 2,000mAh battery and each of these provides an estimate of how long you will get if you use them. Huawei's stock in trade 'simple' home screen design is also here -- it gives you three screens of large icons rather than the more complex standard view.

  

  The presence of two cameras is no surprise but Huawei has managed to add something distinctive. The front camera shoots to 5 megapixels, a relatively high resolution designed to appeal to selfie fans. Both it and the rear-facing 8 megapixel camera have a feature called Sound and Shot which lets you capture a ten second sound clip to go with stills. Both cameras also have a Beauty mode, which supposedly smooths out wrinkles and such. I found it delivered uneven results and it's just a bit silly, really. The back camera also has the current flavour of the month feature, HDR.

  Verdict

  The Huawei Ascend G6 is a lightweight yet robust handset. The headphone slot is poorly placed, but the rest of the design is pleasing. There are some nice software extras, and the price seems quite attractive until you consider the EE Kestrel and, almost inevitably, the new 4G version of the Motorola Moto G.

  Specifications

  Manufacturer and Model	Huawei Ascend G6
  Network	4G
  Processor	1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
  Ram	1GB
  Memory	8GB (5.49GB accessible)
  Memory expansion	microSD
  Display	4.5in, 960 x 540 pixels, 245ppi
  Main camera	8 megapixel
  Front camera	5 megapixel
  NFC	Yes
  Wi-Fi	Yes
  GPS	Yes
  FM radio	Yes
  Battery	2,000 mAh
  Size	65 x 7.5 x 130mm (WxDxH)
  Weight	115g
  OS	Android 4.3

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  1Password for Windows 4.0 tightens security, adds new features

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 9:58am CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Toronto security firm AgileBits has completed its round of major updates to its secure password storage service with the release of 1Password for Windows 4.0. With version 4, AgileBits has revamped the Windows build, significantly closing the feature-set gap between it and the more fully developed Mac version.

  Highlights of this release include tighter security, a number of significant new features and the promise of vastly improved performance, and follow on from the recent Android update.

  Security has been improved on two particular counts: first, the Strong Password Generator has been improved to include a diceware generator capable of suggesting over 17,500 words between four and eight letters in length.

  1Password 4.0 for Windows also adds the 1Password Watchtower service, which provides warnings when a Login item has been compromised, plus provides advice on when it’s safe to update passwords.

  Custom fields can now be added to both Wallet and Account items, while each login item can now be assigned to multiple URLs -- useful where passwords are shared across login items (not recommended).

  Speaking of which, a new Duplicate Passwords category makes it easy to track down shared passwords, which -- coupled with another new class (Weak Passwords) -- allows users to further strengthen security by assigning unique passwords to each login item.

  New features include a favourites list for quickly accessing important items -- this list can be synced between all devices. There are also new browser extensions for Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. At the same time 1Password can now detect password changes from the browser, allowing users to update their Login items accordingly.

  1Password 4.0 for Windows also introduces support for tagging items for organizing and finding. This handy new feature is accompanied by a new Folder Name column to the All smart folder, which helps users determine which folder individual items have been filed under.

  Eagle-eyed users will also spot the File > Reopen menu item, which makes it easy to switch between multiple 1Password Vaults. On a related note, 1Password is now capable of automatically detecting all password data stored in the user’s Dropbox folder.

  Version 4.0 also introduces Wi-Fi sync, allowing users to sync with their iOS devices directly across the network instead of relying on a cloud connection. Users can now also share any type of item with trusted parties via email.

  The update is rounded off with a Demo Vault for showing off the program’s capabilities without revealing personal information, a new toolbar where the search input is always visible and the promise of major performance improvements, particularly when searching an entire 1Password Vault. One final, undocumented, note is the dropping of support for Windows XP and Vista.

  1Password for Windows 4.0 is available now as a free trial download for PCs running Windows 7 or later. The full version costs $49.99 for a single-user license, or $69.99 for a five-user Family license -- upgrades are available for $24.99, while anyone who purchased the previous version in 2013 or 2014 gets the upgrade for free. Also available are 1Password for Mac 4.4.1, 1Password for iOS 4.5 and 1Password for Android 4.0.1.

  
• 

  Microsoft rewards Linux users with new version of Skype

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 4:27am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Linux users are not the most sociable bunch. Sure, I am generalizing, but I speak from experience. Not only do I know many socially awkward and inept Linux nerds, but I am one myself. While I do not use operating systems based on the kernel exclusively, I use them often, and understand preferring the company of a computer to other humans.

  Still, every once in a while, a Linux nerd must communicate with family or friends and what better way to do that than video chat? Skype is one of the best options, although some Linux users refuse to use it since Microsoft acquired it. Me? I could care less who owns it as long as it functions as I expect. Today, Microsoft reaffirms its commitment to Linux with a new version of Skype.

  Microsoft touts the following changes:

  • An updated UI
  • Our new cloud-based Group Chat experience
  • More reliable file transfer support when using multiple devices at once
  • Greater accessibility by blind and visually impaired users
  • PulseAudio 3.0 and 4.0 support
  • Lot of bug fixes

  Sadly for some users, ALSA support has been dropped, so you must PulseAudio. However, most users should not have a problem with this. To download it, click the below. Tell me how you like it in the comments.

  http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-linux/

   

   

  
• 

  Opa! Google Maps Street View comes to Greece

  Publié: juin 19, 2014, 12:59am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Greece is a beautiful place, but sadly, I've never seen it in person. No, much like other Americans, I rarely travel. Today's economy is too unforgiving towards wasteful spending. I've seen Greece on TV, in movies and on the internet, so I get the basic idea. Still, it would be nice to visit a country so full of history -- maybe one day.

  Today however, Google makes it possible for people to experience Greece without leaving their home. Yes, the popular Google Maps Street View comes to Greece, allowing a more realistic view of the country. This the 56th country to be represented by Street View, thus far.

  "Greece is home to many of the world's great cultural and historical monuments and remarkable landscapes, making it a natural for Street View, which allows web users to take panoramic real-life virtual tours of public roads. That’s why we’re particularly excited to announce the launch of the pathbreaking service this month, making Greece the 56th country added to Street View. From now on unique Greek landmarks, such as the Corfu Old Town, the White Tower in Thessaloniki and the Arch of Hadrian in the center of Athens, will be vividly represented on our computer screens. We've gathered some of our favourite scenes in our Views Gallery", says Dionisis Kolokotsas, Public Policy and Government Relations Manager, Google.

  Kolokotsas further explains, "many Greeks long have been keen for us to bring its benefits to their country, seeing Street View as a powerful tool for the promotion of a country. At a launch event in Athens, Andreas Andreadis, President of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, said the new service will prove invaluable to tourists coming to Greece -- and Greek businesses serving them. Visitors now will be able to check their hotel in advance and preview the areas and sites they are about to visit. Street View benefits everyone from the wheelchair user who can check whether a building has a ramp to the elderly who may check whether there are sufficient parking spots before leaving home. Minister of Culture and Sports Panos Panagiotopoulos welcomed Street View in Greece as nothing less than 'a gift from God'".

  Google assures the people of Greece that it will respect privacy by blurring faces and license plates. However, there is still the possibility of being caught in an embarrassing predicament and having friends and family recognize you even without your face showing. No worries though, the search-giant invites Greeks to request additional blurring as needed (at Google's ultimate discretion, of course).

  Are you excited to view Greece through Street View? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: Camilo Torres / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Amazon takes on Apple and Google with Fire phone

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 10:51pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Amazon today unveiled the latest entrant to the smartphone race -- the Fire phone. The handset continues the Fire name that is more readily associated with Amazon's range of Android tablets, and it has a few tricks up its sleeve to make it stand out from the competition. A press event in Seattle brought to an end weeks of rumor and speculation as the phone, which features Dynamic Perspective that allows for maps and other images to be displayed in three dimensions, was revealed.

  Run by four ultra-low power specialized cameras and four infrared LEDs, Dynamic Perspective has numerous uses. One application makes it possible for users to gain a different perspective on an image or object on screen by moving their heads. In games, a move of the head can be used to switch views, and there is scope for unique navigation options within apps. Some applications are slightly simpler, and mimic those found in other handsets such as Samsung's Galaxy range. For example, auto-scroll allows for easy reading of lengthy documents and web pages without the need for swiping.

  Extending on the phone's name, and conjuring up images of Nathan Fillion in a TV series of the same name, the handset runs a service called Firefly. Hoping to trump Siri and Google Now, Firefly recognizes groceries, books, and songs, allowing for easy ordering from Amazon (but of course), as well as food labelling, paintings, and more, to enable users to find out more information with ease. "Firefly recognizes a hundred million different items in real-world situations", said Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. The Firefly SDK, as well as the SDK for Dynamic Perspective are being made available so its likely capabilities will quickly extend in both of these areas.

  In terms of specs, the Fire phone features a 4.7-inch screen powered by Adreno 330 graphics, a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, and backed up by 2GB of RAM. Photography comes courtesy of a 13MP camera complete with an f2.0 lens. The front facing camera is just 2.1MP, but both are capable of capturing 1080p HD videos. Just like its tablet big brothers, Fire phone runs Android.

  Taking on Google Drive and Apple's cloud storage, Amazon Fire phone owners will be able to take advantage of unlimited photo storage on Amazon Cloud Drive. If this is not enough of a draw, phones taken on contract include a 12-month Amazon Prime subscription, providing access to streaming music, movies and TV, and offering benefits such as faster shipping on Amazon orders.

  But it is Amazon's existing infrastructure and set of services that could be the deal-breaker for buyers. Just like the Kindle Fire tablet range, the May Day button is available for when help is needed, and there's integration with Fire TV -- and other Miracast-enabled devices -- to allow for second-screening of videos. And of course Amazon's vast array of digital and physical goods are just a few taps away.

  The Amazon Fire phone launches July 25 and will be available exclusively on AT&T. The 32GB model will cost $199 on a two-year contract, or starting at $27.09 per month. Double the storage to 64GB and you'll have to part with $299 on a two-year contract, or $31.25 per month. Pre-orders start now!

  
• 

  HotKey Resolution Changer switches screen resolutions with a keypress

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 7:18pm CEST par Mike Williams

  Changing screen resolution on a PC is normally done via the Display applet. In Windows 8, say, you’d right-click the desktop, select Screen Resolution, choose your preferred resolution, click OK and confirm the results.

  While this isn’t difficult, it does take a few clicks. If you’re adjusting your resolution on a regular basis then you might like to try HotKey Resolution Changer, which allows you to tweak your settings with a keypress, or from the command line -- no other steps required.

  The program is free, portable and a personal project, so there’s no adware to worry about. Just unzip the download and it’s ready to run.

  On first launch HotKey Resolution Changer displays two shortcuts. Each can be assigned a resolution, color depth, refresh rate and hotkey. Minimize the program to your system tray and it’ll switch screen resolutions whenever a defined hotkey is pressed.

  If two resolutions aren’t enough, right-click HotKey Resolution Changer’s system tray icon, select a higher value (anything up to 9), and set up each one to suit your needs.

  In theory, at least, you should be able to set up a shortcut to rotate the screen by 90 degrees, sometimes useful for reading text. This didn’t work for us, but then we were using the program on Windows 8, which isn’t officially supported (although otherwise it ran just fine).

  There was better news with the command line mode, which can set a defined screen resolution from a shortcut or script. It’s able to launch a program, too, helpful if you’ve an application which runs better in some non-standard resolution.

  The only small concern was the program’s "raw mode", which allows you to set your system to any mode supported by the graphics card, regardless of the monitor’s capabilities. This adds flexibility, but can also cause problems, perhaps even physically damaging the display, so avoid it unless you know exactly what you’re doing. And even then, make sure you remember HotKey Resolution Changer’s emergency hotkey, Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R, which restores your initial resolution if there are any problems.

  Raw mode is disabled by default, though, so don’t let it put you off. For the most part HotKey Resolution Changer just works exactly as it should, changing your screen resolution on demand, and if that sounds interesting then give it a try.

  
• 

  End users are the biggest headache say security professionals

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 6:10pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Business security specialist Bromium has released the results of a survey of over 300 IT security professionals looking at endpoint threats.

  It finds that the majority believe end users to be the biggest security headache, that existing security solutions are unable to stop endpoint infections, and that antivirus can’t stop advanced, targeted attacks.

  Previous research has found that most attacks are aimed at user devices so it’s understandable that 72 percent of information security professionals believe users are their biggest security problem. User devices can be compromised by drive-by downloads, system vulnerabilities and email attachments, yet it can be time-consuming and expensive for information security teams to fix these problems.

  More than 84 percent believe that their current security doesn't stop all endpoint infections and a similar percentage believe that their existing antivirus solution doesn’t stop targeted attacks like spear phishing.

  "The reality today is that existing endpoint protection, such as AV, is ineffective because it is based on an old-fashioned model of detecting and fixing attacks after they occur," says Rahul Kashyap, chief security architect at Bromium. "Sophisticated malware can easily evade detection to compromise endpoints, enabling cyber criminals to launch additional attacks that penetrate deeper into sensitive systems. Security professionals should explore a new paradigm of isolation-based protection to prevent these attacks".

  Other findings from the survey are that two-thirds (65 percent) of information security professionals are looking for endpoint protection that is able to stop both known and unknown threats. Also 75 percent said they would sleep better at night knowing a user could click on anything at any time without risk of infection.

  "Despite the challenge in protecting end users, it is encouraging so many security professionals are aware of the shortcomings of existing technology," adds Kashyap. "The recognition that the status quo is broken is the first step toward changing it for the better".

  You can read more details of the report on the Bromium blog.

  Image Credit: Robert Kneschke / Shutterstock

  
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  Twitter reinstates tweets that mock the Prophet Muhammad and depict Koran burning

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 5:49pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  Twitter has reversed blocks it placed on numerous tweets and accounts in Pakistan that were deemed "blasphemous" and "unethical", including some that featured anti-Islamic content, depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, and photos of the Koran burning. Pakistani authorities complained to Twitter back in May, and the social network "made an initial decision to withhold content in Pakistan".

  But after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority failed to provide the additional information that Twitter requested, the accounts and tweets have been restored.

  Twitter issued a statement to Chilling Effects, a website that publishes cease and desist notices that have been issued to companies:

  We always strive to make the best, most informed decisions we can when we're compelled to reactively withhold identified content in specific jurisdictions around the world. On May 18, 2014, we made an initial decision to withhold content in Pakistan ... Consistent with our longstanding policies we provided notice to all of the affected account holders and published the actioned takedown requests on Chilling Effects to maximize transparency regarding our decision. We have reexamined the requests and, in the absence of additional clarifying information from Pakistani authorities, have determined that restoration of the previously withheld content is warranted. The content is now available again in Pakistan.

  The Pakistani complaints -- which are available to see on the Chilling Effects website -- cite Pakistan Penal Code as the reason for numerous accounts and tweets being deemed ban-worthy. Accounts held by users who tweet pictures of the Prophet Muhammad -- while such depictions are not banned by the Koran, it is something forbidden by many Islamic leaders -- were included in the initial ban. Accounts like "draw Muhammad" and "Let's Draw Muhammad!" are among those who voice support for "free speech and freedom of artistic expression".

  The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority politely asked that Twitter block a series of "Blasphemous URLs", "Blasphemous links", and "Un­ethical links", but the ban was in place for just one month. The decision by Twitter will be viewed quite differently around the world. For many it will be a victory for free speech, while others will find it as offensive as many did the original content. The fact that some of the accounts and tweets mentioned, as well as others, remain blocked outside of Pakistan, highlights the problems of the global nature of life online, and the problem of policing across borders.

  Image Credit: Jandrie Lombard/Shutterstock

  
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  One in five businesses are still using Windows XP despite the risks

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 4:52pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Microsoft ended support for XP two months ago, yet consumers are still proving resistant to change, and many businesses are similarly reluctant to upgrade to a newer version of Windows.

  According to security firm Bitdefender, which conducted a three-month global study into the operating system use of small and medium businesses, nearly 19 percent of firms, or almost one in five, are sticking with the aging XP despite security concerns.

  The study looked at companies in sectors such as education, industry, retail and medical, and according to Bitdefender, one web marketing business had to deal with almost 800 million malware attacks in the three month analysis period as a result of its refusal to upgrade.

  Although Microsoft no longer provides support for XP, many firms seem unfazed by the risks.

  "A few weeks after the end of support announcement, a new Internet Explorer zero-day vulnerability turned into a permanent threat for XP users," Bitdefender Chief Security Strategist Catalin Cosoi said. "That was until folks at Microsoft issued a patch that was made available for Windows XP users as well. However, this was an exception that shouldn’t make enterprises believe it will happen again, so the migration from XP is a must".

  The study, which was conducted from March to May 2014, showed that 53.4 percent of the 5,000+ companies analyzed now run Windows 7 Professional. Only a small percentage of the SMBs were found to be running other Windows versions such as Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 8.1 Pro.

  Bitdefender’s study also reveals an impressive, and frankly staggering statistic -- 13 percent of employees admitted to still being able to access systems at a previous work place using old credentials.

  Image Credit: Nomad_Soul / Shutterstock

  

  
• 

  Why you may want to buy a BlackBerry again

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 4:46pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Canadian mobile maker BlackBerry may have just cracked its biggest problem -- the weak BlackBerry 10 OS ecosystem -- as it just signed a licensing agreement with Amazon, which will bring the Android Appstore to its ailing smartphone operating system.

  When the upcoming BlackBerry 10.3 OS launches this fall, more than 200,000 new apps will be available on the platform, on top of what BlackBerry World already offers. The latter is likely to feature more apps that leverage BlackBerry 10 features, while the former will take on the role of filling the biggest gaps, caused by missing popular titles like Candy Crush Saga, Netflix and Minecraft, among others.

  Thanks to this app infusion, which will bring popular and powerful services to its platform, BlackBerry will shutter the music and video sections in BlackBerry World on July 21. Content downloaded prior to this date will still be available via MyWorld, says the company.

  For those who are not aware of it, BlackBerry introduced the ability to install Android apps in BlackBerry 10 as a runtime. The first iteration supported only Android 2.3 offerings, while its successor introduced support for Android 4.2.2 software. BlackBerry World has crossed the 100,000 app mark last year, aided by the Android app compatibility.

  It will be interesting to see how this deal will impact BlackBerry 10 smartphone sales, which have lagged behind BlackBerry's legacy devices, now that consumers no longer have to give up quite so many of their favorite apps to buy one of the Canadian maker's handsets. This deal will also effectively give BlackBerry 10 an advantage over its closest competitor, Windows Phone, which only touts 250,000 offerings in its Store (and also continues to struggle to attract top-tier developers).

  
• 

  Greasemonkey update brings important security changes

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 4:44pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Firefox script manager Greasemonkey has been updated to version 2.0 with some important security tweaks.

  The add-on now finally defaults to the unprivileged mode introduced in Greasemonkey 1.0, which means scripts must explicitly request the APIs they need with @grant. The developers say this shouldn’t pose a problem, as "many if not most or all scripts" work this way already, and the change won’t immediately affect installed scripts anyway. But if you then update, edit or reinstall a script which doesn’t follow the rules, it’ll probably break.

  Similarly, the sandbox has been updated to match Firefox Add-on SDK, and will no longer be able to use unsafeWindow to make JavaScript objects available. Translated, it’s another low-level change which may also break existing scripts, but Greasemonkey’s developers say it will improve "stability, reliability and security", while script developers can still access unsafeWindow with the new methods cloneInto(), exportFunction(), and/or createObjectIn().

  Elsewhere, new support for reading a meta.js file from any website should make it easier to detect and download script updates (although it’ll take some time before it’s widely used).

  Firefox Sync support is now turned on by default, and shouldn’t display unnecessary prompts if a master password is set.

  References and links to the broken and almost entirely useless userscripts.org will at last be ditched.

  Greasemonkey 2.0 also fixes a range of bugs. We didn’t spot anything that seemed too significant, but if you’re interested, the 2.0 milestone on GitHub will give you all the low-level details.

  As we write, the Firefox add-on site is still displaying Greasemonkey 1.15. It should catch up soon, but if you can’t wait, try installing 2.0 beta 2 from the Development Channel section.

  
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  Using online dating mobile apps risks leaking your personal data

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 3:33pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  One in five adults in the US aged between 25 and 34 have used an online dating site and mobile apps have opened up a new channel for these services to reach their clients. But this does raise concerns about the level of privacy and how user data is being protected.

  Mobile security specialist nVisium has looked at the features in 30 of the most popular dating apps for iOS and Android. It found that 80 percent of the apps leaked personal information to third-party services and that 70 percent had issues that would allow a user's real identity to be disclosed.

  Other findings include the fact that 60 percent of apps send information across the internet without protection and 50 percent store information on the device without security.

  To use a dating app you generally need to tell it a lot about who you are, information like addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and so on. Leaking one or more of these things can give away your real identity and leave you open to social engineering or worse.

  Half of apps were found to be storing user login credentials in an unencrypted form, potentially allowing them to fall into the wrong hands, and only six percent offered in-app passcode locking.

  If your information does leak you're going to need that GSOH, so to protect yourself nVisium recommends that you turn off location sharing and advertisements in the app settings. You should also remove the geolocation data from the Exif information of files that you share. Finally you should set a passcode on your device as a first line of protection and take care not to leave your phone unattended.

  You can see the findings of the study in infographic form below.

  

  Image Credit: Nomad_Soul / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Apple introduces a new entry-level iMac

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 2:53pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  If you’re in the market for a new Apple computer, but can’t afford a top of the line model, you’ll be pleased to know Apple has today rolled out a new entry-level iMac.

  The new system is available now and comes with a 21.5 inch screen, 1.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, a 500GB hard drive and Intel HD Graphics 5000.

  It’s priced at $1,099, which is $200 cheaper than the next model (which offers a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and a 1TB hard drive).

  Configuration options let you boost the iMac’s storage to 1TB for an additional $50, or you can select a 1TB Fusion Drive, (or add 256GB of Flash storage) for an extra $250.

  It’s obviously not the most powerful iMac, but if you’re not too worried about performance, it’s certainly a decent choice for the home.

  Does it appeal to you?

  
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  The challenges of securing Amazon Web Services

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 12:59pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Amazon Web Services is the world's most popular infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform and is built to suit enterprises of all sizes looking to reduce their computing costs by shifting to the cloud.

  One of the key considerations in such a move is keeping data secure and AWS has various free and chargeable mechanisms to help with this. A new report from NSS Labs looks at the advantages of AWS as well as some of the challenges organizations face when moving to an (IaaS) environment.

  Among the findings of the report are that Amazon is gaining popularity thanks to offering key baseline security attributes and controls as well as the availability of security options from Amazon and other vendors.

  Report author Rob Ayoub writes, "The deployment of IaaS is straightforward -- customers purchase access to virtual machines directly in the cloud. However, this simple act opens up a host of opportunities for outsourcing, allowing organizations the ability to practice true utility computing -- adding or subtracting servers, storage, and other services on demand".

  AWS offers basic security controls including a firewall, groups and virtual private cloud infrastructures, but doesn’t yet offer a full suite of security tools. However NSS notes that many end users don't fully understand the security implications of moving their operations to an IaaS provider and may not be implementing secure practices.

  It also says that it isn't enough for organizations to simply port applications and data to the cloud and assume that compliance will be addressed.

  Recommendations for companies moving to AWS include assessing the security controls offered by AWS and evaluating the additional controls available from third-party technology partners. This will ensure that security policies will remain consistent as data is shifted to the cloud.

  It's also important to evaluate and understand the gaps in security between on-premise systems and IaaS. Enterprises should incorporate AWS implementations into the life cycle management process used for other systems.

  Companies need to have procedures in place to ensure end users aren’t creating AWS instances without IT approval. Finally they need to ensure any regulated data moved to AWS is still in line with compliance policies.

  If you're considering the use of AWS for your business, or you're using it already, you can access the full report on the NSS Labs website.

  Photo Credit: Marynchenko Oleksandr / Shutterstock

  
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  Better camera performance coming to flagship Nokia Lumia smartphones

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 12:55pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  The Lumia Cyan software upgrade, which is set to roll out this summer, brings Windows Phone 8.1 to the crop of Nokia-branded Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Hardly surprising, the latest firmware will come bearing other gifts on top of a better operating system, among which are a slew of changes designed to squeeze extra performance out of high-end PureView cameras.

  In a Q&A session on Nokia Conversations, when asked about the firmware's imaging changes, Microsoft's Juha Alakarhu reveals that the Lumia Icon, Lumia 930 and Lumia 1520 cameras are the Windows Phone 8, PureView-equipped devices that benefit from Lumia Cyan. Here are the sort of improvements users can expect to see.

  Alakarhu says the cameras of the aforementioned smartphones will offer "much better" performance in low-light, "better" colors, video quality and RAW files (thanks to "using the sensor in more clever way [sic]"), and continuous autofocus.

  Continuous autofocus will play a key part in improving video recording and image capture, as it will significantly increase the chances of having moving subjects in focus (as opposed to many frames or images being out-of-focus, which is what single focus can lead to -- and usually does).

  On top of device-specific improvements, the firmware makes way for non-destructive photo editing in Creative Studio, and a faster Nokia Camera with a "better camera roll". Microsoft's Eero Salmelin says the time between consecutive shots is lower, which is something that will benefit the Lumia 1020 (notorious for the long pause between shots).

  
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  Apple opts for an out of court settlement to avoid $800m eBook fine

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 12:53pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  Apple has avoided an $800 million bill from a clutch of US states and other complainants by reaching an out of court settlement in a controversial price-fixing case.

  The settlement, the terms of which are yet to be revealed, still has to be ratified by the court and both sides involved in the deal have 30 days to submit a filing to US District Judge in Manhattan Denise Cote for it to be approved.

  Apple was first accused in April 2012 by the US Department of Justice, alongside five publishers, of colluding to illegally inflate the price of eBooks, which triggered off the class action by 33 states and US territories as well as other individual customers.

  The earlier case, which found Apple took part in price fixing in order to fight Amazon’s dominance in the eBook sector, came to a conclusion last July with Apple still appealing that decision and the settlement in this case depends on the outcome of that appeal.

  "As set forth in the memorandum of understanding, any payment to be made by Apple under the settlement agreement will be contingent on the outcome of that appeal," Steve Berman of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, the plaintiffs' lead lawyer, wrote in a letter to the judge.

  Apple complained in August 2013 that the US DOJ decision is heavily weighted towards its competitor, Amazon, and that the new proposals covering the market were a "broadside masquerading as a brief".

  The plaintiffs in the case are seeking damages of $840 million for eBook customers and the exact amount was to be settled at a trial that is scheduled to get underway on 14 July.

  Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin Group Inc, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster Inc, all previously agreed to pay out over $166 million in related antitrust charges and the publishers aren’t a part of this case.

  Kristin Huguet, a spokesperson, declined to comment further to Reuters on the settlement and more will be known once the 30-day period has elapsed.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Create flowcharts, mind maps and more with Software Ideas Modeler

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 12:45pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  If you need to create a diagram then there are plenty of free options around, from basic drawing tools to more specialist freebies like NCH Software’s ClickCharts.

  But if you’re looking for something serious, something industrial strength, with the power to handle a major project, the free (for non-commercial use) Software Ideas Modeler could be a great choice.

  The package supports creating a host of software-related diagram types: use case, class, sequence, state machine, entity relationships, data flow, user interface and so on. But it’s not just for developers, and can also create flowcharts, mind maps, Venn diagrams and more.

  The core of the program works much like the competition. Choose your diagram type, and a palette of shapes and drawing options appears on the left. Double-click or drag and drop one of these onto the page, then customize its text, background color, line style and so on. It’s all very familiar.

  But Software Ideas Modeler goes much further. Check the Properties dialog of a shape, say, and the Style box provides another 30+ ways to change the look of that object (as well as support for creating your own styles which you can apply to other objects). And you’re able to customize it further with tags, rich text notes, a list of other interested users, and much more.

  The chart itself can be tweaked in interesting ways, too. Individual symbols can be freely rotated. You’re not restricted to the regular flowchart palette: it’s also easy to add images, text, and fixed or freehand shapes. Even connecting lines don’t have to be straight. Clicking on any line contains a new control point which you can bend however you like.

  A strong focus on productivity means you don’t have to constantly switch between keyboard and mouse. Software Ideas Modeler allows you to choose your next symbol with one hotkey, its position with another, automatically adding a connecting line. You’re able to build complex diagrams without ever taking your fingers off the keyboard.

  There are various smart tools to help. Click any symbol and a floating toolbar appears underneath with a context-sensitive list of symbols which might come next. Click one of these and it’s immediately added, with a connecting arrow, leaving the focus on its name. Type whatever text you need for the second box, choose another from its floating toolbar (you don’t even have to press Enter) and that’s also added. Again, it’s just click/ type, click/ type,  no lengthy mouse movements or drag and drops required.

  If you do choose to build diagrams manually then a host of layout options helps to keep them looking good. Drag a symbol onto the page and alignment guides show you where to line it up with everything else. There are tools to move, resize, rotate, align and generally rearrange selected images however you like. You even get various "Auto Layout" options to reorganize an entire diagram in various ways.

  Software Ideas Modeler also provides layers, group and ungroup tools, multiple views on your current diagrams and an array of configuration options. And when you’re done, the final diagram may be exported as an image or PDF file, ready for sharing with others.

  If there’s a problem here it’s that there’s minimal documentation (that’s reserved for the commercial version). Software Ideas Modeler is well designed, so that’s not a problem for its core features, but you will have to spend some time experimenting before you can figure out all its more advanced options.

  This doesn’t take away from Software Ideas Modeler’s abilities, though: it’s an amazingly capable diagram creator which comes packed with professional and time-saving features, and tramples all over the free competition (and many of the commercial contenders, too).

  
• 

  This is the Samsung Galaxy S5 you really want

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 11:38am CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  The Samsung Galaxy S5 can get easily lost in a crowd of Android flagships. Compared to any of its well-known rivals, like the HTC One (M8) and Sony Xperia Z2, it fails to differentiate itself when it comes to screen resolution, processor choice and RAM capacity. And, compared to the more recent LG G3, it clearly loses the fight.

  Some folks expected Samsung to release the Galaxy S5 with Qualcomm's mighty Snapdragon 805 processor and a higher resolution display, which would have given it the edge over the increasingly fierce competition. Now, the South Korean maker is doing just that, by adding a better version of its flagship smartphone to the lineup. Meet the Galaxy S5 LTE-A.

  This is not the first time Samsung introduces an LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) version of its Android flagship, as the company did the same thing last year with the Galaxy S4. This year's model enables consumers to reach download speeds of up to 225 Mbps, which is as much as South Korean mobile operator SK-Telecom is now promising. It is not a coincidence, as the Galaxy S5 LTE-A was only announced in Samsung's home country (so far, at least). And, it will reach SK-Telecom, as well as KT and LG U+. Now let us tackle the other specs.

  The Galaxy S5 LTE-A packs a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,440 by 2,560 (referred to as WQHD), and is powered by a 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor with 3 GB of RAM that is backed by a 2,800 mAh battery. It also offers a 16 MP main camera and a 2 MP secondary shooter, runs Android 4.4 KitKat with Samsung's skin on top, measures 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm and weighs 145 grams. There are a couple of more available color options compared to the standard model, namely black, blue, copper, gold, pink, red and white (you can read the exact names in Korean here -- the page is now down, but you can access a cached version).

  The cost of owning the best Galaxy S5? In South Korea, it is ₩940,500 (roughly $919). There is no word yet on international availability but, like its predecessor, I expect it to slowly make its way to other markets, most likely as gray imports, if Samsung does not launch it officially.

  
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  Flipora updates its discovery engine and this time it’s personal

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 11:01am CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Relying on search engines or social networks to discover things you're interested in on the net can be a bit hit and miss. The things you see on your Facebook feed for example are influenced by your friends' interests as well as your own.

  Flipora aims to change the process of following your interests online by using artificial intelligence to make recommendations related to the things you really want to see.

  It analyzes your browsing and social media activity via a browser extension and learns the kind of things you're interested in. It will then recommend other articles and sites based on what it finds. Because it's constantly monitoring what you look at its recommendations evolve over time allowing it to make "mood aware" choices without you having to do anything.

  Jonathan Siddharth, Flipora's co-founder says, "Facebook isn't targeted and nor is Twitter but 99 percent of people use these for web discovery. Flipora looks at all the web not just sites you share with your friends and so is able to make better recommendations based on your current interests".

  Flipora 2.0 has a sleek new interface and works automatically without you having to specify what you're interested in. As soon as you login to the site with Facebook it will begin to analyze your timeline and suggest topics to follow.

  Install the browser extension -- available for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer -- and it will also look at your browsing history to improve its accuracy. For example, if you've been looking at sites related to the World Cup it will recommend other football content via a side panel or a slider in the corner of the page. If your interest wanes when the tournament is over Flipora will quickly adapt as you visit these sites less.

  You also have the option to share your website discoveries with people who have the same interests rather than putting them on other social networks where they'll risk getting lost in the background noise.

  Flipora 2.0 launches today and you can try it for yourself at flipora.com, the company hopes to have 40 million users by the end of 2014.

  
• 

  Android smartphones shipping from factory with malware

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 5:35am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Hardware being shipped with viruses or malware is not a new thing. In the past, there have been flash drives that were accidentally infected at the factory and made it into customers' hands. However, in the new age we live in, where nothing can be trusted, there becomes an increased paranoia in trusting hardware. There is no telling what backdoors or spy software is installed by foreign governments to spy on US Citizens. Hell, the US Government could do it too!

  Sadly, it seems Android phones are being shipped pre-loaded with malware according to German security company G Data Software. Before you panic and throw your phone into a lake, please know that so far, this is only discovered to exist in Europe on what seems to be a clone of the popular Galaxy S4. In other words, if you are in the USA you are probably safe -- for now. However, there is no telling where else the trojan Android.Trojan.Uupay.D may secretly be residing.

  "The malware is disguised as the Google Play Store and is part of the pre-installed Android apps. The spyware runs in the background and cannot be detected by users. Unbeknownst to the user, the smartphone sends personal data to a server located in China and is able to covertly install additional applications. This makes it possible to retrieve personal data, intercept calls and online banking data, read emails and text messages or control the camera and microphone remotely. The affected model 'N9500' is produced by the Chinese manufacturer Star and looks very similar to a smartphone from a well-known manufacturer. It is not possible to remove the manipulated app and the spyware since they are integrated into the firmware. Large online retailers are still selling the Android device at prices ranging from 130 to 165 euros and distributing it across Europe", says G Data Software.

  The company further explains, "the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets has not gone unnoticed by online criminals. There are about 40 million smartphone users in Germany alone. More than 1.2 million new malware programs for Android appeared last year and this number is expected to rise sharply. All the more reason for users to use a comprehensive security solution for their mobile devices".

  Incredibly, the firm did not discover the malware on its own, but was instead alerted to it by consumers that bought the device. In a big twist, it seems that the phone was possibly sold at a loss and subsidized through the sale of stolen information. In other words, the low price made it attractive to European consumers, which in turn spread the malware and ultimately the stolen info was more valuable than the loss on the initial sale.

  Any readers using the Star N9500 should stop immediately and take steps to minimize the effect. I would suggest changing all passwords as soon as possible for banking sites, email, social media -- everything.

  Does this discovery make you trust Android less? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: kulyk / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Batch convert documents to PDF, PNG, TIF or JPG with DocuFreezer 1.0

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 4:43am CEST par Nick Peers

  Anyone who's tried Print Conductor will know how great it is for speeding up the wearisome process of printing out documents of different types in one go from your Windows PC.

  Now the folks at fCoder are at it again, providing another free-for-personal-use tool to speed up batch processing. This time, however, DocuFreezer 1.0 is designed to speed up document conversion to PDF.

  Archiving documents to PDF or even a non-editable image format like PNG, TIF or JPG is a great way of sharing documents with others in a format you know will ensure the original document’s formatting and layout will be preserved.

  These days, outputting files to PDF is a simple affair. Many apps -- including Microsoft Office 2010 and later -- let you do this from within the program itself, while free tools like Nitro Reader ensure you can create PDFs from any application.

  Of course, that's fine and dandy for individual files, or even a group of files sporting the same format. But what happens when you're handed a group of presentations, spreadsheets, text documents and even PDF files to convert into another format?

  This is where DocuFreezer comes in: thanks to its simple user interface you can drag and drop (or manually select) files and even entire folders for conversion. Pick your format (which can be fine-tuned -- select PDF-A for example to ensure your document survives long-term archiving), choose your output folder and then click Start. That's it.

  It's all very smooth if not particularly quick, but there's one major potential deal breaker: while DocuFreezer can process certain file types natively, including PDF, it can’t handle Office formats on its own. Instead you'll need Office 2010 or later so DocuFreezer can tap into its API for the document conversion.

  If that doesn't put you off, then DocuFreezer 1.0 is available now as a free (for personal use) download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Office 2010 or later is required for Office document conversion. DocuFreezer commercial licenses can be purchased for $49.

  
• 

  Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is better than Apple's MacBook Air -- here's 5 reasons why

  Publié: juin 18, 2014, 2:38am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Nowadays, if you buy a brand new laptop, it is hard to buy an absolute lemon. Unless you scrape the bottom of the barrel at Best Buy and get some god-awful $200 underpowered computer, you should be fine. Hell, even that inexpensive computer may meet some people's needs. However, some of us spend many hours of each day on a computer, so it makes sense to invest in something great. If you are reading BetaNews, I'm sure you fall into that category. If you ask me which computer to buy, I would recommend many (depending on budget), but two stand out among the rest.

  The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Apple MacBook Air are great balances between portability, power and cost. Yes, there are more powerful computers, but they are often very heavy and have terrible battery life. Portability cannot be underestimated when it comes to a laptop's value and both of these machines are super thin and light. Last month, my colleague Mihaita pondered the question of which was better based on specs alone. However, as someone who has used both, hands-on, for long periods of time, I am ready to definitively tell you that the Surface Pro 3 is better. Do you agree?

  1. Screen Quality

  The MacBook Air 13.3-inch (the model I am using for comparison) uses a washed-out non-IPS display that simply looks horrendous by today's standards. It uses a 1,440 by 900 resolution that makes pixels easily visible. Apple usually makes great hardware, but the screen on the Air is simply not up to its normal standards. It also uses a 16:10 aspect ratio that just is not ideal for surfing the web.

  The Surface Pro 3 however, offers a gorgeous 2,160 x 1,440 resolution display with vibrant colors that hides pixels from the average eye. It even uses a 3:2 aspect ratio which is better suited for surfing the web. I smile every time I look at the beautiful display on the SP3.

  2. Touchscreen/Tablet

  Speaking of the screen, the Surface Pro 3 is also a touch-screen hybrid device that also serves as a tablet. This essentially kills two birds with one stone. Apple users will have to buy a MacBook Air and an iPad for the same experience found on SP3. This is a huge inconvenience for travelers that must pack two devices, two chargers and worry about keeping data synced between the two.

  Even in laptop mode, the touch screen comes in handy when sitting at a desk or table. Many people find a touchscreen on a laptop to be cumbersome and not ideal. True, you wouldn't want to use the touch screen exclusively at a desk, but having the option is better than not having it, and you'd be surprised at how many times I reach out and touch the SP3 display. The stylus is just icing on the cake.

  3. Weight

  The Surface Pro 3 without the Touch Keyboard attachment weighs 1.76 pounds. With it, it weighs 2.41 pounds. The 13.3-inch MBA? 2.96 pounds. Pretty much, Apple's machine weighs a half pound more -- that is significant.

  But hold on, an iPad Air weighs 1 pound. So, to get a similar experience to the SP3, an Apple user would have to carry a MBA and iPad Air, which would weigh almost 4 pounds. This means your backpack or briefcase will weigh a pound and a half more with Apple's product. The Surface Pro 3 is so light, that I often have to check my backpack to see if I forgot it.

  4. More (and Better) Software

  I love both OS X and Windows 8.1. However, Windows has the edge, because it has more quality apps and programs. To take it a step further, programs are better too. Don't get me wrong, there is some fine software for Apple's OS, but for someone wanting to get work done, on the go, it is no comparison. Office 2013 is far superior to Office 2011.

  But wait you say, that's not fair because Microsoft makes Office, right? OK, fair enough. I encourage you to read this article that lists suggested apps and programs for the Surface Pro 3. You will see many selections, not only from Microsoft, that blows away the offerings on OS X.

  5. Price

  Some people will say the MacBook Air is less expensive, but that is debatable. A Surface Pro 3 with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and Touch Cover would cost $1430. A 13.3-inch MacBook Air in the same configuration (sans keyboard) would cost $1300.

  So, the MacBook Air is cheaper right? Not so fast. You still do not have a tablet. To get the same features from Apple you also have to buy an iPad Air at $499. This means going Apple would cost an extra $370 and you would be juggling two device -- ouch!

  Conclusion

  Overall, both the Surface Pro 3 and MacBook Air are great laptops -- the Surface Pro 3 is simply better. For the money, you are getting more features and access to more apps and programs. Even though the MBA overall is solid, the fact that Apple in 2014 can sell its customers a laptop without a touchscreen is beyond me. Not to mention, the display quality is so poor in comparison to the Surface Pro 3, that it is hard to believe they are both being sold in the same year. As someone who has spent a lot of time with the Surface Pro 3, I can assure you it is the real deal.

  The MacBook Air had a long run as the king of thin and laptops, but now it must be said -- All hail the new king, Surface Pro 3!

  Photo credit: Vince Clements / Shutterstock

  
• 

  BYOD or CYOD -- which is the right choice for your organization?

  Publié: juin 17, 2014, 10:03pm CEST par Simon Culmer

  

  Over the past few years it seems that the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) phenomenon has taken businesses by storm, and on the face of it you can see why.

  Employees pay for their own devices, which means that businesses avoid the majority of the associated upfront costs. Workers are often happy to do this, as it means they can bring their favorite gadget to work and not be forced into using a corporate one they might be unfamiliar with. These employees already know the ins-and-outs of their devices and, as a result, are often much more productive when working on them. However, due to security and practical resource concerns, not all companies have adopted the BYOD approach with gusto.

  Another trend is now emerging. A Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) policy sees employees given the choice from a menu of company-owned and configured devices. Generally, all of them would use a small number of operating systems, ensuring simpler IT management than a BYOD policy. Employees can benefit from not paying for a device, yet still have some choice, and businesses retain more control. The best of both worlds?

  CYOD seems a perfect half-and-half solution. However, like all such arrangements, compromises must be reached. Offering employees a choice of approved devices provides more control for IT, but also means slightly less freedom for employees than BYOD. This restriction, however small, may not provide as high a level of employee satisfaction as a BYOD policy and hence dampen productivity gains.

  Suitability

  Another potential issue of BYOD is whether the devices employees use are suitable for running business apps. This is also an important consideration for IT departments choosing their own device pool. Minimum processing power and functionality are still required to successfully run video-conferencing, CRM and other business apps. Adopting a CYOD approach can avoid uncomfortable conversations around which devices are not actually acceptable BYOD items and which ones an organization expects employees to spend their own money on.

  Security and management

  Security and version control are the main reasons that some organizations do not make use of BYOD, and they remain ongoing concerns for those that do. Unlike a PC or Mac, there can be many updates to a mobile operating system within a single year, and apps don't always work optimally with new operating system updates. Currently, around 70 percent of the smartphone market in the UK is made up of Samsung and Apple devices. However, this figure is shrinking and we can expect that in the future there will be a much wider range of different machines that are used for work purposes.

  Supporting updates across diverse operating systems can be extremely time-consuming for IT departments who are unrealistically expected to have knowledge of all mobile devices on the market. By offering only a few standardized environments, CYOD allows for easier management and security planning for the IT department. Data leakage also remains a key security concern. Most organizations with a BYOD policy retain the right to wipe all data from a user's device if it is lost, as they do with CYOD policies. However, this can be upsetting for employees when it happens to a personal device.

  With CYOD, different employees could also be eligible for different devices and levels of corporate network access, depending on the type of work they do. Equally, some employees may not even qualify for CYOD devices, but instead be offered limited network access via their own equipment. Sophisticated mobile device management can make CYOD more flexible and BYOD more secure.

  Mixing business and pleasure

  Inevitably, a wide range of entertainment apps will end up sitting alongside productivity and enterprise programs on any device, whether permitted or not. With employee-owned devices, there is nothing to keep staff from watching movies or sports or playing games, and it can be difficult for the company to monitor that activity. Some businesses report soaring bandwidth use once BYOD policies begin. Although there is nothing stopping an employee from installing entertainment apps on a CYOD device, IT departments often find it easier to enforce usage levels.

  BYOD or CYOD?

  One of the strongest drivers of BYOD is the fact that people want to use a single device for both work and personal purposes. While CYOD offers greater corporate control, it does somewhat diminish the benefits BYOD aims to provide in the first place: the freedom to choose which device suits the user best. BYOD will remain a strong trend: Gartner predicts that by 2017 half of employers will require employees to supply their own devices. For the other half, CYOD offers a realistic option for meeting those essential mobility needs.

  Simon Culmer is the managing director of Avaya UK

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  88 percent of Brits believe their phones are tapped

  Publié: juin 17, 2014, 6:33am CEST par Darren Allan

  A new piece of research has looked into attitudes and beliefs about privacy when it comes to mobile phones, following Vodafone's dramatic revelations about state surveillance and tapping mobile conversations earlier this month.

  Predictably enough, the study, conducted by OnePoll and sponsored by Silent Circle (the private comms firm and outfit involved with the Blackphone) found that most people were cynical on the matter. Only 12 percent of the 1,000 UK respondents believed their mobile calls and texts remained private -- in other words, almost nine in ten think they're being listened in on. Indeed, 35 percent admitted they were "careful what they say" during a mobile call, assuming their conversation will be heard by flapping intelligence agency ears somewhere.

  One in four said they would actively avoiding making a call on a mobile in order to achieve some privacy.

  However, some folks believe that it's fine to listen in on the general publics' phone chatter, with 20 percent saying it was "okay" to do so.

  It's not just the state which respondents said was partaking in surveillance, although that was the top suspected source of phone tapping, with 53 percent of respondents citing the government as having the ability to do so. The police came second on 44 percent, followed by mobile networks on 33 percent, and criminals on 28 percent.

  Vic Hyder, Revenue Chief for Silent Circle, commented: "What our study confirms is that the wider working population of the UK are aware of the ever-increasing threats to the data we transmit via mobile technology. They know of eavesdropping capabilities, but in many ways are consigned to the abuse -- not just from Government but from criminal scavengers and corporate competition".

  He added: "Everyone feels the need for privacy at some time or another, practically each and every day. Whether it's closing the door to your office while negotiating contract details or turning your head in the coffee shop while discussing a family matter. Privacy is appreciated by all, and all should have a place to go to be private -- even in a digital smartphone world with eyes and ears nearly everywhere".

  Photo Credit: ollyy/Shutterstock

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Extend your battery life with Comodo Battery Saver for Android

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 7:58pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  There’s no real secret to extending the battery life of your Android device: just keep your screen brightness and timeout to a minimum, while turning off, disabling or uninstalling everything you don’t really need.

  Applying these tweaks at the right time is often a hassle, of course, and it could be simpler to allow the free Comodo Battery Saver to manage everything for you.

  Install the app and it monitors your battery level, automatically switching to a power-saving mode when it’s getting low. By default it uses "Economy Mode", which turns off almost everything, but there are various other presets available: "Reading Mode" for reading, "Cinema Mode" keeps your device quiet in meetings, "Gaming Mode" delivers maximum performance with minimum interruptions.

  If none of these suit your needs then you can also design a Custom Mode which adjusts only your chosen settings (screen timeout, brightness, vibration, Wi-Fi, mobile network, auto sync, Bluetooth, touch feedback).

  Tap Settings > Intelligent Options and you can have Battery Saver switch to your preferred mode when the battery level drops to a certain level. A scheduler optionally switches modes at a specified time range (use 23:00 -- 08:00 to turn off most features at night, say), and the app can also disable features when your device is locked.

  Once you’re set up, the app’s Battery Info page will keep you up-to-date with your current battery level and how long you’ve got until it’s exhausted. You’re able to manually change profiles here, as well as manually enabling/ disabling key features (Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and more) with a tap.

  If this still doesn’t deliver the results you need, Battery Saver’s Utilization page displays your most power-hungry apps, and stops or uninstalls them in a couple of taps. And the app also keeps you informed with an alert when you device can be unplugged from charge, and status bar notifications on your current battery levels.

  There are limits to what this kind of tool can do, and if you already monitor your battery use carefully then it’s not going to make too much difference. Comodo Battery Saver does simplify the process, though, and if you’re not happy with your current battery life then we’d give it a try

  
• 

  Samsung and Spotify team up for new multi-room wireless speaker system

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 7:54pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Whole home audio does not come cheap, and the big player to date has been the Sonos system. Now Samsung is jumping into the market and has found a major music player to partner with in its implementation of the system.

  The electronics maker and music streaming service Spotify are announcing the new Samsung Wireless Audio Speaker range (M7 and M5). "With Spotify Connect built in, you can stream your favorite music and playlists directly from Spotify. Hit play on your mobile or tablet, and the music booms out in any room of your home. You can even play through multiple speakers at the same time", the streaming service states.

  The new audio system will be compatible across multiple Samsung devices, including smart TVs, soundbars and other company products. The speakers are also compatible via both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

  Like Sonos, the system does not come cheap, so expect a hit to your wallet to set things up. You can view the options here,  You can control the system via a mobile app, and that is, thankfully, free.

  
• 

  Ashampoo Music Studio 5 adds Opus support, improves tag editor

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 7:53pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  German multimedia developer Ashampoo has announced the release of Ashampoo Music Studio 5, its all-in-one music management suite.

  Improvements include an extended Analyze tool which checks your chosen audio files for common problems (missing tags, incorrect file extensions) and corrects them in a few clicks.

  New support for Ogg’s Opus format means Music Studio 5 can open Opus files, and convert them to or from MP3, Ogg, WAV or FLAC.

  Enhancements include cover art support when ripping discs and in the tag editor, as well as more customizable disc copying (you can now choose which tracks to copy).

  Elsewhere, a revised Organizer renames or moves files based on their tags, and there’s an audio editor, a recorder, a normalization tool, a cover art and inlay designer, and more.

  Ashampoo also reports that there are "many technical improvements under the hood", and the suite now comes in a redesigned and simplified interface. (We’re not sure it’s a great improvement, but at least the company hasn’t just churned out yet another Windows 8-like clone.)

  Ashampoo Music Studio 5 is priced at $29.99. A 10-day-trial is available now, and that can be extended to 40 days if you register the program.

  

  
• 

  1Password for Android now supports on-device password editing and management

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 7:50pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  AgileBits has unveiled 1Password for Android 4.0, a complete rebuild of its app for giving Android device users access to passwords stored securely using the 1Password service.

  Previously, the app only gave users read-only access to passwords created on other platforms, including Windows, Mac and iOS, but is now a fully fledged password manager in its own right.

  Version 4.0 ships as a freemium app, with the read-only functionality still available for free. Users can then unlock the rest of the app’s functionality with a one-off, in-app purchase -- price yet to be determined. Until August 1st the app is fully functional for free.

  The app has been redesigned from the ground up with a hybrid UI for both phone and tablet devices. It adds editing, organization and syncing capabilities alongside a built-in browser and top-end security.

  Users can now manage their vault directly from the app, meaning they can add, edit and delete items. There’s support for viewing attachments added from Mac or PC platforms, a strong password generator for creating new passwords and the ability to view both custom fields and web form details.

  Also added is the ability to mark items as Favorites for faster access. Other organizational improvements include updated and expanded item categories as well as support for folders and sub-folders.

  Syncing tools include Dropbox, folder, automatic and background sync capabilities, with sync notifications and the ability to merge locally stored data with an existing vault.

  Security features in 1Password for Android include locking all important items behind a secure Master Password. The vault is protected with AES-256 Authenticated Encryption, and is automatically locked when idle. Clipboard contents are automatically cleared and users can add another layer of security by adding a PIN code.

  1Password for Android 4.0.1 is available free now. All features are available until 1st August, when an in-app purchase will be required to unlock editing capabilities -- price to be determined. Also available as trial downloads are 1Password for Windows, Mac and iOS.

  
• 

  MouseController records and replays your mouse actions

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 7:46pm CEST par Mike Williams

  Tedious PC tasks can sometimes by automated by scripting, command line switches, maybe an application’s own built-in scheduler. But if those options don’t work for you then you could try MouseController, a very lightweight tool which records and replays your mouse actions.

  The program is absolutely tiny -- a 32KB download -- and doesn’t require installation. Just unzip it, launch the single executable and you’re ready to go.

  The MouseController interface is basic, but straightforward enough. Hit the customizable hotkey (F9 by default) to start recording, then carry out whatever actions you’d like to record, pressing the hotkey again when you’re doing to turn the recording off. A "Start Playback" button tests your macro immediately.

  An "Add random delay to repeat" option could also be interesting. Even if you don’t need to automate anything in particular, the setting may help you simulate user activity, keeping a system awake when no-one is around.

  This kind of technique still needs to be treated with caution, because MouseController doesn’t have any idea what it’s clicking. You might use the program to launch something from the Start menu, then click a button on its toolbar, and initially this will probably work just fine. But if the Start menu is reordered, or the toolbar layout changes, or you’re just using a different screen resolution, then you might run something completely different -- perhaps with disastrous results.

  If you work to reduce the risks, though, MouseController can still be helpful. Don’t use it to launch applications, for example. Maximize the program you’re automating, if possible, and close everything else. Keep your macro task small and simple, try to avoid clicking anything which might be customized later (the position of a toolbar), and it should work just fine.

  
• 

  Amazon Appstore for Android triples app selection, still lags Google Play Store

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 6:55pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  Amazon can make a great Android device, as demonstrated by the Kindle Fire HDX tablets and Fire TV media box. However, there has been a legitimate knock on the offerings -- lack of apps, including Google's. The trade-off for the beautiful hardware is the frustration of missing some of your favorite apps.

  Amazon has been making major improvements to app availability in its Appstore though and today, the company announces actual numbers and analysis behind it. The number of apps available have tripled. Yes, Amazon's Appstore is growing and becoming a legitimate threat to Google's, but will it ever actually surpass it?

  "Amazon today announced that Amazon Appstore selection has nearly tripled in the past year and developers continue to report strong monetization from the apps they offer in the store. The Amazon Appstore now has over 240,000 apps and games, is available in nearly 200 countries and on a multitude of devices. Additionally, Amazon Coins have become widely popular -- customers have spent hundreds of millions of Amazon Coins on apps, games and in-app items. The broad growth in the Amazon Appstore is enticing developers -- the number of new developers joining the Amazon Appstore per month close to doubled in the last year", says Amazon.

  The online-retailer further explains, "according to an IDC survey commissioned by Amazon, developers building apps and games for Kindle Fire are making at least as much money (often more) on the Kindle Fire platform as on any other mobile platform. IDC conducted a survey of 360 smartphone and tablet application developers. The survey examined developers' experiences selling apps on the Kindle Fire platform".

  Here are some of the analysis I referenced earlier:

  • 65 percent of developers said that Total Revenue on Kindle Fire is the same or better than developers’ experience with other platforms.
  • 74 percent of the same developers said that Average Revenue per App/User is the same or better on Kindle Fire than other platforms.
  • 76 percent of developers indicated that the Kindle Fire platform helps them connect with new market segments—an important indicator that the Kindle Fire platform can be a significant source of net-new business and "reach" for developers at a time when new market segments may be difficult to find on competing platforms, the study noted.

  Happy developers are key to improving app availability, so it is good news to see that developers are satisfied with Amazon's Appstore. However, there are still some issues. For one, no matter how large the store gets, it is doubtful that Google will ever host its own apps there, such as Chrome, Maps or Hangouts. This will be a major negative for consumers entrenched in the Google ecosystem.

  Also, even if many popular paid apps show up on Amazon, it is questionable whether consumers will be willing to re-purchase them for an Amazon device. This could make a switch to a Kindle Fire tablet or rumored Amazon smartphone a costly upgrade. It is (relatively) understandable to have to buy apps again when moving to an entirely different platform such as iOS or Windows Phone. However, spending that money on the same exact Android apps just because it is a different app store is a hard pill to swallow.

  Would you swallow that pill? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  BlackBerry brings protected messaging to the enterprise

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 4:40pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  One of the major concerns of mobile use in the enterprise is keeping company data secure. BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) already offers a reliable messaging service with millions of users worldwide, but now with the launch of a new service it lets employees benefit from speedy, reliable and private business communication.

  The new BBM Protected service offers enhanced security for messages sent between BlackBerry devices by adding an extra layer of encryption to the standard BBM which encrypts messages in transit.

  BBM Protected incorporates three layers of security in transit. Messages between users of the system are protected by encryption using unique public/private keys. A 168-bit key is used to encrypt and authenticate messages, and TLS transport layer encryption helps protect against eavesdropping in transit. It also protects data on the device, building on the existing BlackBerry security model.

  A key feature of BBM Protected is that it's seamless for the end user. The same app is used for both company and personal BBM messages, if the recipient is also a Protected user the extra encryption is automatically applied. This means it can be used to chat securely to BBM Protected users at other companies too without any extra configuration being needed. It also offers notifications so that you can be sure the recipient has read your message.

  Because it's designed for mobile from the outset it offers better performance than other enterprise IM clients that originated as desktop solutions.

  For companies that are already using BlackBerry Enterprise Server, BBM Protected can be easily deployed via the existing management console. It offers full logging and auditing features to ensure compliance too.

  You can find out more and see the full system requirements on the BlackBerry website.

  Image Credit: Diego Cervo / Shutterstock

  
• 

  iOS 8 multitasking: What’s the holdup?

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 1:58pm CEST par Randall C. Kennedy

  Has Apple painted itself into a corner with iOS 8 multitasking? I ask because, like many technology enthusiasts, I came away from WWDC feeling a bit let down. After all, everyone and their grandmother was expecting Apple to announce some sort of split-screen multitasking capability for iOS 8. Yet when Mr. Cook and friends took the stage there was no mention of the feature.

  So, what happened? According to my sources, it all comes down to a programming mechanism known as "Auto Layout". Introduced with iOS 6, Auto Layout allows developers to create apps that support dynamic resizing, using pre-defined rules for object spacing to adapt an app’s UI to fit a particular screen resolution or orientation.

  It’s an elegant solution to the problem of how to make iOS’ UX scalable across multiple display configurations. It’s also the cornerstone of Apple’s approach to split-screen operation: Assuming an app supports Auto Layout, it should be able to adapt to a reduced (I’m hearing 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 screen window sizes are planned) display area without too much trouble.

  The problem is, not all developers use Auto Layout. And those that do often eschew Apple’s graphical tools (Auto Layout is part of Xcode’s Interface Builder) in favor of hard-coding their own dynamic resizing logic. And once developers start working around a platform’s established methods, all compatibility bets are off.

  Thus Apple finds itself in a bit of a bind. It can’t force developers to retool their apps for split-screen operation. Nor can it simply implement split-screen and hope users don’t mind the occasional buggy app experience (think Android’s early tablet days). The world’s most valuable company got to where it is by paying attention to detail, and a half-baked multi-windowing implementation is never going to make it out the doors of Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.

  So, iOS users sit. And wait. And hope that their favorite technology company gets it all sorted out. Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to make hay with its side-by-side comparison spots showing how Windows 8.x lets you snap two or more apps onto a single screen (while quoting such gems from Siri as "I’m sorry, I can only do one thing at a time").

  As a Windows tablet enthusiast (HP Envy x2) and sometime iOS user (I have a lowly iPod touch), I know first-hand how useful Windows 8.1’s split-screen multitasking can be. I use it every day when teaching class, researching lesson plans, or simply composing a letter in response to an email. It’s fast, fluid and makes my iPod running iOS 6.x feel anachronistic.

  Frankly, I hope Apple finds a way out of that corner. The company’s devices are sleek and sexy. Its customers deserve an equally slick multitasking implementation, one that lets them take full advantage of the premium hardware they paid so dearly to procure.

  In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the fruits of Microsoft’s labors. The Redmond behemoth had the foresight to bake dynamic resizing into its Modern UI guidelines from the start -- an upside of approaching touch computing from a PC-centric perspective.

  
• 

  Here are the first Micromax Windows Phones

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 12:09pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Manufacturer support is key for Windows Phone in the ongoing battle against its more popular rivals, Android and iOS, as it needs a more diversified handset portfolio to successfully cater to the needs of a wider range of consumers, most of whom are not part of its growing user base. The platform is heading in the right direction though, as, since earlier this year, Microsoft announced a significant number of new partnerships, some of which have already borne fruit at Computex.

  Indian smartphone maker Micromax, which is the second-largest vendor in its home market, is the latest new partner to add to the Windows Phone collection. The company just announced the Canvas Win W121 and Canvas Win W092, which are similar in specifications to the Nokia Lumia 630 and Lumia 525, respectively.

  The two new Windows Phones, which appear to run Windows Phone 8.1 judging by Microsoft's own announcement, are aimed at the Indian market, sporting low-end hardware and affordable prices. Locally the Canvas Win W121 will be available for Rs. 9,500 (roughly $158), while the Canvas Win W092 will go for Rs. 6,500 (roughly $108). Here is what they offer.

  The Canvas Win W121 (pictured above) packs a 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720 by 1280, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 8 MP main camera with LED flash, 2 MP secondary camera, 8 GB of internal storage, microSD card slot and dual-SIM support. Micromax is giving its smartphone a "leather finish back panel", which should make it feel more premium than it is.

  Meanwhile, the Canvas Win W092 (pictured below) offers a 4-inch IPS display with a resolution of 480 by 800, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 5 MP main camera with LED flash, 0.3 MP secondary camera, 8 GB of internal storage, microSD card slot and dual-SIM support.

  

  A quick comparison with the aforementioned Lumia devices reveals that both of Micromax's new Windows Phones offer better hardware specifications for a similar amount of money, which is something that will be highly appealing to prospective buyers on a budget.

  
• 

  Comodo introduces new mobile device management features

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 11:51am CEST par Ian Barker

  

  One of the best ways for businesses to cope with the demands of mobile usage and BYOD is to use a mobile device management solution to allow the IT department to stay in control.

  Security specialist Comodo has announced a range of new features to enhance its existing MDM product and make it more attractive to administrators needing to secure and manage large-scale deployments of mobile devices.

  Comodo MDM has an integrated antivirus engine and allows admins to define device and identity certificates. It allows asset and application management but unlike some other solutions Comodo licenses users rather than devices, allowing each individual to protect up to five devices. This makes administration easier as although you may not know how many devices are in use you should know how many users you have.

  New features in the latest version include an application catalog for Android allowing admins to define recommended or mandatory applications which can be managed via an enterprise store. A similar application management feature is available for iOS systems.

  Admins are able to define stricter policies on Samsung SAFE supported devices. This allows them to define Wi-Fi and VPN configurations, remove options like screen capture, copy/paste, USB connections and more. An access control feature allows restrictions on devices that can access the company mail server.

  There's also enhanced group management and a better GUI plus improved communication speeds and the whole thing can be administered from a central console.

  You can find out more about the product’s features and download a free trial version on Comodo's website.

  Image Credit: jannoon028 / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Hacker discovers a way to double your money on PayPal

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 8:26am CEST par Paul Cooper

  

  A former hacker once convicted for hacking into NASA and the Pentagon claims to have found a way to reliably double your money by exploiting a loophole in PayPal's system.

  Razvan Cernaianu, who goes by the nickname TinKode, claims scammers need to open three PayPal accounts in order to pull off the scam. One is a legitimate buyer, another is a disposable seller and the third is a mule. The latter accounts need to be linked to virtual credit cards.

  "You transfer the money to the second account with the pretext of buying a phone. From the second account you again transfer the money to the third account as a gift. After 24 hours, you use the chargeback function from the first account to get the money back with the excuse that the phone did not arrive on time", Cernaianu explained on his blog.

  "As the second account is only a virtual one, it will not have real money from which Paypal can extract. Therefore you are left with $500 restored by PayPal, and $500 in your third account".

  Cernaianu said he reported the loophole to PayPal's bug bounty team, who have claimed that the problem results from an issue with its Protection Policy.

  "While the abuse described here is possible in our system, repeated abusive behavior by the same and/or linked account(s) is addressed," PayPal reportedly told Cernaianu.

  However, the company has not issued a response on what it has done to prevent one-off abuses of this kind.

  The Romanian hacker, who also goes by the online alias "sysgh0st", brought down websites belonging to the Royal Navy, the Pentagon and NASA using advanced SQL Injection techniques to plant malicious code in the website's source code, before being arrested in 2012 and forced to pay $120,000 in damages.

  Whether or not this loophole could be used to extort thousands of pounds out of PayPal is dubious, considering their considerable investment in anti-fraud technology. However, it just goes to show that there are loopholes in even the most advanced and secure systems.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Image Credit: komar_off / Shutterstock

  
• 

  IBM back in the USSR?

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 8:10am CEST par Robert X. Cringely

  My book, The Decline and Fall of IBM, is now available in paperback, on the iPad and Nook, as well as on the Kindle. A dozen other platforms plus an audio book will be available shortly, but these are the big ones.

  Over the weekend I received a very insightful message about the book from reader Steve Jenkins in Australia, where IBM is showing the same behavior problems as everywhere else. Steve has an insight into Big Blue that I wish I had thought to include in the book because I believe he is absolutely correct.

  "Finished your e-book, but skimmed the blog comments," wrote Steve. "The ‘Financial Engineering’ is important: the C-suite is converting 15 percent of the company into share ‘value’ each year to feed their bonuses. Is that a 6-year half-life? It’s a technique with a limited application, but could work well for a decade.

  "Reading your analysis, I was wracking my brain trying to think of precedents, in the Industry and really couldn’t. Not even Unisys. But there is one, it’s glaring, obvious and should be frightening to shareholders & customers: Communist USSR & the Eastern European Bloc.

  "Same deal, I think. Cooked books, pain for the working classes, luxury and riches for the Ruling Elite, Ethics & Morals of no consequence. And those ‘Five Year Plans’ are the same: full of certainty and false promise, based on measuring and rewarding the wrong things (like tons of nails made) -- with no concern, checking or consequences for gaming the system.

  "You absolutely nailed one of the Cultural problems: 'The Big Bet'.

  • Hollerith had the punched card
  • then IBM dominated with tabulators (the 1949(?) anti-trust suit)
  • then TJ Watson Jr did the S/360.
  • and since 1992, they’ve been hunting for the Next Big Monopoly.

  "I don’t think IBM’s Board & C-suite is in denial. I suspect it’s more like the Kremlin in 1988 and I don’t have good words for it. Fantasy Land, definitely. Disconnected from Reality, certainly. Denial implies some recognition or understanding of the truth".

  Thanks for the insight, Steve. Yes, IBM in 2014 is the Kremlin in 1988 with the big question being whether Ginni Rometty is Mikhail Gorbachev? I don’t think she is. Gorbachev at least took a shot at trying to manage the transition which Ginni so far has not. That would make her Gorby’s predecessor, Konstantin Chernenko, who died in office.

  I suspect that will be Ginni’s fate, too, at least metaphorically. As more people read my book and come to understand not just the house of cards that IBM has become but that it’s just an extreme example of what’s happening all over American big business, IBM’s board will come to life and try to save itself by ejecting her in favor of a more Gerstner-like character.

  Heck, Rometty’s replacement could be Lou Gerstner.

  My next column (the last in this series I’m sure you’ll be happy to know) is about the probable endgame for IBM.

  
• 

  Root almost any Android device, including AT&T or Verizon Galaxy S5, with towelroot by geohot

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 2:04am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Sometimes things are serendipitous in the tech world. This past Friday, I received a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 to review for BetaNews. Yesterday, as part of my testing, I wanted to see how easily I could achieve root access. To my surprise, after many weeks on the market, root was still not achieved by anyone. I even learned that the xda community had raised $18,000 in pledges for whoever could achieve root for both the Verizon and AT&T variants.

  Well, coincidentally or serendipitously, root access is announced today, merely one day after I began my search. Fabled internet hacker geohot, most famous for jailbreaking the iPhone, is the man to claim the $18,000 bounty. He has released a simple APK that does the work -- no ADB or computer needed. However, his discovery goes far beyond the S5 and could work with almost any Android device released before June 3, 2014.

  It is surprisingly easy, and relatively safe, but BetaNews warns to do this at your own risk. If you brick your device, or have a negative experience in any way, you are to blame, not us. With that said, just follow these steps:

  1. Enable developer mode by going to "Settings", "Security" and checking "Unknown sources".
  2. Click here to download the APK.
  3. Install the APK by running it from "Downloads".
  4. Run the installed app from your app drawer
  5. Click the button that says "Make It Ra1n".
  6. The phone reboots and you now have root access!
  7. Install your favorite root app from the Play Store, such as SuperSU.

  This worked perfectly for the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5. I am successfully running root apps, like Root Explorer, plus the Xposed Framework is installed. If you want to learn more, just visit the official site here.

  Did it work for you? For which device? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: Vladimir Gjorgiev / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Troubleshoot TCP/IP issues with 'Why Can’t I Connect?'

  Publié: juin 16, 2014, 1:48am CEST par Mike Williams

  Why Can’t I Connect? is an open source tool which can help to identify and solve TCP/IP connection errors.

  Typically you'll use the program to try and connect to one of many common server types (Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL Server, FTP, SFTP, IMAP, POP3, SMTP, IRC, LDAP and Usenet are supported, along with generic servers and clients). Why Can’t I Connect? then tries to make the connection for you, reporting on what happens at every stage, and offering possible explanations for whatever errors crop up.

  If you can't receive email from a POP3 server, say, you would choose the POP3 option, enter your server name or IP address, and optionally select a protocol (STARTLS, SSL/ TLS) or enter a port. (You don't have to enter a user name or password at any point, and so there's no need to worry about security: Why Can't I Connect? tries to reach the server only, it doesn't handle authentication.)

  Once you’re set up, click OK and Why Can't I Connect? attempts to make the connection, displaying its various steps in the program's trace window. This includes identifying the current host name, checking for a bindable IP address, binding it to a socket handle, setting the receive and send timeouts, locating an IP address for the server and trying to make the connection.

  If any of this fails then an error message appears with possible explanations: "your network connection is down", "your DNS server is down", "the port is being blocked by a firewall", "the server is slow", and so on.

  This final analysis won't usually give you a definitive answer. When we tried running a POP3 connection to a web server, for instance, we got a “permission denied” error, with suggestions including "your network connection is down", "the port is not listening/ active", "the port is being blocked by a firewall", "the maximum connections for the server has been exceeded". The second was correct -- there was nothing listening at port 110 -- but the program has no way to know that for sure, and you'll need to do more work to turn its report into a solution.

  Why Can’t I Connect? can help point you in the right direction, though, and it has some welcome bonus features thrown in. Bridging (tracing the conversation between an existing client and server) is our favourite, but there are also tools to report on connecting/ listening/ reserved ports, and a scripting option can automate testing to track down intermittent errors. Go grab a copy immediately for your troubleshooting toolkit.

  
• 

  Buying the Surface Pro 3? Here are the apps, games, programs and accessories you need

  Publié: juin 15, 2014, 9:01pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  As someone blessed with the opportunity to try the Surface Pro 3 early, I can say it is truly a game changer. It is very light, has great battery life and a big beautiful display. The tablet/laptop hybrid is far beyond offerings by competitors, including Apple. If you even consider buying a Macbook Air over this, you are arguably making a huge mistake.

  With that said, the Surface Pro 3 will begin hitting stores this Friday, June 20th. While the computer is great out of the box, it is not complete until you install useful apps and programs. But wait, aren't apps and programs the same thing? Yes and no. They are both pieces of software, but apps run in the Modern UI, and programs run in the classic UI. While Windows RT variants of Surface cannot install extra programs, the Pro 3 can, since it has an x86_64 Haswell processor. Below is a list of my suggested programs, apps, games and hardware accessories.

  Accessories

  Type Keyboard Cover -- this is the official keyboard accessory from Microsoft -- a must buy to get the full experience. However, the Surface Pro 3 can operate without it. The onscreen keyboard works great and if you need, you can plug any USB keyboard into it for use at a table or desk.

  microSD card -- While the Pro 3 comes with an ample amount of on-board storage, you can expand it using a microSD card. 128GB cards have hit the market recently and go for as little as $99, so if you need more room for photos and documents, this is a great way to go. Sure, you can use a flash drive, but that will take up the only USB port on the device.

  USB Hub/Ethernet port -- speaking of having one USB port, it is at least a 3.0 variant, so it is fast. You can increase this by using any USB hub. However, I would suggest getting one with an integrated ethernet port. Since the Pro 3 does not have one (WiFi only, folks), it could prove useful in a pinch.

  Sleeve -- The Surface Pro 3 is a work of art and it would be a shame to get it dinged up or scratched. Protect your investment with a sleeve or case. Here is one that I recommend and use at Amazon. Fits perfectly.

  Bluetooth Mouse -- If you buy the Type Keyboard cover, it has a built in trackpad that works well. However, when doing serious work, I prefer a mouse and I bet many of you do too. The mouse that I chose is the Microsoft Sculpt Mouse. Not only is it Bluetooth and super comfortable, it has been on sale at Amazon for $24.99 -- a steal.

  Xbox One Controller -- Microsoft recently released drivers for the Xbox One Controller. This allows you to be better immersed into the game you are playing. While normally $59.99, Amazon has been selling it at a cheaper $49.99. If you like to game, you should buy this.

  Dock (eventually) -- While the dock will not be available at launch, this $199 accessory should be on your wish-list. Sadly, it is not yet known when consumers will be able to buy it. The Surface Pro 3 can already replace your laptop and tablet, but the dock will allow you to replace a desktop too. You see, you can leave accessories plugged into the dock such as a 4TB USB HDD, mouse, keyboard and 4K monitor and when you dock the SP3 they will all become available.

  Apps

  IM+ Pro -- If you like to chat with friends while relaxing on the couch, IM+ Pro is a great way to do it. Optimized for the Modern UI and on-screen keyboard, you can interact with friends on many popular chat networks, including Google's own Hangouts (Google Talk).

  KVADPhoto+ PRO -- This is a photo editing app that I stumbled across because it was on sale. I have been blown away by all of the options that it offers. While I own a copy of Adobe's Photoshop 12 Elements, I did not even bother to install it on the Pro 3. You can easily crop and edit photos including fun effects for a paltry $4.99.

  MetroTube -- If you like watching YouTube videos, MetroTube is the best way to do it on any platform. It is better than the native YouTube app on iOS and Android or even the web browser. By logging in with your Google account, it syncs up your subscriptions and displays them in a neat and organized way. My favorite part? You can set 1080p as the default viewing option. This way, you can be sure that you always see 1080p when available without a need to switch to it.

  Twitter and Facebook -- Social media is all the rage and Windows is right there with competitors. Facebook and Twitter are both available. While the web browser experience is superior for both, the Modern UI apps are convenient when using the computer as a tablet and relaxing.

  Kindle -- No explanation needed. Turn the Surface Pro 3 into an e-reader.

  Nextgen Reader -- Feedly fan? Me too. It's a great way to keep on top of the news. However, the web client is not ideal for a tablet and Feedly does not offer a Windows 8.x app. No worries, Nextgen reader is actually better than official Feedly apps.

  Netflix -- Netflix is still one of the best deals in entertainment. Again, yes you can access it in a web browser, but the app works better in tablet mode.

  Fresh Paint -- The stylus/pen that comes with the Pro 3 will help you draw and paint masterpieces. A must download.

  Bing Wikipedia Browser -- Everybody loves Wikipedia; well, maybe not college professors -- they seem to frown on sourcing it. Still, the free encyclopedia is a wonderful way to learn about pretty much anything. This app from Microsoft makes searching and accessing Wikipedia even better.

  IRC Explorer -- IRC, really? People still use that? Yes, some of us nerds still like to chat in channels about various topics. This is the best Modern UI client available.

  Xbox Music -- this comes preloaded, but I highly recommend using it and subscribing. The service is available for iOS, Android, Web and Windows Phone too, so it is very versatile. The Modern UI app is wonderful and enhances the Windows 8.x experience.

  Modern UI Games

  ilomilo plus -- A cute puzzle/platformer type game where you control two characters and try to get them to meet in each level. It is harder to do than it sounds and looks beautiful.

  Rayman Fiesta Run and Rayman Jungle Run -- the original Rayman is my favorite game of all time. Ubisoft smartly made the franchise into a constant-running type game on tablets. This means there is no virtual d-pad to ruin the experience. You just tap to play. Both the graphics and music are wonderful.

  Riptide GP and Riptide GP 2 -- Another favorite game of mine is Wave Race 64. Riptide GP and its sequel are similar in that they are jet ski racing with the ability to do tricks.

  Nesbox -- Like ROMS? Me too. While we do not condone downloading them, if you do, Nesbox is a wonderful solution, supporting NES, SNES and Genesis. Best of all, like all the games listed above, the Xbox One controller is supported!

  Programs

  Office 2013 -- The cheaper versions of Surface, the RT models, get Office 2013 for free, while the Pro versions don't. That's not fair! Well, life isn't fair. You will want to buy this immediately. If your employer uses Office, you may be able to get it for $9.99 through the Home Use Program. Even at full-retail price, Office 2013 is worth it for professionals and home users alike. Can you get by with the free Libreoffice? Maybe, but Office is better.

  Media Player Classic Home Cinema -- While an app like Netflix is great for streaming videos, Media Player Classic Home Cinema is the gold-standard for local video playback on Windows.

  Transmission-Qt -- If you fancy downloading torrents, there are many options available. Unfortunately, many are bloated and full of ads and spyware. Transmision-Qt is a port of the classic Linux torrent client, Transmission. No-nonsense and straightforward.

  7-Zip -- Winzip? Winrar? Old news. Get 7-Zip for packing and unpacking files.

  Foobar 2000 -- While streaming music services like Xbox Music and Beats Music are all the rage, many of us still have locally stored music. Foobar 2000 is both a classic and well respected music player for locally stored files. It is lightweight with a basic UI, and that is the allure. It focuses on the music quality rather than bells and whistles.

  IrfanView -- For quickly viewing images, Irfanview is a great option. It is no frills and lightweight. It too is well respected and supported for many years.

  Paint.net -- For many people, Adobe PhotoShop is not only too expensive and hard to use, but overkill too. Paint.net is a program that offers strong image editing without overwhelming the user. Best of all? It is free. While KVADPhoto+ PRO offers much of the same functionality, Paint.net uses a classic UI which some will prefer.

  mIRC -- If you prefer your chatting in the classic UI rather than Modern, mIRC is the best. I suggest trying IRC Explorer first, and only installing mIRC if you do not like it.

  Firefox -- Internet Explorer 11 is a wonderful browser. However, I have encountered sites that do not work well with it, such as Google Play Music. While I prefer Chrome overall, I have found the fonts to be blurry on the Surface Pro 3's hi-res screen. Firefox however, looks great and performs wonderfully on the tablet. Fonts are clean and crisp and easy to read. I suggest using Internet Explorer 11 most of the time and only switching to Firefox if a rare incompatibility rears its head.

  CCleaner -- After installing and removing programs, a lot of crap gets left behind in the registry. Not to mention, when you surf the web, many cookies are left behind along with cache. If you feel very strongly about privacy or keeping your registry clean, this is a great program to run every once in a while.

  Conclusion

  While you may not need all of these apps, games and programs, I suggest giving them a try. Sometimes you simply aren't aware of all of the great software available for Windows.

  So, what am I forgetting? Please leave suggestions in the comments if you think I've left something off the list or there are better alternatives.

  
• 

  LinkedIn to face lawsuit for spamming users' email address books

  Publié: juin 15, 2014, 6:25pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  A judge in the Northern District of California has paved the way for a lawsuit against the social network LinkedIn for violating the privacy of its users. The complaint was that LinkedIn "violated several state and federal laws by harvesting email addresses from the contact lists of email accounts associated with Plaintiffs’ LinkedIn accounts and by sending repeated invitations to join LinkedIn to the harvested email addresses". It relates to the fact that LinkedIn not only used the address books of those signing up for accounts to tout for business by sending out an email to that effect, but also sent follow-up email if there was no response.

  US district judge Lucy Koh ruled that while users granted permission for LinkedIn to access their contact list it is this 'spamming' that is likely to land the company in court again. The judge outlined the process users were complaining about, explaining that LinkedIn sent an email to connected in users' address books -- albeit with initial permission -- sends the same email a week later if the recipient has not joined LinkedIn, and a third email if another week passes without a signup.

  Further complaints stemmed from the fact that "the only way a LinkedIn user can stop the two follow-up endorsement emails (assuming the user found out about the initial emails in the first place) from going out to the email addresses harvested from that user’s external email account is for the user to individually open up each invitation from within his or her LinkedIn account (which LinkedIn has intentionally made difficult to find within the user’s account) and click a button that allows the user to withdraw that single invitation". This means it could take several hours to individually cancel hundreds, or even thousands, of emails that were scheduled to be sent out.

  The complainants pointed out that LinkedIn's Help Center pages are filled with complaints from other users about the emails. Some users said that "LinkedIn knew about flaws in its process but nevertheless took no action". One of the plaintiff's main causes for concern is that their contacts would regard the emails sent out by LinkedIn as being indicative that they endorsed LinkedIn, as well as being seen as being so enamored with the network as to spam on its behalf. This 'spamming' is seen as having the potential to damage the reputation of the user the emails were sent on the behalf of -- it could "injure users' reputations by allowing contacts to think that the users are the types of people who spam their contacts or are unable to take the hint that their contacts do not want to join their LinkedIn network".

  The judge also pointed out that some of the wording used during the signup process was misleading. "By stating a mere three screens before the disclosure regarding the first invitation that 'We will not... email anyone without your permission,' LinkedIn may have actively led users astray". Koh also suggests that LinkedIn has violated California law by associating users' names and images advertising for further business.

  No date has yet been set for further court hearings.

  Image Credit:  Gil C / Shutterstock

  
• 

  #FreeTheNipple campaign leads to breastfeeding nipple-shot ban reversal by Facebook

  Publié: juin 15, 2014, 5:12pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  Facebook comes under fire for all manner of things -- it's just part and parcel of being a social network. When users are not up in arms at the site's privacy policies, they are found voicing their disapproval at the types of content they're not allowed to publish on their timelines. There are lots of types of pictures that are frowned upon, and parents were upset to find that many of the photos they posted fell foul of Facebook's moderators. Facebook's Community Standards have never included a stated ban on breastfeeding pictures, but those that included glimpses of nipples were often swiftly removed. A well-publicized campaign that used the hashtag #FreeTheNipple seems to have had the desired result.

  As noticed by The Independent, there has been a softening of views as Facebook Moderators are now encouraged to consider the context in which nipples appear in photographs. The Community Standards state "Facebook has a strict policy against the sharing of pornographic content and any explicitly sexual content where a minor is involved. We also impose limitations on the display of nudity". But there is the caveat that "we aspire to respect people’s right to share content of personal importance, whether those are photos of a sculpture like Michelangelo's David or family photos of a child breastfeeding".

  Further clarification is given on Facebook's help pages. Under the heading "Does Facebook allow photos of mothers breastfeeding?", comes the reply that "Yes. We agree that breastfeeding is natural and beautiful and we're glad to know that it's important for mothers to share their experiences with others on Facebook. The vast majority of these photos are compliant with our policies. Please note that the photos we review are almost exclusively brought to our attention by other Facebook members who complain about them being shared on Facebook".

  Facebook has confirmed the change in policy to both The Independent and The Verge but has not issued any comment on the change of heart. Considering the publicity the #FreeTheNipple movement managed to gain, it's hard to imagine that the change cannot be at least partly attributed to the work of campaigners.

   

  
• 

  B1 Free Archiver is a friendly cross-platform archive manager

  Publié: juin 15, 2014, 12:42am CEST par Mike Williams

  Everyone needs a good archive manager, and you've probably chosen one already. We're fans of 7-Zip: the current release may be three years old, but it still performs very well.

  There is some competition around, though, and B1 Free Archiver is an interesting example which really does stand out from the crowd.

  The program can be used almost everywhere, for instance. It's available in more than 30 languages, and runs on Windows, OS X, Android and Linux.

  B1 Free Archiver doesn't have any adware or other hassles, either. It's open source, genuinely free, and – importantly -- still being actively developed.

  File format support is mixed. The program can open all the core file types -- zip, zipx, 7z, rar, tar, iso, cab, jar, qz, bz2, arj, deb and lzh on Windows, even more on Android -- but you're only able to create archives in zip or the program's own b1 format. Which, despite the big claims about its abilities on the B1 site, performed a little worse than 7z for us.

  The feature set is relatively basic, too. If you need to create self-extracting archives, say, you're going to be disappointed. But B1 Free Archiver does support 256-bit AES encryption, and can split archives as required.

  The B1 file manager has a few small extras. A Preview pane helps to identify some files, and you can open a command prompt (or an Explorer window) at the current folder in a couple of clicks.

  There's also an unusually wide choice of default "open" actions. Double-click an archive and you can have it open in the full program, a simple version with just the core options (view, extract to various folders), always extract and prompt for a folder name, or extract immediately without any prompts at all (your files will be extracted to a new folder with the archive’s name).

  B1 Free Archiver isn't the fastest or most powerful archive manager, then. But it's easy to use, runs on almost anything and is no-strings free. It seems as though the developers have ambition, too, so don't give up on the program if you need more power: just check back in a few months.

  
• 

  The most popular stories on BetaNews this past week: June 8 -- 14

  Publié: juin 14, 2014, 5:38pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  Eyes were focused on Microsoft as the company held an Xbox One press conference at E3 2014, with the focus being very much on games. Not to be outdone, Sony also held a press conference at the event. Consoles from Sony and Microsoft are still largely reliant on traditional controllers -- dull! But the SteelSeries Sentry Eye Tracker is something to, almost literally, keep an eye on as it allows for controlling games with your peepers. PS4 users have the arrival of YouTube to look forward to, and Chromecast owners will soon be able to stream files from VLC.

  In security news, AVG publicized details of yet another OpenSSL flaw. While less serious than other vulnerabilities that have been discovered recently, it's still something of a cause for concern. We're still feeling the fallout of the Zeus botnet, and F-Secure set up an online testing tool that can be used by anyone to check for the infection. One tactic used to attack websites is bombarding them with comment spam, and new research shows that 80 percent of such spam is generated by less than a third of site attackers.

  The latest big-name site to suffer a DDoS attack was Feedly, which found itself held to ransom, and it was amusing to learn that hackers are just as bad with their password choices as the rest of us. With so many security problems online, perhaps the best option is to take a leaf out of the book of those who choose not to connect. Windows security experts revealed that changes have been made to Windows 8.x files ,while the same file remained untouched, and potentially insecure, in Windows 7. But even with all of the security worries in the headlines, it is still hardware failure that is responsible for the highest levels of data loss.

  LG's G3 carried across many ideas from its predecessor, and Brian took a look at the handset in his review -- he was particularly taken with the camera's laser focusing. He also got the chance to get hands on with the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S. Motorola released a 64GB version of the Moto X, giving users greater potential for storing apps and music. Windows Phone users have a new lockscreen feature to look forward to, but if you're more of an iOS fan, the aluminium (or aluminum, if you prefer) Kloqe case is well worth a look. There have long been rumors that a larger iPhone is on the cards, and new evidence came to light that suggests it is all but certain. Whatever your smartphone of choice, running out of power is always a concern. Grab yourself a Lumsing LUM-008-01 Power Bank and you can keep your devices powered for longer. But if remembering to take a USB cable out with you is too much, pop one on your keyring so it's always available when you need it.

  In the UK, .uk domain registrations opened up, with more than 50,000 takers on launch day -- it seems they were not put off by the fact that any website registrant must publicize their name and address if they make money from ads on their sites.

  That's another week under our belts -- good weekends all round!

  Image Credit: vinz89 / Shutterstock

  
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  Earbits music service announces it is shutting down

  Publié: juin 14, 2014, 2:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Just this week Amazon rolled out Prime Music to all subscribers of its video and shipping service, adding one more competitor to an already crowded market. However, tempering that good news was a bit of sadness, as one other service has announced it will be closing its virtual doors very soon.

  Earbits, an up and coming competitor in the space, is announcing it will close up shop on June 16th. Earbits was never a major player in the field, but it provided an alternative option, and was a benefit to aspiring artists, so the loss will be felt by many.

  Founder and CEO Joey Flores has released a statement saying, in part, "Shutting down a company after 4.5 years is going to be painful for anybody but is particularly painful for us here at Earbits. Most startups validate over the course of a few years that their concept is inherently flawed, or that the economics of it would not work out at scale. For Earbits, nothing could be further from the truth. We proved to ourselves and a substantial number of artists and listeners that our concept does work, that our vision is what the industry and larger streaming providers need to be doing in order to create more value, but that we simply needed a lot more capital to pursue such an aggressive mission properly. In trying to build a digital media, two sided marketplace in an already tough industry, it appears we bit off more than we could chew".

  The news may be bad, but customers today have plenty of choices, with the aforementioned Amazon Prime, Google Music All Access, Spotify, Pandora, Beats, Rdio and others.

  Image Credit: Serhiy Kobyakov / Shutterstock

  
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  Kindle Fire HDX customers are utilizing the Mayday button

  Publié: juin 14, 2014, 2:50am CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  The Kindle Fire HDX was one the pleasant surprises of 2013, with the new 7 and 8.9 inch versions bringing many changes to the hardware and interface. The software update was not backward compatible with the HD models, though Amazon continues to support that platform as well.

  One of the most talked about features of the new tablets was the Mayday button, which can be easily accessed by pulling down the menu from the top of the screen, much like any Android device.

  The Company now claims that 75 percent of HDX customers are getting help via the Mayday option. I personally tested it during the course of my review and got a very quick response from a customer service representative.

  "Today, Amazon announced that the Mayday button is now the most popular way for Fire HDX customers to contact customer service, and the average response time is just 9.75 seconds" says Amazon.

  Much has been made of this feature, and many called it a ploy, but I found it to work well and contacted a rep in no time, so I have no qualms recommending it.

  
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  The future of open source: speeding technology innovation

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 10:19pm CEST par Fred Simon

  As one of the contributors to Black Duck’s eighth annual Future of Open Source Survey, the industry’s leading indicator of open source software (OSS) industry trends, JFrog was pleased to be able to help show the world the true impact of open source software. This was the first year that we decided to take part in the survey. We felt that it was a natural partnership, since our work revolves around regularly interacting with the OSS community to help create and distribute open source software.

  As the survey reported, 56 percent of corporations expect to contribute to more open source projects in 2014 -- something we’ve already seen firsthand. By working directly with software developers, we have been able to witness the next wave of open source. We’re seeing companies like Twitter, Netflix, and Ericsson actually willing to pay developers to participate in the OSS community, and both develop and use open source in their own frameworks. With 55 percent of this year’s respondents also indicating that OSS helped create new products and services, there has clearly been a change in the way enterprises look at open source; it has truly become a crucial element in the development of new, innovative technologies.

  So what do we see as the future of open source? When it comes to software development, it will be increasingly difficult to integrate, develop, and extend closed source software -- and extremely costly compared to open source alternatives. Companies have come to understand the importance of open source and the key role it plays in developing innovative software today. Twitter’s messaging app is a good example of how open source can be powerfully used -- and of how well-known companies are influencing the community. Because Twitter open sourced its messaging platform, it gave a lot of other companies the ability to benefit from the direct messaging capabilities it developed. Even top financial companies such as Goldman Sachs realize the importance of open source.

  Open source has long since proved its legitimacy, and the use of open source has changed the way that companies compete. It’s very difficult for companies to develop innovative software without it, and companies now understand the rapid, progressive development it enables. As industries and technologies continue to evolve at a faster pace, closed source companies will be dead in the water if they aren’t leveraging the open source community and the projects they’re working on.

  Photo Credit: rvlsoft/Shutterstock

  This article was originally published on Open Source Delivers.

  Fred Simon is Co-founder and Chief Architect of JFrog - the creators of Artifactory binary repository and Bintray. Before launching JFrog in 2008, Fred founded AlphaCSP in 1998, a Java consulting firm, where he served as the company’s global CTO. Fred’s development experience dates back to 1992, covering Java’s evolution from day one as a programmer, architect and consultant. At JFrog, Fred encourages strong collaboration with leading open-source projects such as SpringSource, Grails and Gradle by providing them with the Artifactory Cloud platform, and fuels the Continuous-Integration ecosystem with open-source plugins for leading tools such as Jenkins, TeamCity & Bamboo.

  
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  18th century Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus is bigger than Jesus (on Wikipedia anyway)

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 9:43pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

  Being bigger than Jesus is something that no one in the world can claim -- until now.

  A new study of Wikipedia has found that Carl Linnaeus is the most influential person on Wikipedia and it means the 18th century Swedish biologist is more influential than a clutch of personalities such as Michael Jackson and Jesus Christ.

  The research, which is reported by the New Zealand Herald, was carried out by Young Ho-Eom of the University of Toulouse and at its heart is an unusual evaluation that meant Linnaeus came out on top.

  The study methodology adapted Google’s PageRank algorithm to tally the number of incoming links to a given article and Linnaeus came out on top due to the fact his system of biological taxonomy still used today meant that every plant, animal, bacteria or fungi covered by Wikipedia links back to him.

  Linnaeus was only top of the pile when it came to incoming links, and a different algorithm that ranked figures based on incoming and outgoing links produced a top three of Adolf Hitler, Michael Jackson and Madonna. Though this changed when it came to England-language pages and showed that Frank Sinatra was top of the pile followed by Michael Jackson and Pope Pius XII.

  Ho-Eom and his team also pointed out "each Wikipedia edition highlights local figures, so that most of its own historical figures are born in the countries which use the language of the edition".

  It means that across the world the different rankings on a language-by-language basis differ vastly. For example, the Japanese version has Toyotomi Hideyoshi as most influential, whilst the Hindi version places Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great at top spot. Back in Europe, the German version is headed by Hitler and then Otto von Bismarck before a trio of composers in the shape of Mozart, Beethoven and Handel.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
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  Android gets ability to run Firefox OS apps -- do you care?

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 7:28pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Google's vision of a web app utopia is made quite clear by Chrome OS. This concept is gaining traction with consumers too, as Chromebooks become more popular every day. However, the web app concept works best when it is open and not tied to a specific operating system. In other words, a consumer should be able to run any web app on any modern device.

  Sadly, Google has not been as open as it should be and some web apps will only work well in Chrome. But what if you do not like Chrome? What if you don't like Google? Firefox is here to help. Mozilla announces that it will empower Android users to run Firefox OS apps on their device by utilizing the Firefox browser.

  "We built Firefox OS as a mobile OS that puts the Web and Open Web Apps at the center of the mobile experience. The efforts to reduce the performance gaps between the Web and native are paying rich dividends and our work on exposing device capabilities to the Web via WebAPIs, have made web first app development a viable alternative to native platforms", says Vishwanathan Krishnamoorthy, Mozilla.

  Krishnamoorthy further explains, "over the past few months, we have been working on providing a 'native experience' for Open Web Apps. What this means is that as a user, you can now manage your web app just like you would a native app. You can install/update/uninstall the app and the app will also show up in the App Drawer as well as the Recent Apps list".

  While this is cool, I question the usefulness. After all, it is Android that has the killer apps, not Firefox. Not to mention, Android native apps are likely better quality than any equivalent Firefox web app. For now, this seems to be more of a proof of concept than actual user win. While I applaud Mozilla for its efforts, I do not see consumers caring.

  What do you think? Watch the below video and tell me in the comments:

  
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  Amazon rebrands Cloud Player with launch of Amazon Music 3 for mobile and desktop

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 6:35pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Amazon has refreshed its entire collection of cloud music apps with the releases of Amazon Music for Windows 3.0, Amazon Music for Mac 3.0, Amazon Music  for iPad and iPhone 3.0 and Amazon Music for Android 3.0.

  All four platforms share similar updates, and accompany Amazon’s foray into music streaming with the launch of Amazon Prime Music, which initially is only available to US customers.

  Amazon Prime Music is a new benefit for existing Amazon Prime users, giving them access to over a million streaming songs alongside TV, films and e-books. Compared to existing services like Spotify and Deezer, Amazon’s initial offering is tiny, both rivals claiming more than 30 million songs in their respective catalogs.

  To coincide with this launch, Amazon has rebranded its Cloud Player family of apps as Amazon Music, adding support for Amazon Prime Music in US markets. All users continue to benefit from access to their cloud libraries -- which consist of MP3 purchases, auto-rip CDs purchased since 1998 and music uploaded from computer -- as well as device music.

  Version 3 of each app boasts a facelift -- the overall layout remains the same, but the user interface has been refreshed to offer easier navigation. There’s also added support for library management direct from all versions of the app for the first time, allowing users to delete music from their library on mobile as well as desktop.

  Despite this improvement, desktop users will find they still have to upload music from their local collection through the web browser -- open the menu and choose More > Import music into your library to do so.

  Amazon Music for Windows 3.0 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later, while Amazon Music for Mac 3.0 works on Macs running OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later. Amazon Music for iPad and iPhone 3.0 requires iOS 6.0 or later, while Amazon Music for Android 3.0 runs on Android 4.0 or upwards.

  
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  Panda releases first Panda Global Protection 2015 beta

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 5:15pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Panda Security has released the first public Windows beta for Panda Global Protection 2015, its all-in-one internet security suite.

  A stack of new features starts with the Data Shield, a very configurable way to protect your confidential files. Specify the folders and file types to protect -- Documents, PDF and DOCX, say -- and the program will warn you if any unknown or untrusted applications try to gain access.

  The new Parental Controls module is more basic, reporting on what your kids are doing online and blocking sites and site categories of your choice.

  Built-in Wi-Fi protection monitors devices connecting to your network, highlighting any potential intruders.

  There’s a very limited PC Tuneup module, which simply deletes a few Windows junk files and your web browser histories (IE, Firefox and Chrome are supported).

  But there’s better news elsewhere, as cloud-based detection helps to reduce the program’s demands on your resources, and the suite is now packaged in a revamped, more customizable Windows 8-like interface.

  Installation proved quick and easy for us, and at first glance everything seemed to work as expected. We tested the suite compatibility, too, installing it alongside Norton Internet Security 2014, and there were no apparent problems.

  Panda Global Protection 2015 is still a beta, of course, and there will be bugs, so don’t install it unless you’re willing to take the risk. But if you’re interested in Panda, or Global Protection in particular, this is a good first beta, and its 90-day license means you’ve plenty of time to explore the new features.

  
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  Best Windows 8 apps this week (World Cup 2014 edition)

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 5:05pm CEST par Martin Brinkmann

  Eighty-fifth in a series. Welcome to this week's best apps and games for Windows 8. We take a look at FIFA World Cup 2014 apps this week to provide you with a selection that you can use to follow the football World Cup on your Windows 8 devices.

  While there may not be an official World Cup app for Windows 8, you do have plenty of choice when it comes to following matches and news on systems running Windows 8.

  As always, if I missed an app or game that has been released this week that you believe is particularly good, let me know in the comments below or notify me via email instead.

  Here is this week's selection of apps and games.

  Red Stripe Deals

  Six apps and games are discounted by at least 50 percent each week. The following applications are available at a discount this week.

  • Rayman Fiesta Run, an action game for $0.99
  • Enigmatis 2: The mists of Ravenwood, an adventure game for $3.49
  • Skateboard Party 2, a skateboarding game for $0.99
  • Miriel's Enchanted Mystery, a time management game for $1.49
  • Dictionary Pro, makes available several dictionaries for offline usage, for $1.99
  • Maps Pro, a mapping application for $0.99

  2014 Fifa World Cup applications

  Bing Sports

  

  This is probably the most comprehensive sports application when it comes to the World Cup 2014. It features news, results, stories, tables, slideshows, stadium and qualifier information.

  You do need to enable the World Cup first before it becomes available. To do so right-click, scroll to the right and click on more sports. Here you need to scroll right again until you find the World Cup 2014 entry.

  SofaScore LiveScore

  The application offers live scores of all World Cup matches. You need to select International from the menu to display the matches of the day.

  A click on it displays an overview, standings, head to head information, the last matches of both teams and upcoming matches.

  Onefootball

  Another application that offers World Cup news, match information, videos, standings and more. It offers live scores and tables and appears to be a well rounded application in this regards.

  Windows app of the week

  Arena of Heroes

  

  The game plays a lot like a turn-based version of Dota or League of Legends. Your main task is to attack and destroy the enemy powercore while keeping your own out of harm's way.

  The game offers single and multi-player battles, and requires you to create an account before you can start to play.

  It walks you through all core game mechanics in a tutorial -- which you can skip -- before you can test your skill in single-player against the computer or in online battles against friends or random players.

  AI-controlled minions are spawned automatically that assist you. Each hero has four skills that provide you with options to attack enemies, defend a position, or assist and support allied troops and heroes.

  Movement and skills are controlled by action points. Once all action points have been used, it is the enemy who can move and attack before it is your turn again.

  You gain experience with every match you play, rise in levels and get bonuses such as gems, new heroes or other items

  Other apps

  Infinite Scuba

  

  The first scuba diving simulation for Windows 8. The app is listed as free in Windows Store but as soon as you start it, you are reminded that it is only offering a free trial and that you need to purchase the game to get access to all content.

  You start your journey on a ship and can equip your diver if you have unlocked diving equipment already. Once you select dive, you can start to explore the selected underwater area.

  In the trial mission, you get to explore a sunk Japanese warship, take photos of your surroundings or identify sea life.

  Popcorn Flix

  

  The application makes available a selection of free -- mostly independent -- movies that you can watch on your computer.

  While you won't find the latest blockbusters here, you will find a good selection of movies that you can play right away without registration.

  The app features a search and a genre browser to find movies of interest.

  GoPro Channel

  

  The GoPro Channel offers a selection of videos recorded with GoPro cameras and equipment. Besides making available videos for you to watch, it is also highlighting equipment that you can use to create your own videos.

  While it can be seen as advertisement, the videos that it makes available are well done, entertaining and of good visual quality.

  OpenLearn

  

  The official Open University application for Windows 8 offers access to all contents on the device including information and access to free courses to exploring subjects and enrolling as a student.

  Lessons range from 10 minute quick videos to full blown courses that take weeks to complete.

  Materials range from text and pdf documents to images, audio and video contents.

  Trolls vs Vikings

  

  This is a Plants vs. Zombies style game that pits trolls against vikings. Game mechanics are identical. You need to protect the troll's home from invading viking hordes.

  To do so you have an assortment of troll types at your disposal ranging from the money making digger over the sling shooting punk to the heavy hitter buster.

  The game is enjoyable and fun thanks to the different types of trolls and vikings that it features as well as its visual design and boss battles.

  TV Closet

  

  This is a TV news and tracking application. Find out what is running today and tomorrow on TV networks and channels such as HBO, CBS, NBC and BBC, check out trending shows or find out what has been most popular this week.

  If you create an account, you can add shows to your library to keep track of them on a separate page in the program's interface.

  
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  P.F. Chang's acknowledges loss of customer data

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 4:27pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  It seems that not a week goes by these days without news of a security breach at some company. We've seen Target, Michaels and others fall victim, though the true victims are really the customers of these establishments.

  Earlier this week we heard rumors that restaurant P.F. Chang's was the latest chain to suffer a data breach. The report first came from security researcher Brian Krebs, who stated "On June 9, thousands of newly-stolen credit and debit cards went up for sale on rescator[dot]so, an underground store best known for selling tens of millions of cards stolen in the Target breach. Several banks contacted by KrebsOnSecurity said they acquired from this new batch multiple cards that were previously issued to customers, and found that all had been used at P.F. Chang’s locations between the beginning of March 2014 and May 19, 2014".

  Now the company has admitted to the security problem in a statement on its website. "On Tuesday, June 10, P.F. Chang's learned of a security compromise that involves credit and debit card data reportedly stolen from some of our restaurants. Immediately, we initiated an investigation with the United States Secret Service and a team of third-party forensics experts to understand the nature and scope of the incident, and while the investigation is still ongoing, we have concluded that data has been compromised".

  The restaurant chain goes on to list a series of questions and answers to let customers know what has happened and what they will need to do. Essentially it boils down to one simple fact -- the company lost the credit and debit cards of its customers. P.F. Chang's has reported the incident to authorities and the banks involved, but recommends customers keep a close eye on activity and report anything suspicious.

  It is now a waiting game to find out which business will be next, because it seems inevitable that another breach will happen. Perhaps the CEO of Target losing his job will wake up some companies to the repercussions of bad practices.

  Image Credit: Creativa / Shutterstock

  
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  Business teamwork is a game of two halves

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 2:58pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  It may not have escaped your notice that the FIFA World Cup tournament has started in Brazil this week. This is of course an excuse for every PR agency to come up with football related ways of promoting their products.

  Business collaboration specialist Huddle has chosen to focus on the teamwork aspect which does at least have a relevance to its product. It helpfully points out that on the field players have to work together to achieve success and the same is true of the workplace.

  Huddle’s CEO Alastair Mitchell says, "Collaboration is a team sport. It means many different things to different people, but collaboration essentially involves a group of individuals working together across boundaries to achieve a common goal. In today’s workplace, the network of people that an individual has to work with on a regular basis extends far beyond their own organization’s four walls and includes customers, partners and contractors. One of our customers, for example, works with more than 1,000 other companies in its Huddle workspaces. For people to get their jobs done effectively and be truly productive, all relevant parties have to be able to seamlessly work together on content regardless of where they are based or the devices they are using".

  The serious point about this is the need to collaborate outside as well as inside the organization. Figures from Huddle's client base show that 85 percent of its customers use the service for external collaboration. And 47 percent use it to collaborate with more than five other companies.

  This is backed up by recent Forrester research which shows that in a survey of almost 5,000 North American and European information workers 57 percent say they regularly collaborate and communicate with customers, colleagues or business partners. Only 12 percent work exclusively with their colleagues.

  You’ll be over the moon -- or possibly sick as a parrot -- to find that all of this is summarized in the inevitably soccer-themed infographic below.

  Image Credit: dotshock / Shutterstock

  

  
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  Skype for iPhone 5 now available, sports new look, better performance

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 2:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

  Microsoft has released Skype for iPhone 5.0, a major new update to its voice, video and chat messenger for iPhone and iPod touch users. Version 5.0 sports a major new redesign, more in-app options and drops support for iOS 7.

  The update has been released separately to the iPad version, with Microsoft claiming to be "hard at work on a new version" for iPad users.

  Skype for iPhone 5.0 represents the most significant revamp of the iOS client since the original version launched back in 2010. Dropping support for older iterations of iOS has freed development that has -- among other things -- helped to deliver major performance improvements.

  These include faster start-up times and more fluid animations, plus users should notice less of a lag when chats are synced from other platforms.

  The redesign has been led by user feedback, and attempts to bring most-used features front and center. This can be seen with a new modern hub centric design, which places recent conversations at the front – users can then swipe left to view favorite people and contacts using the Windows-like ribbon navigation bar.

  Despite the Windows inspiration, the new app fits in nicely with the flatter design of iOS 7, so Apple users shouldn’t feel too alienated by the redesign, which Microsoft summarizes as a "new simplified, modern voice and video calling experience".

  The messaging tools have also been revamped to add more functionalty, with users now able to create messaging groups, plus share photos (even with offline contacts) and video messages.

  In-app features have also been strengthened, with in-app notifications for quickly switching conversations implemented alongside in-app controls to manage those notifications.

  Skype for iPhone 5.0 is available free now for iPhones and iPod touches running iOS 7 or later. A revamped Skype for iPad sporting a similar redesign should follow shortly.

  
• 

  Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit available in Free, Premium, Business editions

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 2:53pm CEST par Mike Williams

  Malwarebytes has announced the first full public release of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit, a powerful tool which protects against many zero-day exploits. It’s now available in three editions.

  A basic Free version shields some browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox, Opera), their addons, and Java, on Windows XP or later.

  A Premium version ($24.95 for 3 PCs, 1 year) also protects PDF readers (Adobe Reader, Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader); Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and some media players (Windows, VLC, QuickTime, Winamp), as well providing the ability to add or remove custom shields.

  Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit for Business then takes the program further with remote management and centralized reporting.

  All editions have improved on the beta with various new exploit techniques, some small practical changes (automatic upgrading to new versions) and various bug fixes. The official changelog has the details.

  Is the technology effective? Unsurprisingly, Malwarebytes says yes, pointing to a (sponsored) blog post with tests showing that Anti-Exploit defeated everything thrown at it. The blogger found it even protected against a Java exploit where Microsoft’s EMET failed, and the only faint issue was some doubt over its ability to stop kernel-level exploits.

  And just in case you’re still not excited, Malwarebytes is also offering a chance to win one of 10 Anti-Exploit t-shirts or 10 Anti-Exploit Premium licenses.

  For us, the core advantage of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit remains its simplicity. There’s no configuration involved, no bulky signature updates, no conflicts with other antivirus or security tools. It runs on any version of Windows from XP up, uses minimum resources (3.3MB RAM on our system), and for the most part you can forget it’s there: it just works. Go take a look.

  
• 

  Best iOS apps this week

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 12:38pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  Twenty-third in a series. It will come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that with the World Cup now underway loads of new and improved football/soccer offerings have arrived in the App Store. There are games, so you can practice your (virtual) skills, and apps that let you follow the matches and your team's progress through the tournament. The official FIFA World Cup app is one of the better choices.

  Away from football, the App Store saw the release of two long awaited new games -- Angry Birds Epic, a new RPG featuring Rovio's famous characters, and Broken Age, a graphic adventure from legendary game designer Tim Schafer. There's also an app that lets you transform iOS devices into audio speakers, a hotel guide, and a speed reading app, to mention just some of the latest releases.

  As always, if I miss an app that you think should definitely have been included, let me know in the comments below, or drop me an email.

  Here is my selection for this week.

  Paid App of the Week

  Broken Age ($9.99)

  The first graphic adventure by Tim Schafer in sixteen years was funded on Kickstarter (they sought $400,000 and ended up with over $3.3 million in pledges) and is now available on iPad.

  The game is described as a "timeless coming-of-age story of barfing trees and talking spoons" and follows two teenagers in very different worlds. You can switch between the two protagonists and control their lives.

  This is just part one of the story. Part two will be available as an in-app purchase when it's released.

  

  Free App of the Week

  Angry Birds Epic

  Offers in-app purchases.

  Angry Birds is an incredibly successful franchise, and Rovio’s latest game in the series is a free RPG with turn based battles, weapons, magic and silly costumes. You control the birds, battle the piggies, and can upgrade your heroes as you explore Piggy Island.

  If you’re a fan of the Angry Birds you won’t want to miss this one.

  

  Other Apps

  Audibly

  If you have more than one iOS device (or you have friends and family with iPhones and iPads) you can use this app to transform the devices into a wireless surround sound system.

  You can create a playlist of songs from your own library, control volume across all devices, and use filters to change the pitch of the music.

  No internet connection is required and the music is kept fully in sync across devices.

  Striker Rush

  Offers in-app purchases.

  This is a football themed vertical running game in which the aim is to score lots of goals and defeat rival national teams. You play as your own nation (there are 26 countries on offer), and there are two basic balls available and 6 different purchasable balls.

  

  Top10 Hotels

  Thinking of taking a city break? This app suggests 10 great hotels for any trip. You can select the style of hotel you want, see the latest tips and reviews, save hotels for later, and compare prices across all the major booking sites.

  

  Scanbot 2 ($1.99)

  Scanbot transforms your iPhone into a full scanner in your pocket. It can create JPG or PDF scans that can be sent via email, or uploaded to the likes of Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or Evernote.

  The new version offers iPad support and can now scan QR codes.

  

  Reuters Sports Reel

  This sports app provides (near) real-time photo coverage and results notifications for all of the world’s major sporting events. Obviously the World Cup is front and center at the moment, but it also covers the Tour de France, Hungarian Grand Prix and US Open Tennis.

  

  Apple’s App of the Week

  ReadQuick

  Offers in-app purchases.

  Apple’s free app this week is a speed reading tool. Using it you can learn to read faster than before and it includes support for Pocket, Instapaper and Readability.

  You set the pace to read at, and the more you use the app, the faster you'll be able to power through articles. You can measure your improvement.

  There’s a day and night mode and you can choose between small and large print sizes.

  

  
• 

  Fitbit app coming to Windows Phone 8.1

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 12:21pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Part of the Windows Phone app-gap problem is the lack of support from wearable companies, that either bump into software limitations or prefer to focus most, if not all, of their attention on Android and iOS, which make up for more than 90 percent of the smartphone market.

  As a result, many users of the tiled mobile operating system turn to third-party apps, constantly ask manufacturers for support, or just give up on the idea of using wearables altogether. With Windows Phone 8.1, however, things are looking up -- Fitbit is jumping onboard.

  Fitbit is the largest vendor of wearable bands -- also known as activity trackers -- according to analyst firm Canalys, with a market share of roughly 50 percent. This makes its support for Windows Phone 8.1 a huge, and much-needed win for the platform.

  At this point, there is no estimated time of arrival for Fitbit's upcoming app. The company has also yet to reveal any details surrounding the features it plans to offer (and is able to offer) on the tiled OS. I can only presume the offering is in its early development stage.

  
• 

  FakeOFF helps you spot the fiendish Facebook fakers

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 11:48am CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Back in 2012 Facebook estimated in its official company filings that almost nine percent of the accounts on its system broke the service's rules in some way. That may not sound like many but the sheer number of Facebook users means it accounts for some 83 million problem accounts.

  Some of these might simply be duplicates but others have a more undesirable purpose like spamming, distributing malware or grooming minors. Until now the only way of steering clear of the fakes was by keeping your wits about you and looking for tell tale signs like recent join dates or unfeasibly model-like profile pictures.

  Now though a newly released beta online tool called FakeOFF can analyze your timeline and alert you to possible fake activity.

  FakeOFF analyzes usage patterns and assigns each "friend" an easily intelligible 1-10 ranking for likely fraud. Users can create "suspect" lists and receive automatic notifications regarding suspicious activity. FakeOFF also scans photos to determine if they are genuine, and it guarantees its users full privacy and control of their usage.

  "The internet is a tremendous platform for networking and for connecting socially, but many of the same things that make it so useful also undermine its safety," says FakeOFF Founder Eliran Shachar. "A lot of people are wary about the interactions they or their loved ones are engaging in on sites like Facebook, and that is with good reason. You wouldn't let just anyone into your house, right? But people are much looser with their online behavior, even though the level of access people can gain to your life just through a Facebook account is considerable".

  FakeOFF relies on a sophisticated algorithm to assess user activity -- including feeds, likes, photos, shares, and responses -- going back as far as 365 days on your timeline. The system then sends back a straightforward numbered score, along with a basic chart to help the user interpret it. Users pick the friends whose identities they are unsure of, and can track their activity using real-time security updates.

  The basic version is free to use, and allows for timeline scans going back 10 days. For a $1.99 fee, the Advance One package allows for a single but comprehensive investigation that includes 365-day timeline and activity analysis and unlimited photo assessments using FakeOFF's Image Fraud Scan program. A regular subscription at $9.99 gives users unlimited access.

  Sachar says, "Sometimes all you need is to look into one person: a potential romantic interest, for example. And in other cases, users like concerned parents will be interested in more comprehensive coverage. FakeOFF is flexible in that sense".

  You can find out more and try out the free version by visiting the FakeOFF website.

  
• 

  Nokia Lumia 1320 now available in US

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 11:17am CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  With a massive 6-inch screen and low-end specs, the Lumia 1320 is the Windows Phone aimed at price-conscious phablet enthusiasts. The aging handset, that was unveiled by Nokia in late-October 2013, has been available on the market for quite some time, but is just now reaching US shores.

  Starting today, the Lumia 1320 is available at local mobile operator Cricket Wireless, that sells the Windows Phone phablet off-contract. The price? After a $50 mail-in rebate through Cricket Visa Promotion Card, it costs $229.99. That is $20 less than what Cricket asks for the smaller Samsung Galaxy Express. Not taking into account the mail-in rebate, the Lumia 1520 goes for $279.99.

  "With the Nokia Lumia 1320, we are providing big value to customers at a budget-friendly price", says Cricket Wireless product management AVP Andy Smoak. And, indeed, it looks like, for the money, the Windows Phone phablet is unrivalled in the mobile operator's portfolio.

  So, what do you get for the money? The Lumia 1320 packs: 6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 by 1280; 1.7 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor; 1 GB of RAM; 3,400 mAh battery; 8 GB of internal storage; microSD card slot; 5 MP back-facing camera with LED flash and 1080p video; 0.3 MP front-facing camera with 480p video; 4G LTE; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n; USB 2.0; Bluetooth 4.0; physical dimensions of 164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8 mm; weight of 220 grams; it runs Windows Phone 8, and is compatible with the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update.

  Nokia's usual software add-ons are also available. That means users will be able to take advantage of the HERE suite, Nokia Camera, Nokia Beamer, Nokia Storyteller and Nokia MixRadio, as well as other exclusive apps.

  
• 

  Logitech announces the Type-S -- Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 keyboard case

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 8:54am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  The dust is still settling from Samsung's monumental announcement of its Galaxy Tab S tablets. Make no mistake, the screens on these tablets are a game-changer and sure to push other manufacturers to improve their screen-technology too. While it is surely an iPad competitor, it will likely lag in one place -- accessories. Yes, when it comes to third-party add-ons, Apple's devices are on top.

  Don't tell that to Logitech though. Even though the company makes cases and keyboards for the iPad, it supports Android too. Right on the heels of the Galaxy Tab S unveiling, Logitech announces the Type-S, which is a keyboard-case for the 10.5 inch variant.

  "Precision engineered from state-of-the-art, water-repellant materials the Logitech Type-S is durable enough to help keep your tablet safe, without compromising the thinness of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5-inch. Its Essential Protection System (E.P.S.) helps protect both sides of your tablet from accidental bumps, scratches and spills. Plus, the Logitech SecureLock system's corner clips are designed to keep your tablet firmly secured in its protective case, yet easy to insert and remove", says Logitech.

  

   

  The company further explains, "the Logitech Type-S features a dual-view stand for multiple activities, so you can get more done -- position your tablet upright to type e-mails and chat with your friends, or lay it flat to read your e-book and browse in comfort. And with the auto-wake and auto-sleep feature, your tablet is ready anytime you need it. It has a long-lasting battery that can last up to three months on a complete charge, and when it needs recharging simply plug it in with the included USB cable".

  Basically, this keyboard case turns the tablet into a laptop-like experience. Plus, it props the tablet up for watching movies. This could be a great option for a business-person that travels often and can get by with Android. Since Google's operating system offers user-access to the file-system and quality multi-tasking, this should prove to be a more productive option than using an iPad and similar keyboard case.

  The Logitech S-Type will be available later this month for a reasonable $99. Will you buy it? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  How to avoid threats like Cryptolocker when browsing the web

  Publié: juin 13, 2014, 8:21am CEST par Darren Allan

  

  Malware has, of course, been around for ages, predating the web itself by a long mark. Indeed, the first viruses were spotted way back in the early 1970s, on networks such as ARPANET, the forerunner of the Internet.

  However, as the worldwide web grew, so did the ability to more effectively spread malware. Then the explosion in social networks led to social engineering, and increasingly more sophisticated scams came about -- for example, targeted spear phishing and ransomware -- leading us to the densely populated malware landscape of today, full of big bad nasties like Cryptolocker.

  Cryptolocker was recently the subject of a major warning issued at the start of last week by the National Crime Agency, which cautioned that users have a two-week window to protect themselves from this ransomware and Gameover Zeus. In reality, the way in which the warning was issued was rather clumsy, and what the NCA meant was that they've disrupted the infrastructure of these pieces of malware, so now is a good time to clean up your security act. Although, of course, any time is a good time to adopt best security practices -- and so that's what we're covering here; the basics of staying safe and protecting yourself against any potential malware when you surf the web.

  The basics

  First off, let's recap the fundamentals. In terms of software, it should go without saying that you need an Internet security suite (or at least a basic antivirus program) on your machine, preferably a good one. That doesn't mean you have to pay, either, as there are some great free efforts -- check out AVG and Avast, to pick two prominent examples. If you want to be even more cautious, it doesn't hurt to have a second line of defense after your main AV package -- we'd recommend you take a look at Threatfire. It won't clash with most common security software, and will provide you with what security pros call a layered defense.

  Always keep your software up to date -- all of it. That means your antivirus definitions, your web browser, any plugins like Flash, every piece of software you have including the Windows operating system itself (or whatever OS you use). Security holes are constantly patched across all software, but if you don't have the latest updates, you'll be vulnerable to them.

  Then there's what we call the common sense basics. If you see a web address you think sounds a bit dodgy, don't visit it -- even if your friend sent you a link, or posted it on Facebook. You don't know if they actually posted it, or if their account has been hijacked. And even if they did post it, they may be unaware that the site is malware-ridden. In particular look out for links which seem sensationalist, ones that are trying to get users to click ("free iPads and nude pictures of *random supermodel name here*").

  Even if you receive an email from what appears to be your bank, Amazon, eBay or whoever, asking you to log in for whatever reason and providing a link to do so -- don't trust that link. Open your browser, and type in the bank's website address yourself. You can do the same thing when you're sent links to amusing YouTube videos by friends -- don't click the link, but go to YouTube directly, copy and paste the video title in to search for it, and watch it that way.

  Do not trust links. This piece of advice can probably save your behind more times than anything else.

  Finally, if you're visiting a website where you're entering payment information such as your credit card number, always check that it's a secure site -- you can tell because the web address will begin with https:// (note the 's') and there'll be a green padlock icon to the left of the URL bar.

  

  Browser beaten

  Another thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to use a less well-known browser, seeing as there are more exploits hidden away in web pages that target the big names such as Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox. They have the most users by far, so they obviously represent the most tempting targets. You could try switching to something like Opera or Maxthon, which are both excellent alternative browsers. Of course, we understand that not everyone will want to give up their browser; also, if you do switch, don't start swanning about the web thinking you're invulnerable. All the advice in this article still pertains -- caution first, as always.

  Whatever browser you use, one solid defensive measure is to turn off Java. Unless you specifically need it, Java has been the cause of many holes and exploits, and we keep it turned off for the sake of security. Want to know how to rid yourself of it? Then see our guide to disabling Java.

  You should also make sure any passwords you use for websites are strong, and also not reused across different sites. The latter's a big no-no as one data breach could mean you lose control of multiple accounts to a hacker. If you have trouble remembering passwords, then get yourself a password manager (we round up the best of them here).

  

  Two factors are better than one

  For added security on the most important sites you visit -- usually those involving financial details, like PayPal for example -- it's a very good idea to set up two-factor authentication (which is generally supported by these sort of websites). As the name suggests, this is simply a second line of authentication, so you not only have to enter a password initially, you must also provide a secondary login, which can be a code sent to your phone, or perhaps provided by a dedicated piece of hardware (like a PayPal security key). This means even if an attacker gets your password, they won't be able to login as they won't have this second factor to hand. We've also got a guide on this topic, showing which sites support two-factor authentication, and how to set it up.

  If you follow these guidelines, you'll be unlikely to end up one of the unfortunate folks who is compromised by a hacker or scammer on the worldwide web.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Smart TVs can be hijacked using a $250 antenna

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 10:15pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  Smart TVs are the latest product to be exposed to dangerous vulnerabilities that can be exploited by burying malicious code in signals sent to the connected devices and even able to attack other devices in the home.

  Researchers have found a loophole in the technology used in the advanced sets that allows attackers to hijack TVs in a straightforward way, leave no trace, and do anything that the owner of the TV can do.

  The attack exploits the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV [HbbTV] standard that is supported by all TV sets sold across Europe and is implemented to allow advertisers to do a better job at targeting users by sending tailored adverts to the sets.

  "For this attack you do not need an Internet address, you do not need a server," Yossef Oren, from the Network Security Lab at Colombia University, explained to Forbes. "You just need a roof and an antenna and once you are done with your attack, there's completely no trace of you".

  Oren, and his fellow researcher Angelos Keromytis, added that detecting and subsequently halting such an attack is a difficult proposition and once the set is hijacked it can be used to find other vulnerable devices in the home or launch attacks across the Internet.

  The researchers told the BBC that one example of how the vulnerability could be used involves owners that have logged into Facebook and the attackers can post messages to the social network on the user’s behalf.

  More concerning is the researchers’ belief that it could be used to scan devices on a home network for vulnerabilities and then display messages on the screens requesting credit card details or other sensitive information.

  Attackers would only need to buy a $250 antenna to reach thousands of sets in an area where many people own them and a larger antenna would allow the attack area to be considerably larger.

  Over 60 broadcasters in Europe have signed up to use the HbbTV technology and millions of sets on the continent have the potential to be exploited, though Oren did add that he doesn’t think the technology’s security needs an entire rewrite.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  YouTube set to debut on the Sony PS4

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 8:53pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Microsoft differentiated itself from Sony in the game console market by positioning its offering as an entertainment device -- a living room hub, with HDMI pass-thru and lots of options. However Sony has a few of these as well, and now will be adding one more.

  At the E3 gaming show, the company announces YouTube will be arriving on its console. "Sharing your greatest gaming moments on YouTube will be a piece of cake on PS4, thanks to the dedicated sharing capabilities at the very heart of PS4. YouTube will officially be one of the social options offered when you press the Share button on your DualShock 4. After pressing Share , you’ll see the YouTube icon pop up alongside Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, and Ustream, and in just a couple of quick steps, you can go from playing your favorite games to publishing videos on your own YouTube channel. You’ll also be able to see your friends’ shared YouTube videos using the 'What’s New' feed", the company states.

  There is more to it than just sharing, though. There will also be an integrated app, just as there is on PS3, allowing for access to all standard videos and channels contained within Google's video service.

  For now, there is no word when the new app will be released, but Sony promises it will provide further information very soon.

  
• 

  Want to keep Google out of your home? Buy a Honeywell Lyric instead of Nest

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 7:07pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  I have a confession -- I like Google's services a lot. Gmail is my primary email, I watch YouTube videos everyday and Google+ is my favorite social media network. With that said, it can be scary for one company to have so much control of the internet and to know so much about me. While I trust Google, I can understand people's hesitation to put blind-faith into the search-giant.

  When Google bought Nest, many people were up in arms over the deal. After all, if you don't trust the company with your email, you certainly won't trust it controlling your home. Luckily, if you want a smart thermostat, but don't want Google, you can go in a different direction -- Honeywell. Yes, today, that iconic company announces a Nest competitor called Lyric which is downright sexy and best of all for some people -- Google-free.

  "Most people don't have a predictable pattern to how they live their lives; why not have a thermostat that adjusts based on your real-time schedule? With the Lyric thermostat's geofencing capability, my house returns to my preferred comfort setting when I'm within a few miles from home. Quite simply, the Lyric thermostat offers me the ability to keep my life in tune -- delivering comfort when I’m home and savings when I'm gone", says Beth Wozniak, president of Environmental and Combustion Controls.

  Honeywell further explains, "when a homeowner walks up to the Lyric thermostat, a built-in proximity sensor signals the display to turn on and show current temperature and the home’s heating or cooling status. A soft halo of light in orange (heating), blue (cooling), or green (away/energy savings) momentarily illuminates around the thermostat to indicate it is making temperature adjustments. Additionally, touch-sensitive buttons flank the center display -- one for accessing current and upcoming weather information, and one for setting back your temperature while you’re away. The Lyric thermostat provides easy-to-understand alerts on when to change a filter, if and when your furnace needs servicing, and even help find a trusted service professional".

  To Google detractors I must ask, is Honeywell really more trustworthy than the search-giant? While it is hard to trust any company, at least Google has a history of protecting user data. Sure, Honeywell is a different company, but that doesn't mean it is better from a privacy standpoint. In other words, while I agree you should never blindly trust a company, I would argue that you shouldn't trust a competitor for the sake of being different either -- "not being Google" shouldn't be looked at as a benefit.

  The Lyric is available now to professional contractors, but will be available to the general public starting in August for $279.99. The app to control it is available for both Android and iOS. The big question is, which would you prefer, Lyric or Nest? Tell me what you think in the comments.

  
• 

  Adobe releases Flash Player 14 and AIR 14

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 6:26pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Adobe has released a major update to its web media player and runtime platform with the release of Adobe Flash Player 14.0 and Adobe AIR 14.0.

  The new releases deliver a number of new features and updates: a PPAPI Flash Player content debugger, support for Atom-based Android devices and -- of most interest to end users -- support for the AIR Gamepad API.

  The PPAPI Flash Player content debugger gives Flash developers the opportunity to debug content using the PPAPI interface found on Chromium-based browsers. Once installed, developers are directed to chrome://plugins where they should see the debug version of Shockwave Flash should be available to enable.

  Also added to version 14 of Flash and AIR are support for anisotropic filtering and a new Stage3D "standard" profile when creating Context3D.

  Adobe AIR 14 gains support for Intel Atom-based mobile Android devices via the -arch ADT command line option. The new iOS packaging engine also gains numerous improvements and bug fixes.

  Another new addition to version 14 of Adobe AIR is the new AIR Gamepad API, which allows developers to use Android mobiles as either a second screen or game controller for Flash-based games.

  Users must simply ensure their Android device is on the same network as the parent computer and be running version 14 of AIR Runtime app on their mobile. At the current time, version 13 is still being touted in the Play Store.

  The API provides support for gesture, touch and Accelerometer events, plus vibration and applying skins onto the AIR gamepad screen. To test the feature, once Adobe AIR 14.0 is installed on your Android device, browse to ModelViewer or Hungry Hero in the paired computer’s browser and follow the instructions.

  The update is rounded off by a large number of bug fixes, including a range of Windows 8 and 8.1 fixes for Flash Player. Adobe AIR fixes cover both iOS, Android and Windows platforms.

  Adobe Flash Player for Other Browsers 14.0 and Adobe AIR 14.0 are both available now as a freeware downloads for Windows and Mac. Also available is Adobe Flash Player for Internet Explorer 14.0 for PCs running Windows 7 or earlier (Windows 8 users are delivered updates through the OS).

  
• 

  HTC Desire 610: A not-so-good Android smartphone [Review]

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 6:14pm CEST par Sandra Vogel

  

  HTC has been extremely busy recently in terms of unleashing handsets upon us. Over a period of just a few weeks I have reviewed the flagship HTC One M8, the smaller format HTC One mini 2, and the HTC Desire 816. Now, with barely a pause for breath following those last two reviews, here comes the HTC Desire 610.

  Styled by HTC as a good value, entertainment-focused handset, the Desire 610 costs around £235. It shares a lot of design features with its more expensive, higher specified cousin the Desire 816, which will set you back close to £300. So, if you need to save money but like what the Desire 816 has to offer, is this handset a good buy?

  Well, other handsets coming in around this price include the Huawei Ascend P6 (recently succeeded by the Ascend P7), Samsung Galaxy S4 mini from last year, and HTC Desire 601, which despite being a 2014 handset is being replaced by the Desire 610. And we must never rule out the much lower cost Motorola Moto G with its new update to 4G, plus, of course, there are other phones floating around in this price range.

  The overall look of this handset is not HTC's finest moment. While I waxed lyrical about the metal chassis and curved back of the One M8, the design here is a bit meh. In large part that's down to two factors.

  There's a full 21mm of chassis between the bottom edge of the screen and the bottom edge of the phone, and an additional 17mm of chassis between the top edge of the screen and the top of the phone. Add in 5mm of screen bezel down each of the long edges and you'll see that this is a handset with a 4.7-inch screen which is lost in a sea of front chassis. It's not a good look, in my view. Moreover it makes for a relatively big phone -- compare 70.5 x 9.6 x 143.1 mm (WxDxH) with the 68.8 x 6.5 x 139.8 (WxDxH) of the 5-inch screen-bearing Huawei Ascend P7, for example.

  Now, a fair bit of that upper and lower space is occupied by a double row of speaker grilles. Yep, the Desire 610 has stereo speakers and BoomSound to augment the quality of the sound output. BoomSound is not as well implemented here as in the flagship One M8 or the Desire 816 though. While I found the volume would crank up as high as I needed it, quality was decidedly iffy with a lot of treble and a lack of bass tones. If my ears are accurate, it seems BoomSound is not universally brilliant with the Desire 610, less impressive than the Desire 816, which in itself isn't as good as the superb One (M8).

  The other design factor that turns me off is the way the non-removable backplate is quite clearly a separate part of the casing. I mentioned this design feature in the Desire 816 and here we have a very similar effect of a shiny backplate and a matte plastic finish to the handset edges. It's a combination that forces you to look at it, and when you do you'll see the join between back and edges. Not everyone will dislike this, of course, but it's not to my taste.

  The Desire 610 can be had in navy, white, or red, and the shiny backplate of my navy sample attracted quite a lot of finger grease. On the plus side I wasn't able to bend this phone in my hands as easily as I was the Desire 816. It is smaller overall than that phone which is probably a factor, but whatever the reason it feels more robust.

  Button placement is different to that of the Desire 816. The power button has moved from the left edge onto the top, which it shares with the headset slot. The volume rocker is on the right edge and the hinged cover protecting a slot for both your nanoSIM and your microSD card is on the left edge. These two are transposed on the Desire 816. It is easy to lift the cover and hotswap microSD cards thanks to a small nick on the cover, into which you can easily get a fingernail.

  

  The screen resolution and quality are in okay-but-not-great territory. The resolution of 960 x 540 pixels is way out of date, and 234ppi is low. I could definitely see a certain fuzziness to text, and you might want to steer clear if you do a lot of reading on your phone (whether that's websites, eBooks, email or other types of text). Viewing angles aren't great, and like the backplate, the screen seems to collect finger grease.

  For looking at video and playing games the screen is passable, though obviously it looks less than stellar when set against top-end handsets. Indeed, with this handset, the display may be the deal beaker that puts people off the Desire 610.

  The quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 runs at 1.2GHz and with 1GB of RAM backing it up it seemed pretty slick. HTC has built the Desire 610 with 4G and NFC on board, and although it is not mentioned in the specifications, USB On The Go is supported too, so you can read data, for example music, from a USB stick with a microUSB connector.

  

  The 8 megapixel main camera does a fair job. There's nothing ground-breaking about it, but access to manual ISO and other settings will appeal to many people, and there are some nice filters, too. The 1.3 megapixel front camera, now called the selfie camera in HTC's camera app across its handsets, has the three second self-timer that's become a standard feature for HTC.

  With this phone, the battery can also be said to be fair. It got me through a day of normal use, but if you are a keen gamer you might feel the need for a juice boost during the day.

  

  There's just 8GB of built-in storage, and by the time Android 4.4, HTC Sense 6 and HTC's other bits and bobs have snaffled their share there is just 3.6GB left for you. Sense 6 comes with its usual features including the news and social aggregator BlinkFeed. HTC has also included Polaris Office 5 which can be used to create Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, and save to PDF, alongside a good note-taking app called Scribble. If you want to use these seriously you might be better off looking for a device with a bigger screen. They're on the Desire 816, for example.

  Verdict

  I liked the HTC Desire 816 a lot, but the lower cost, lower specified Desire 610 seems to suffer from some badly made choices in order to reach its price. The screen resolution is a particular annoyance, and the chassis design does the phone no favours, with the screen being swamped in a lot of bezel. HTC might want to consider how it markets BoomSound, as well -- it has had excellent feedback from reviews of the high-end One M8 (including mine), but here the quality simply isn't replicated.

  Specifications

  Manufacturer and Model	HTC Desire 610
  Network	4G
  Processor	1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
  Ram	1GB
  Memory	8GB (3.6GB accessible)
  Memory expansion	microSD
  Display	4.7in, 960 x 540 pixels, 234ppi
  Main camera	8 megapixel
  Front camera	1.3 megapixel
  NFC	Yes
  Wi-Fi	Yes
  GPS	Yes
  FM radio	Yes
  Battery	2,040 mAh
  Size	70.5 x 9.6 x 143.1mm   (WxDxH)
  Weight	143.5g
  OS	Android 4.4

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Firefox 30 adds new Sidebar button, GStreamer 1.0 support for Linux

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 6:06pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Mozilla has released Firefox 30.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 30.0 also imminent.

  Despite the landmark version number, Firefox 30 is a relatively minor release -- particularly on the desktop version -- with little in the way of new features for end users.

  Version 30’s only notable new feature is the addition of a Sidebar button, which users must add manually to their main toolbar using the Tools > Customize option -- once added, clicking this allows users to quickly access the Bookmarks or History sidebars, plus any other sidebar content including social providers and sidebars added by third-party plugins such as LastPass.

  Firefox 30 also unveils two new platform-specific features: the first is support for GStreamer 1.0, an open-source multimedia framework that means Linux users will be able to access H.264 video as well as MP3 and AAC audio files natively through the browser.

  The second new feature sees Mac users now able to use the selected text as the basis for a search by pressing [Cmd]+[E].

  Version 30 also ups the security ante by only allowing a specific set of whitelisted plugins to run automatically -- users will either be prompted to activate a plugin the first time a web site requires it, or can manually enable plugins themselves via the about:addons dialog (select Plugins) -- click the Ask to Activate dropdown next to a plugin and choose Always Activate.

  Firefox 30 also includes a larger number of developer changes, including the blocking of call WebIDL constructors as functions on the web. Two specific fixes resolve an issue whereby autocomplete="off" was ignored when offering to save passwords via the password manager, plus another that meant TypedArrays didn’t support new named properties.

  The new release will also be accompanied by Firefox for Android 30.0. This adds Quickshare buttons to the Firefox context menu and uses the Home Feeds Add-On to add web content to home page panels. Six new locales -- Belarusian, Argentine Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Indonesian, Latvian and Malay have also been added. One platform-specific fix resolves an issue whereby after playing back MP4 video, video could not be played again.

  Firefox 30.0 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download. Firefox for Android 30.0 should be available shortly.

  
• 

  CCleaner for Android now available

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 5:02pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  It’s been well over a year since Piriform first announced plans to bring CCleaner to Android. At the time the company suggested the release would be "soon" but it took until April this year for the first Beta version to be made available.

  Tens of thousands of users signed up to test the app, and Piriform has added some additional features along the way. Today, the company finally announces the full version is now available on Google Play, and as you’d expect from Piriform, it's totally free and without ads.

  CCleaner for Android can remove junk, reclaim space, monitor your system and help you browse safely. It offers the following features:

  Optimize and Clean

  • Speed up your phone and remove junk safely
  • Clean application cache, download folders, browser history, clipboard content and more
  • Delete call logs and SMS messages individually, in bulk, by age or by contact

  Reclaim Storage Space

  • Streamline your Android smartphone or tablet
  • Quickly and easily uninstall multiple unwanted applications
  • Free up valuable storage space on your device

  Easy to Use

  • Optimize your Android in just a few clicks
  • Simple, intuitive user interface which is easy to navigate
  • Totally free from Ads and clutter
  • Fast, compact and efficient with low memory and CPU usage

  Monitor your System

  • Check the usage of your CPU
  • Keep track of your RAM and internal storage space
  • Check out your battery levels and temperature

  It’s not the most attractive of apps, if I'm being honest, but it does have an excellent pedigree. You can download CCleaner for Android from Google Play now.

  
• 

  Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7 is here -- IT departments should start brewing coffee

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 4:01pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  When it comes to Linux, home users can be rather lackadaisical with their installations. What I mean is, they can tinker, install any package they want and generally play around. If they break something, the worst case scenario is they reinstall and start from scratch. If they encounter a bug, they can jump on something like IRC and get support from their peers.

  Businesses however, are not afforded such luxury. In the enterprise, there can be devastating consequences from data loss or outages. After all, besides the business, its customer's data must be protected too. Not to mention, outages could ruin a company's reputation. Businesses need to have official support -- message boards and IRC won't cut it. Today, the open-source darling of the enterprise world, Red Hat, Inc., announces the seventh version of its popular and dependable Enterprise Linux (RHEL). If a company is interested in a secure, trustworthy and affordable platform with support, it should definitely take notice.

  "Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 not only lays the foundation for the open hybrid cloud and serves enterprise workloads across converged infrastructures, but it also pushes the operating system beyond today’s position as a commodity platform. Built to meet modern datacenter demands along with next-generation IT requirements, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 powers the spectrum of enterprise IT, from application containers to cloud services", says Red Hat, Inc.

  The company further explains, "bare metal servers, virtual machines, Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) are converging to form a robust, powerful datacenter environment to meet constantly changing business needs. Answering the heterogeneous realities of modern enterprise IT, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 offers a cohesive, unified foundation that enables customers to balance modern demands while reaping the benefits of computing innovation, like Linux Containers and big data, across physical systems, virtual machines and the cloud -- the open hybrid cloud".

  The company touts the following features:

  • Enhanced application development, delivery, portability and isolation through Linux Containers, including Docker, across physical, virtual, and cloud deployments as well as development, test and production environments.
  • Significant file system improvements, including XFS as the default file system, scaling to 500 TB.
  • Cross-realm trust to easily enable secure access for Microsoft Active Directory users across Microsoft Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux domains, providing the flexibility for Red Hat Enterprise Linux to co-exist within heterogeneous datacenters.
  • Powerful and secure application runtimes and development, delivery and troubleshooting tools, integrated into the platform and container-ready

  The Linux nerds laboring in the IT departments of businesses should be happy if they want to earn some overtime, as it is time to start testing and preparing for a possible deployment. Of course, if a company is already enjoying an older supported release, there is no need to upgrade. However, the new features may be worth it for some.

  If you are interested in watching the live unveiling at 11am EST, you can sign up here.

  Photo credit: Artgraphics / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Spanning launches 100 percent restore guarantee for Google Apps

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 3:42pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Backup specialist Spanning Cloud Apps has made two announcements to help cement its position as a trusted SaaS backup and recovery provider.

  The first is an update to its backup product for Salesforce. This includes on-page Salesforce data restore which makes it easy for end users to quickly and easily compare and recover previous versions of Salesforce data objects, such as Accounts, Opportunities and Contacts. As before the backup product is delivered entirely via the Salesforce interface.

  It lets users initiate the restore process by simply clicking the Restore button within a record and then comparing and selecting individual fields to restore within object records, such as phone numbers, activity logs or attachments. The process requires little or no training for the user and, says the company, is completed more quickly and more accurately than any other available methods. Spanning Backup for Salesforce enforces field-level security, ensuring that users only see and restore data they are authorized to edit.

  

  More interesting to most people though will be the launch of a Google Apps 100 percent restore guarantee. Through this offer, the company guarantees that customers who use Spanning Backup for Google Apps to backup their data will be able to restore lost data back to its original state 100 percent of the time. If it fails they will receive ten times their money back for each failed restore operation for that user account.

  Spanning Backup for Google Apps has proactive status reporting to ensure that customers are alerted if any data isn't properly backed up on a daily basis. This helps to ensure that all files are protected and always available if ever data is lost.

  "SaaS applications provide users with reduced cost, increased flexibility and higher business productivity," says Jeff Erramouspe, CEO of Spanning Cloud Apps. "Nothing disrupts productivity more than data loss events, which happen far more often than most companies realize. Spanning is committed to maintaining productivity by ensuring that lost data is restored quickly and accurately by the end user without the need for IT intervention. Losing data is something that Spanning customers don't need to worry about when using Google Apps or Salesforce".

  The update for Spanning Backup for Salesforce is available to customers from today in the Salesforce AppExchange as a free 14-day trial and costs $30 per-user, per-year for a subscription with unlimited storage.

  Spanning Backup for Google Apps can also be had as a free 14-day trial and costs $40 per-user, per-year with unlimited storage. Visit the Spanning website for more details.

  Image Credit: Modella / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Here's a Windows Phone toolkit app that is powerful and looks great

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 2:14pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Features are extremely important in mobile apps as they give users the ability to do all sorts of interesting things with their smartphones and tablets. But, a great design matters as well (just as much, probably, if not more), as it builds up the enjoyment of using those kind of offerings. And, yes, we can have both.

  Apps that do not place an emphasis on design, relying on dull-looking interfaces, put me off, plain and simple. It is an unfortunate situation that plagues many capable offerings, especially on Android, but on Windows Phone too. My toolkit app of choice is mighty-powerful, but looks like it was designed by robots, which is why I find #1 ToolKit to be a refreshing alternative.

  The app feels much like a Windows Phone app, revealing all its tools through horizontal scrolling. It employs some lovely animations (which are, however, a tad overdone) and colors throughout, all in a simple to use package. Tools can be pinned on the homescreen in either the system-wide accent color or its own color, the latter of which I prefer as it looks more interesting.

  As far as tools go, #1 ToolKit offers a flashlight, mirror, magnifier, quick control of various Windows Phone features and options (including reboot, lock, message compose and others), unit converter, NFC tag writer, sound meter, audio recorder, timer, stopwatch, world clock, hardware information, ruler, compass, protractor and level.

  It works well on Windows Phone 8.1, as well as the old Windows Phone 8. It comes with support for transparent live tiles, showing part of a custom live tile background if the option is turned on.

  #1 ToolKit is available to download from Windows Phone Store.

  
• 

  Box wants IT to be more user-focused

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 2:09pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  Companies must think more about end users and the way technology is used in terms of the cloud and mobile or risk the failure of projects according to one prominent cloud storage firm.

  Box gathered together a range of different technology CEOs and IT executives to discuss how to put user requirements at the centre of planning and design with a list of principles already out there forming a model that will "lead to higher adoption, agility, and success" for organizations.

  "For the past few decades, companies have deployed enterprise technology by first focusing on the business problem and secondly on the user needs, which could explain why so many enterprise IT projects fail due to low adoption", wrote Box head of enterprise product planning Robin Daniels in a blog post.

  "Technology has a major role to play, not only when it comes to changing the way organizations compete, but also shifting the behaviour of employees across industries. Thanks to the devices and apps they use in their personal lives, people now have very different expectations and demands for the technology they use at work", he added.

  The group is made up of Geoffrey Moore, the author of "Crossing the Chasm" as well as CEOs from GoodData, Jive, Marketo, Okta, Skyhigh Networks, Zendesk and a number of others.

  It has identified five different core principles that can be used to identify an organization that has users at the centre of its mindset. They are:

  1. IT serves the business by empowering people to work better and smarter
  2. User-centric IT adapts to the way people work and not the other way round
  3. People, information and knowledge must connect in real time
  4. Mobility is a work-style preference and not just a device
  5. Security should be inherent and transparent to the user experience.

  Moore added that as the business world becomes more mobile, cloud-based and digital that "organizations must transform how they deliver IT" and rely far less on cost effectiveness.

  The initiative has already launched a website at usercentricit.com and will be posting more information there as the initiative gathers momentum.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo Credit: 2jenn/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Wise Care 365 version 3 sports major new interface, adds four new modules

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 2:09pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  WiseCleaner.com has released Wise Care 365 3.11, a major update to its all-in-one Windows maintenance tool. Version 3.11, which comes in free and paid-for versions, opens with a complete redesign of its user interface.

  The new release also adds four new tools, revamps two of its major engines and comes with a number of optimizations to other parts of the suite.

  The new user interface follows in the footsteps of others in adopting a flatter, simpler look to tie in more closely with the Windows 8/8.1 user interface. Individual tools are now identified using Metro-style square icons although the overall layout remains consistent with previous versions, so existing users should have little trouble acclimatising.

  Four new tools have been added to the suite, two of which reside under a new System Monitoring tab. These are Process Monitor, which offers a complete list of running processes that users can close with a single click, and Hardware Overview, which offers various system information pages.

  The new tools are accompanied by a new Hardware Temperature Overview monitor, which is displayed on the main Hardware Overview page, and offers three temperature gauges for CPU, graphics card and hard drives.

  Version 3 also adds a new floating icon, which provides users with a thermometer for the CPU temperature and a measure of the current CPU usage. Clicking it allows users to perform various one-click optimizations without having to open the main program window.

  The new release also debuts two completely rewritten scanning and cleaning engines, one for the PC Checkup module, the other for the Registry Cleaner. In addition three other modules -- Registry Backup, Registry Cleanup List and Common Cleaner -- have all been optimized.

  Wise Care 365 3.11 is available now as a free, function-limited download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Pro licenses are available with prices currently starting at $22.50 for a single-PC, single-year license. Lifetime upgrades are also available.

  
• 

  Apple showcases OS X 10.10 Yosemite in new video

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 12:40pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  In early-June, at WWDC 2014, Apple took the wraps off the latest iteration of its Mac operating system, named OS X 10.10 Yosemite. It is now undergoing beta testing, being available only to registered developers. The official launch is set for this fall.

  If you want to take a peek at how OS X 10.10 Yosemite looks and some of the new features it brings on Macs, Apple has released a new video, titled The New Look of OS X Yosemite, which showcases the new OS.

  The video takes us through the new fonts, redesigned icons, Dock and window elements, as well as new features, like iCloud integration in the Finder, and refreshed apps, like Calendar and Messages.

  If you want to learn more about OS X 10.10 Yosemite, my colleague Brian Fagioli wrote an article, shortly after its unveiling, in which he takes an in-depth look at all the major changes Apple highlighted.

  
• 

  ChargeKey and ChargeCard ensure you’ll never be without a USB charger cable again

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 12:15pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  As we become more and more reliant on mobile gadgets it's inevitable that running out of battery life on your phone or tablet will become a regular occurrence.

  Since we don't tend to carry chargers around with us all the time this can be a bit of a problem. If you have access to a USB port, however, your problems may be over.

  The Nomad ChargeKey attaches to your key ring and means you'll always have the ability to charge your smartphone from a PC or an in-car USB port. It's available in iPhone 5 and micro USB formats. The latter should cope with most Android smartphones and tablets as well as many MP3 players and other gadgets. The ends are molded in hard plastic and the middle bit is a flexible rubbery material so it will adapt to different positions and it's robust enough to survive day-to-day life.

  Unlike the Lumsing battery pack that Mark reviewed yesterday, however, the ChargeKey isn't suitable for use as a murder weapon -- unless you could get your victim to choke on it.

  Its sister product the ChargeCard does the same job but is in a credit card-sized format that can be slipped into your wallet. This feels like a rather less elegant design as you have to bend the USB connector back over itself in order to connect it. It works well enough but we'd be a bit worried about its longevity.

  

  Both products are available direct from Nomad and are priced at $29 each regardless of format. If you're in the UK you can order them from Amazon where they cost £20 each.

  If you suffer from what the electric car world calls range anxiety with your smartphone or tablet then it's worth thinking about adding one of these gadgets to your key ring or wallet. We'd opt for the smaller and more elegant ChargeKey but either will do the job.

  
• 

  Microsoft patches Windows 8.x but leaves Windows 7 vulnerable, according to researchers

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 9:59am CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Around 50 percent of PC users are on Windows 7, while just 12 percent are running Windows 8.x, yet Microsoft is leaving the more popular OS vulnerable to zero day attacks by choosing to only patch the newest Windows version. That’s the findings of two security researchers who built a tool to compare 900 libraries in Windows 8 with their Windows 7 counterparts.

  "If Microsoft added a safe function in Windows 8, why does it not exist in Windows 7? The answer is simple, it’s money -- Microsoft does not want to waste development time on older operating systems. They want people to move to higher operating systems," security researcher Moti Joseph claimed in a presentation at the Troopers14 conference in Heidelberg, Germany.

  The DiffRay tool, developed by Joseph and malware analyst Marion Marschalek, compares libraries in the two operating systems and logs any patches found in one but not the other. In a demonstration, embedded below, they found four security functions which were updated in Windows 8 but not Windows 7.

  Marschalek said it was "pretty simple, really scary simple" to develop the comparison tool, and warned that hackers, or governments, could use this technique to find and exploit missing patches in Windows 7.

  Although the Troopers14 presentation happened last month, The Register only uncovered it a few days ago.

  We reached out to Microsoft for comment on the allegations, and a spokesman told us: "We follow an extensive process to develop security updates for all supported devices and services, involving a thorough investigation, update development, and testing for compatibility among other operating systems and applications. We are continually working to improve our products and we encourage researchers to coordinate vulnerability disclosure with Microsoft in order to help protect customers".

  
• 

  Kim Dotcom offers $5m reward in Megaupload piracy lawsuit

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 8:38am CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom is offering $5 million to whistleblowers willing to help him fight his online piracy case. The German national believes that the information being used against him by the US and New Zealand governments was obtained illegally.

  "We are asking for information that proves unlawful or corrupt conduct by the US government, the New Zealand government, spy agencies, law enforcement and Hollywood," he said in an interview with TorrentFreak.com.

  "It is the opinion of my legal team that disclosure of such information would be lawful. I would also guarantee any whistleblower coming forward would have the best legal representation at zero cost".

  Dotcom, who was estimated to have a net worth of $200 million in 2012, is offering the reward to anyone who can help prove his allegations, as he fights one of the largest copyright infringement cases ever.

  The FBI and US Justice Department claim that Megaupload acquired over $175 million in illegal proceeds and cost copyright owners more than $500 million in pirated material. The site was shut down in 2012, but Dotcom re-launched the venture under the name 'Mega' last year.

  Dotcom is currently living in New Zealand, where he is resisting extradition to the US and the trial, which could see him face a jail term of 20 years for racketeering, money laundering and copyright theft.

  The extradition hearing, which has been delayed several times due to claims over evidence disclosure, is set to begin in Auckland on 7 July. The Internet entrepreneur has previously faced criminal charges for computer fraud and embezzlement.

  Read more: Law experts claim Megaupload prosecution Is unconstitutional

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Linux Mint 17 OEM images released to manufacturers

  Publié: juin 10, 2014, 3:02am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  In a perfect world, every computer manufacturer would let you choose the pre-installed operating system. Sadly, this is not the case. A trip to Best Buy will reveal many computers with Windows as the only option. Sure, there are Macs and Chromebooks to choose from too, but you can't walk up to the one of your choosing and dictate the OS you want. In other words, if you see a beautiful Sony laptop, you can't choose to have Linux pre-installed by the manufacturer.

  There is nothing wrong with Windows, quite the opposite; the operating system is exceptional. However, consumers like choice and offering Linux distributions as an option would be a huge win. Today, the Linux Mint team releases special ISO images designed for manufacturers.

  Clem of the Linux Mint team explains, "OEM images are for computer vendors and manufacturers. They allow Linux Mint to be 'pre-installed' on a machine which is then used by another person than the one who performed the installation. After an OEM installation, the computer is set in such a way that the next reboot features a small setup screen where the new user/customer has the ability to choose his/her username, password, keyboard layout and locale".

  Of course, making the images available is only half the battle. Manufacturers still have to choose to offer it on their machines. While computers preloaded with Mint are available, they aren't from major names like HP or Sony.

  Manufacturers aside, even home users can benefit from these images. For example, if you want to install Mint for a family member, the OEM image would offer a better first experience for them as they get to choose their settings at first boot.

  If you want to try the images out yourself, you can download the Cinnamon edition here and the Mate edition here. Please note, only 64-bit ISOs are available.

  Photo credit: bibiphoto / Shutterstock

  
• 

  The right way to keep your company data secure online

  Publié: juin 9, 2014, 8:35pm CEST par Torgny Gunnarsson

  

  First Assange, then Snowden and now Heartbleed -- over the last year, the issue of data security has been thrust into worldwide consciousness and stuck there.

  In 2013 alone, companies including Facebook, Microsoft, NBC, Evernote and Twitter were targeted by hackers. Google hasn't escaped unscathed. On many of these occasions no private data has been obtained, but data security has become a very real concern for businesses.

  The move in the last twenty years to mass digital file storage coupled with connecting internal company networks to the internet has created a significant threat to the integrity of companies' private data, regardless of the company's size.

  Some argue that the evolution of security solutions for online data protection is akin to the development of aviation, in that every accident, each mishap, is a significant learning experience and accelerates the development of online security. In the case of Heartbleed, developers are already working on a new version of the flawed OpenSSL software.

  Yet many companies don't realize that there are technologies readily available which greatly diminish the risk of company data being inadvertently exposed. With a few straightforward tweaks to their data security and management strategy, companies can ensure that their data is being kept as securely as possible.

  You wouldn't wait until someone breaks into your house to install a burglar alarm, so why take the same approach with private data?

  Insist on the highest levels of security from software providers

  It might seem painfully obvious, yet many on the buyer-side sign up to SaaS cloud services without ensuring that their data will be protected by the highest security standards available. Companies need to be asking their software providers about the security they provide. Even if the software's functionality is perfect for your company, data protection isn't something to scrimp on.

  Companies requiring high levels of security should work to secure the ISO:27001 accreditation and other security certificates, which cover staff as well as secure data rooms. Receiving third party endorsement for your security can also be vital in demonstrating a commitment to helping keep extremely sensitive private data secure, and reassure your customers.

  Train your staff

  Although a recent data breach report suggests that the oft-cited idea that employees are a company's greatest security threat could be grossly exaggerated, it's still paramount to ensure that staff are well-trained in best practice when it comes to data security. Some 39 percent of IT professionals have dealt with a situation where an employee has accessed parts of the network without authorization.

  IT departments must do more to support their employees' need to do their job, often outside the office. Research shows that 81 percent access work on the move, yet 72 percent resort to using unauthorized, unsecure file sharing software. Employees need to be made aware of the security risks this poses. Companies must also do more to ensure they're providing employees with secure, easy-to-use environments in which to share files and other data.

  Know where your data is being stored

  Far and away the most common answer I hear when I ask companies where their data is being stored is simply "no idea". That's not good enough, and here's why. Data being stored in the EU is protected by the Data Protection Directive.

  There are no comparable data protection laws in countries outside the EU. Astonishingly, 99 percent of cloud service providers either lack enterprise-grade security, or store their data elsewhere, in places like US, Russia or China, where data privacy laws are less stringent.

  To keep data as secure as possible, companies should ask their service-providers two questions:

  • Firstly, do you offer enterprise-grade security?
  • Secondly, will our data be stored in the EU?

  If the answer to either of these questions is no, find out whether their competitors would answer yes. Data security is an issue that will continue for as long as breaches occur, and until companies start taking it more seriously, that day isn't getting any closer.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Torgny Gunnarsson is CEO of Imprima

  
• 

  Steelseries Sentry Eye Tracker -- control games with your eyes

  Publié: juin 9, 2014, 8:02pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  One of my favorite movies as a kid was Back to the Future 2. In it, Marty McFly, the protagonist, shows off his gaming skills to a bunch of kids using an old Wild Gunman arcade machine. The children scoff at his efforts, as you play the game with hands. The children explain that only baby-toys require you to use your hands! Sadly, in 2014 we are still mostly playing games with our hands, with the exception of some novelties with Kinect and others.

  Today however, Steelseries announces a new product that will enable future PC games to interact with your eyes. Yes, you will eventually be able to control games using your peepers, but that functionality is a ways off. The immediate functionality is video game training and coaching. You see, the camera watches you playing the game and analyzes your eyes so it can train you later. Creepy? Kind of. Cool? Absolutely.

  "The SteelSeries Sentry Eye Tracker brings players an entirely new way to train for competitive gaming, by allowing the player to analyze a wide range of statistics based on where and how long a user focused, or fixated, on the screen. Fixations per Minute (FPM) tracks how often a user moves his or her eye gaze and attention around the screen; low values indicate that the gamer is able to process a lot of information. For comparison, FPM in eye tracking is the same type of correlation as APM or the total numbers of actions per minute a player can perform", says Steelseries.

  The company further explains, "beyond the features of analyzing and benchmarking, the Sentry Eye Tracker also has the capability to enhance gameplay by using eye movement as a new type of in-game control. SteelSeries and Tobii are working together to offer this functionality in the future. With the capacity to operate and control games with eye movement, the game enhancement opportunities are endless".

  

  As you can see in the video below, the training and coaching seems to be aimed at hardcore competitive gamers. However, I am sure amateur gamers will see value in improving their performance too. After all, amateurs may spend countless hours every week playing games online against other players. If you are going to invest that much time in playing, you might as well not suck right?

  Sadly, pricing has not been announced and availability is only promised as "later this year". If it does prove to be affordable, will you buy it? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit:   Steven Frame  / Shutterstock

   

  
• 

  Power up the OS X context menu with FinderPop

  Publié: juin 9, 2014, 7:03pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  It doesn’t matter how many refinements and new features are introduced into each new version of OS X, you always end up wanting more, particularly when it comes to the Finder. Thankfully there are usually a slew of third-party apps -- many free -- that can fill in the gaps.

  Take the Finder context menu for instance -- if you feel like it could be a little more helpful at times, then you need to install FinderPop 2.5.5.

  FinderPop is a System Preferences plug-in that allows you to add additional shortcuts and a smattering of useful features to the right-click menu (and menu bar).

  One of the trickiest parts of using it is the first-time installation. Basically, it goes like this: download the zip file, extract its contents, open the FP255 folder, make sure System Preferences is closed and double-click FinderPop.prefpane to install it, choosing All Users if you’re running OS X 10.7 or later.

  Once installed, the FinderPop preferences pane will open at the Options tab where you can configure the basic rules for invoking FinderPop, plus add convenient shortcuts that allow you to browse your entire system from the FinderPop menu.

  Switch to the Items tab, click the button and a folder will open. This is where you drag any shortcuts -- apps, files or folders -- for easy access direct from FinderPop’s extended context menu. Switch back to the FP255 folder and you’ll see a FinderPopExtras sub-folder with some more useful shortcuts for quickly setting or resetting the selected item’s Finder lock, updating the file’s modification date to the present time (Touch) and toggling file extension visibility.

  Other tabs include Appearance (fine-tune how FinderPop appears on your context menu -- you can, for example, set a different font to the system default to make FinderPop’s items easier to identify) and Active, control which apps FinderPop works with (plus exclude any apps that you want left alone).

  Once configured, log off and back on again to make FinderPop accessible. Now right-click any folder or file, and you should see its available options appear at the top of the menu. You’ll also see handy Desktop and Processes shortcuts -- the former lets you browse your entire Mac from the context menu, while the latter displays a list of all currently running apps (allowing you to switch to a different app quickly).

  You can also access FinderPop by clicking on some empty space in the menu bar, plus trigger some useful actions using a variety of keyboard combos: [Cmd]-[Option] displays a Get Info help tag for the selected item, for example, while [g] lets you pick up the item and drag it into a Finder window for copying the selecting item quickly. Press [Tab] and a FinderPop Info window appears, packed with useful information and a rather dangerous trash icon should you wish to delete the parent folder or item.

  You’ll need to give yourself a little bit of time to explore the app and see exactly what it can do, but once you’ve set things up to your liking, we suspect FinderPop will become an essential part of your Mac toolkit.

  FinderPop 2.5.5 is available now as a freeware download for Macs running OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later.

  
• 

  Free cloud-based protection against spear phishing

  Publié: juin 9, 2014, 11:38am CEST par Ian Barker

  

  The biggest threat to both organizations and individuals online comes from zero-day exploits that aren't picked up by conventional antivirus protection.

  In many cases an infection starts with a phishing email which can appear legitimate but contains links to malicious content.

  Protection specialist Votiro already provides a free data sanitization service to scan for malicious code in files but it’s now extending its service to guard against spear phishing and other email-based attacks.

  It allows users to forward questionable emails to the service and runs the same anti-virus scanning and active process on the email contents along with any links and attachments. This ensures immediate protection and enhanced usability.

  "Statistics consistently show that nearly all cyber attacks begin with a spear phishing email that appears to be innocent, although its contents, links or attachments are tainted with hidden malware and similar advanced cyberthreats," says Itay Glick, Founder and CEO of Votiro. "Our mission is to position our customers with a security posture that automatically identifies and eliminates the growing range of unknown and ongoing cybersecurity threats. By extending our free service, we are allowing enterprises and organizations to sample the strengths and benefits of our new spear phishing protection capabilities that are being incorporated into our overall solution".

  Votiro's free service is intended to demonstrate the strengths of the overall solution, which automatically stops spear phishing and file-based attacks before these exploits have the opportunity to reach an internal network.

  The scanning service doesn't affect the usability of a file and the solution can be seamlessly integrated into an organization's IT infrastructure.

  The free file sanitization service is available at https://cloud.votiro.com/ and spear phishing protection can be accessed by forwarding suspicious emails to cloud@votiro.com.

  Photo Credit:  Ivelin Radkov/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Watch Microsoft’s Xbox One E3 2014 press conference here

  Publié: juin 9, 2014, 10:41am CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  This year’s E3 is about to start, and all the big gaming companies are set to show what we can expect to see from them in the coming year.

  Microsoft will be hoping to use this year’s gaming event to get people excited about Xbox One which, so far, has been roundly trounced by its big rival, Sony’s PlayStation 4. Microsoft recently announced it would be selling its console without the Kinect, in a bid to lower prices, and hopefully improve sales.

  At E3, Microsoft will be able to push its console’s gaming credentials rather than just its set top box capabilities, and we can expect to see demos of forthcoming games, and possibly some hardware announcements too.

  If you can’t be at E3, don’t worry -- you can still watch Microsoft’s media briefing, thanks to Twitch.

  Proceedings kick off today, June 9, at 9:30am PDT/5.30pm BST, so be sure to check back then. We’ll save you the best seat in the house, as always.

  
• 

  How to stop your smartphone hemorrhaging data

  Publié: juin 9, 2014, 9:11am CEST par Charles McColgan

  

  While the technology versus privacy battle rages on, many consumers and businesses are still unaware of how much data can be gleaned from a mobile phone.

  Despite the NSA and Edward Snowden being in the news every other day, most people don't realize how much data their most personal device is hemorrhaging at all times. But that doesn't mean you have to shut off your mobile, throw it in the nearest body of water and live a life off the grid.

  There are many ways for consumers and businesses alike to protect themselves -- after all, in order for your phone to work it simply must know where you are, in order to receive and deliver texts the operator must know the content, and for an app to be quick and convenient sometimes it needs to access your phone's contact database.

  Where does this data come from?

  Mobile phones communicate through many different interfaces -- all of which can share data -- including Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and GSM/CDMA. On top of this, smartphones run a plethora of applications that can access information including but not limited to your location, contacts, calendar, notes, microphone, photos and reminders.

  So giving an app access to your phone can reveal a lot more than you might think. Once the app is installed, the phone allows bi-directional communication with the app servers, which means -- if you've given permission -- both the developer and the vendor can access your data whenever they like.

  Things like location are interesting because they genuinely provide useful information that certain apps rely on to provide their service -- directions to the nearest Starbucks for example wouldn't work without this. But does a flashlight app really need to know where you are to work properly?

  The contacts database is another interesting place where technology capabilities and privacy issues clash. Typically users are just asked if they would like to 'allow' access to the contacts -- permissions are rarely more granular than this. But consider the information you have in your contacts -- names, home and email addresses, phone numbers. This may seem harmless on its own but it can infer everything from your employer and your bank to your doctor and your partner's identity.

  Access to your photos might seem innocuous too, but not when you consider the Exif (exchangeable image file format) data that comes with them. This can include the name of the phone, the date and time the image was taken, the type of camera, the GPS location, the altitude, and even the direction the camera was facing. There's a lot of privacy information that's stripped out by service providers, but unless you read the privacy policy you don't know how much Exif data is included in the photos you're posting.

  Apple and Android use a different approach

  Different platforms give you different privacy options, especially where apps are concerned. Apple can be restrictive over exactly which apps they allow into the App Store, whereas Android is comparatively open, but offers the user more options.

  Once an app is installed, iOS lets it see a surprisingly large amount of the data stored on your phone, including your location, contacts, calendar, reminders and photos, as well as granting access to your microphone and Bluetooth connection.

  The way Apple protects its customers is by having an explicit permission window that pops up whenever an app tries to access personal data.

  Android's model is different in that it allows access to just about everything on your phone, but gives you a very detailed list of data the app will have access to and asks if you're happy with this. This happens when you first install the app and also with apps already installed, just to remind you what you've permitted.

  What you can do

  The EU is leading the way with new privacy laws -- its Information Commissioner's Office recently insisted that developers comply with the Data Protection Act and properly inform users about what will happen to their personal data if they install an app.

  As a consumer, the safest thing to do is to read and understand each app or service provider's privacy policy. That could get pretty time-consuming if you're downloading hundreds of apps though, so start by asking how much access the app needs to sensitive data. If it's a well-established vendor with a clear and understandable privacy policy asking to access your contacts, it's probably worth considering if it will help you better connect with colleagues and friends. But if it's that pesky flashlight app again, think twice.

  If you're an app-based service provider, you must be absolutely clear on exactly what information you're collecting and what it will be used for. There are a few basic things that you can do, including:

  • Having a privacy policy. Work with a privacy lawyer to create a policy that is clear and easily accessible for users.
  • Know what data you're really collecting. Sit down with your developer and have them show you what data is being collected and why, as you're ultimately accountable for this.
  • If you're a US company with any sort of presence in the EU, get safe harbor certified.

  As technology continues to evolve and consumers become more and more security conscious, changes in privacy policies will see users given more granular control over how their data is accessed and what is done with it. Businesses will need to convince customers to share their data by being transparent and using it to power better, more personal services.

  Charles McColgan is CTO of TeleSign

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  LG G3 -- your heart's desire is here [Review]

  Publié: juin 9, 2014, 2:49am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Android smartphones are a dime a dozen nowadays. If a manufacturer wants to stand out among the sea of rectangular Google-powered devices, it has to bring it. But, what exactly is "it"? Is it specs? Is it the experience? What exactly do consumers want? I'm not sure that is crystal clear anymore. When buying a smartphone, consumers are forced to choose between an iPhone or Android (sorry, Windows Phone). If you want an iPhone, there isn't much choice, it is an easy decision. If you want Android, well, you'd better do your homework. Do you want pure Android or a tweaked UI? What screen size do you want? How much do you want to pay?

  Cost is a huge factor now, as devices like the Motorola G push the boundaries of what a low-cost smartphone can be. For a consumer to spend a huge amount out of pocket or sign their life away with a long contract, the phone needs to be exceptional. There must be real reasons as to why they should buy it over a low-cost no-contract variant. When the LG G3 was announced, I was immediately impressed with how the company focused beyond the incredible specs to the overall user experience. But, would the G3 prove to be wonderful in practice? Luckily, I've been using the phone and I can now answer that question.

  Specs

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (up to 2.5GHz Quad-Core) Ÿ
  • Display: 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS (2560 x 1440, 538ppi) Ÿ
  • Memory: 32GB eMMC ROM / 3GB DDR3 RAM / microSD slot (128GB max)
  • Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ and Laser Auto Focus / Front 2.1MP Ÿ
  • Battery: 3,000mAh (removable) Ÿ
  • Operating System: Android 4.4.2 KitKat
  • ŸSize: 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm Ÿ
  • Weight: 149g
  • Network: 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21 Mbps (3G) Ÿ
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X), NFC, SlimPort, A-GPS/Glonass, USB 2.0
  • ŸColor: Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet, Burgundy Red

  

  * Please note, the phone which I am reviewing is a South Korea version, for the SK Telecom carrier. However, the phone is unlocked and LTE works flawlessly with AT&T. The entire UI is in English, save for a few pre-installed Korean apps.

  The major hardware difference is the inclusion of a pull-out TV antenna, which is designed for Korean over the air digital broadcasting.

  Impressions

  When you first see the LG G3, it is a bit intimidating. Unless you are an existing phablet user, a 5.5 inch screen is monstrous. However, LG has done a great job of minimizing bezels, so that it doesn't feel too big in the hand or pocket.

  Even if you are turned-off by a large screen, turning on that giant screen and seeing the display in use will quickly change your mind -- it is awe-inspiring. The Quad HD 2560 x 1440 display produces 538 pixels per inch. In other words, you will not be seeing any pixels. The screen comes alive with such vividness, that it will be impossible to go back; this is the new normal and I love it.

  The build quality is good, but it is all plastic. While this is not a bad thing, it is in stark contrast to the beautifully designed, metal HTC One M8. Plastic is totally acceptable however, as it is very durable. Unfortunately, with the LG G3 the plastic is also extremely slippery. If you buy this phone, you must also purchase a case. If not, there is a very high chance it will slip from your hands and meet certain doom -- you have been warned.

  

  The plastic body allows for a key feature -- wireless charging. Unfortunately, a metal body like the one found on the HTC One M8 prevents this technology. Wireless charging is great as it allows you to charge the phone by just placing it on a compatible charging plate. Is it necessary? No, but I love it and I think you will too; try it before writing it off as a gimmick.

  The LG G3 has two features that many Android users will be excited about -- a removable battery and a microSD slot. Many manufacturers are leaving these things out -- even Google's Nexus line no longer has them. The expandable memory in particular is important, since the camera records 13MP images and 4K video. While the 32GB onboard storage seems like a lot, you will burn through it quickly if you are a shutterbug. I recently spotted a 128GB microSD card on sale for $99, so it can be very affordable to do so.

  A removable battery is great, but less necessary with the invention of portable battery-packs. It usually doesn't make sense to invest in an extra battery that will only work with that model phone as opposed to a microUSB variant that will work with almost any. Still, it's nice to have. With that said, the battery life on the G3 is insane -- it is like the Energizer Bunny, it keeps on going. The only modern smartphone to outperform it in my testing is the Motorola Droid Maxx.

  Carrying over from the LG G2, are the rear buttons -- power, volume up and volume down. These are a hate it or love it thing, and I can understand people being hesitant to embrace it. However, in actual practice it works very well and gives the phone a clean look. On the G3, the buttons have been improved immensely, so there are no more accidental presses. On the G2, I would constantly turn off the device when trying to turn the volume up or down. Now, this no longer happens.

  

  Speaking of volume, the speaker is loud and clear, but it is no match for the reigning sound-champion, the HTC One M8. Music, movies and games are clear, but the speaker placement is poor. You see, while holding the phone, I have on many occasions covered the speaker with my finger. It is extremely annoying to have the music muted every time my finger strays to that place. If manufacturers cannot move the speakers to the face like the M8, I would rather it be on the bottom, like the iPhone.

  Sample Photos

  

   

  While HTC's M8 is superior in audio, the LG G3 trumps it in the camera department, handily. Sure, image quality is subjective, but I was quite impressed by the photos I achieved. As you can see from the 6 photos above, colors are vibrant and clean. These photos are untouched, only resized to a more reasonable file size.

  The G3's camera has a unique trick up it's sleeve too -- a friggin' laser. Yes, the camera utilizes a laser for faster focusing. If you hate missing important shots while your camera focuses, please know the G3 alleviates this. It takes pictures faster than a paparazzo at Justin Bieber's house. The dual flash helps to capture beautiful photos in low-light settings too.

  Video is a different story, sadly. As a test, I shot my Koi pond in 4K. While the video is passable, it is a bit grainy. Colors are very well represented, but with a lot of movement, quality takes a dive. Make no mistake, it is by no means bad, just not great. The saving grace however, is the audio recording quality. For a smartphone, it is the best I've ever tested in this regard. When shooting video, it is so impressive to hear the subtle things that the mic picks up, like a bird chirping or airplane in the distance.

  The phone is shipping with Android 4.4.2, but sadly, Google recently made 4.4.3 available. This means that the top of the line LG G3 will have an outdated OS at launch. Some people have said an upgrade to 4.4.3 is no big deal, because it's only bug fixes. In other words, because there are no notable added features, it isn't worth wanting. Well, I must disagree here -- the bug fix releases are more important than features from a security standpoint. True, it is not the end of the world, and it is not LG's fault, it is the sad state of Android fragmentation.

  Luckily, LG more than makes up for any minor version concerns, with beautiful customizations and optimizations to the operating system. The icons are wonderfully flat and performance is fast and fluid. Never have I experienced any lag or hiccup when navigating screens or settings.

  The user interface is fairly close to stock, but where it deviates is superior. For instance, uninstalling apps can be done from the drawer by selecting "Edit/uninstall apps". From here, you just click on the "x" for each app that you desire to delete. Even the pull-down menu is enhanced with beautiful large and flat icons, which improves the overall feel. None of LG's tweaks get in the way, like Samsung's overly-suffocating Touchwiz can.

  The keyboard is marvelous and is superior to the stock variant. Strangely, the Swype-like drawing on the keyboard is disabled by default. The user must go in and select it. It is not clear why they would want to bury such a useful method of text input. The cooler feature though, is the ability to customize the height of the on-screen keyboard. In the settings, you can drag it to your desired height, save it and forget it -- awesome.

  LG has taken a proactive stance to security as well. Many people do not secure their smartphones, because unlocking it is a hassle. I understand that a lock-screen can hinder the experience, so it is important to find a way to minimize the impact so that users will actually want to lock it. The manufacturer lets G3 users unlock the device by simply tapping on the screem in a certain pattern with the display off. This means that there is one less step involved in unlocking and the process itself is kind of fun. Of course, you can still choose to unlock with pins or passwords if you choose.

  If you lose your phone entirely, there is no need to worry. The device has a kill switch, which when enabled, renders it useless -- forever. Yes, it becomes a brick. This is indented to be a deterrent for criminals. You see, the thought is, criminals won't bother stealing an LG G3, since the risk will not be worth it, for a phone that will soon be inoperable. While it is controversial, I like it and hope that all phones come with it in the future as long as only the owner has the right to "kill" it.

  The manufacturer also includes it's LG Health software, which is pretty darn cool. I have been known to get caught up in a bag of Doritos every once in a while and I definitely need to lose some weight. The G3 has been helping me recently in tracking my overall health. On day one, I input my height, weight, etc. and it told me I was obese -- gee, thanks! Since then, it tracks my steps and distance while walking and even shows calories burned. Accumulating steps is very addictive and I have been walking more in an attempt to see how many steps I can earn each day. Yes, the LG G3 is helping me stay healthy, it is not just a gimmick.

  Multitasking is optimized for the large screen by utilizing an optional split screen. Users of the popular Galaxy Note phablets should be familiar with the concept -- some apps can be run side by side. This makes it possible to write an email while watching a video or text message your best friend while checking Facebook. It works very well and is easily activated by tapping on the running-apps button and selecting "Dual Window".

  Fans of Android hacking and tweaking will be happy to know that I have already achieved root on the LG G3 with the help of an XDA guide. While it is not guaranteed to work on USA versions, it very well may. Even more impressive, it was a one-click method, meaning I only had to run a Windows .bat file and press enter a few times in the command line.

  Conclusion

  So, back to my original question, is the LG G3 wonderful? Absolutely. The phone builds upon the successes of last year's LG G2 and makes everything better. The specs of the flagship phone are increased to new levels. This phone can accomplish everything that the typical Android enthusiast can want -- it has a top notch camera (with laser), 4K video recording, Quad HD screen, removable battery, wireless charging, expandable storage -- all tightly built into a gorgeous package.

  If you buy this phone, you will be hard-pressed to find any faults. Like I said, the only negatives I really found were very minor -- slightly grainy video and a slippery body. Hardly deal-breakers, I must say.

  If you want a top of the line Android device, there is no need to look beyond the LG G3 -- you will love it. Highly recommended.

  

  
• 

  VLC reveals it is working on Chromecast support for iOS, Windows, Linux and Mac

  Publié: juin 8, 2014, 11:43pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  Most everyone, at least the tech-savvy who read this, are familiar with VLC Player -- the Video LAN Client. It's a jack-of-all trades media player, that is capable of handling pretty much any format you can throw at it, no matter how obscure it may be.

  Now the developers of the project are revealing one more feature that is on the roadmap -- support for Chromecast. The question was asked on the forums and lead developer Felix Paul Kuehne responded that support was in the works. "Yep, this is exactly what we are up to", he states.

  He also went a bit further, letting fans know what platforms would be supported for "casting". This included a statement that reads "In addition to the iOS variant, we are also working on a Windows / Linux / Mac implementation, which will take a bit longer because it's harder".

  No firm shipping dates for these features is given, so we'll have to wait and see when each update rolls out. Perhaps as the time gets closer there will be something more official.

  
• 

  The apps and accessories you need to get truly productive with your Apple iPad

  Publié: juin 8, 2014, 4:02pm CEST par Darren Allan

  

  While the iPad is seen as a content consumption rather than a content creation device by some, there's no denying that it has been widely adopted across many organizations, and has made an impact on the business world as well as the consumer arena.

  The iPad can be a sterling productivity device -- providing you're well equipped for that prospect in terms of software and hardware, of course. Out of the box, your iPad Air doesn't make such a great partner in crime when it comes to cracking through whatever business needs you might have. So, what software and accessories do you need to be truly productive with your iPad? Read on...

  The first and most important thing when it comes to any kind of serious work is that you'll need a keyboard accessory. Yes, that involves a fair outlay of money -- but even Surface owners have to pay for their attachable keyboard. If you're doing any amount of typing, the iPad's virtual on-screen keyboard will not do. So what's the best keyboard accessory for Apple's tablet?

  Fortunately, just a few months ago we rounded up the best keyboards for the iPad Air. On balance, we think the best bet for your tablet is the Belkin QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air (pictured below). It's not particularly light, but it's a really well-built accessory that gives your iPad a lot of protection -- and the keyboard itself is top notch. It retails at $129. The Kensington KeyFolio Pro for iPad Air is also a great option at the $80 price point, providing a keyboard similar to a real laptop, and a full-sized number row -- though it's a tad heavier still than the Belkin offering (898g compared to 621g). See our best Apple iPad Air keyboards group test part one and part two for more details on these.

  

  You might want more storage for your iPad, as particularly if you bought a cheaper model, say, the base 16GB device -- that isn't much space to work with. While you can't simply plug an external hard drive into your iPad, some wireless external hard disks support streaming to Apple's slate: For example, the Seagate Wireless Plus, which gives you 1TB of storage for $169. This will allow you to shift large media files off your iPad onto the drive, where you can stream them from when necessary. Of course, depending on your exact space requirements, perhaps a better idea is to spend that money on buying an iPad with a bigger storage capacity in the first place (an extra $200 would snag you a 64GB iPad Air, compared to the cost of the 16GB base model).

  Another good hardware addition from a productivity perspective is a stylus, for jotting quick notes, sketching diagrams and the like. We'd go for the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Solo, which is a great stylus and costs just $19.95. The only potential downside is some complaints we've seen about the tip splitting, though you can buy replacement tips at not much more than a quid a pop, so even if that does happen it won't be too traumatic.

  Fancy running a second monitor on your desk to help you work more effectively, but don't fancy forking out for another monitor? Then why not use your iPad as a second display -- and here's where we move on to the software side of the equation. For $9.99, you can bag yourself a copy of Air Display 2, an app which makes it possible to extend or mirror your desktop from the monitor to your tablet. In fact, Air Display now supports up to four iPads, should you own multiple tablets. There might be cheaper alternatives, but Air Display is a slick piece of software in terms of ease of use and implementation which makes it worth paying a little cash for.

  Of course, in terms of pure productivity apps, the good news is that these days you get iWork free on a new iPad. However, you now also have Microsoft Office on the iPad -- which is a great suite, and has that vital full compatibility with, well, Microsoft Office files. But of course the downside is you need to have an Office 365 subscription to create or edit docs (a rather vital piece of the puzzle), and that'll set you back $9.99 per month (for the standard Office 365 Home, that is). If you're an Office user anyway -- which many business users will be -- then you're laughing. Otherwise, if you didn't get iWork for free, and don't want to stump up for MS Office, then check out the free Quickoffice app from Google as a fallback.

  So what other productivity apps are must-haves for the iPad? Evernote (free) is an excellent cross-platform note-taking app that you shouldn't be without (OneNote is also a good option for those who prefer the Microsoft route). Goodreader 4 ($6.99) is a great app which allows you to, well, read anything on your iPad, from PDFs through documents to sprawling manuals or e-mags, and it also provides powerful file management features which are a real boon.

  Other apps you should definitely get hold of include Dropbox (free) for cloud storage, and Dragon Dictation (free), which is a sterling dictation assistant from Nuance. Also, there's Google Translate (free) for those business trips abroad, Doodle ($2.99) for easy meeting scheduling, Pocket (free) for bagging online articles you want to peruse later, and Mailbox (free) which helps to tame your email inbox. Get this little lot on your iPad, and you'll become far more productive – and the great thing is, as you'll probably have noticed, most of these are free.

  Before we move on, we've one last mention -- OmniFocus is a top notch task management app, but version 2 has only just been released, and the iPad version isn't quite ready yet. Keep an eye out for this one (in this case, it isn't cheap, though; OmniFocus 2 for iPhone is $19.99, but it's worth the outlay).

  On a final note, you might have noticed that Apple took the wraps off iOS 8 at WWDC earlier this week -- so what's in the pipeline for business users when the next version of Apple's mobile OS hits the iPad?

  Cupertino said that iOS 8 would bring expanded security and device management features on a number of fronts, with an improved level of data protection for key integrated apps. New MDM features will include tools to manage eBooks and PDFs (pushing them to, or pulling them from the workforces' devices), and tools to help IT admins see more details about iOS devices and perform more fine-tuning. Admins will be able to find out, for example, when a device was last backed up to iCloud, and they'll be able to prevent users from wiping their iOS hardware.

  Apple is also promising a new interface for remote management that, we quote, "makes enrolling and understanding the impact of MDM easier and more transparent for users". And you can stand by for a new networking framework which allows third-party devs to create content filtering tools. IT departments will also be able to set permissions for which apps can open documents downloaded from enterprise domains.

  S/MIME controls will be available on the level of individual messages, so users can encrypt messages that they deem particularly sensitive. Further minor touches include letting the user set their out of office response, and see their colleagues' availability when scheduling a meeting in the Calendar app. Also, call waiting is coming to FaceTime, and Apple is introducing Wi-Fi calling with iOS 8, which could save businesses a pretty penny. Travel time notifications are also going to be present, so that your iPad will be able to prompt you regarding when to leave for that important meeting scheduled in your calendar. And that's just scratching the surface, for the moment -- Apple was far more focused on trumpeting the consumer side of iOS 8 initially, as you'd expect.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  AVG reveals yet another OpenSSL security flaw

  Publié: juin 7, 2014, 4:11pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  OpenSSL, which runs on the servers for many websites, has been having a rough time in recent weeks. We all learned of the near fatal flaw named Heartbleed, which affected quite a number companies and services on the web.

  Now a new, albeit less severe, flaw has been discovered. Security researchers at AVG have unveiled what they are calling CCS Injection, which the company terms a vulnerability, but points out that it is not easily taken advantage of.

  "This new vulnerability requires complex effort for an attacker to successfully take advantage of the vulnerability. An attacker must intercept the connection between a client and a server, both of which need to be using the vulnerable version, and start what is referred to as a ‘Man in the Middle’ attack. In basic terms, the cybercriminal needs both to intercept you and the server you are connected to, and both parties have to have the vulnerability", says AVG's Tony Anscombe.

  Given that most people are using a commercial browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer, the majority of users are safe -- these browsers do not utilize OpenSSL, meaning they are not vulnerable to the attack.

  However, AVG has still issued a security advisory, stating "Our advice to users is to not transfer critical information until you have confirmed that the issue has been fixed on the server you need to communicate with".

  Photo Credit: ra2studio / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Netflix brings 'Post-Play' to Android phones and tablets

  Publié: juin 7, 2014, 2:42pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  If you have been using Netflix on any number of devices in your living room, including game consoles and various set-top boxes, then you're likely familiar with the "Post-Play" option. The feature automatically queues up the next episode of a show and begins it playing. For movies, it displays three recommendations at the conclusion.

  Now the streaming service is bringing "Post-Play" to its Android app. For phones, this will work only with TV shows, but on tablets you will get the feature with both shows and movies.

  "Post-Play is now available to all Android phones, tablets and the Amazon Kindle Fire running Android 4.0 and greater. Download today from Google Play", the company announces.

  In addition, Netflix has let it be known that it is currently working on Post-Play for Chromescast, however the implementation is still a few months away.

  Improving the Android offering is important in the current arms race against Hulu and, especially, Amazon Prime. The latter still does not have an app for Android, though it is tightly integrated with the Kindle Fire tablets and the new Fire TV set-top box.

  
• 

  The most popular stories on BetaNews this past week: June 1 -- 7

  Publié: juin 7, 2014, 8:43am CEST par Mark Wilson

  The biggest news of this week came from Apple which held a keynote speech at WWDC in San Francisco. One of the major announcements was the unveiling of iOS 8 which will be making its way to iPhone and iPads around the world sometime in the Fall. There was a lot to take in, including "Hey, Siri", HealthKit and iCloud Drive. OS X also got a new lick of paint with Yosemite, with beta versions made available for immediate download. There was also an intriguing change to the App Store Review Guidelines that suggests the doors may be opened to virtual currencies such as Bitcoin.

  Windows 7 continues to grow faster than Windows 8.x, but if you're looking for an alternative to Windows, Linux Mint 17 "Qiana" could be worth a try. Windows XP is still managing to hang on it there for the time being. Microsoft celebrated the news that Windows Phone is becoming increasingly popular -- if not with developers -- particularly when security is important; which is just as well, because reports suggest that handsets need to be made more secure for enterprise. Microsoft also had cause for celebration after helping the FBI to take down the Zeus botnet.

  The HTC One just became slightly more affordable as a version not constructed entirely from metal was launched and Samsung announced its first Tizen smartphone. The same company pushes the size boundaries with the Galaxy W which seems unsure whether it is a tablet or a phablet. HP embraced Android by releasing a laptop running Google's mobile operating system, and ASUS is also keen to get in on the Android party, unveiling a number of tablets running the OS. It's all just part of the Android Army's march forward, says Joe. On the subject of Android, 4.4.3 KitKat was released.

  Google's other mobile operating system is also spreading around the world as the HP Chromebook 11 launched in nine more countries, but are the models built without Google's involvement of quite the same standard? For the security-conscious, Google's End-To-End encryption extension is worth a look. There are new features coming to Internet Explorer, and hopefully by the time it arrives the world will have been saved from the Cryptolocker ransomware. We also learned that fans of online pornography are likely to be using the latest version of Microsoft's web browser.

  Demonoid returned and Pirate Bay founder is arrested as torrenting hits the headlines for the first time in a while. In the UK, the copying of digital media was legalized meaning that -- at long, long last -- music fans who create MP3 copies of their favorite albums are no longer the breaking the law. The backlash against the activities of the NSA continues, and this week Reset The Net called for users to take control of their online privacy by using encryption tools. The question remains… is Snowden a hero or a villain?

  Image Credit: vinz89/Shutterstock

  
• 

  How to get the most out of your HTC One M8

  Publié: juin 7, 2014, 4:04am CEST par Sandra Vogel

  

  The new HTC One M8 is more than just a pretty face. Oh, its metal chassis and curved design have instant -- and lasting -- appeal. But under the hood there's a whole host of features that HTC has added to Android 4.4 to help make this flagship phone different from all the others.

  Of course there's the headline second camera to use for depth of field related trickery, and we'll show you how to get started with that. There's also BlinkFeed which can accommodate personalised news feeds and social feeds, as well as a range of pre-selected news and information sources. Then there's the smart TV app, and all important gesture controls.

  Get the News Via BlinkFeed

  BlinkFeed is HTC's news and social media aggregator. It is a full-screen widget that sits to the left of the home screen -- swipe to get to it. Tap the 'get started' box and tap away to start adding feeds. Main topic categories lead you into preselected news sources.

  Add social feeds by selecting "Services and apps", then add Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others by picking from the lists and signing in. Create your own feed by using the search button and typing a search term, then adding this to your feeds list.

  If you aren't excited about BlinkFeed and would rather use the screen it takes up for something else, then it is easily removed as it's just a widget. Tap and hold the home screen and pick "manage home screen pages" to remove it.

  It is easily reinstated later on if you change your mind, complete with any settings you specified.

  Camera Features: UFocus

  The HTC One M8 has two rear facing cameras. As well as the Ultrapixel main snapper there is a second camera sitting above it. This second camera captures depth of field information, and that gives the camera editing software a bit more information than usual about images. You can use this to apply some neat features.

  

  UFocus lets you shift the focal point of a photo so that you can get some neat blurring effects. To use it, just take a photo in the usual way, then tap the photo, tap the edit icon that appears, and pick the UFocus option. Then tap the part of the photo you want to be perfectly in focus. If you are happy with the result, tap Save. You don't have to apply effects right away -- you can go back through old photos too.

  Camera Features: Foregrounder

  Another camera feature, called Foregrounder, lets you add a range of different effects again taking advantage of depth of field data. By tapping on the photo you can apply sketch, blur, cartoon and colour effects.

  

  Call up the Foregrounder tools by taking a photo in the usual way, then tapping the photo, tapping the edit icon that appears, and selecting the Foregrounder option.

  Camera Features: Dimension Plus

  While clearly not a 3D camera, information captured from the second lens can be used to create a sort of 3D-ish effect. Basically, if you apply Dimension Plus you can get a bit of movement in photos as you sweep the screen or tilt the phone. To use it, take a photo then tap the photo, select the edit icon and pick Dimension Plus.

  Camera Features: Zoe Highlights

  Zoe is a biggie for HTC and it is being pushed across all the newer phones. Once you've taken a few shots drop into the gallery and you'll see there's a Highlights section. Select this and then tap the Zoe Highlight you want to edit. All its components will be shown and you can tick (or untick) what you want left in or taken out. Sweep the screen to pick a theme and sweep again to pick music.

  Finally use the three dot menu to make other settings like pre-selecting the start and end clips. Save the end result, and share with your social buddies.

  Sense TV

  If you can't be bothered to fish out your remote control, use Sense TV instead. It adds a free electronic programme guide and social elements into the mix.

  Run the TV app that you'll find in the app drawer. Select your country then enter your postcode. Next pick your TV service provider. Answer a couple more questions and you will be into the electronic programme guide.

  Want to use your One M8 as a remote control? The next few steps allow you to do just that. Tell the phone your TV maker. I had to try a couple of different control questions before hitting on the right setup for my Panasonic TV, but it took less than half a minute. After that I was able to find a programme on the One M8 screen, tap the screen and switch to it. Volume control is handled via the phone's volume rocker.

  There's something else on offer here too -- a social element. When you are watching a show, flick the screen into the Fan Talk area and you can connect to Twitter and get involved in social chat. Ranting at BBC Question Time or commenting on the quite obvious penalty that was not given has never been easier.

  Gestures

  No top-end handset comes without a range of gesture-based controls these days, and sure enough, the One M8 has a neat little set of gesture controls on offer. If you enable Motion Launch you can wake the phone up by double tapping the screen.

  We're all familiar with swiping up on the lock screen to unlock the phone, but with the HTC One M8 there are more swiping gestures on offer. A swipe left when the phone is locked launches the widget panel, a swipe right launches BlinkFeed, and a swipe down turns on voice dialling.

  If you're holding the phone in widescreen mode, pressing the volume button wakes the phone up and pops you into the camera app.

  For more tips on HTC's new flagship, check out: How to improve your battery life with the HTC One M8.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Why not Surface 2?

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 9:58pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

  

  Colleague Wayne Williams is right to call out Surface Pro 3 hidden costs necessary to make a reasonable laptop replacement. There is another choice, which geeks often overlook. Surface 2 is a great value for the price, and everyone considering Apple iPad Air as a laptop replacement should look to Microsoft's tab first.

  Before explaining, I start a diatribe that will continue to future posts. Geek reviewers hung up on specs and the fanciest features missing what matters more: Benefits -- to whom they are important and in what circumstances. Not everyone needs the fastest, coolest thing, or can afford it. Lower-cost is a benefit, too, and it's one too often ignored by fanboys and tech reviewers. Wayne gets it. So should you.

  Better Benefits

  Sometimes less is more, which is how I see Surface 2's value compared to Pro models or set against iPad Air. Microsoft's tab is helluva value for $449 (32GB), $549 (64GB), or $679 (64GB LTE). Consider iPad Air: $599 (32GB), $699 (64GB), or $829 (64GB LTE), comparatively. Both tablets are capable-enough laptop replacements, with bright, HD screens -- 10.6 inches and 9.7 inches, respectively. Surface does have that handy kickstand and, as options, attachable keyboard covers. The tablet also comes with Office and will run Windows applications, which sets it apart from iPad and iOS.

  I compare, even if briefly, Surface 2 and iPad Air, because of marketing and fanboy posts touting the Apple tab as laptop replacement. Perhaps, it is for some people. But any Surface is designed to meet hybrid needs. The kickstand and optional keyboard covers are available for a reason. Sure, Surface Pro is better-suited, but the ARM-based model can do, too.

  Something else: In my experience, both devices are equally immersive -- another big benefit -- although in different ways. There, Modern UI finds footing.

  There's an intimacy using iPad that is unlike most other devices, because you become part of the user interface. By contrast, Android tabs aren't there yet. Human beings are tool users who experience and manipulate the world through five senses. iPad appeals to the eyes through design, whether it’s the software GUI or hardware appearance. But the eyes are passive instruments. Hands and fingers are more important because they are active -- they’re how people tactilely manipulate the world around them.

  Touch and the way iPad is held in the hands creates intimacy and pulls the user in. But the immersive experience isn't pervasive. iOS UI is a backdrop for hanging things. It lacks vitality. Life. Immersion is more about select apps, particularly those that present content, such as ebooks and magazines. Touch interaction with iOS is actually quite limited.

  By contrast, the Windows 8/8.1 Modern UI, at least as implemented on Surface, is a living thing. Immersive touch is everywhere. Surface draws me below the surface into another place of focused interaction. The experience is simply breathtaking and makes the iOS user interface feel ancient. Windows 8.1 critics are many, and I am no fan on a traditional PC. But running on a tablet, particularly Surface, the user experience is lively. There is movement, vitality, and active, immersive interaction to Modern UI.

  I see some of the cruelest Surface 2 criticism coming not from Apple fanboys but geeks complaining about Windows RT limitations. Microsoft locks down the operating system, by limiting apps to the Windows Store and making Internet Explorer the browser choice. That's all true, but for anyone living the Microsoft lifestyle, Surface 2 is great choice. Surface Pro is for the power set, or anyone really needing to install legacy apps or others, like Chrome. I see the 10.6-inch screen as desktop-placement ready as the newest model's 12-incher (FYI: I reviewed the original Pro last year.)

  Surface Tension

  For months, I've eyed Surface 2 as a great bargain, and if I lived the Microsoft lifestyle would almost certainly buy one. That's another benefit often overlooked by feature-obsessed reviewers. The major platform providers sell digital lifestyles around their core products -- mainly Apple, Google, and Microsoft. If Bing, Internet Explorer, Office, Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox are your lifestyle, Surface 2 is an excellent value option. The iOS and OS X crowd should stay away, and of course anyone depending on core Google services anchored around Chrome.

  Yesterday, I ordered the original Surface -- what was the RT model. While affordable, the successor's price exceeds my tight budget. I recently developed non-diabetic macular edema in both eyes, which effects slow down writing and so my money-earning capabilities. Treatment will take months.

  For web writing, my Chromebook Pixel is more than enough and it works well enough for producing ebooks. But there's a wrinkle with the latter. Most ebook publishers prefer submissions in Word, so I need to do final pagination there. Normally I can get around any conversion problems but with my troubled eyesight can't rely on my own editing and proofreading capabilities.

  I will continue to write on Chromebook Pixel (using Google Docs) but do final layout and production in Word. I contacted Microsoft Store looking for a deal on the original Surface. Sure enough, refurbished: $199 (32GB) or $219 (64GB). Wow, what a bargain! Refurb 64GB tablet with PLS display for $219? With keyboard cover and tax I will spend less than $300 and get better panel and construction than any Chromebook other than Pixel.

  Last night, colleague Brian Fagioli asked why I didn't choose a $249 Windows laptop. I answered: PLS display, build-quality, and touch. "My eyes are a mess and quality display helps". While 1366 x 768 pixel resolution isn't my preference, Microsoft's TrueType font makes for surprisingly sharp text. Additionally, the screen is bright at 400-nit, and PLS offers great viewing angles.

  Brian wondered if I am souring on Chromebook. I responded, about Surface: "It isn't my full-time rig anyway. This is for ebook pagination. I love my Pixel for nearly everything else".

  
• 

  Paint.NET 4.0 Beta 4 restores Line/Curve tool, improves rendering quality and performance

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 8:58pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  dotPDN LLC has released the fourth beta of Paint.NET 4.0, the latest pre-release of this eagerly anticipated freeware image-editing tool for Windows.

  The fourth beta -- build 5628 -- sees the Line/Curve tool restored, having previously been incorporated into the Shapes tool. It also sees a number of rendering quality and performance improvements alongside a slew of other minor tweaks and bug fixes as Paint.NET edges towards its final release.

  The main change in the fourth Paint.NET 4.0 beta is the restoration of the Line/Curve tool, which has been split off from the Shapes tool where it had been integrated in previous version 4 releases. The tool has also been tweaked to improve its rendering quality, which is most noticeable when anti-aliasing is disabled.

  Other rendering quality improvements can be found when using both brush tools (again, with no anti-aliasing) and the Nearest Neighbor option under Image > Resize.

  The rectangle shape tool now draws using an "inset" brush stroke, which prevents blurriness when using odd-sized brush widths. Its parent Shapes tool now permits users to commit changes by clicking outside the bounding box of the current shape.

  Both Shapes and Line/Curve tools have also been optimized for improved performance on any PC whose CPU has less than eight cores, which covers the vast majority of users.

  Users with Intel GPUs will discover the hardware acceleration option has been disabled by default -- this can be restored via the Settings button. One feature restored to version 4 from 3.5 is the ability to copy files in File Explorer and then paste them directly into the program.

  The new beta includes a number of fixes, including one that made the Palette chooser in the Colors window lose focus when attempting to move the mouse to click on any of its items. A number of small miscellaneous crashes have also been fixed.

  Paint.NET 4.0.0 Beta 4 (build 5628) is available now as a a freeware download now for dual-core (or better) PCs running Windows 7 or later. The .NET Framework 4.5 is also required, but will be downloaded automatically if not present.  Also available is Paint.NET 3.5.11 for Windows XP or later. The usual warnings about using pre-release software apply: don’t rely on the program for day-to-day use and work on a duplicate copy of images.

  
• 

  There's a Nokia X successor in the pipeline

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 8:58pm CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  At February's Mobile World Congress (MWC), Nokia surprised everyone with the release of its Android-powered phone, the Nokia X, but now it looks like there already are plans for its successor.

  Despite Microsoft's recent acquisition of the Finnish phone manufacturer's mobile business, the company looks set to swiftly follow-up on Nokia's first foray into Android phone territory, with the Nokia X2.

  Sources claim that the phone is likely to be revealed in late June and unconfirmed specs have already emerged for the device. According to AnTuTu.com, the phone will come with a 4.3-inch screen complete with an 800 x 480 pixel resolution, a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 5-megapixel camera.

  The phone is also expected to run a heavily modified version of Android 4.3, with the user interface maintaining the Windows Phone feel of the first handset.

  The Nokia X was heavily criticised for not having a designated home button and rumours suggest that this will be addressed with the launch of the new device. The first phone was also marketed as a starting point for first-time smartphone users with its low price tag of just €89 (£73) and the above specs seem to suggest that this will continue with the next iteration.

  While it's true that the first Nokia X was aimed mainly at emerging markets, if its successor does indeed retain its low cost combined with improved specs, the X2 could become a serious consideration for the UK market too.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Pale Moon overhauls rendering engine, adds animated panorama support

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 8:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Moonchild Productions has released a relatively major update to its Firefox browser variant for Windows with the release of Pale Moon 24.6 and Pale Moon x64 24.6.

  Version 24.6 comes with a major overhaul of the graphics rendering engine to boost stability, plus a number of important fixes, including all latest security fixes. It also adds support for animated personas.

  Because animated personas causes a small -- but noticeable -- performance drop on startup, it’s been disabled by default in Pale Moon 24.6. Users must go to about:config and set LightweightThemes.animation.enabled to true, then reload the persona to switch on animations.

  The new build’s overhaul of the rendering engine fixes regular crashes that occurred with hardware acceleration enabled on machines with DirectWrite 6.2 or 6.3 (basically Windows 7 with Platform Update installed, plus Windows 8 and 8.1).

  The problem was most prevalent on systems with NVIDIA graphics cards. A related issue with font rendering -- particularly prevalent on legacy AMD hardware -- has also been resolved.

  Pale Moon includes two changes that tighten user privacy. The first automatically shuffles the reported plugin installation order to confuse trackers when enumeration is asked for.

  Pale Moon also now cleans up jumplist icons that may have been left in the jumplist cache folder. This tweak doesn’t just tighten privacy, it also helps clean the user’s hard drive too.

  Pale Moon has always been built with efficiency and speed over maximum compatibility, which means it enables certain functions disabled in Firefox while removing others. As the version number implies, Pale Moon is no longer simply an optimized build of Firefox, but a completely separate fork. The most recent confirmation of this can be seen with Moonchild’s comment that the new Australis user interface embraced in Firefox 29 is "considered unacceptable" and will not be used.

  One side-effect of this is that due to Firefox phasing out support for the older version of Sync, Pale Moon will no longer be able to use the Mozilla servers. Moonchild is now providing its own server, and advises users to carefully read the terms of service before using it.

  Note that despite still being on version 24 -- which helps provide clarity about which Firefox extensions are compatible with Pale Moon, each release includes the most recent security patches found in the main Firefox browser. As a result, Pale Moon 24.6 includes the eight most recently released security fixes for Firefox.

  A detailed list of fixes and changes, which also include suppressing pop-up status messages when watching full-screen HTML5 video and fixing Windows detection issues in Windows 8.1, can be found at the Pale Moon user forum.

  Pale Moon 24.6, Pale Moon x64 24.6, Pale Moon Portable 24.6 and Pale Moon Portable x64 24.6 are all available now as open source, free downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later.

  
• 

  Chesterfield County Schools buys 32,000 Dell Chromebooks for students

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 8:03pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  The battle for the classroom is heating up more and more every day. Lately, it feels like Google and Microsoft are fiercely going at each other in an attempt to capture precious education market share. This is beneficial for schools, as competition should lead to more affordable technology for students. Arguably, schools really can't go wrong either way -- both Chromebooks and Windows laptops (including Surface) offer very rewarding experiences.

  Today, Google announces that it convinced the Chesterfield County Schools in Virginia to buy 32,000 Chromebooks. While this is a major score for Google, it is more importantly a big win for students. But, did the school make the right choice?

  "As students in the United States put down their pencils and head out for summer vacation, educators across the country are hard at work planning for the school year ahead. For some, it means putting together the summer reading list or having year-end conferences. For others, it means studying materials for a new syllabus or decorating the classroom. And for Chesterfield County Schools, one of the country's 100 largest school systems, it means securing the best teaching materials and technology to greet students when they return to school next year -- including 32,000 new Chromebooks", says Jason Katcher, Head of North America Large Customer Education Sales, Google.

  Katcher further says, "after testing and assessing the devices, Chesterfield selected Chromebooks for all 32,475 middle and high school students. What's especially remarkable is that they were able to move to Chromebooks with existing funds -- without requesting additional budget, since Chromebooks are nearly half the cost of PC desktops and laptop alternatives. Chesterfield also saved by reducing the amount of classroom peripheral devices such as interactive whiteboards, which they could replace with web-based tools. They selected Dell Chromebooks with local partner TIG, who committed to provide training and support for the journey to ensure students, teachers and administrators could take full advantage of the many benefits of the new technology".

  Apparently, the school district was able to save quite a bit of money by going with Chrome OS over Windows. Luckily, they chose Dell Chromebooks which are considered to be of better quality than many low-cost offerings by other manufacturers. So far, this is Google's biggest deployment, and it will certainly not be the last.

  Should Microsoft be worried? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  Best Windows 8 apps this week

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 5:28pm CEST par Martin Brinkmann

  Eighty-fourth in a series. Big news this week was China's ban of Windows 8 on government computer systems which Wayne covered yesterday. Country officials seem to believe that the NSA is using the operating system to gather data.

  Microsoft has released Xbox One controller drivers for Windows that users of the operating system can use to connect the controller to a Windows PC for games that support controller input.

  This week saw several exciting new application releases that included the official TED and AVIS apps as well as this week's app of the week, Red Bull TV.

  Red Stripe Deals

  All Red Stripe Deals apps and games are discounted by at least 50 percent.

  • Ilomilo Plus, an arcade game for $2.49.
  • Akzend 2, a match-3 type of game for $2.99.
  • Doodle Devil, a puzzle game for $0.99.
  • Special Enquiry Detail: Engaged to Kill (Full), an adventure game for $1.99.
  • IM+ Pro, Instant Messaging application for $1.99.
  • BackTrainer, a fitness app for $2.49.

  App of the week

  Red Bull TV

  

  Watch recorded and live extreme sports, music and lifestyle events in HD quality.

  The stream quality and content the app makes available is excellent. The app highlights the next live events making it easy to tune in at the right time to watch something as it happens.

  Other apps

  AVIS

  

  The official AVIS application for Windows 8 offers options to book and reserve cars, as well as other features.

  The app works worldwide in this regard. Just enter a location or zip code and country to get started.

  Besides options to book cars, it also provides you with options to modify or cancel reservations, call customer service or roadside assistance.

  Fail Hard

  

  Become the greatest stuntman of all time in this arcade game. Your task in each level is to collect as many coins with your body or bike as you can.

  Buy new bikes or improve the existing one to beat the challenges in later levels.

  The game is designed for touch input but can be played with the mouse or keyboard as well.

  TED

  

  There is an abundance of TED applications but this is the official app.

  It displays a selection of talks on the front that scroll horizontally, and additional features such as popular playlists below that.

  Talks can be downloaded to the local system for offline viewing or streamed right away.

  Fox Sports Go

  

  The app requires a supported TV provider. Depending on the provider, it may offer access to Fox Sports, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 as well as Fox Sports Network, Fox Collect Sports and Fox Deportes channels.

  Battle droids

  

  A remake of the classic Bomberman game. Play against up to three human players and defeat them by placing bombs on the game board.

  Collect power ups on your way to get stronger and customize your droid with skins, add-ons and gestures.

  Zoho Books

  

  Zoho Books is an account service by Zoho, a company best known for its online office applications.

  The application allows you to sign in to your account to manage all account related tasks directly from within the application.

  Among its features are options to create and mail invoices, manage expenses, maintain products and services, and manage business contacts.

  Cat's Catch

  

  Move the little bird out of harms way for as long as you can in this action game.

  A cat is out to get you and your task is to react quickly to avoid being caught by it.

  You can move the bird with the mouse or by touch, and buy new birds, power-ups or themes using feathers that you collect during games.

  Navegatium

  

  This application will be the most expensive application once the limited time offer runs out. The company behind it plans to sell it for $999 in store.

  Navegatium is a radiological workstation application for Windows 8.1 that doctors can use to visualize information in 2D or 3D.

  It supports the import of local media, PACS or from the cloud, is compatible with DICOM formats, and supports the sending, retrieving and querying of PACS servers.

  INSTEON for Hub

  

  Control your INSTEON powered home with the help of the application regardless of whether you are at home, commuting, at work, or at the other end of the world.

  You can use the app to view and control IP cameras, manage lighting and device schedules, and monitor sensors for alerts.

  Words of Wonder

  

  Disney's newest game for Windows 8 is a word game. Find words to meet level objects and advance in the game.

  Use the mouse or touch to draw across letters on the board to form words and get points for doing so.

  Level aims range from forming a certain amount of words to freeing up a certain amount of spaces on the board.

  One Calendar

  

  One Calendar displays information from one or multiple online calendars. It supports a variety of different providers including Facebook, Google Calendar, Outlook, Exchange, Office 365 and Facebook.

  Besides options to view all calendars in one interface, it provides you with management features. You can add, remove or edit appointments which are automatically synchronized if you are connected to the Internet.

  One Calendar can be accessed even if you are not connected to the Internet as data is cached securely on the device.

  VH1

  

  If you have a supported TV Provider you can sign in with your account to watch VH1 shows such as Basketball Wives LA, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, and Marrying the Game using the app.

  You can browse all episodes of a show you are interested in or a category listing like Celebrity instead.

  
• 

  Best iOS apps this week

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 3:04pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  Twenty-second in a series. It was Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) this week and as expected the company took the wraps off OS X 10.10 ('Yosemite') and iOS 8.

  New features in the next iteration of the mobile OS include interactive notifications, HealthKit, Family Sharing, improved chatting, a better keyboard, and iCloud Drive. It will be released sometime in the fall.

  New app releases and updates this week include an excellent jousting game from Gameloft, a recipe app packed with tasty vegetarian food, a tense stealth game, an opinion app from the New York Times, and an addictive game from the makers of Candy Crush Saga.

  As always, if I miss an app that you think should have been included, let me know in the comments below, or drop me an email.

  Here is my selection for this week.

  Paid App of the Week

  Green Kitchen -- Healthy Vegetarian Recipes ($4.99)

  I’m not a vegetarian, but I do follow "Meat Free Monday". Finding tasty recipes without meat in them has never been much of a problem, but the overhauled version of this app will certainly help.

  Vegetarian recipes on offer are organic and tasty with the minimum of gluten, sugar and dairy ingredients.

  Recipes can be printed over AirPrint and shared over AirDrop.

  If you like this app you might well also be interested in Healthy Deserts -- by Green Kitchen ($2.99).

  Free App of the Week

  Rival Knights

  Offers in-app purchases.

  Gameloft used to sell games at a premium price, but have long since switched to freemium for a lot of releases. Rival Knights is free to play, but with in-app purchases.

  The aim of the game is to take on your rivals in a jousting competition and ride your way to glory. As you’d expect from a Gameloft game, it looks great and plays well. There are five leagues and countless events, and you can unlock over 120 mounts, lances, armor, helms and so on.

  You can recruit team mates, form clans, and battle other players in asynchronous multiplayer mode.

  

  Other Apps

  NYT Opinion

  Offers in-app purchases.

  From the New York Times, NYT Opinion is described as the first digital product to offer a standalone subscription to all of The Times’s opinion coverage, along with a continuous feed of commentary from The NYTimes and other reputable web sources.

  The app is free, but you’ll need to subscribe to NYT Opinion which costs $5.99 every four weeks.

  

  Bubble Witch Saga 2

  Offers in-app purchases.

  From King, the makers of Candy Crush Saga (which I hate because I’m stuck on level 165), comes the sequel to… well, I’m sure you can guess. Travel the land bursting bubbles, win new levels and free Witch Country piece by piece.

  

  Sky Force 2014

  Back to celebrate its 10 year anniversary, this classic arcade shoot-’em-up offers attractive graphics, challenging boss fights, and a powerful upgrade system that lets you improve your shields, weaponry and more.

  There are weekly tournaments against other players on new levels.

  

  Firefly Runner

  Offers in-app purchases.

  An action packed free-running adventure set on Firefly Island. The aim of the game is to help Switch rescue his captured firefly friends by running, flying, and shooting. There are three areas to explore -- The Rolling Countryside, The Forbidden Forest, and The Crystal Caves.

  

  Apple’s App of the Week

  Republique

  Offers in-app purchases.

  Apple’s free app this week is a cracking game that I’ve personally spent a long time playing. Republique is a stealth action game set in an oppressive dystopian world. Sneak about looking for ways to escape and places to hide, making strategic choices and solving puzzles.

  The graphics are excellent and the story really drags you in.

  Republique is an episodic game, so if you enjoy part one you’ll need to be prepared to spend money on the following four episodes. Part two has just been released and will set you back $4.99.

  
• 

  Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone gets new features

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 2:19pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  As a regular Facebook Messenger user, I prefer my Google Nexus 7, instead of my Nokia Lumia 920, to chat with other people. It is not due to the larger screen size, but because the Android app feels so much better than the Windows Phone counterpart. The former is fast, totes all the greatest features Facebook Messenger offers, and comes with chat heads, which are both cool and useful.

  Thankfully, Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone is delivering a better experience with each update it receives. It may not happen as often as I would like, but the popular social network is slowly improving its offering, with the latest version adding some much-needed changes.

  Microsoft, which has detailed the latest update, claims that Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone now offers better performance. And, I have to say it feels a tiny bit snappier, although this could just be the placebo effect talking. There are only a "few" impacted areas, however.

  The app should now also make better use of data, thanks to image caching, which will help minimize cellular data consumption. Facebook says it is working on making its offering even more reliable and use even less data.

  Taking a photo and sharing it only requires a single tap now in Facebook messenger, after triggering the camera user interface, which is now built into the app. Also, Facebook has added a "brand new photo gallery feature", which offers quick access to your pictures within the app.

  Finally, Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone gets group support, allowing you to create and manage groups within the app, and enjoy group chats. As you might expect, groups can be pinned on the homescreen.

  Facebook Messenger is available to download from Windows Phone Store.

  
• 

  Don't want Glassholes using your Wi-Fi? Ban Google Glass!

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 2:19pm CEST par Paul Cooper

  

  Do you hate Google Glass? Does your blood run cold whenever you see one of those human cyborgs coming towards you? Well one New Zealand designer has come up with a solution: cut off their Wi-Fi.

  Berlin-based Julian Oliver has released a simple program that he calls Glasshole.sh, designed to detect any Glass device attempting to connect to a Wi-Fi network and block its access.

  This is done, Oliver claims, by detecting a unique character string that he's found in the MAC addresses of Google's controversial augmented reality headsets.

  You can install the program on a Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone mini-computer, and with a simple USB network antenna attached, it becomes a Google Glass detector. When a Glass user tries to access the local network, Oliver's program uses Aircrack-NG to impersonate the network and send a "deauthorization" command, which cuts the headset's Wi-Fi connection.

  Oliver encourages users to "wear it, hide it in your workplace or your exhibition".

  "To say 'I don't want to be filmed' at a restaurant, at a party, or playing with your kids is perfectly OK. But how do you do that when you don't even know if a device is recording?", Oliver told journalists. "This steps up the game. It's taking a jammer-like approach".

  

  The script was designed in response to art graduate Omer Shapira's comment that the presence of Google Glass worn by audience at a graduate art exhibition left him feeling uneasy.

  "If you're recording the conversation without asking for permission --  you're just an asshole", Shapira wrote in an impassioned diatribe. "That shouldn't surprise you if you've had Google Glass on your head in any other social situation, but now you're literally suspect of trying to steal an idea. Kindly and promptly remove yourself".

  Oliver has made his script publically available on his website, along with a piece of ASCII art reading "don't be a glasshole".

  The Berlin-based artist describes himself as "an advocate of Free and Open Source Software and is a supporter of, and contributor to, initiatives that promote and reinforce civil rights in the networked domain".

  Google Glass is now on sale and available to anyone in the States, providing they've got the money, and also providing Google has stock of the device on hand.

  In February, a San Francisco woman claims she was assaulted and robbed for donning Google Glass at a bar, the latest incident of backlash against wearers of the high-tech specs.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Canon launches Irista photo cloud storage locker

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 1:26pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  There are no shortage of options nowadays for storing photos. You can turn to physical media, like external HDDs, general-purpose cloud services, like Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive, and specialized services, like Flickr. Physical media usually offers higher storage capacities, but cloud services are more easily-available.

  I prefer a combination of the two, uploading photos snapped with my smartphone in the cloud and keeping photos taken with my DSLR on a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Why? Because smartphone photos are small in size, which allows me to store plenty of them on a free cloud storage plan, while DSLR photos are huge, by comparison, as I only shoot RAW, which is where a large HDD comes in. (I might move most of them to Flickr one day though, as 1 TB for free is enticing.) But, if you want to go all-in on cloud storage for photos, Canon just unveiled its own dedicated service, called Irista, which warrants some attention.

  Canon has built Irista, formerly known as Project1709 while undergoing beta testing, as a photo hub for the cloud era, touting it as simple to use (quick and easy finding of images), cloud-connected (images can be shared on Facebook and Flickr), "inspired" (users can "interact" with their work, improve their skills and "get the most out of their pictures") and easy to manage (secure storage, with easy access). If it sounds much like other similar services, that's because Irista is not really all that different.

  Canon has decided not to restrict which image format files can be uploaded to Irista, or set a certain size limitation. The former means the service can be leveraged by any camera user, no matter if they are Canon owners or not, while the latter is a must-have option to allow the storing of RAW files, that, like I said, are usually quite large. Irista also gets automatic photo upload (works with Facebook, Flickr and the PC and Mac apps), which helps remove some of the friction associated with uploading content manually. (That said, there are services which also offer this feature.)

  Irista comes with a feature photogs will appreciate, namely proper (extended) support for EXIF data (with ISO, shutter speed, aperture, flash use, camera name, lens type, white balance, metering, and so on). This is something that it is also available (more or less) with Flickr and 500px, but is usually not shown in other services.

  It looks decent, but not quite as "sleek" as Canon would like you to believe. But what matters, ultimately, is the storage. The free plan only offers 10 GB, which falls short of Flickr's 1 TB. (That said, Flickr does not have a PC or Mac app.) For £4.49/€4.99 per month (or, £45/€49 per year) you can up the limit to 50 GB. If you want more, there is only one larger plan, which gives you 100 GB, that is available for £9.99/€10.99 per month (or, £99/€109 per year).

  The premium plans are steep when compared with Google Drive, which gives you 1 TB of storage for $9.99 per month. Also, for 200 GB of OneDrive storage, Microsoft charges $100 per year. Either of the two will take more than photos, and will tie in with their respective owner's other services.

  
• 

  One year on: Edward Snowden -- hero or villain?

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 8:41am CEST par Dan Raywood

  

  One year ago today, the world learned the truth about surveillance by the US and UK Governments.

  Since then, the security industry and wider world have been made to decide whether the man behind the leaks is a hero or a villain? Surveying some key names in the security industry, Lancope’s director of security research Tom Cross said that it is hard to view the situation strictly in black and white terms.

  He said: "There is no question that documents Snowden disclosed have materially advanced the public policy dialog in the United States regarding mass surveillance. However, he also disclosed a lot of information that could harm the national security of the United States but does not contribute significantly to the public interest, and people are understandably angry with him about that".

  Michael Sutton vice president of security research at Zscaler, said: "History will decide, but the court of public opinion is clearly uncomfortable with what they've learned about the tactics of the US Government".

  Calum MacLeod, vice president EMEA Lieberman Software, said: "As far as the security industry is concerned, it has provided a goldmine. Every vendor is selling Snowden. He should have employed an agent before getting on the plane to ensure that he got paid royalties for the use of his image. His picture is supporting a burgeoning industry of 'Next Generation Threat Protection' solutions. Every organization is being told it probably has a 'Snowden' working for them. And yet the threat to our everyday life of identity theft, corporate attacks on intellectual property, and the rest go on unabated. What Snowden has done is provide a distraction that allows many vendors to sell more FUD, and solve less problems.

  "Certainly some of Snowden's revelations have shed light on the fact that actually there are some really clever geeks in the NSA, who are able to do some really cool stuff, and to show how totally ineffective most of the technology is, that is being foisted on an unsuspecting market".

  Undoubtedly the greatest revelation of the stories of early June 2013 was that it substantiated what we already suspected. Cross said that it is very important to substantiate things that some people suspected may be true, such as the fact that phone companies in the United States were turning bulk meta-data over to the Government -- which was reported in the press in 2006, but the phone companies denied that this story was true, and that denial, coupled with a new law ensuring that surveillance programs would be reviewed by the FISA court, put to rest much of the discussion over the issue.

  "Although some people suspected that the program was real, without proof, there was no room for further debate. Now that proof is available, that debate is proceeding, and serious questions have been raised about the wisdom of the program as well as the correctness of FISA court rulings that authorized it," he said.

  Dwayne Melancon, CTO of Tripwire, said that this is far more of a political issue than a security issue, as even though security has benefited some from the increased public awareness of cyber security, much of the conversation is centered around ;right vs. wrong' which is inherently emotional.

  "I believe we need to focus our energy on what is ‘effective vs. ineffective’ when it comes to protecting our data, our users and our businesses," he said. "Being effective is a defensible goal, regardless of whether you agree with the actions of Snowden or world Governments".

  Sutton said that nation states have engaged in espionage in the name of security and financial gain for decades, but it didn't always involve smartphones and Facebook accounts.

  He said: "The security community has long known that the US Government engaged in offensive tactics, but eyebrows have been raised even among the most well informed given just how deep some of the programs ran. Whether tapping directly into the backbone of a data center or intercepting and backdooring hardware shipments, the tactics went beyond the keyboard hacks that were expected".

  The revelations gave us the evidence we needed to prove that surveillance was done, but many were shocked, and continue to be shocked about revelations of the scale. Asked if this was the best or worst thing to ever happen to the security industry? Sutton said that the revelations brought to the surface what the informed had already suspected and what the public was oblivious to.

  He said: "Many wrongly assumed that cyber espionage was black and white. The West represents the 'good guys', while the East and specifically China is the enemy, stooping to tactics that Americans would never adopt. Snowden's revelations showed us that the picture is not so clear. At best The US engages in the same tactics as the Chinese in order to gain the upper hand but steers clear of corporate espionage".

  He said that if there is a loser to be declared in the Snowden revelations, it's the US Government, as the US is no longer able to throw stones in a glass house, and it will be forced to adapt as technology vendors raise the bar, eliminating some of the previously relied upon spying techniques.

  MacLeod asked if we should be surprised that the US Government, along with the virtually every other Government, were using the internet to spy. "Well given that every country, Government or whatever have done this since time began, maybe we should be comforted by the ancient words that there is nothing new under the sun," he said.

  We are in a new world of privacy, internet freedom and those seeking a change. Yes Edward Snowden changed many things including how businesses and people see Governments, how secure transmission of data and communications are used, and how to avoid being spied on. Can you manage these things?

  A year ago it may have been called paranoia, in June 2014 you are one of many fighting for free speech.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Dan Raywood is editor of the IT Security Guru

   

  
• 

  Xbox One controller on Surface Pro 3 and Windows desktop [Review]

  Publié: juin 6, 2014, 4:45am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  From the moment the Xbox One went on sale, I've been silently waiting for drivers for the controller to be released for Windows. While I am sure the actual console is awesome, I simply don't game enough to buy it. However, I do casually game on my PC, so I want to own the best controller.

  Earlier today, my waiting ended, as Microsoft released the drivers I desire. I ran down to my local Walmart to buy the limited-edition Titanfall controller. Why did I buy that one? It looks cool and only cost $5.00 more. As soon as I got home, I ripped-open the box, inserted the batteries and plugged it in. After installing the drivers, I was off to the races. But how well does it work on Windows?

  Extremely well. I tested it on two Windows 8.1 machines -- a Surface Pro 3 and a custom-built desktop that I assembled. Since the desktop is better specced for gaming, I tested it first. I decided to try a few different things -- a game on Steam, a game from the Windows Store and an emulator.

  The Steam game that I tested is Injustice: Gods Among us. This is a fighting game, which works best with a controller. Overall the controller was very responsive and the buttons felt good. Pulling off combos and using complicated button combinations was a breeze.

  To test a game from the Windows Store, I purchased one called "ilomilo plus". It is on sale this week for a super-low $2.49. Best of all, it supports the Xbox 360 controller, which in turn means the Xbox One controller should work too. This is a game that can be played well with a keyboard. However, a controller definitely improves the experience as you can recline in your chair and relax as you play. Again, the experience was as expected -- the controller worked great.

  

  Lastly, I played some Super Nintendo ROMS (yes, I own the originals) on an emulator from the Windows Store called "Nesbox". With the Xbox One controller in hand, I was reliving the days of my youth playing some old-school platformers. The buttons automatically mapped themselves to match the SNES controller. Playing ROMS with a keyboard takes away from the overall experience. To truly be immersed in the game, a controller is ideal.

  While everything worked wonderfully on the desktop, I was more excited to try it on the Surface Pro 3. I had no doubt that it would work, but nonetheless I was eager to try. Think about it -- the Surface Pro 3 can already replace a laptop, but with the addition of the Xbox One controller, it also becomes the ultimate portable gaming machine. I can envision myself stuck in a hotel room while away on business and spending countless hours playing games on the Surface Pro 3. As you can see in the below video, it works amazingly.

  So, if you are a PC gamer, it is time to upgrade from the Xbox 360 controller or whatever thing you are using and buy the Xbox One controller. It feels great in the hand, connects by microUSB and looks damn sexy too. My only complaint is that a USB cable is not included in the box, but I have so many of them already, that it really doesn't matter. This is a no-brainer purchase for Surface Pro owners and I cannot thank Microsoft and the Xbox team enough for releasing the drivers today.

  Will you buy the Xbox One controller for your Windows machine? Tell me in the comments

  
• 

  Camera Fx8 Free offers iPhone users free camera effects tool

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 11:46pm CEST par Nick Peers

  Bored with your iPhone’s camera? Fed up with taking dull, listless shots? Apalon Apps may have something for you, with its new Camera Fx8 Free app.

  The app, a cut-down version of the existing Camera Fx8 (currently 99c in the App Store), allows users to apply filters and shapes to both live and previously taken photos. These can then be saved to the camera roll and shared via Twitter or email.

  Fire up the app and -- after a short pause (or long pause on our aging iPod touch 4th gen), the main screen will appear. The main viewfinder fills most of the screen, and by tapping Options users can access a number of useful features, including pinch-zoom, on-screen grid and very handy horizontal level to ensure photos aren’t askew.

  Users can switch between front and back cameras, plus switch on a shuffle function that randomly applies one of the supplied 15 filter effects (all named after trees and plants, so some experimentation will be required) or seven overlay shapes, which can -- of course -- also be applied manually.

  Users can also apply these effects to previously taken photos and images on the camera roll, which they can then save back as a fresh image to the roll, open in selected third-party apps or share with others.

  The app is clearly envisaged as a taster of the main Camera Fx8 app, which adds more filters and shapes, plus allows users to implement a range of overlay effects such as paper, dots and love, as well as implement various borders. All four effect types can be mixed and matched.

  The paid-for version also adds additional options including location reporting and the option keeping both edited photos and snapped shots within the app itself for future editing.

  Camera Fx8 Free 1.0 is available now as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. iOS 6.0 or later is required.

  
• 

  Microsoft signals HTC may launch new Windows Phones

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 8:57pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  Microsoft could renew its partnership with HTC in order for a more diverse range of handsets to be available on the Windows Phone platform.

  Nick Parker, head of Microsoft’s OEM division, told a packed press conference at Computex that HTC could soon be back in the Windows Phone fold, according to CNET.

  "I'd love to break some news here if I could", said Parker, after being asked about device partners. "But instead I'll just say that Microsoft will continue to have a great relationship with HTC. New things are coming, so get excited".

  The hint at HTC’s return comes just a few days after a Tweet from @evleaks suggested that HTC is ready to launch a Windows Phone 8.1 device known as W8 that will first see the light of day on Verizon’s US network in Q3 2014.

  In terms of a device specification, it’s rumoured that it will have HTC BoomSound as well as Duo cameras, and rumours of it being a One M8 replica are unfounded as it will reportedly be a mid-range handset taking advantage of Windows Phone 8.1 on-screen button support.

  HTC has released a clutch of Windows Phone devices in the past and among the most recent ones is the HTC Windows Phone 8X that saw the light of day in late 2012 with a nice mix of features that presented Windows Phone fans a further choice at the higher end of the Windows Phone selection.

  Parker used the same press conference the unveil a range of other manufacturers that are also designing Windows Phone devices including low-cost phones from the likes of Prestigio, InFocus, Yezz and a handful of others that were all on display.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo Credit: EDHAR/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Windows gamers, rejoice -- Microsoft releases Xbox One controller drivers!

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 6:49pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  I love First-Person shooter video games such as Call of Duty and Quake 4. For that genre of game, my trusty keyboard and mouse is the optimal way to interact with my on-screen character. However, for all other games like fighting, racing and platforming, I need and demand a quality controller. While there are many to choose from, the Xbox 360 controller has proven to be the most reliable and comfortable for many. Drivers exist for Windows, so gamers can connect it by USB or buy a wireless variant and dongle.

  Sadly, Xbox One controller drivers have been absent for Windows. This is puzzling as Microsoft is behind the controller and operating system. This new controller is wonderfully built and designed, so gamers have been eager to use it on their PC gaming rigs. Well, today the wait ends -- Microsoft has finally delivered the drivers we have been waiting for.

  "Beginning today, new PC drivers for the Xbox One controller will be available for download, offering PC gamers a better way to play using the Xbox One controller. We're planning to release the drivers as part of a Windows update in the near future; however, today, I am happy to offer early access to our dedicated PC gamers on MajorNelson.com", says Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson), Microsoft.

  Hryb further explains, "we know our fans have wanted PC compatibility, and we know they wanted to be able to use the Xbox One controller with the same games and applications they have been playing with using the Xbox 360 controller. We can't wait for them to play their favorite PC games with what we consider the best controller ever made and we're excited for fans to experience the improved D-pad, redesigned battery compartment, new comfortable design and offset analog sticks. The new PC drivers will enable the Xbox One controller to be used with any game that featured gamepad support for the Xbox 360 controller. Simply download the drivers, connect your Xbox One controller to your computer through a micro USB cable and you’ll be gaming in no time".

  Of course, this is a wired-only affair for now. Hopefully Microsoft will release a wireless dongle in the future. Still, even wired, this is awesome news for people that play at a desk or with a laptop or tablet, where wireless is not a necessity. While I do not own an Xbox One, I will now be buying one of these controllers to hook up to my Surface Pro 3 and desktop. I can't wait to play Rayman or Halo Spartan Assault on the go with an Xbox One controller.

  You can download the 32-bit driver here and the 64-bit driver here. Tell me how the controller works on Windows in the comments.

  
• 

  Surface Pro 3 is the tablet that can replace your laptop -- if you ignore the small print

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 6:19pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  There’s no question that Surface Pro 3 is a nice piece of kit. My colleague Brian Fagioli loves his, and says it at last puts Microsoft ahead of the competition. It’s expensive though, and a lot of people will struggle to justify the cost.

  With previous iterations, Microsoft pitched its slate against the iPad, but with this latest version the tech giant has decided to take a different tack -- positioning it instead as a laptop replacement.

  A new 30 second teaser clip introduces this concept by asking the question: "How can a tablet replace your laptop?" and then goes on to show how. Well sort of. "Start with the best writing experience" is the first example given, which seems a bit odd. Seeing as laptops generally don’t offer any writing experience. It's like saying, "How can a cat replace a dog? Start with the best purring experience". Still it shows off the Pro 3’s pen in action.

  Next the ad mentions the device’s thinness, the adjustable kickstand and keyboard, USB port, the freedom of touch and (of course!) Microsoft Office. The words "Office, keyboard and featured apps and programs sold separately" flash up in tiny writing.

  So in other words, Surface Pro 3 is the tablet that can replace your laptop, provided -- as with all other tablets on the market -- you spend money on extras. I guess, "Surface Pro 3, the tablet that does a better job of replacing your laptop than other tablets once you've bought the pricey additional components that come as standard on a laptop" wasn't catchy enough for the marketing department.

  But hey, I still want one.

  
• 

  Android may get touch-friendly Office apps before Windows 8.x

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 6:05pm CEST par Barclay Ballard

  

  Since his appointment as CEO in February of this year, Satya Nadella has made it clear that Microsoft needs to be more than a one-platform developer. Still, it may come as some surprise that the Android version of the latest touch-optimized Office suite will be released months before the Windows 8 variant.

  Office's user base across PCs remains high, but in order to target mobile users, the majority of whom are on Android or iOS, the company is making a clear statement that it won't neglect these consumers.

  At last week's Code Conference, Nadella said, "There are going to be Windows devices and there are going to be other devices and we have to make sure our services run on all of them".

  According to ZDNet, the Android versions of the touch-screen apps are likely to be available by the end of the year, with the Windows version not arriving until spring 2015. While the news may come as a disappointment to Windows users, sources indicate that the later release date is more than just a coincidence.

  Microsoft's Windows 9 is rumoured to launch at this time and is likely to include at least one version that doesn't include a desktop, at which point the Windows version of the touch-first Office suite should come into its own.

  With the latest news following on from March's Office for iPad announcement, it seems clear that Microsoft is not willing to limit itself as a developer, as it looks to increase its market share across all platforms.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo credit: Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock

  
• 

  China brands Windows 8 a threat to its national security

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 4:49pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  It’s fair to say China isn’t a fan of Windows 8. A few weeks ago, the tiled OS was banned from Chinese government computers, as part of a notice on the use of energy-saving products (if this sounds a bit vague, that’s because the reason given is).

  Then, if that wasn’t bad enough news for Microsoft, a state-backed news report broadcast on China's CCTV has really put the boot in, branding the operating system a threat to China's cybersecurity, and suggesting it is being used to spy on Chinese citizens.

  In a telephone interview, Prof Yang Min of Fudan University stated that the closed nature of Windows 8 posed a threat to the nation's cybersecurity efforts.

  "Microsoft would no longer open its Windows 8 source code to the Chinese government," he said. "However, the security scheme of the operating system is designed to provide better access for Microsoft to users' database. For China it’s a big challenge on our information security".

  Ni Guangnan, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering told reporters, "Your identity, account, contact book, phone numbers, all this data put together can be used for big data analysis. This analysis could be more accurate than our official statistics".

  China believes the NSA is using Windows 8 to gather data on its citizens and transmit the details back home. "The data might be a good way for the US to monitor other countries," Guangnan warns.

  Microsoft is reportedly working with the Chinese government to allay its fears, but things don’t look good for Windows 8. Guangnan claims, "China has set up an office to study cybersecurity and information technology in order to create our own operating system that solves the problems we are concerned with”.

  You can watch the full report (in English) below:

  
• 

  VMware warns Amazon AWS plugin may lead to vendor lock-in

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 2:21pm CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  VMware is locking horns with Amazon Web Services (AWS) over the latter’s decision to implement a new hybrid cloud connector that VMWare warns is a dangerous precursor to vendor lock-in.

  A blog post from VMware’s CTO Chris Wolf explained that the recently released AWS Connector for vCenter, a plugin that allows AWS cloud services to be run inside VMware-designed environments, will create significant complications down the line.

  "If you want to move those workloads or simply run additional instances in a region with no AWS presence, an outsourcer, another cloud provider, or your own data center, you may find that the cost and complexity associated with migration or a new deployment is too much", read the blog post from Wolf.

  "The service stack would likely be bound to proprietary APIs, and all or most of the third party management and operational software will have to be replaced. You will be burdened with new QA challenges and likely will need to reengage with the procurement teams", he added.

  The company’s CTO also attacked AWS’ claim that migration using the connector would be a simple and efficient task and called the management dependencies involved "massive" before comparing it to "a game of Jenga" as once one service is removed the entire stack can come tumbling down.

  It wasn’t that long ago that similar claims were being levelled at VMware due to the fact that its ESX hypervisor was causing company lock-in at the enterprise data centre level and software was adapted en masse in addition to other firms, such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft, creating their own hypervisors.

  Amazon released its AWS Connector for vCenter plug-in last week and the company has yet to provide a statement regarding the comments made by VMware.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  Photo Credit: jörg röse-oberreich/Shutterstock

  
• 

  G'MIC: the world’s most flexible image processor?

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 1:21pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  G’MIC (GREYC’s Magic for Image Computing) is an exceptionally powerful image processing tool for the command line (or via GIMP, if you install it via a plugin). It’s aimed very much at experts, but has features which can be used by just about everyone.

  At its simplest, you might use the program to view a series of images (gmic pic1.jpg pic2.jpg pic3.jpg) or convert an image from one format to another (gmic ThisPicture.png Output.png).

  G’MIC also supports an array of image filters and processing commands. You’re able to mirror, crop, rotate and resize images, blur and sharpen them, remove red-eye, use various warps and deformations (fisheye, sphere, kaleidoscope, more), apply paint and drawing effects, create animations, and add captions, borders and drop shadows.

  And that’s just a tiny fraction of what’s on offer.

  These effects are sometimes very easy to use. Applying a sepia-type "old photo" look just requires the command like this:

  gmic image.jpg -old_photo

  But G’MIC also provides astonishing flexibility, for people who need it. You don’t just have a basic "-blur", for example: you’re able to select a filter type, a border setting, various blur types (angular, radial, linear, selective), a direction (x/ xy/ xyz/ y/ z) and more.

  Still not enough? Pipeline support means commands can be combined on a single line for better effect. Once you know what you’re doing you can even extend the program with your own filters and custom commands.

  The results can be amazing. G’MIC isn’t just another me-too image tweaker, it’s easily strong enough for professional use, and you don’t have to take our word for it: just browse through Flickr’s G’MIC group pool and see for yourself.

  But even this is just the start. G’MIC can also work with videos (via FFMPEG), plot 2 or 3D functions, create 3D logos and models, display a filtered webcam stream, and more. Here’s a sample command to generate a 3D vase, for instance:

  gmic -md3d 4 -isosurface3d “‘x^2+2*abs(y/2)*sin(2*y)^2+z^2-3′,0″ -sphere3d 1.5  –3d[-1] 0,5 -plane3d 15,15 -r3d[-1] 1,0,0,90 -c3d[-1] -+3d[-1] 0,3.2  -col3d[-1] 180,150,255 -col3d[-2] 128,255,0 -col3d[-3] 255,128,0 -+3d

  This can all seem a little intimidating, but keep in mind that G’MIC can be used as a GIMP plugin for easier ad-hoc use (just unzip its files to your GIMP plug-in directory, or see here).

  Or, if you’re going to try the command line version, the program has some built-in demos to show you what’s possible. Enter gmic -demo and prepare to be impressed.

  
• 

  WinPatrol tweaks cookie management, adds Pale Moon support

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 1:13pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  BillP Studios has released WinPatrol 31.0.2014, a minor refresh of its Windows snapshot-based security tool. WinPatrol monitors key system areas for changes, alerting the user to program attempts to make significant alterations.

  Despite the jump to version 31, the latest release is a relatively minor one, with the most significant changes made to its browser-monitoring SQLite database.

  The SQLite database change, which is used to monitor Firefox and Chrome, sees WinPatrol include the source code for the SQLite3.DLL library. This gives BillP more control over accessing data while also allowing it to remove unused code to optimize performance through reduced memory usage.

  A related change in version 31.0.2014 is the added support for the Pale Moon browser, which is a custom-built version of Firefox optimized for performance. WinPatrol can now detect the browser to enable it to manage the browser’s cookies.

  Other changes are more minor: the Scotty Notification area icon has been redesigned, removing the blue orb icon and replacing it with a traditional Scotty dog icon on a yellow tile background. This is accompanied by more easily visible Start menu icons for the program.

  The Safe Update button adds support for showing version information for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Microsoft Security Essentials, while the program’s communication with the WinPatrol servers during a severe system attack has been optimised to further reduce its bandwidth usage.

  WinPatrol 31.0.2014 is available now as a free, function-limited download for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Plus version with additional functionality is also available, with prices starting from $29.95 (single user, unlimited computers) to $49.95 (whole family license).

  
• 

  Over half of organizations suffer critical system outages

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 12:18pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  System outages remain a major problem for businesses, with over half suffering critical problems in the last three months according to a new report.

  The latest annual Service Availability Benchmark Survey conducted by risk management specialists Continuity Software is based on responses from 155 IT professionals across a range of industries and regions.

  The report is designed to allow business continuity and disaster recovery professionals to compare their company’s practices and performance with their peers. Key findings are that 59 percent of companies had an outage in the last three months and 28 percent in the past month. Of those surveyed 41 percent had missed their service availability targets for mission-critical systems at some point in 2013.

  It does seem that the problem is being taken seriously though, with 66 percent of respondents saying that they have initiatives in place for improving service availability in 2014. Businesses are also keen to prevent problems before they become serious. Proactive identification of risks is seen as being the top challenge in ensuring system availability by 20 percent of respondents.

  "It is discouraging to see that such a high percentage of organizations continue to miss their service availability goals, despite the tremendous effort and investment made across the infrastructure", says Doron Pinhas, CTO of Continuity Software. "IT teams are finding themselves in a never-ending chase to keep up with the pace of change across the IT landscape. As the survey results show, IT organizations are increasingly recognizing that a proactive approach to risk identification is more effective for outage prevention than playing catchup".

  The full 2014 Service Availability Benchmark Survey is available to download from the Continuity Software website.

  Image Credit: alphaspirit / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Change your DNS server, MAC address and proxy with Smart DNS Changer

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 12:00pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Changing your DNS servers can be a smart way to block phishing scams, protect your children from inappropriate websites, maybe even improve your browsing speed.

  Figuring out how to do this can be a challenge, at least if you’re a network beginner. Fortunately tools like NirSoft’s QuickSetDNS and ChrisPC DNS Switch can help to simplify the process, and Smart DNS Changer extends the idea further with some clever touches of its own.

  The program installs quickly and easily. Adware is a common issue with this kind of tool, but there were no problems, and Smart DNS Changer was running within a few seconds.

  A straightforward tabbed interface opens at the DNS Changer. This lists several common DNS servers -- Comodo, Google, Norton, Norton ConnectSafe, OpenDNS, Yandex, both filtered and non-filtered -- along with a default Automatic option, and you can change your current settings in a couple of clicks. There are also boxes to enter DNS addresses manually, and buttons to open the Windows Network Connections window and Network Diagnostics applet.

  Most of the competition stops there, but Smart DNS Changer goes a little further. A Kid Shield tab allows you to select different DNS servers for each user on a computer, and these will automatically be applied whenever they log on. You could use this to set a filtered DNS for your children, blocking non-family-friendly sites, while you’re able to browse the web as normal.

  A third tab provides a MAC address changer. If your internet connection is blocked because of your MAC address, choose the appropriate network adapter here and manually enter a new one (or click "Random MAC Address" to have one set automatically).

  There’s also a "Proxy Changer" tab, but this is by far the weakest section. There are no built-in lists of proxies, just a link to web page: you must follow that, find something suitable, then copy and paste it back into the Smart DNS Changer "Proxy" box. It works, but it’s not exactly convenient.

  Smart DNS Changer has some scope for improvement. It doesn’t have a specific backup and restore option for your original DNS settings, for instance. And the list of supported DNS servers is currently hard-coded into the program, so there’s no way to edit or extend it yourself.

  The ability to set a different DNS server for each user is a major plus, though. The MAC address changer could be handy. And there are lots of thoughtful touches, from helpful text descriptions about each feature, to convenient links for Windows network tools. This is a crowded area, but Smart DNS Changer does more than enough to stand out, and we’ll be interested to see where it goes next.

  
• 

  Google releases Street View imagery of all 12 World Cup stadiums -- and beyond

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 11:47am CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  The world's biggest football tournament (or soccer, for Americans) is just a week away. This time around the World Cup takes place in Brazil, and unless you live there, or are a massive fan, the chances are you won’t be making the trek to watch the games live.

  Fortunately, you’ll be able to watch as much of the event as you like on TV or over the web, and in advance of events kicking off, Google Maps has made it possible to explore all 12 stadiums in Street View.

  In addition to the stadiums themselves, Google has captured the iconic painted streets -- one of Brazil’s tournament traditions.

  

  It has also gone further afield to cover numerous other sites in the country, including Iguaçu National Park and St. Michael of the Missions.

  Related: Adware comes to the World Cup 2014 through Android app

  
• 

  Android 4.4 KitKat shows tremendous growth

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 10:51am CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  At WWDC 2014, while talking about iOS 8, Apple CEO Tim Cook took a stab at Android, saying that its latest iteration, version 4.4 KitKat, is only running on nine percent of Android devices. The figure is certainly lower than for iOS 7, which borders on 90 percent adoption. However, as we have become accustomed to, at the beginning of each month Google gives us a fresh set of numbers, which can quickly tell a different story.

  The figure Cook used then was from early-May, which was, indeed, from the most-recent data. Skip forward one month, and we see Android 4.4 KitKat posting a 60 percent growth, reaching 13.6 percent distribution. The increase is noteworthy, and suggests that we can expect similar results come future distribution updates.

  A quick look at the Android landscape reveals exactly why KitKat managed to grow as much in a month. Both HTC and Samsung have released their latest smartphone flagships, the One (M8) and Galaxy S5, respectively, which run Android 4.4, giving this iteration a boost in distribution numbers. Of course, there are other factors to consider as well, like sales of Nexus smartphones and tablets (which also run, or are compatible with, this version) and software upgrades to KitKat.

  We can expect Android 4.4 to continue to grow, as more consumers will get their hands on smartphones and tablets powered by it, software upgrades will reach more (popular) handsets, and vendors release new Android devices across the globe that run KitKat, like the new LG G3. Android 4.4 may not reach the popularity of iOS 7 any time soon, but it will become a force to be reckoned with in the droid realm (not to mention KitKat-based devices may top iPhones and iPads altogether, when it comes to sales).

  Android 4.3 and 4.2 Jelly Bean are also going strong, growing in early-June to 10.3 percent and 19.1 percent, respectively, from 8.5 percent and 18.8 percent, respectively, a month ago. The first Jelly Bean iteration is not on the rise, however, dropping to 29 percent from 33.5 percent. The two most-recent Jelly Bean releases continue to grow as vendors still use them as the foundation for new products, and plenty of software upgrades have yet to include KitKat in the mix.

  Ice Cream Sandwich, as well as Gingerbread and Froyo are ceding power to newer sweets, all dropping in distribution (to 12.3 percent, 14.9 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively) month-over-month (from 13.4 percent, 16.2 percent and 1 percent, respectively). It is worth noting Honeycomb is finally out of Google's latest distribution charts, as it was unable to meet the one percent distribution level required to show up in the table. The data is based on the number of Android devices accessing Google Play in the seven-day period ending June 4.

  

  Photo Credit: Brian Fagioli

  
• 

  How to protect yourself from Cryptolocker while there's still time

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 9:05am CEST par Paul Cooper

  

  Law enforcement from around the world came together last week in an impressive sinkholing operation designed to disrupt two of the most troublesome pieces of malware on the planet: GameOver Zeus and Cryptolocker. These two spent much of last winter tearing through computers around the world, encrypting all the files on the hard drive and demanding payment to restore them. The NCA has estimated that around 15,000 computers may currently be infected in the UK. Worldwide, it runs into the millions.

  Over the weekend, police managed to sinkhole the entire GameOver Zeus botnet infrastructure, and seized control of Cryptolocker's command-and-control servers. So great news for white hats everywhere. But then the UK's National Cyber Crime Unit put out a perplexing piece of advice: users now have two weeks to protect themselves from these two cyber nasties. So what does that mean? Why two weeks? And what can you do to protect yourself?

  Related: Flash! We’ve only got 336 hours to save the world from a powerful computer attack!

  Well, the answer is basically the same as it's always been. There's no special tool or patch that'll keep you protected from Cryptolocker. It's just pure, common-sense cyber security.

  1. Keep Windows up to date

  If you aren't running Windows, stop right here. In fact, leave this article. Go read something else, go wash the car or play with your kids. The two vicious botnets are only affecting Windows users, so this isn't something you should worry about. There are still plenty of malware threats out there, though -- so make sure to keep everything up to date anyway.

  2. Watch your post box for warnings

  Internet users in the UK who are thought to be infected will be receiving correspondence from their internet service provider (ISP) soon, warning them that they are at risk. This is pretty unprecedented, and if you get one of these notices, you must act immediately.

  "People should not only protect their computers, but also ensure that they back up their data regularly," said security expert David Emm of Kaspersky. "This is particularly important in the case of ransomware. If you have a backup, even if you just manually drag-and-drop your files onto a USB drive, then you can avoid the need to pay the ransom if you do get infected with Cryptolocker".

  3. Perform proper security maintenance

  GetSafeOnline.org has published a list of downloads it recommends to keep yourself protected.

  Unfortunately, the massive demand for the service is causing the website to crash, and it's been offline for about 24 hours now. Not very helpful, we know -- but hopefully it'll be up and running soon enough.

  In the meantime, why not check out this article on 3 security tools you must have before you go online.

  4. Use a password manager

  Phishing gets a lot easier once the attacker has access to your personal data. Using long, complex passwords, and different passwords for each site you access will maximize your security on this front If you're not feeling up to that, why not get a password manager?

  We've written up a rundown of all the best password managers available, so go check that out.

  5. Don't open suspicious links

  How many times do we have to tell you? Don't open them! If you don't know where an email came from, don't open it. If you weren't expecting an email from a colleague, don't open it. If the message in the text is generic and could have come from anyone, don't open it.

  Don't rely on hovering over the link to see the URL, either -- hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated at spoofing legitimates URLs in order to infect you with malware. This is the single most common vector of attack, so protect yourself from fake emails, and you'll be laughing.

  For more email safety tips, check out our article on how to avoid getting stung by a spear phishing scam.

  Final advice

  The FBI and NCA's two-week window is a little bit of a vague guesstimate. They probably thought it would catch headlines (and it certainly has done that), but the message is always the same -- make sure your antivirus software, and firewall, and everything else designed to protect you is up to date.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  The Decline and Fall of IBM

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 8:47am CEST par Robert X. Cringely

  Well my IBM eBook is finally available. Right now that’s just on Amazon.com for the Kindle (just click the link to the right) but by next week it will be on every eBook platform (iPad, Nook, etc.) and there will be a trade paperback as well as an audio edition. I’ll announce all of those here as they appear.

  I feel I owe an explanation for the long delay in publishing this book. I finished it in early January, about a week after my mother died, only to learn that my old-school book publisher didn’t want to touch it. Or more properly they wanted me to be entirely devoted to the book they were paying me a ton of money to write and to wait on IBM even though the eBook had been in the works for two years and was completely ready-to-go.

  What would you do?

  I tried everything -- everything -- to publish this book without being sued for breach of contract. The final solution was to pay back all the money and walk away from the big book deal. I’ll still finish that book but I’ll have to find a new publisher or do it myself like I have with this one.

  Though originally finished in January the manuscript has been updated and revised every month since and is up-to-date as of last week.

  Here’s the introduction. If it sounds interesting please order one for all your friends. It’s cheap at $3.99 for 293 pages and having written that big check I must sell close to 100,000 copies just to break-even.

  Thanks for waiting.

  Introduction

  The story of this book began in the summer of 2007 when I was shooting a TV documentary called The Transformation Age -- Surviving a Technology Revolution, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Rochester has two main employers, Mayo and IBM, and a reporter can’t spend several days in town without hearing a lot about both. What I heard about IBM was very disturbing. Huge layoffs were coming as IBM tried to transfer much of its U.S. services business directly to lower-cost countries like India and Argentina. It felt to me like a step down in customer service, and from what I heard the IBMers weren’t being treated well either. And yet there was nothing about it even in the local press.

  I’ve been a professional journalist for more than forty years and my medium of choice these days is the Internet where I am a blogger. Bloggers like me are the 21st century version of newspaper beat reporters. Only bloggers have the patience (or obsessive compulsive disorder) to follow one company every day. The traditional business press doesn’t tend to follow companies closely enough to really understand the way they work, nor do they stay long enough to see emerging trends. Today business news is all about executive personalities, mergers and acquisitions, and of course quarterly earnings. The only time a traditional reporter bothers to look -- really look -- inside a company is if they have a book contract, and that is rare.  But I’ve been banging away at this story for seven years.

  Starting in 2007, during that trip to Minnesota, I saw troubling things at IBM. I saw the company changing, and not for the better. I saw the people of IBM (they are actually called "resources") beginning to lose faith in their company and starting to panic. I wrote story after story, and IBM workers called or wrote me, both to confirm my fears and to give me even more material.

  I was naive. My hope was that when it became clear to the public what was happening at IBM that things would change. Apparently I was the only member of the press covering the story in any depth -- sometimes the only one at all. I was sure the national press, or at least the trade press, would jump on this story as I wrote it.  Politicians would notice. The grumbling of more than a million IBM retirees would bring the story more into public discourse. Shamed, IBM would reverse course and change behavior. None of that happened. This lack of deeper interest in IBM boggled my mind, and still does.

  Even on the surface, IBM in early 2014 looks like a troubled company. Sales are flat to down, and earnings are too. More IBM customers are probably unhappy with Big Blue right now than are happy. After years of corporate downsizing, employee morale is at an all-time low. Bonuses and even annual raises are rare. But for all that, IBM is still an enormous multinational corporation with high profits, deep pockets, and grand ambitions for new technical initiatives in cloud computing, Big Data analytics, and artificial intelligence as embodied in the company’s Jeopardy game-show-winning Watson technology. Yet for all this, IBM seems to have lost some of its mojo, or at least that’s what Wall Street and the business analysts are starting to think.

  Just starting to think? The truth is that IBM is in deep trouble and has been since before the Great Recession of 2008. The company has probably been doomed since 2010. It’s just that nobody knew it. These are harsh words, I know, and I don’t write them lightly. By doomed I mean that IBM has chosen a path that, if unchanged, can only lead to decline, corporate despair, and ultimately insignificance for what was once the mightiest of American businesses.

  If I am correct about IBM, whose fault is it?

  In its 100 years of existence, the International Business Machines Company has had just nine chief executive officers. Two of those CEOs, Thomas J. Watson, and his son, Thomas J. Watson Jr., served for 57 of those 100 years. Between father and son they created the first true multinational computer company, and defined what information technology meant for business in the 20th century. But the 20th century is over and with it the old IBM. In the current century, IBM has had three CEOs: Louis V. Gerstner Jr., Samuel J. Palmisano, and Virginia M. Rometty. They have redefined Big Blue, changing its personality in the process. Some of this change was very good, some of it was inevitable, but much of it was bad. This book is about that new personality and about that process.

  Lou Gerstner saved IBM from a previous crisis in the 1990s, and then went on to set the company up for the crisis of today. Gerstner was a great leader who made important changes in IBM, but didn’t go far enough. Worse still, he made a few strategic errors that helped the company into its current predicament. Sam Palmisano reversed some of the good that Gerstner had done and compounded what Gerstner did wrong. The current crisis was made inevitable on Palmisano’s watch. New CEO Ginni Rometty will probably take the fall for the mistakes of her predecessors. She simply hasn’t been on the job long enough to have been responsible for such a mess. But she’s at least partly to blame because she also hasn’t done anything -- anything -- to fix it.

  We’ll get to the details in a moment, but first here is an e-mail I received this January from a complete stranger at IBM. I have since confirmed the identity of this person. He or she is exactly as described. Some of the terminology may go over your head, but by the end of the book you’ll understand it all. Read it here and then tell me there’s nothing wrong at IBM.

  "Please keep this confidential as to who I am, because I’m going to tell you the inside scoop you cannot get. I am rated as a #1. That’s as high as you go, so calling me a disgruntled employee won’t work.

  "Right now the pipeline is dry -- the number of services folks on the bench is staggering and the next layoff is coming. The problem now is that the frequent rebalancing has destroyed morale, and so worried troops don’t perform well. Having taken punitive rather than thoughtful actions, Ginni has gutted the resources required to secure new business. Every B-School graduate learns not to do that. The result is a dry pipeline, and while you can try to blame the cloud for flagging sales, that doesn’t work. Those cloud data centers are growing. The demand for hardware didn’t shrink -- it simply moved.  Having eliminated what did not seem necessary, the brains and strategy behind the revenue are now gone, leaving only ‘do now’ perform people who cannot sell. Sales reps have no technical resources and so they cannot be effective.  Right now we cannot sell. There is no one to provide technical support. The good people are finding jobs elsewhere. The [job] market outside IBM is improving. I am interviewing at a dozen companies now. Soon as I find something perfect for me, I’m gone. They don’t expect people like me to leave.

  "Ever work anywhere where you were afraid to make a large purchase like a car because you don’t know that you will have a job in a month? That’s how everyone feels at IBM. Now we are doing badly on engagements. I cannot think of a single engagement where we are not in trouble. We lay off key people in the middle of major commitments. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve managed to get involved in an engagement and cannot lay my hands on the staff required to perform.

  "The whole idea that people in different time zones, all over the world can deliver on an engagement in Chicago is absurd.

  "Lastly, using the comparative scheme for employee evaluations is simply stupid. No matter how great the entire staff is, a stack ranking will result in someone at the top and someone at the bottom. It ignores that the dead wood is gone.

  "Ginni has made one horrible mistake. Sam, and now, Ginni, has forgotten that IBM was made by its people. They have failed to understand their strongest assets, and shortly will pay for that. IBM just hit the tipping point. I do not think there is any way back".

  Years ago IBM could sell an idea. They’d come in, manage a project, develop an application, and it would make a big difference to the customer. IBM would generally deliver on their promises, and those benefits more than paid for the high cost of the project and the computers. IBM transformed banks by getting them off ledger books. Remember the term "bankers’ hours"?  Banks were only open to the public for part of the day. The rest of the time was spent with the doors closed, reconciling the transactions.

  But that was then and this is now. IBM’s performance on its accounts over the last 10 years has damaged the company’s reputation. Customers no longer trust IBM to manage projects well, get the projects finished, or have the projects work as promised. IBM is now hard pressed to properly support what they sell. Those ten years have traumatized IBM. Its existing businesses are under performing, and its new businesses are at risk of not succeeding because the teams that will do the work are damaged.

  Let’s look to the top of IBM to understand how this happened.

  "The importance of managers being aligned with shareholders -- not through risk-free instruments like stock options, but through the process of putting their own money on the line through direct ownership of the company—became a critical part of the management philosophy I brought to IBM," claims former CEO Lou Gerstner in his book, Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?

  Defying (or perhaps learning from) Gerstner, IBM’s leaders today are fully isolated and immune from the long-term consequences of their decisions. People who own companies manage them to be viable for the long term. IBM’s leaders do not.

  I am not going to explain in this introduction what is wrong with IBM. I have the whole book to do that. But I do want to use this space to explain why a book even needs to be written and how I came up with that provocative title.

  The book had to be written because writing the same story over and over for seven years hasn’t changed anything. The only possible way to still accomplish that, I figured, was to put all I know about IBM in one place, lead readers through the story, and at the end take a shot at explaining how to actually fix IBM. The last chapter goes into some detail on how to get IBM back on course. It isn’t too late for that, though time is growing short.

  The title is based on Edward Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, published in six volumes beginning in 1776. Decline and Fall was the first modern book on Roman history. It was relatively objective and drawn from primary sources. And it recounted the fall of an empire some thought would last forever. In industrial terms many people thought the same about IBM.

  Gibbon’s thesis was that the Roman Empire fell prey to barbarian invasions because of a loss of virtue. The Romans became weak over time, outsourcing the defense of their empire to barbarian mercenaries who eventually took over. Gibbon saw this Praetorian Guard as the cause of decay, abusing their power through imperial assassinations and incessant demands for more pay.

  The Praetorian Guard appears to be in charge these days at IBM, as you’ll see.

  Even a self-published book with one author is the product of many minds. Katy Gurley and Michael McCarthy were my editors. Kara Westerman copy-edited the book. Lars Foster designed the cover. Many loyal IBMers gave me both information and the benefit of their wisdom to make the book possible. Out of necessity, because quoting them directly would imperil their jobs, these heroes must go unnamed.

  We can all hope their assistance will not have been in vain.

  
• 

  Amazon unveiling mysterious device on June 18 -- what do you think it is?

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 1:44am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Amazon is on a roll lately, delivering some incredible products. Hell, the Kindle Fire HDX tablets alone were home-runs, but the amazing Fire TV took it to another level. The online-retailer has leveraged Android in its own way, refusing to bow-down to Google. It is quite the feat, actually, to think that Amazon broke into the hardware business with relative ease.

  While the company has infiltrated markets for tablets, TVs and game consoles, there is one place it is noticeably absent -- smartphones. The company already has its own Android app store, so it's a natural progression. Today, the company teases a product unveiling on June 18. What will it announce?

  Even though rumors and leaked images of an Amazon smartphone with 3D screen and multiple cameras have been making their way around the net, it is not a guarantee that the fabled phone is what will be announced. However, it is a very strong possibility.

  The million-dollar question is, if it is a smartphone, will Amazon allow Google's Play Store alongside its own? While I understand Amazon's desire to push users to its own store, the Play Store is a make or break aspect for many potential Android smartphone buyers. No matter how great the specs are, apps sell hardware.

  If it is not a smartphone, What could it be? Based on the image above, Here are some of my speculations:

  • Upgraded Kindle Fire HDX
  • Color e-Ink Reader
  • Handheld Android-based game console

  Still, my best guess would be a smartphone after watching the below video:

  As you can see, it appears that the people are using something one-handed, with their posture indicating that it is smaller than a tablet. Also, the reflection off a woman's glasses shows a very bright screen, certainly not e-ink. That same reflection shows a portrait screen that looks to be smartphone sized. Lastly, the way they move their head indicates a multi-camera 3D effect, which would lend credence to the leaked images.

  

  Also, it seems that if you pause the video and look below the neckline of the same glasses-wearing woman, you can see the top of what appears to be a smartphone (I blurred the rest to focus on it). You can see either a power button or headphone jack at the top.

  

  The company is inviting customers and members of the press to join it in Seattle for the unveiling. There is a signup page here, but it is not clear how they will pick.

  What do you think it will be? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: igor.stevanovic/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Android users, beware -- a new Trojan may hold your files for ransom

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 12:38am CEST par Claire Woffenden

  

  Security experts have discovered a new Trojan that scrambles the files on memory cards in Android devices and demands a ransom to open them.

  Slovakian security company Eset claims it is the first discovery of file-encrypting ransomware for Android. Called "Simplelocker", the Trojan targets SD cards inserted into Android tablets and mobile phones, encrypts the files and demands payment in order to decrypt them.

  You'd be forgiven for thinking you've heard this warning before. Last year, Symantec reported the discovery of ransomware masquerading as a legitimate Android security app called Android.Fakedefender, and Sophos told us to be wary about Android scareware called AndroidDefender. But, according to Eset, this is the real thing.

  "Last weekend saw the (somewhat anticipated) discovery of an interesting mobile Trojan -- the first spotting of a file-encrypting ransomware for Android by our detection engineers. This malware, after setting foot on an Android device, scans the SD card for certain file types, encrypts them, and demands a ransom in order to decrypt the files", says Eset security researcher Robert Lipovsky

  Lipovsky further explains, "the malware is fully capable of encrypting the user's files, which may be lost if the encryption key is not retrieved".

  After launch, the Trojan displays a ransom message in Russian saying that the device was locked because the owner had viewed and distributed child pornography, zoophilia and other perversions, and encrypts files in the background. Payment is then demanded in Ukrainian hryvnias.

  Simplelocker will scan the SD card for files with the following image, document or video extensions: jpeg, jpg, png, bmp, gif, pdf, doc, docx, txt, avi, mkv, 3gp, mp4 and encrypt them using AES.

  According to Eset, because Simplelocker is a "proof-of-concept or a work in progress" the implementation of the encryption, while nasty, "doesn't come close to Cryptolocker on Windows". Hundreds of thousands have been targeted by Cryptlocker, which has netted fraudsters up to $30 million in ransom.

  Eset advises not to give into ransom demands because it "will only motivate other malware authors to continue these kinds of filthy operations" and "there is no guarantee that the crook will keep their part of the deal and actually decrypt them. Instead, it is better to protect yourself against such a threat by using a mobile security app and staying away from untrustworthy apps and app sources.

  Photo Credit: Robynrg/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Queen's speech proposes life sentences for cyber criminals in the UK

  Publié: juin 5, 2014, 12:25am CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Edward Snowden is on the run, living in exile as a means to evade the long arm of US law. The United States seems keen to have him prosecuted for leaking documents that have arguably put national security at risk. He acted in good faith, but has been branded a cyber criminal. Today in the UK, the Queen gave her annual speech -- well, it's really a speech written by the government, but dear Liz reads it out so she gets to call it hers -- and she revealed that cyber criminals could face life sentences for their endeavors, and that existing punishments for digital crimes cold become harsher.

  Singled out for particular attention are those "cyberattacks which result in loss of life, serious illness or injury or serious damage to national security, or a significant risk thereof". Those committing such acts could be put behind bars for life. But the proposals do not end there. The aging Computer Misuse Act could be updated, so that criminals that cause "a significant risk of severe economic or environmental damage or social disruption" incur a 14 year term compared to the current 10.

  Some of the proposals have come in for criticism. Some see the sentences as too harsh, but there are other potential problems too. Security experts employed to test the defenses of a company's network, could find their probing activities to be criminal. It creates an odd paradox, in which people who investigated the Heartbleed bug for example, are not looked at as heroes, but criminals.

  Speaking to the Guardian, Trey Ford from penetration-testing firm Rapid7 said: "it's concerning that the law designed to protect people from cybercrime also penalizes activity designed to identify areas of cyber risk".

  Whether there would be any possibility for plea-bargains to reduce the sentences, or even get off entirely, is not clear. Best tread carefully, just in case...

  Photo Credit: Bob Orsillo/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Online television watching reaches all-time high -- iOS apps surpass web browsers

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 6:39pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Over the years, many have predicted television's demise, because of competition from the internet. However, it seems that the opposite is happening -- TV is more popular than ever thanks to an increase in quality programming. Shows such as Game of Thrones and Bates Motel have viewers tuning in and on the edge of their seats.

  It turns out that the internet is actually complementing television, as more and more people choose to consume TV on the web. According to Adobe, online viewing is up 246 percent year-over-year -- that is a shocking figure. However, this is not just people staring at desktops and laptops, but utilizing game consoles and mobile apps too.

  "We've said it before, but the days of watching TV on a television in the living room are long gone. To meet rapidly evolving consumer expectations for the TV content they want, the TV industry is finding new ways to bring their content to whatever screen audiences want to watch. Given the deluge of connected devices from tablets and smartphones to game consoles and over-the-top (OTT) devices, easy access to content is taking TV Everywhere consumption to new heights", says Campbell Foster, Adobe.

  Foster further explains, "today, we released our Q1 2014 U.S. Video Benchmark Report which examines TV Everywhere and non-authenticated online video trends. The findings were staggering with online TV consumption reaching an all-time high -- up 246 percent year-over-year (YoY). Our analysis is based on aggregated and anonymous data from 1300+ media/entertainment sites between Q1 2013 and Q1 2014. It includes 151 billion total online video starts and 1.3 billion TV Everywhere authentications across 250 pay-TV service providers covering 99 percent of pay-TV households in the US".

  

  The company lists these interesting facts:

  • Game consoles and OTT devices saw the strongest market share growth increasing 539 percent YoY.
  • iOS apps surpassed browsers for the first time as the most popular access point for online TV achieving a 43 percent market share (compared to a 36 percent market share for browsers)
  • More US pay-TV households (21 percent) accessed TV Everywhere content across devices in Q1 than ever before (compared to 16 percent six months ago)
  • Unique TV Everywhere visitors to websites and apps per month increased by 157 percent YoY, while the number of TV Everywhere streams (live, VOD and linear) watched per visitor each month rose 133 percent YoY.
  • Using a sample size of 1300+ Adobe Marketing Cloud customers, 35.6 billion online videos including user-generated content were viewed worldwide -- an unprecedented amount, up 43 percent YoY.

  While the internet is complementing television now, there is no guarantee that the love affair will last. As more and more people watch online, eventually TV producers will wonder why they need to work for a network rather than distribute the content themselves on the web. The cord-cutter movement will likely accelerate this process too. Either way, TV watchers are being treated to some of the best content ever; whether they watch it in their living rooms or on an iPad in the bathroom, it's still a great experience.

  You can read the full report here (PDF).

  Do you watch TV shows online? Which shows do you watch and on what platform do you watch them? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  HTC Desire 816: Attractive mid-range Android smartphone [Review]

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 6:36pm CEST par Sandra Vogel

  

  HTC has stolen a lot of limelight recently with its flagship handset the One M8 and its smaller One mini 2, and you could be forgiven for thinking that these two are just about all the phone maker has in its range. But in fact the Desire range continues to go strong, and a couple of handsets announced earlier this year have recently popped up for review. I’ll be covering the Desire 610 soon, but today’s review handset is the Desire 816, a large format phone on sale for around £300 which ticks quite a lot of boxes.

  The Desire 816 doesn’t have the startlingly good build quality that its top-end cousin the One M8 boasts. The body is unashamedly plastic, and my white review sample had a shiny white plastic back which, while not removable, is quite clearly a separate section. You can see the join where it meets the matte sides of the phone so clearly that it’s almost embarrassing for HTC.

  The build quality isn’t all that impressive, either. I managed to bow this phone rather alarmingly with very little trouble. You might want to consider a good case if you go for this handset.

  There are two rows of holes along the top and bottom front short edges -- indicating something that is, these days, very much a defining characteristic for HTC. Yep, there are stereo speakers on board this smartphone. Visually the holes aren’t as refined in their design as they are on the One M8 or the One Mini 2, but still, the look is neat. HTC’s BoomSound makes an appearance here too. To my ears the BoomSound quality isn’t up to that delivered by the HTC One M8, but it isn’t bad, and there’s plenty of volume.

  There’s a 5.5-inch screen with quite a bit of bezel both top and bottom, plus those speakers, so you can imagine that this is a big phone. In fact, at 156.6 x 78.7mm it didn’t fit into any of my pockets easily during the time I was carrying it around. And no, my smallish hands couldn’t manage one-handed use. Still, HTC has kept the thinness down. At 7.9mm the Desire 816 is no rival for the svelte £366 Huawei Ascend P7, but even Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S5 is slightly thicker at 8.1mm.

  HTC has decided to put the power and volume rockers on the left edge, where they sit quite nicely under the thumb. They’re tactile enough to find with the phone in your bag for a bit of transport-bound volume adjustment. The headset slot is on the top edge and microUSB on the bottom.

  A non-removable backplate means your nanoSIM and microSD card fit in slots on the phone’s edges. There is a version of this handset that supports two SIMs and so there are three edge slots. They’re all under one very long cover on the right edge of the phone. In my case one of the nanoSIM slots was blocked off. HTC doesn’t bother with a fancy pin-like dongle to access the slots; there’s a little nick in one end of the long cover, and a fingernail is all you need to lift it.

  

  Getting back to the screen, the Ascend P7’s world of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels is out of reach here and instead the Desire 816 gives you 1,280 x 720 pixels. This isn’t unheard of, and the much liked and similarly priced Motorola Moto X from the start of this year shares that resolution. The Moto X manages a pixel density of 312ppi in its 4.7in screen, while the larger 5.5in screen here can only muster 267ppi.

  While some people will doubtless bemoan the 267ppi pixel density, I was quite happy reading web sites and eBooks. The screen size is pretty good for the latter function actually and overall it is perfectly acceptable. In fact, looking back to October last year, I found the 6.3-inch 1,280 x 720 Samsung Galaxy Mega a great handset for e-reading too, and the larger screen there meant a pixel density of 233ppi.

  I had two screen complaints, though. The auto-brightness settings seems low -- I found turning auto off and living with max brightness was more comfy. Also, HTC puts its touch buttons on the screen area, though the company does this across its phone line, not just with the Desire 816. In general I prefer these below the screen, so that screen space itself is maximized.

  

  HTC has not stinted on including Android 4.4 and its Sense 6.0 skin, and that means you get essentially the same look and feel as you do with the flagship handsets. You get software extras like Car mode that lets you switch over to large icons, and there’s a Zoe icon too. Just as with the HTC One mini 2, when you tap it you’re told Zoe is coming soon -- not very useful at the moment. Some things are missing in comparison to the top flight HTC phones; there’s no double tap to wake the phone for example.

  BlinkFeed is here, taking up a whole home screen, but you can disable this social and news aggregator if you want by going to the widgets area and removing it. Thank goodness for that. Among the software extras two stand out: Polaris Office is here and you can create as well as edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. The large screen means doing the last two is viable. There’s also a nice notes app called Scribble which has a whole range of potentially handy templates.

  Obviously you are not going to get state of the art technical specifications with this handset. However, this is a 4G phone. It has a 1.6GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 running the show which is assisted by 1.5GB of RAM. That’s an unusual RAM specification, but one which does help the processor speed along. I have no grumbles on the performance front.

  There’s 8GB of internal storage, which is down to just 3.8GB accessible fresh out of the box. That’s not a great deal these days. You can use a microSD card to add more, of course, and it is very pleasing to see USB On The Go supported here. The ability to read and write to a stick with a microUSB connector can be really useful at times.

  

  The 13 megapixel main camera and 5 megapixel front camera are both good, and fans of selfies will be pleased to hear that there are a lot of filters, effects and touch-up features you can apply. There’s even a three second countdown timer for the front camera.

  The 2600mAh battery is a reasonable specification for a handset of this size and price. How quickly it depletes will depend on what you ask of it, and here we have a dilemma. Larger screens lend themselves to serious gaming, video watching and such, and these all make serious demands on the battery. You’ll also find that if you do as I did and leave the screen on max brightness all the time, you’ll be asking more of the battery than if you use the auto settings.

  For my general usage pattern the battery got me through a day without trouble, but you might want to budget for a mid-afternoon power boost if you want to push the phone during the homeward commute.

  Verdict

  I’m won over by the HTC Desire 816. There is plenty of call for mid-priced, large-screened handsets, and I’m a fan of the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Mega and Huawei Ascend P7, both of which are a fair bit more expensive than the Desire 816. If you are looking for a large, mid-priced phone, the Desire 816 is well worth shortlisting.

  Specifications

  Manufacturer and Model	HTC Desire 816
  Network	4G
  Processor	1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
  Ram	1.5GB
  Memory	8GB (3.8GB accessible)
  Memory expansion	microSD
  Display	5.5in, 1,280 x 720 pixels, 267ppi
  Main camera	13 megapixel
  Front camera	5 megapixel
  NFC	No
  Wi-Fi	Yes
  GPS	Yes
  FM radio	Yes
  Battery	2,600mAh
  Size	78.7 x 7.9 x 156.6mm   (WxDxH)
  Weight	165g
  OS	Android 4.4

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
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  Glorylogic refreshes range with ISO Workshop, True Burner and Image Tuner updates

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 4:59pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Glorylogic has issued updates to three of its free (for non-commercial use) tools for Windows PCs. Both ISO Workshop 5.4 and True Burner 2.3 gain various burning enhancements -- including the ability to set the burn speed, while batch-processing tool Image Tuner 4.8 offers an updated preview method.

  ISO Workshop and True Burner share the same burning engine, which is indicated by the number of shared improvements in their latest builds.

  Chief among these is the addition of a drop-down menu to crucial dialog boxes giving users the opportunity to select the drive burn speed -- useful for trying to resolve burning errors.

  Other shared enhancements include improved detection and burning of Blu-ray discs, both BD-R and BD-RE formats, as well as general data insertion and management. Both also fix an issue with opening the disc tray after burning.

  ISO Workshop claims one unique fix, resolving a problem unknown command-line parameters. True Burner 2.3 contains two exclusive fixes, mitigating problems finalizing blank CDs as well as fixing a possible error when burning single files over 2GB in size.

  Also updated is Image Tuner 4.8. This ships with an updated and improved method of previewing changes via the [F3] key. Alongside this version 4.8 boasts improved JPG and PNG image conversions as well as general image loading and processing.

  Again, two notable bugs have been resolved: one that saw Image Tuner skip images with JP2 or RAW extensions, and the other with creating sub-directories.

  ISO Workshop 5.4, True Burner 2.3 and Image Tuner 4.8 are all available as a free-for-personal-use downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. All three contain optional bundleware.

  
• 

  Netflix brings HTML5 video to OS X Yosemite

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 4:22pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  WWDC has proven to be the big event this week, introducing the latest iteration of Apple's operating system, known as OS X Yosemite -- yes the company has moved on from big cats, it did so with Mavericks.

  One of the first to take advantage of this new platform is Netflix. The streaming video service is announcing it will bring HTML5 to Safari in the new operating system. "We're excited to announce that Netflix streaming in HTML5 video is now available in Safari on OS X Yosemite! We've been working closely with Apple to implement the Premium Video Extensions in Safari, which allow playback of premium video content in the browser without the use of plugins", says Netflix.

  The announcement goes on to explain how much the company appreciates the new implementation, especially the Media Source Extensions that allow for full 1080p streaming without using up the CPU or draining the battery on a laptop. In fact, Netflix claims "this allows you to get up to 2 hours longer battery life on a MacBook Air streaming Netflix in 1080p -- that’s enough time for one more movie".

  The streaming service also gushes about the inclusion of Encrypted Media Extensions and Web Cryptography API, although didn't go into details about utilization of these.

  This actually brings Safari onto par with Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 8.1, which features the same capabilities. It also leads to a better experience for the customer, which is the real ultimate goal for any service.

  Photo Credit: olly/Shutterstock

  
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  Samsung needs localized services for its Tizen phone to succeed in emerging markets

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 4:09pm CEST par Darren Allan

  Samsung is the most recognized phone brand in emerging markets (with an 88 percent level of recognition beating out Apple's 85 percent), but if the company wants to succeed in such territories -- which is where the freshly unveiled Tizen-powered Samsung Z is thought to be pitched, following the initial Russian launch -- then it will have to up its game in terms of services and localization.

  That's the message from mobile marketing firm Upstream, which conducted a survey (in conjunction with Ovum) of developing markets entitled: The Next Mobile Frontier. The research was carried out across 4,500 consumers drawn from Brazil, China, India, Nigeria and Vietnam.

  35 percent of respondents said that mobile content is too expensive to purchase over their phone, and one in five didn't possess the necessary card, credit or debit, to enable purchasing.

  One in four said they found it difficult to find the content they want on the app stores available on their phones, and 20 percent said that content they did find wasn't in their local language.

  In other words, Samsung -- and other smartphone vendors targeting emerging markets -- needs to ensure its Tizen OS can deliver localized content with appropriate payment mechanics.

  As to what apps respondents were most keen on? Social networking was the most wanted type of app, with 82 percent engaging in this arena, followed by 81 percent in terms of music apps, 78 percent for news, and 65 percent for gaming apps.

  Health and education apps are also important for emerging markets, with 54 percent saying they would like improved access to healthcare information on their phone in the future, and 44 percent of respondents indicating they'd appreciate better access to education apps.

  Marco Veremis, CEO of Upstream, commented: "The launch of Tizen on Samsung handsets provides an exciting proposition for emerging market consumers, where accessibility to truly localized content and appropriate payment mechanics could at last become a reality. As handset manufacturers search for the most effective means of capturing brand loyalty of developing markets, they would do well to seriously assess whether the Western models used to disseminate content and services to consumers equates to fitting a round peg through a square hole".

  Veremis further noted: "Samsung may well consider working with mobile network operators, who can provide a new way for emerging market consumers to access and pay for the content they require, using their pre-paid phone credit they on their handset".

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
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  Companies need a data-centred security policy to cope with big data

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 3:42pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Big data is all the rage at the moment but when it comes to security it shouldn't be treated in isolation from the rest of the organization.

  According to a new report from research specialists Gartner, policies need to take account of all forms of data if security problems are to be avoided.

  "Businesses have traditionally managed data within structured and unstructured silos, driven by inherent requirements to deploy relational database management systems, file storage systems and unstructured file shares", says Brian Lowans, principal research analyst at Gartner. "However, the advent of big data and cloud storage environments is transforming the way in which data is stored, accessed and processed, and CISOs need to develop a data-centric security approach. Unfortunately this is not common practice today, and its planning is critical to avoid uncoordinated data security policies and management".

  Gartner recommends that CISOs need to collaborate with trusted team members across the organization to develop and manage their enterprise data security policy. This needs to define data residency requirements, stakeholder responsibilities, business needs, risk appetite, data process needs and security controls.

  Access to public cloud services complicates things further with a growing need to monitor and audit data access. Most current security solutions don't offer the data-centric audit and protection (DCAP) approach needed to work in the same way across all data silos.

  "First, CISOs need to evaluate current implementations of DCAP solutions against data security policies that address database, unstructured, cloud storage and big data silos", says Lowans. "Second, they need to identify gaps in the current implementation of their data security policies and review the risks with business stakeholders against potential DCAP solutions".

  This will need stakeholders to take on ownership of the data in many cases and work with security teams to ensure that it's properly protected. Which in turn may mean putting in place new management structures to ensure accountability.

  Gartner subscribers can access the full report and the security outlook will be discussed further at a series of Security and Risk Management summits to be held at various venues around the world later this year.

  Image Credit: Jojje / Shutterstock

  
• 

  The new industrial revolution -- machines rise up to become our equals

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 2:53pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  The Internet of Things is just the latest buzzword that is being used to push all manner of products. Let's cut to the chase -- it's just about "stuff" (other than obvious things like computers and phones) connecting to the internet. Nothing more than that. But this dismissive-sounding definition is not meant to undermine the importance or the significance of the IoT. We've spent the last 20 years or so getting used to the idea of accessing the web, harnessing what it has to offer, exploiting it in various ways and finding all manner of methods of using it to make life easier, more entertaining, and more profitable. The evolution of the Internet of Things sees this taken to the next level.

  We are on the cusp of a new industrial revolution. Many would say that the wheels are already in motion. The tired -- very, very tired -- example of what the Internet of Things is about, is the prospect of owning a fridge that will be aware of when you run out of milk, and then either alert you or place an order on your behalf. This is a very simplistic view of things, but it is the communication between devices that will be the hallmark of things to come. Inter-device communication, or machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity. Devices that can be left to their own devices (ahem) are approaching in ever-growing numbers, and there are advantages to be gained.

  A report by Westbase Technology shows just what could be gained from the spread of M2M technology, and shows that we may not have to wait all that long to start reaping the benefits. More than just a technology, M2M is predicted to become an industry in its own right -- one worth an estimated $950 billion globally by 2020. We're not quite at the stage that machines and devices are becoming sentient, but there are growing legions of hardware that can be left to self-manage whilst serving us.

  Huge savings are to be made through employing machines that can report back to us without the need for human interaction. Think security monitoring, access rights and early warning systems. Think automation -- we don’t need to sit in front of a machine to ensure that it does its job; it just does it. Now it is becoming increasingly feasible for one machine to tell another what to do, to respond to the environment and other variables. Realtime feedback can be used to increase efficiency, maximize profit and minimize the need for unreliable humans.

  We're reaching the stage at which computers and machines are not minions to be controlled by us; they are our equals and will increasingly be found working alongside us, making decisions and being trusted with responsibilities. But ultimately the machines will continue to serve us, rather than us them -- assuming there is not a robot uprising.

  The infographic below shows how the M2M industry could pan out over the next decade in Westbase Technology's vision of the future.

  
  Courtesy of: Westbase Technology

  Photo Credit: Arjoe /Shutterstock

  
• 

  Microsoft Remote Desktop for Windows Phone 8.1 receives first major update

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 2:05pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  In late-April, Microsoft introduced the much-awaited Remote Desktop app on Windows Phone 8.1, giving a small subset of its Windows Phone users, who wish to beta-test the offering, the ability to connect remotely, from their smartphones, to Windows PCs.

  The app launched with a powerful feature set, but it just received its first update which makes the experience even better. Microsoft details the first round of improvements in an MSDN blog post. The new iteration brings Remote Desktop even closer to its counterparts on Android, iOS, OS X and Windows 8.1, in terms of functionality, according to the software giant.

  To make it easier for users to connect to often-accessed Windows PCs, Remote Desktop now gives folks the option to pin such devices as live tiles on the Windows Phone 8.1 homescreen. Tapping on one initiates a connection to that Windows PC.

  Microsoft also introduced swipe support in the Remote Desktop keyboard, with predictive text input. This feature was first launched in Windows Phone 8.1 this April. The app's extended keyboard -- which makes way for "useful keys for interacting with a Windows session" -- can be shown and hidden at the tap of a button.

  Remote Desktop also adds the option to disable thumbnails for Windows PCs listed in Connection Center. The feature, when enabled, deletes the thumbnails from the Windows Phone 8.1 handset. Microsoft says this works as a way to increase privacy or have a more compact list of Windows PCs.

  To take advantage of what Windows Phone 8.1 has to offer, the Remote Desktop live tile now features transparency support, which allows it to play nicely with custom homescreen backgrounds.

  Microsoft says Remote Desktop also comes with improvements relating to touch and mouse pointer input, like panning the screen while performing touch operations, and horizontal scrolling with Windows 8.1 PCs.

  And, Microsoft also "updated the connection and disconnection experiences to provide a better and more familiar experience to long time users of Remote Desktop Connection". That means more connection details, and faster notifications, for network issues, coupled with the ability to fix such problems before initiating a connection.

  Microsoft says that it is working to bring VPN and Azure RemoteApp support "this summer", as well as "more enterprise-focused features including Remote Desktop Gateway, RD Connection Broker, and Remote Resources (RemoteApp and Desktop Connections)", but the latter will only arrive later this year.

  Microsoft Remote Desktop is available to download from Windows Phone Store.

  
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  Analyze files for malware and more with Safer Computing’s FileAlyzer

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 1:30pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  FileAlyzer is a file analysis tool from Safer Computing, the developer of Spybot -- Search & Destroy. Its focus is on helping experts check unknown executables for signs of malware, but has many other uses and applications.

  Launch the program, open an EXE and FileAlyzer opens a report window with no less than 21 tabs. It’s a little intimidating, but the initial "General" tab is gentler, focusing on a few basic details: location, size, version, create/ last access/ last write times, attributes, and a few hashes (CRC-32, MD5, SHA-1).

  The "PE Header" tab displays various details from the program header. Most can safely be ignored, but there are a few interesting items: "Machine" will tell you whether this is a 32 or 64-bit executable, for instance, while "Sub system" identifies it as a GUI or console program.

  The "PE Resources" section lists icons, bitmaps and whatever other resources the file may contain. By default these get very cryptic hex labels -- bitmap "170", "0C09"" -- but left-clicking any of these displays a preview, and a right-click menu has options to copy the resource to the clipboard, or save it to a file.

  The "Hex" tab is particularly useful if you’re trying to find out what an executable does. It opens as a standard hex viewer, enabling you to scroll through the file. Right-click and select "Search for strings", though, and FileAlyzer lists the text strings your file contains, any Registry keys, URLs, file names and GUIDs. This isn’t exhaustive -- the program may access other Registry keys, even if they’re not listed here -- but the report can still give you very useful information on a file’s purpose.

  A "VirusTotal" tab has a "Submit" button which, presumably, should send your file for analysis. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to do anything at all on our test system. FileAlyzer hasn’t been updated since 2011, so perhaps it’s just broken.

  The "Classification Sources" tab runs a search for your file hash in more places: Google, Bing, Yahoo!, Threat Expert, Comodo, and (again) VirusTotal. Annoyingly, just clicking "Classification Sources" caused FileAlyzer to hang for some time, presumably as it waited for the results. But eventually it came back to life, and this time did deliver useful results (including from VirusTotal).

  The remaining tabs gradually get more complex, listing your file NTFS streams, its function imports and exports and PE sections -- there’s even a disassembler. But if you’ve had enough, all the key file details may be exported as a text, HTML or XML report, or just copied to the clipboard for reuse wherever you like.

  FileAlyzer desperately needs an update. And it should be portable, too. Most of its features still work just fine, though, and if you ever need to analyze files on your own PC then FileAlyzer will be able to help.

  
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  Ad-Aware Free Antivirus learns to plays nice with other antivirus tools, improves malware engine

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 1:17pm CEST par Nick Peers

  LavaSoft has released Ad-Aware Free Antivirus 11.2, a significant update to the Swedish security developer’s range of free and paid-for PC security products.

  Version 11.2 tweaks its malware engine and improves the disinfection process, but also introduces a new option that enables users to install it alongside existing security software.

  The headline new feature in version 11.2 is Ad-Aware’s new capability of being installed as additional protection alongside existing security suites. Lavasoft described the update as being "designed to address the growing trend and complexities of users running multiple security solutions in an effort to enhance their level of protection".

  When users come to install Ad-Aware on their systems, the new, simplified installer will scan for existing security software -- if it’s detected and deemed "incompatible", users will be given the option of choosing a Compatible Install mode, which basically installs Ad-Aware as a second line of defense by disabling its real-time protection. Users should then regularly run scans with the program to provide an extra layer of security.

  The new build also comes with the promise of a more robust and efficient malware detection engine, better customer support options to simplify the collection of samples for analysis, an updated disinfection process and tweaked user interface.

  Paid-for users gain additional benefits: both Pro and Total users gain the promise of improved email protection -- including a new email whitelist feature, plus updated anti-spam controls. Total users also gain a revamped parental control system, which has been developed in partnership with BluePrintData.

  The update is rounded off with the usual collection of bug fixes. Ad-Aware Free Antivirus 11.2 is available now as a free-for-personal-use download for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later. Paid-for editions are also available with additional protection features.

  
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  Dirty desktops and titillating tablets -- the browsers you use to get a porn fix

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 12:56pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Porn has always been big business, and online porn accounts for a staggering proportion of web traffic. The availability of always-on internet connections in the home, and near blanket use of internet-enabled mobile phones and tablets, means that it is now easier than ever to get a porn fix if you feel the urge. But have you ever wondered how all of this porn is being accessed? Well… wonder no more! Porn site (you don’t say!) PornHub conducted research after Gizmodo expressed an interest in seeing which browsers were most used by consumers of porn, and the figures make for interesting reading.

  It perhaps comes as no surprise that desktop browsers prove the most popular. Some 51 percent of Pornhub's traffic comes from people using desktop computers. But, without wanting to put too many unpleasant images in your head, this leaves 49 percent of porn perusal that is enjoyed on mobile phones and tablets. You know, those devices that are easily transported to a quiet room and are rather easier to hold in one hand than a laptop...

  For now, let's stick with the desktop stats. It is here that Chrome rules supreme, gobbling up 44.4 percent of Pornhub's traffic, Internet Explorer coming second with 23.2 percent, and Firefox just behind with 20.1 percent. Bringing up the rear is Opera with 2.6 percent of porn traffic, while Safari accounts for 7 percent. But on mobile platforms, it's Apple's browser that takes the crown. Looking at portable porn, Safari occupies well over a third of the mobile porn browsing market -- 38.2 percent. Android stock browser -- yes, it is used -- accounts for 29.4 percent, while Chrome comes in third place.

  Focusing in on tablets, it seems that iPad users are the most interested in pornography -- 73 percent of PornHub's tablet driven traffic comes from Safari. Dirty iPad owners! Chrome takes second place with just 13.6 percent, and BlackBerry even manages to make an appearance, eating up… wait for it… 0.69 percent of traffic. On the desktop, Internet Explorer may account for less than a quarter of PornHub traffic, but those who are using this browser are keen to keep up to date it seems; more than half of users are using Internet Explorer 11.

  We'll leave you to take a look through the most popular search terms -- there's nothing too horrific here, but before looking through the list at work, keep in mind that these are searches relating to porn! -- but there are further interesting breakdowns of browser usage. Safari users may be responsible for lots of porn traffic, and this is because they are a picky bunch who have to look at lots of pages to find something they like.  On the desktop, Safari users look at an average of 9 pages per visit (more than any other browser), and the figures are very similar on mobiles and tablets, although the browser is beaten into second place in both instances.

  The most, er, easily satisfied users? On the desktop it's Opera users who are done and dusted the quickest -- 7 minutes and 31 seconds -- while on mobile devices, it is Android users who finish last. Or first, depending on how you look at it...

  Photo Credit: Feel Photo Art/Shutterstock

  
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  Motorola rolls out Android 4.4.3 KitKat, makes Moto X $100 cheaper

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 12:29pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Shortly after Google launched Android 4.4.3 and released new factory images for its Nexus devices, Motorola announced, earlier today, it too is rolling out the latest version of Android.

  The upgrade is set to reach the T-Mobile Moto X, Moto G (purchased online in US and retail in Brazil, including the 4G LTE version) and Moto E (purchased online in US), starting this week. Here is what the update includes.

  Motorola says the distribution it is rolling out improves the image quality of the Moto X cameras (users can expect "better consistency of exposure, more realistic flash coloring, and improved photos in low light conditions using front camera"), a pause/resume button on the camera viewfinder meant for video recording, and Motorola Alert for Moto X and Moto G.

  The update also adds an improved dialer, which features a new user interface and colors, enhancements related to power profiles, as well as the usual slew of improvements and fixes related to stability and security.

  Moto X Is Cheaper

  Motorola has slashed $100 off of the price of the off-contract 32 GB Moto X, making its Android flagship available for just $349.99. This deal is also valid for the Developer Edition of the Moto X, and it ends at 11:59 pm EST on June 5.

  The highlights of the 32 GB Moto X include: 4.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 720 by 1280; Motorola X8 processor (based on a 1.7 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro unit); 2 GB of RAM; 2,200 mAh battery; 10 MP back-facing camera and 2 MP front-facing shooter, both with 1080p video recording; 50 GB of Google Drive storage for two years; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 4.0 LE (Low Energy) + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate); 4G LTE and HSPA+ cellular connectivity and, now, Android 4.4.3 KitKat. The Moto X comes in at 129.4 x 65.3 x 5.7 - 10.4 mm and 130 grams.

  
• 

  Microsoft reveals impressive user numbers for everything (except Windows 8.x)

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 11:29am CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Today, during a keynote address at Computex in Taipei, Tony Prophet, corporate vice president of Windows Marketing, discussed recent Windows developments including Windows with Bing, relaxed certification requirements, Windows 8.1 Update, Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows universal apps.

  He also talked about the value of Microsoft cloud services across devices, and revealed some hugely impressive numbers relating to everything from Office 365, One Drive and Skype to Xbox Live and Bing.

  According to Prophet, there are now 4.4 million Office 365 Home subscribers, 250 million OneDrive users, 400 million active Outlook.com users, and 48 million Xbox Live members.

  In addition, he revealed Skype is handling 2 billion minutes per day, and Bing now has 18 percent share of the US search market.

  One thing he didn’t reveal was the number of Windows 8.x users. Obviously the figures he did offer all relate in some way to the cloud, but it would have been a good opportunity to throw out some new Windows 8.1 shipment numbers while discussing the tiled OS -- it’s been a while since Microsoft gave any indication of how new Windows is selling.

  As OneDrive is baked into Windows 8.x I would have expected the number of users to be slightly higher, but of course not everyone who owns the OS will make use of the cloud storage service.

  Bing’s share of the search market is much higher in the US than the rest of the world (in Europe Google has about 90 percent share) because that’s the area it puts most of its focus on.

  One other thing that was impressive about the keynote was the number of new devices on show. Nick Parker, Microsoft corporate vice president responsible for Microsoft, had nearly 40 new Windows devices on stage, including all-in-ones, laptops, 2-in-1s, tablets and smartphones, including new devices exclusively for the Chinese market.

  Photo Credit: sellingpix/Shutterstock

  
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  HP targets business users with new laptop/tablet hybrid

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 10:51am CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Mobile workforces demand devices that are powerful enough to perform a range of functions but still retain maximum portability.

  Convertible PCs that can play the role of laptop and tablet by flipping the screen around are an obvious choice. HP's latest announcement though takes a slightly different approach with a tablet that detaches completely from the keyboard to offer added flexibility.

  HP claims that the HP Pro x2 612 is its first commercial detachable PC designed from the ground up for enterprise users. It features a 12.5-inch display, a choice of Intel Core i3 and i5 processors, and dual HD webcams. Security features include HP Client Security, HP Sure Start and an optional fingerprint reader.

  "While the use of technology in business has allowed a blurring of the line that separates work and life, many businesses require updated technology that delivers a secure and satisfying experience to its employees," says Enrique Lores, senior vice president and general manager, Commercial PCs at HP. "HP continues to innovate secure business devices that allow employees to be productive and stylish wherever work -- or life -- takes them".

  The Pro x2 612 will be available in a number of configurations. You can start off with the Pro Tablet 612 on its own. This can be teamed with a slim, back-lit travel keyboard featuring a USB 3.0 port, combo audio jack and a power connector.

  Alternatively you can opt for the full-size HP Pro x2 612 Power Keyboard with embedded battery. This features VGA, RJ-45, DisplayPort and two USB 3.0 ports along with a side docking connector for the optional HP UltraSlim dock. In this configuration you have the advantage of two batteries one in the tablet and one in the keyboard. These provide a claimed eight hours and 15 minutes of battery life for the tablet and up to 14 hours and 15 minutes for the tablet and keyboard combined.

  There's also the option of a battery-free Wacom pen to allow users to write and draw accurately on the screen.

  The HP Pro x2 612 is expected to be on sale from September. No pricing is available at the moment but you can sign up to be notified of availability via the product page on the HP site.

  
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  Logitech unveils the 2014 color collection for popular mice

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 10:00am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  When it comes to fashion, there are two distinct roads a person can travel -- conformity or individuality. In other words, you can follow the trends and only wear what is popular, or buck the trends and do your own thing. Many people are perfectly happy being a fashion conformist, but others want to let their freak-flag fly.

  Believe it or not, this applies to computers and accessories too. Some people buy boring, corporate-looking laptops, while others buy ones with weird colors or slap stickers all over it. Logitech is a company that embraces a consumer's choice to be unique, as it has released many products with unique color patterns, such as mice. Today, the company continues that trend, with the 2014 color collection for some of its popular pointing devices.

  "From two-tone classics to eye-catching prints, the 2014 Logitech Color Collection adds fashionable designs to some of Logitech’s most popular mice. Colors, patterns, and models included in the collection vary by region, and all deliver compelling style with the comfort, precision, and reliability Logitech mice are known for", says the company.

  Charlotte Johs, VP of brand development at Logitech explains, "the 2014 Logitech Color Collection was designed to reflect the open expression of individuality in today's society. Colors and patterns can influence your mood and reflect your style. With our new collection's bold designs and vibrant colors, you can show the world how unique you are".

  

   

  As you can see, there are many cool new designs to choose from. Luckily, they are priced reasonably at $29.99 and will be available later this month. Which design is your favorite? Tell me in the comments.

  
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  Could you manage a network of RoboCops?

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 9:09am CEST par Alessandro Porro

  

  A remake of the 1987 sci-fi classic RoboCop has just come out on DVD. In the new version, the huge, faceless corporation known as OmniCorp dominates the futuristic world of 2028. OmniCorp controls a huge fleet of robots to keep the peace overseas, and also the eponymous 'RoboCop', Alex Murphy. This re-launch is pretty timely. Although the original film was made over 25 years ago, it ties in perfectly to a topic close to my heart in 2014: the Internet of Things.

  As I enjoyed the film, I couldn't help but wonder about the workday of OmniCorp's fictional network manager, and how his day might not be so very different to the network managers of today. What headaches might he or she have, running a fleet of robots controlled through OmniCorp's network connection?

  So, for the benefit of all self-respecting network managers and sci-fi fans out there, I've attempted to add a little Hollywood glamor to my otherwise technically-focused day and share some thoughts on the parallels and challenges between the two realities.

  Officer Down

  As with any good sci-fi film, there are plenty of explosions, with robots being destroyed left, right and center, including (spoiler alert) an epic battle between robots and RoboCop. Although in less dramatic fashion, the everyday network manager dealing with the Internet of Things has to deal with connected devices going down or losing connection. A network manager needs to ensure they have the tools in place to alert them when a small fault or communication error occurs, or if a server is reaching capacity in order to prevent any downtime affecting the network. Officer down -- send in reinforcements quickly.

  Missing in Action

  OmniCorp is able to track RoboCop's location on an interactive map on a screen as he speeds around the city on his motorbike, through a tracker on his helmet. If he becomes damaged or goes AWOL he can quickly be located and recovered. There are tools available today for network managers to do a similar task. For example, if a connected device is hogging more bandwidth than it needs, they can find its location and resolve the issue. These tools can also be used to pinpoint a fault to a geographical location -for example, a damaged access point -- in order to quickly find and resolve the issue, removing the element of guesswork.

  Disobeying commands

  When Robocop starts acting against instructions and carrying out his own vigilante justice, it causes a real headache for OmniCorp. The same can be said when users start downloading unauthorized software onto company devices -- shadow IT. Unauthorized software may not conform to the company's standards, in terms of security, and can mean that the business operates inconsistently. What OmniCorp and the real network manager would do is identify the non-conforming behavior and address it with the support of policy enforcement and disciplinary procedures.

  There are also issues when businesses use a BYOD (bring your own device) policy, rather than company-owned devices. When an employee leaves a job, they may no longer have the company's best interests at heart, and are likely to carry some important data on their device. In this instance, I believe network managers can take inspiration from RoboCop. When RoboCop gets out of control, OmniCorp is able to remotely shut him down. Network managers should make clear to all employees, that the company has the right to remotely wipe all company data from non-company owned devices.

  Protecting RoboCop

  In the film, RoboCop's crime fighting abilities are greatly enhanced by the fact that he has the entire police records downloaded into his brain, allowing him to establish a person's criminal record when he looks at them. This is an example of the capabilities of the Internet of Things, allowing devices to share information in this way. However, just like any other device containing important, confidential information, RoboCop should be secure. How different would the film be if RoboCop was hacked, and the bad guys deleted their own information from the database?

  Any network manager dealing with devices such as smartphones and tablets that leave the office should ensure that they are well-protected from any malicious attacks. This means internal as well as external attacks. Companies should ensure that users are well-educated in keeping company data safe whilst they are out and about. I wonder if RoboCop was password protected?

  Rogue robots

  With the exception of the half-human RoboCop, there are two types of robot run by OmniCorp. Luckily for them, this would make it easy to identify if anyone or anything joined the network that should not be there, or was not compatible. Network managers often struggle with a huge array of devices connecting to the network, in this age of BYOD where each employee could have five different devices in their pockets. A network could become more like OmniCorp and give the network manager an easier time, if they restrict the types of devices that are permitted to connect to the company network. Another option would be to implement a COPE (corporately owned, personally enabled) scheme, allowing employees to choose their company device from a list of pre-approved ones.

  The future

  The new RoboCop film may be a work of science fiction, but as it is set in the future it also represents a prediction of how the world could be. Whilst we are a long way away from being policed by half-human, half-robot police officers controlled by huge corporations, the film highlights the importance of the Internet of Things.

  Everything in the movie is connected; the robots are connected to the network, the network is connected to the police station records, and scientists carry portable screens that control all of the equipment in the lab. Whilst in reality this is only just starting to gather momentum, network managers should be planning now to ensure they can cope with the vast array of devices that could soon be connecting to a company network. Is the network infrastructure large, robust and secure enough? Is the correct network monitoring solution in place? And, at the end of the day, do you think you could manage a network of RoboCops?

  Alessandro Porro is the vice president of international sales at Ipswitch

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
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  The ROCCAT Tyon gaming mouse -- 16 buttons, including a dorsal fin

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 3:50am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  The evolution of the computer mouse is well documented. When the first mouse was invented, I am sure no one at the time expected to predict the insane future that gaming mice would create. For the most part, people can get by with a 2 button mouse -- hell, Apple stuck with the single-button mouse for quite a while, punishing its users for some ungodly reason. But I digress, extra buttons such as back/forward and scroll wheels are appreciated extras that many cannot live without.

  Gaming mice however, take things to a different level; the craziest I've ever seen being the Logitech G600 MMO mouse that features 20 programmable buttons. Today, ROCCAT unveils a new mouse with 16 programmable buttons, spread out across the pointing device. While that does not best the previously mentioned G600, it does have something extremely odd -- a dorsal fin. Yes, much like a dolphin, this mouse has a dorsal fin. Please let that sink in for a minute.

  "Tyon is an efficient, combat-ready weapon and an aesthetically fascinating masterpiece in one.  It provides the simplest access to the most features in a gaming mouse, reduces the need to make hand adjustments on the keyboard with the ROCCAT X-Celerator and Dorsal Fin, and is exceptionally comfortable with exhaustively tested button placement schemes", says ROCCAT.

  The manufacturer further explains these unique features, "X-Celerator and Dorsal Fin technology eliminates the frustration of being shackled to the myriad of keyboard commands by shifting major functions from the keyboard to the Tyon.  The X-Celerator is a two-way analog stick that allows gamers to throttle, sprint, rotate tank turrets, and more directly from their mice. Dorsal Fin is a two-click button placed behind the mouse wheel that provides comfortable mid-finger gaming action and increases mouse functionality".

  The company touts the following features:

  • 8200 dpi pro aim (r3) laser sensor
  • X-celerator thumb paddle
  • Dorsal fin switch
  • Roccat easy-shift on-the-fly button duplicator
  • 16.8m multicolor illumination customizable two-level light system
  • Tracking & distance control unit
  • 16 mouse buttons
  • 32-bit processor + 576kb memory

  So, do gamers really need a mouse with a dorsal fin? Need? No. Want? Maybe, depending on how it works in actual practice. When it comes to mice, even gaming mice, I still want comfort and sensibility when not gaming. I am fearful that the dorsal fin button could be an annoyance in day-to-day use. Of course, I am basing this solely on images -- my fears may be for naught if I hold it in my hand.

  

  Other than the dorsal fin button, there are other cool features too. The body is sweat proof, so if you are in a heated death match, it should hopefully keep your palm dry. You can even change the accent lighting on the pointing device too.

  If you want a mouse that shares something in common with Flipper, this may be the one for you. In all seriousness though, if you watch the below video, the Tyon looks incredible. The suggested price is listed as  €99.99 EUR which equates to about $135 USD. However, it is very likely that the USD price will be $99.99.

  What do you think of the Tyon mouse? Tell me in the comments.

  
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  Google Hangouts 'button' available for apps and websites

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 3:17am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Google Hangouts has become the chat standard for many of us. Long gone are the days of Aol Instant Messenger or MSN Messenger. If I want to chat with a friend, family member or coworker, I choose Google's service. It's not necessarily better than any other, but its value is in its ubiquity.

  Today, Google expands the availability of access to the platform with the all-new Hangouts Button. This button allows one-click access to your desired chat buddy.

  "Whether you’re a sales rep working in a CRM app or an engineer in a project management tool, it only takes one click to launch a Hangout and your team will automatically be invited. You can even improve customer service with the ability to quickly launch into a video Hangout with a client to resolve an issue", says Stephen Cho, Head of Google Apps and Hangouts Technology Partnerships.

  Cho further explains, "With this new Hangouts button, apps everywhere will let colleagues, partners, and customers meet face-to-face anytime, anywhere, and work more effectively together with just one click. A number of our early partners have already enriched their applications with Hangouts".

  While Hangouts is great for its ubiquity, the Hangouts Button's value is in its simplicity. Google has made it so easy to start a chat, be it video, text or voice, that its partners are already successfully using it.

  A great example is a company using it for job interviews. Imagine it -- an HR manager launching a face to face job interview with the click of a button. This not only allows applicants to easily interview from far distances, but it retains safety by keeping strangers off the premises.

  Of course, it also allows easier access to employee collaboration and discussion. Let's face it, more and more companies have fragmented satellite offices nowadays and video chat is the most cost effective method for projects that demand a synergistic approach.

  Could you see a benefit to this button in your personal or business life? Tell me in the comments.

  
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  Google offers End-To-End encryption with new alpha Chrome extension

  Publié: juin 4, 2014, 2:04am CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Today, Google took the wraps off a new security tool for Chrome users. Currently available as an alpha release, End-To-End is an extension for Google's browser that offers... well... end-to-end encryption for data arriving in and departing from Chrome. As this is only an alpha version, the extension is not currently available in the Chrome Web Store, but Google has made the code available so the privacy-conscious and security-minded can take it for a test drive.

  Based on OpenPGP and a newly developed, JavaScript-based crypto library, End-to-End can be used to encrypt, decrypt, digitally sign, and verify signed messages. Google is keen to receive feedback -- discover a problem and you could cash in, thanks to the Vulnerability Reward Program. In a post on the Google Online Security Blog, Stephan Somogyi, Product Manager, Security and Privacy explains that "we recognize that this sort of encryption will probably only be used for very sensitive messages or by those who need added protection. But we hope that the End-To-End extension will make it quicker and easier for people to get that extra layer of security should they need it".

  Releasing the source code for a project such as this is a risk, but it is one that Google recognizes. The project home page acknowledges that there is nothing to stop people from compiling the code and submitting it to the Chrome Web Store, but implores "please don’t do this". Eventually, End-To-End will receive an official release, but in the meantime the team is asking that the code is used responsibly:

  The End-To-End team takes its responsibility to provide solid crypto very seriously, and we don't want at-risk groups that may not be technically sophisticated — journalists, human-rights workers, et al -- to rely on End-To-End until we feel it's ready. Prematurely making End-To-End available could have very serious real world ramifications.

  Security has become a real headline grabber over the last couple of years, and on June 5 Reset the Net aims to encourage and educate web users about online security and privacy. Tools such as End-To-End are welcomed with open arms.

  Image Credit: Graham Stewart / Shutterstock

  
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  XP users feel no great rush to upgrade

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 9:34pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  If Microsoft expected XP users to desert the aging OS once support officially came to an end, the tech giant will no doubt have been sorely disappointed. Although XP’s market share has fallen in the two months since it reached end of life, the 13 year old operating system remains hugely popular.

  According to Net Applications, from March to May, XP lost just 2.42 percent market share, and is still to be found on over a quarter of all Windows systems. Windows 7 gained 1.29 percent in the same time period, to break the 50 percent barrier, and Windows 8.x increased its share by 1.34 percent for a not so grand total of 12.64 percent. Statista has put together a little graph showing how little end of support has changed XP’s popularity.

  You could look at the numbers and say if XP continues to fall at the rate it currently is, and Windows 8.x continues to gain market share at the same rate it has over the past two months, that by the end of the year new Windows could have overtaken old Windows, but in reality I think what will happen is XP will stabilize and migrations will slow once users stop worrying about the risks of running an OS without security support.

  Last month’s Internet Explorer vulnerability might have forced more users to move on from XP, had Microsoft not opted to issue an out-of-band security update covering the older OS (which was the right thing to do in my opinion). That action may be a one off, it may not -- it will depend on the seriousness of future flaws -- but it will certainly have comforted some XP users and maybe convinced them to hold off upgrading for just a while longer.

  The truth is, if you’re still using XP after all this time and haven’t been tempted by Vista, Windows 7 or 8.x, you’re probably not going to be rushed into upgrading by something like a lack of security updates. In fact, the two XP users I personally know don’t usually bother to install any updates. One told me, "I think after thirteen years they’ve probably found all the really bad bugs by now anyway".

  If you are still using XP, there’s always this way of getting free security updates, although Microsoft would rather you didn’t.

  
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  Logitech X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker will play your summer jams

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 9:24pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  We are getting so close to summer in New York, that I can feel it. No really, the hot sun has been shining down on my head and my legs have felt the breeze since I started wearing shorts. Unfortunately, even though the temperatures have been getting warmer, it is not quite beach weather. However, laying on the sand and drinking lemonade is right around the corner.

  No beach party or backyard barbecue is complete without some jamming tunes, like "Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baja Men or "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Of course, you will need a good speaker to play that music, as the one in your smartphone is not going to cut it. Luckily, Logitech has just launched a new Bluetooth audio system that is ready to play the soundtrack to your good times, the X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker.

  "Engineered for wide-range sound, the Logitech X300 Mobile Wireless Stereo Speaker has specially angled drivers to give you an expansive sound spectrum, with precise bass response and detailed mids and highs. With this speaker, you can connect and play your music and video entertainment from any Bluetooth-enabled device up to 30 feet away, giving you the freedom to take your media anywhere", says Logitech.

  The company further explains, "the speaker is simple to connect and control. You can adjust volume and manage phone calls without missing a beat. Plus, with the speaker’s built-in lithium-ion battery, you can keep yourself entertained with up to five hours of continuous playtime, and recharging is easy and convenient thanks to its micro-USB cable".

  

  The X300 will be available later this month for an extremely reasonable $69.99 and you can pre-order here. It will come in four color options -- Black/Gold, Red, Blue and White/Purple. Besides being a speaker, it also houses a microphone to double as a speakerphone, which further adds to the value. If you need a portable speaker, Logitech is a dependable company with a history of producing great products, so you should definitely check it out.

  What are your favorite summertime party songs? Tell me in the comments.

  
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  Top developers just don't care about Windows Phone

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 7:48pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  With the arrival of Windows Phone 8.1, the tiled smartphone operating system has gained a significant number of great new features, turning into a much more powerful and able rival to the more-popular Android and iOS. But, no matter how good it may be, top developers still treat Windows Phone as a second-tier platform, that seemingly warrants little to no attention.

  Windows Phone head Joe Belfiore has spoken of the so-called app-gap going away. Well, sorry, Joe, that is not going to happen. Tough luck. Deal with it. Why? Because top tier developers still release the latest features on Android and iOS first, leaving Windows Phone users waiting, and waiting, and then waiting some more for the "cutting-edge" to arrive -- that is, if that ever happens and the app is not abandoned in the meantime.

  Case in point is Instagram. Its latest app updates, which bring some much-needed and capable photo-editing tools, are only arriving on Android and iOS today. The Windows Phone app is still stuck in the dark ages, with no video recording available, support for Instagram Direct or even its own in-app camera user interface. It is pathetic.

  Sure, some Windows Phone fanboys will say that Instagram is an app that they do not care about, that there may be better third-party clients out there, that the service is only used by hipsters and so on. Wrong (as always). Windows Phone users are craving to be part of the photo-sharing community. It is in the top 10 free Windows Phone apps (number nine, at the time of writing this article) in the US Store, which suggests Instagram's lack of commitment to the platform is not due to low user interest levels.

  Yet, Instagram simply does not care about Windows Phone users. Instead, it is choosing to devote most -- if not all -- of its attention on providing a better experience to Android and iOS users, who indeed top Windows Phone users in numbers and, therefore, importance. But maybe Instagram is saying something about Windows Phone in the blog post, no? Well, there is not even a single mention of the tiled smartphone OS. I do not imagine the person who wrote the announcement even said "I think I am forgetting something".

  Even Nokia X users are getting a better official Instagram app. It launched today, and it can record videos from within the app (let alone take snaps) and also supports Instagram Direct. You know, the sort of features that are already available in the Android app, which is what Nokia X users are getting. And, because of that, it can be argued that, in a way, Nokia X is superior as a platform to Windows Phone, because users are effectively getting better apps. And, on Nokia's Conversations blog, no one has to make any excuses of it sucking at features, because it is not a beta like the Windows Phone app continues to be today, more than six months after its official release.

  Instagram is, sadly, not an isolated case. In mid-May, WhatsApp pulled its app from Windows Phone Store without providing any immediate explanation. And it is not like the experience has been stellar prior to this. It only came back at the end of last week. That would have been unacceptable on Android or iOS, but it was OK for WhatsApp to operate like that on Windows Phone, because, you know, it just does not care about the latter -- and its users -- as much.

  I could also point towards other major developers -- like Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter -- as they are doing something similar. Windows Phone 8.1 support is abysmal (and, even when support is fine, there are other pieces which are not working well), even though this version was launched, for beta testing purposes, in mid-April. I am still waiting for a bunch of developers to commit to Windows Phone, but in the meantime I have to unlock my Google Nexus 7 to get things done. This is a sad place to be in, both for us, the users, and Microsoft, which has finally done something right yet the developers it wants to lure, or keep committed, to the platform are looking the other way. It reminds me of a Michael Jackson song, They Don't Care About Us. And, we cannot do much about it.

  Photo Credit: PathDoc/Shutterstock

  
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  Flash! We’ve only got 336 hours to save the world from a powerful computer attack!

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 7:46pm CEST par Claire Woffenden

  

  Do we really have just two weeks before we're hit by a powerful computer attack?

  According to Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA), internet users have a fortnight before the world’s nastiest cybercriminals will be ready to strike back after suffering a major setback this week.

  On Monday, it was announced that the good guys in security had disrupted and disabled a global botnet and a ransomware scheme that the bad guys had been using to steal billions from businesses and consumers worldwide.

  The international operation knocked out the servers used by hackers to control financial botnet GameOver Zeus and ransomware scheme Cryptolocker. Meanwhile, Russian hacker Evgeniy Bogachev has been acccused of being the main ringleader behind the cybercrime operation and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

  Following the news, the NCA issued the advice that there is a "unique two-week opportunity" for the UK public to get their machines safe and secure from a powerful computer attack, but failed to explain exactly why.

  What will happen in two weeks? Is the clock ticking down from 336 hours to a moment when all our computers will do something crazy?

  I spoke to the NCA to find out more and a spokesman explained: "The operation has taken out one of the key botnets used by criminals and disrupted their time. The two-week guide is based on the likely time frame before they find their way around it".

  So basically, we have two weeks where the criminals are scurrying around getting their houses back in order where we can do things to our computers to make them safe without any potential interference.

  More than 15,000 machines in the UK are believed to have been infected by GameOverZeus so it is of course important that they get rid of any infection and prevent themselves from future attacks. But I can’t help feeling that the NCA has caused a bit of a panic with its 'two-week' warning.

  Yes, it is useful that we are regularly reminded to update anti-virus software, keep operating systems up to date, and use a secure firewall, but following on from eBay’s password change and the recent Heartbleed bug, essentially telling the UK public that it is two weeks away from a cyber attack seems a strange approach.

  It’s not just me that thinks this, according to security expert Graham Cluley, he’d rather the NCA was a bit clearer with its advice.

  "What's odd about the NCA's 'two week' advice is that they don't appear to have explained WHY people only have two weeks to take action", says Cluley. "Notably, there is no reference to the two week deadline in any of the US's pronouncements about GameOver Zeus, so there is a question mark over why the next 14 days are so essential for UK victims, but not apparently the rest of the world".

  "My guess is that the malware looks for new control servers every few weeks, and that although the authorities have disrupted some of the criminal infrastructure there will be an opportunity for the bad guys to send infected PCs new commands in the near future. I'd really like it if the message was a little clearer, if only to quash those of us who are fatigued by multiple cybersecurity warnings in the past".

  Good security should be followed at all times, but there’s the danger with sensational headlines that we may become ambivalent to future warnings.

  
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  Google Chrome ships early versions for Windows 64-bit, promises better speed, stability and security

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 7:46pm CEST par Nick Peers

  

  In a move that could -- and maybe should -- have happened years ago, Google has finally released native 64-bit Windows builds into the Chrome release channel. While not yet available to stable or beta channel users, those wishing to take full advantage of their 64-bit processors can do so with the release of Google Chrome 37 Dev and Google Chrome Canary 37.

  The 64-bit builds -- according to Google -- hit the spot with its three "core principles": speed, security and stability.

  In releasing these builds, Google notes that the majority of users running Windows 7 or later are now using the 64-bit versions of Windows, a decade or so after AMD and Intel first started the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit computing with their first 64-bit processors.

  The new builds of Chrome will naturally prove faster thanks to various technological benefits found in 64-bit computing -- Google claims the 64-bit builds will perform up to 25 percent faster, particularly when rendering graphics and multimedia thanks to 64-bit optimizations including a more modern instruction set and the ability to pass more function parameters quickly.

  Chrome 64-bit will also be able to take full advantage of OS security technologies such as High Entropy ASLR, which prevents non-randomized images containing executable code from being used to exploit vulnerabilities. The extra 32 bits also make the browser more resilient to exploitation techniques such as JIT spraying, which circumvents DEP and address-space randomization protections. It also helps boost existing security defensive features.

  Google also claims that the new 64-bit builds show a "marked increase in stability" over the 32-bit builds, even in their current pre-release states. One given example sees crash rates via the renderer process almost halve.

  Google Chrome 37 Dev and Google Chrome Canary 37 are both available now for Windows, Mac and Linux. 64-bit builds for Linux have existed for some time, while Google is nearly into its sixth year of development on a 64-bit Mac version.

  
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  Control web access across your network with NxFilter

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 7:42pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Install most security suites and you’ll get some form of web filter, blocking sites according to their content, a blacklist, or both. This works well enough on a single PC, but performance can be an issue, and it’s not going to help if you need to protect your whole network.

  NxFilter is a DNS-based web filter, so there’s no text-based content filtering. But the program can block access to websites based on domain, category, user, time, quota and more. There’s built-in phishing protection, updated every two hours, while packet inspection can detect malware and bots. One installation can protect your entire network -- and it can all be yours for free.

  Setup isn’t always straightforward. You’re left to decide how and where you configure your system (or network) DNS servers, and while this makes sense, even the web tutorial doesn’t walk you through every detail. It’s still not difficult -- if you’ve created or managed a Windows network then you won’t have much trouble -- but if you’re a network novice then it may take a while to figure things out.

  Get NxFilter running on one PC, though, and it brings benefits right away, blocking known phishing sites and using packet inspection to detect some malware. A browser-based console displays stats on web traffic, blocked domains and more, as well as logging your internet activities.

  If you need more control, it’s possible to create NxFilter policies which block sites by category (75 in total), or only allow access to particular site categories -- or all internet access -- for a certain amount of time a day. A built-in netflow collector means you’re able to set bandwidth limits, too.

  Your policies can then be applied to individual network users, or groups of users. And you’re even able to assign policies based on a time range, so for example an office might have a very loose policy at lunchtime, but something much more restrictive for the rest of the day.

  If you’re thinking this sounds extremely flexible, then you’d be right: but it’s just the start. If the default site blocking isn’t enough, NxFilter supports adding domains manually, or grabbing the blacklist from Shalla List or www.urlblacklist.com. You get a stack of configuration options, there’s even support for authenticating users via LDAP and Active Directory (as well as password and IP address), all while delivering great performance (the developer claims NxFilter can handle "several thousands of users easily", and we wouldn’t disagree).

  Again, there is some complexity involved here, if only because of the lengthy feature list, and configuring NxFilter takes some time and thought. But if you can manage a PC network then you shouldn’t have much trouble, and what you’ll get for your efforts is one of the most capable and configurable free web filters around.

  
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  Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro: A good ultrabook that also works as a tablet [Review]

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 4:39pm CEST par James Morris

  

  Lenovo seems to be hedging its bets in the exciting new world of tablet-Ultrabook hybrids. The company offers models where the screen is removable, like the ThinkPad Helix, and also where it rotates, like the ThinkPad Yoga. The Yoga 2 Pro is the latest non-corporate version of the latter. The basic concept is the same as the ThinkPad Yoga, but it moves the genre forward considerably in one key area.

  The primary step forward is the screen, which has a whopping resolution of 3,200 x 1,800. This is even greater than the considerable 2,560 x 1,440 offered by Dell's XPS 11 2-in-1 Ultrabook, although the Yoga 2 Pro has a larger 13.3-inch display, like Toshiba's KIRA 101. It's an IPS screen, too, so doesn't suffer from the viewing angle issues of the cheaper TN variety, with the display clear from every position. Detail is superb, although colour is a little more muted than we would have expected.

  The usual issues with these new ultra-high resolution panels remain, however. The bundled Windows 8.1 apps are scaled accordingly, but software without direct support can suffer from ludicrously small dialog boxes and tiddly icons, as well as tiny text. The latest versions will catch up, and this is hardly Lenovo's fault, but it can make software fiddly to use, as the icons are so small you need extreme care to click on them properly.

  Inside, the Yoga 2 Pro is mostly up-to-date whilst being nothing special. The processor comes from Intel's latest Haswell range, in the shape of an ultra-low voltage 15W Core i5 4200U. This runs at a nominal 1.6GHz, but Turbo Boost allows a single core to lift to 2.6GHz, and both cores to reach 2.3GHz with a power increase to 25W. Hyper-Threading turns the two physical cores into four virtual ones. This is a decent if unexceptional CPU for this class of Ultrabook, and a choice we have already seen in a number of recent portables.

  However, Lenovo has only supplied the Yoga 2 Pro with 4GB of 1,600MHz DDR3 SDRAM as standard, which we now consider rather meagre, with 8GB a more comfortable option. Lenovo does also ship models with 8GB allied to a Core i7 4500U starting at £100 more, so this could be worth the extra outlay. The Core i5 processor also supplies the graphics. This is Intel's HD Graphics 4400, which sports 20 execution units, 25 per cent more than Intel HD Graphics 4000, although the maximum frequency is just 1GHz.

  In the production models currently on sale in the UK, storage comes in the shape of a 256GB or 512GB solid state disk (our £1000 price in the product box refers to the 256GB option). However, our sample was supplied with a 128GB Samsung unit, which is a little limited now that Ultrabooks are regularly supplied with twice as much. So the 256GB models are definitely a welcome baseline, although you pay quite a premium for the 512GB unit.

  

  As a Ultrabook, the Yoga 2 Pro shows few signs of compromise for its hybrid double-life. The Chiclet-style keyboard is reasonably comfortable, and whilst the smooth key surface and relatively shallow action don't make it the perfect typist's companion, it's in a different league to the Dell XPS 11 2-in-1 Ultrabook's keyboard. Our one criticism is the central placement of the trackpad, although we didn't suffer any issues with random pointer movement as a result.

  

  Of course, the Yoga's party trick is its rotating screen, which folds all the way over so that it faces outwards away from the keyboard rather than into it. This turns the Yoga 2 Pro into a somewhat large tablet. At 1.39kg, it's a heavy one, too, and the keyboard on the back makes it feel a little odd to hold. If you want to browse the web on a couch, making more comfortable use of the touchscreen, the Yoga 2 Pro will fit the bill. But if you are likely to use the tablet mode as much or more than the Ultrabook one, we would recommend the removable screen variety of hybrid like the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix or Asus Transformer Book T100.

  

  The Yoga 2 Pro isn't particularly bristling with connectivity. There's only a sync-and-charge USB 2.0 port and a combo headphone and microphone minijack on the right, although a volume rocker and screen orientation lock can also be found alongside. The left is home to a single USB 3.0 port, microHDMI, and the SD card slot. The Intel Wireless-N 7260 chipset supplies 802.11a, b and n Wi-Fi, but not the most recent ac standard.

  

  With its relatively modest ultra-low voltage CPU, the Yoga 2 Pro is no mobile powerhouse. However, the result of 2.32 in Cinebench R11.5's rendering test is decent enough, with the OpenGL score of 20.31 very respectable for this class of machine. Similarly, the Yoga 2 Pro managed 921 in Futuremark's 3DMark11 and 615 in the Firestrike 1.1 portion of 3DMark. Neither imply significant gaming ability, but they are also more than adequate for a Ultrabook.

  

  The result of 1,746 in the Home portion of Futuremark PC Mark 8 is relatively mediocre, although it does beat Dell's XPS 11 2-in-1 Ultrabook. Similarly, the score of 2,627 in the Work test surpasses the Dell, but is on the low side in general, with Toshiba's KIRA 101, for example, being noticeably more potent. The Yoga 2 Pro is also a little under par for battery life, although not by enough to be too critical. In Power Save mode, it managed 305 minutes of the PC Mark 8 Home test, achieving a score of 1,300. This is about an hour behind the best portables we have tested recently. You could expect more than this in less strenuous circumstances, but a full working day will require frugal activity. The Yoga 2 Pro lasted just 137 minutes in our strenuous Battery Eater test, too, underlining the system's mediocre battery life.

  

  Verdict

  The Yoga 2 Pro isn't the perfect choice as a tablet, and it also has a battery life that is slightly behind current competitors. However, the screen is incredible, and hasn't contributed to a hugely high price. With decent abilities as a Ultrabook, the hybrid tablet abilities are almost a bonus addition. Nevertheless, you will be better off buying it as a Ultrabook you can occasionally use as a tablet, rather than for a balance of the two. And if you can do without the tablet features and have a bit more to spend,Toshiba's KIRA 101 provides a more capable Ultrabook-only alternative.

  Specifications

  Manufacturer and Model	Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
  Processor	1.6GHz Intel Core i5-4200U
  RAM	4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
  Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 4400
  Storage	256GB solid state disk
  Optical disc	None
  Display	13.3in IPS Touch TFT with 3,200 x 1,800 pixels
  Networking	802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
  Interfaces	1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, microHDMI, combo headphone / microphone, SD card reader.
  Width x Depth x Height	330 x 220 x 15.5mm
  Weight	1.39kg
  Warranty	1 years RTB warranty

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Symantec's cloud storage experiment fails completely -- Norton Zone set to close

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 2:38pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  While there’s certainly no shortage of cloud storage solutions to choose from, Norton Zone’s appeal -- on paper at least -- is the security it offers users. Content is encrypted when uploaded and stored in Symantec’s own secure data center, and the service automatically scans files for malware before they can be downloaded. As is fairly typical, you get 5GB of storage for free.

  Or rather you did. Symantec has made the decision to discontinue Norton Zone and wind down support of the service over the next 30 to 60 days.

  As for the reason, in an email sent to customers, the company says: "At Symantec, we continually scrutinize our portfolio to make sure we’re delivering innovative solutions that captivate our customers and give you the most value. In reviewing the Norton Zone service, we looked at competitive solutions available today, our differentiation, and how well we addressed your emerging needs. While Norton Zone is an innovative, new offering, it is not yet solving your needs fully".

  And now it never will.

  Norton Zone customers will have access to their files for the next 60 days. For the first 30 days, the files can be accessed from any device, but after July 7, mobile support will be switched off, so the files can only be accessed from a Windows or Mac computer. All the service’s features, like sharing, will be switched off then too. After August 6, files and related data, like file names, will be permanently deleted.

  The email sent to customers explains how to go about moving your files to another service, and also explains that subscribers will automatically be refunded the paid amount in full.

  Cloud storage is a tough market to break into, and just having a known name isn’t enough to challenge existing players, as Symantec’s utter failure to get so much as a toe hold clearly proves.

  
• 

  US Department of Defense gives nod of approval to five Samsung Galaxy devices

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 2:22pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  South Korean manufacturer Samsung announced, earlier today, that five of its Knox-enabled Galaxy smartphones and tablets have been approved by the US Department of Defense for use on its unclassified defense networks.

  The devices in question are the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition, running Android 4.4 KitKat, with Knox 1.x in tow. The company's latest smartphone flagship, the Galaxy S5, as well as other Android handsets sporting Knox 2.x have not received the nod of approval from the DOD, which would have allowed them to be included in the Defense Information System Agency's Approved Product List (APL).

  Devices part of APL are, according to Samsung, labeled as "multi-function mobile devices to support secure mobility for the US Armed Forces, US Government agencies and security-sensitive organizations". In Samsung's case, the key to meet the APL entry requirements is Knox. The BYOD-friendly solution, which was introduced in late-February 2013 to boost enterprise adoption of Galaxy devices, has allowed the aforementioned Android smartphones and tablets to comply with over one hundred requirements, that Samsung says range from "encryption to intrusion detection to key exchange to support for secure networking standards".

  "More than just our industry leading mobile devices, the addition of these five devices to the APL with the KNOX Platform, brings together the holistic B2B vision of Samsung to lead the market in hardware and software integrated based secure mobility and user experience for the benefit of the US Government in delivering on their mission", says Samsung senior vice president of KNOX Business, IT & Mobile Communications Division Injong Rhee. "Moreover, it is the unique combination of security and interoperability that enables Samsung to meet the DoD’s rigorous requirements with an unparalleled selection of commercial off-the-shelf devices, pre-approved for U.S. military and federal use".

  This is certainly good news for Samsung. Much like BlackBerry did years ago, the South Korean maker is putting down roots within US government agencies, and opening itself up to more government sales. The latter may not be as high as on the consumer side, but it gives Samsung staying power.

  Photo Credit: Paul Stringer/Shutterstock

  
• 

  SanDisk hopes to win the hearts (and wallets) of gamers with Extreme PRO SSD

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 2:15pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Believe it or not, system builders are a diverse set. Some people focus on looks, others on performance and some on value. However, gamers are typically the ones that push the boundaries with performance and high-costs when building rigs. While some people will write-off video games as a silly time waster, they are actually a vital driver of personal computing innovation. Hell, it is also good financially for the hardware business -- new games need better hardware and gamers are willing to pay to play.

  Beyond expensive video cards and overclocked CPUs and RAM, gamers are constantly looking for a way to gain an edge. Anything that can make a game load faster, even by seconds, is extremely attractive to them. Today, SanDisk announces the Extreme PRO SSD -- a storage solution for gamers that want to utilize SATA III rather than much costlier options. PlayStation 4 owners will want to take notice too.

  "With sequential read speeds of 550 megabytes/second (MB/S) and write speeds of up to 520 MB/s, the SanDisk Extreme PRO loads and runs graphics-intensive applications and game levels in a heartbeat. Additionally, by offering up to 1TB-Class of capacity, the SanDisk Extreme PRO SSD provides the space needed to store even the biggest programs, games or files, and load them blazingly fast -- transforming any PC or console into a serious gaming machine", says SanDisk.

  Kevin Conley, SVP, SanDisk says, "building off the success of our award-winning SanDisk Extreme II, the new SanDisk Extreme PRO leverages the latest developments in our innovative nCache Pro Technology to enable 24x7, real-world drive performance and responsiveness. With its ability to deliver consistently fast computing backed by the industry’s first 10-year limited warranty, the Extreme PRO SSD delivers the performance, trusted reliability and value that enthusiasts and professionals expect from SanDisk".

  Whoa, a 10-year warranty? Yup, that alone is a killer feature for an SSD. To offer such a long warranty signals the company's confidence in the reliability and longevity of the drive. Of course, the privilege of owning such an SSD comes at a price -- 240GB  ($189), 480GB ($369), and 960GB ($599). If you do decide to spend the money, you won't have to wait long, these drives will be available later this month.

  Will you buy it? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  Olympus has fallen: Microsoft and the FBI take down Zeus botnet

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 2:10pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Microsoft has a digital crimes unit, which it has utilized to systematically go after botnets around the world. The company claims several victories, but none is likely as big as the one now unveiled.

  Zeus, an especially troubling entity, has been taken down by a combination of the Microsoft DCU and the US FBI. The company announces that the game is now over for "GameOver", a variant of Zeus (also known as Zbot).

  "We’re pleased to announce that Microsoft, working closely with the FBI and industry partners, has taken action to remove malware, so that infected computers can no longer be used for harm", says Microsoft's Richard Domingues Boscovich, assistant general counsel.

  If you have not heard of GameOver, it is a form of malware designed to steal passwords and, according to security researchers at Dell, it was the most active banking trojan in 2013. It uses peer-to-peer technology, making it much harder to track.

  In the move, an FBI-led team took down some of the command and control infrastructure, which it claims was "linked to domains generated by the malware and registered by the cyber-criminals". The domains were seized, however Microsoft did not file a lawsuit, as it has done in past cases.

  Security researcher Graham Cluely has learned that the US Department of Justice filed criminal charges against the alleged leader, a Russian hacker known as Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev. Cluely writes that "the US Department of Justice claims that since GameOver Zeus first appeared in September 2011, it has resulted in an eye-watering $100 million of losses". He also proceeds to list various names the hacker used online.

  In a statement, Boscovich claims "Microsoft’s role in this technical action was to conduct analysis on the P2P network and develop a cleaning solution. Also, through an additional feed from Shadow Server, we are able to augment our visibility into the number of impacted IP addresses that feed into Microsoft’s Cyber-Threat Intelligence Program (C-TIP), and work closely with global Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Internet service providers (ISPs) to help owners of compromised computers regain control of their systems. Based upon these actions, it is anticipated that the cybercriminals’ business model will be disrupted, and they will be forced to rebuild their criminal infrastructure. More importantly, victims of GameOver Zeus have been, and will continue to be, notified and their infected computers cleaned to prevent future harm".

  Microsoft boasts that this is the second botnet it has taken out since the opening of its Cybercrime Center last November. The company previously brought down ZeroAccess in December of 2013. No doubt others are being monitored for future action.

  Image Credit: Angelo Ferraris / Shutterstock

  
• 

  The irresistible rise of the Windows phone

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 1:26pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Android may be the dominant force in the smartphone market, but according to mobile advertising specialist Vserv Windows is surging forward as a mobile OS.

  As prices of smartphones continue to fall, making them more popular across global markets, this is good for the whole market and Vserv sees the adoption of the next generation of Windows-based phones as being all but guaranteed.

  Windows Phone shipments are expected to reach 121 million by 2018 with Nokia leading the way. There's also an increase in developer interest in the Windows platform with a higher percentage saying they plan to adopt Windows than any other platform. There are already some 250,000 apps available on the Windows store and there have been more than 4 billion downloads to date.

  Microsoft's collaboration with Nokia has seen the Finnish brand become the leading hardware for the Windows Phone OS. The Vserv blog notes that, "While the journey has been tough, the collaboration with Nokia paved way and led to a great 2013, with analysts expecting the Windows Phone platform to cross 100M devices by 2014 and become the 3rd largest OS in the world. The OS has outsold iPhone in 24 markets including India, Malaysia and South Africa which stands as a clear indication that it is set to take this space by storm".

  The company has created an infographic charting the rise of Windows Phone and where it's headed which you can see below.

  

  
• 

  Android 4.4.3 KitKat available now, here's how you can install it

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 12:44pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Google Nexus 4, 5, 7 and 10 users are in for a treat, as Android 4.4.3 KitKat is now rolling out. The latest version of the operating system is also available to customers of US mobile operator T-Mobile, which has revealed the sort of changes users can expect from the upgrade.

  Android 4.4.3 KitKat is not a major upgrade over its predecessor, as T-Mobile says there are no new features in tow, but only improvements related to security and the customary fixing of bugs. The US mobile operator lists the upgrade as rolling out starting June 2, for its Nexus-toting customers.

  As Nexus fans may know, shortly after the roll-out commences, links for the OTA (Over-The-Air) upgrade files are usually captured. At the time of writing this article, the only Android 4.4.3 KitKat OTA link that we are aware of -- courtesy of Android Police -- is for the 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7. It is meant to be used to upgrade the slate from Android 4.4.2 build number KOT49H. The new build number is KTU84L.

  Android 4.4.3 KitKat is also available via Google's factory images and AOSP (Android Open-Source Project), the former of which have been released for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, 2012 Wi-Fi Nexus 7, 2012 3G Nexus 7, 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. The 2013 4G LTE Nexus 7 still awaits an Android 4.4.3 KitKat factory image release.

  If you want to install Android 4.4.3 KitKat on your compatible Nexus device, via a factory image, you can follow this step-by-step guide. To achieve the same effect, but by making use of an OTA file, check out this other step-by-step guide. Using the latter method, I just upgraded my 2013 Wi-Fi Nexus 7. As far as I can tell, the upgrade is indeed more of a under-the-hood one.

  Photo Credit: Mihaita Bamburic

  
• 

  Jovial Notepad is a very lightweight Notepad replacement

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 12:43pm CEST par Mike Williams

  

  Jovial Notepad is a portable Notepad replacement, exceptionally small (32KB download, a single 64KB executable) yet still managing to cram in plenty of interesting features.

  The program looks at first much like the standard Notepad, but you’ll soon spot some differences. URLs become highlighted and clickable as you type them; the status bar displays the date, a character and line count; and a Symbols menu allows you to enter useful symbols (copyright, pi, degrees, various currencies) in a couple of clicks.

  Jovial Notepad is based around Windows’ Rich Text control, rather than the plain text version, which means you also get some core WordPad features. In particular, select some of your text and you can set its font and color, highlight it, create a bulleted list, even drag and drop it elsewhere in your document.

  Editing features are otherwise more Notepad-like; that is, there are hardly any at all. You get an option to apply various case conversions (all lower, ALL UPPER, Title Case), but that’s about it.

  One unusual plus is an option to encrypt and decrypt the currently selected text. This is implemented a little strangely -- you have to enter your encryption key in the Edit menu itself -- but once you understand the basics, it’s easy enough to use.

  We were pleased to see the program had built-in XML and SQL syntax highlighting, too. Until we tried the feature, anyway, and found it was inconsistent, at best. (It typically didn’t highlight much, and selecting it on a non-XML document corrupted the text.)

  A built-in Math Evaluator also has its problems. Select a simple math expression in your document, right-click, select "Math Evaluator" and it displays the results: great. But we’re not quite sure exactly what it can evaluate ("5^3" = 6, apparently), and if you accidentally apply the Evaluator to some objects -- an image, say -- then Jovial Notepad just crashes.

  Jovial Notepad has plenty of scope for improvement, then. But the core of the program is capable enough, and bonus features like the Symbols menu, text encryption, math evaluator, and XML/ SQL syntax highlighting (when it works) help the program stand out from the crowd.

  
• 

  Apple opens the door to Bitcoin and other virtual currencies

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 12:19pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Yosemite! Woo! iOS 8! Yay! New way of programming! Huzzah! These were the obvious highlights of Apple's WWDC keynote yesterday, but as the dust settles there are some additional interesting tidbits emerging. As this was a developer conference, it should come as no surprise that the announcements and revelations have the most immediate impact on developers -- but things will also filter down to users. One change that was not given any fanfare at the WWDC is an alteration to Apple's App Store Review Guidelines which paves the way for virtual currency support.

  The guidelines themselves are surprisingly easy to read -- this document is nothing like an EULA! But if you'd like to cut to the chase, jump to 11.17 in the "Purchasing and currencies" section. Here you'll find the advice that "Apps may facilitate transmission of approved virtual currencies provided that they do so in compliance with all state and federal laws for the territories in which the app functions". There is no reason that this possible virtual currency support should not include Bitcoin, although the currency has not been specifically mentioned.

  Bitcoin has had something of a rocky journey of late, having been banned in both Russia and Thailand. There was also the high-profile story of missing Bitcoins at the Mt. Gox exchange, and there have been problems with Bitcoin mining apps in Google Play. Developers will need to tailor their apps to comply with local law, so a future app that supports the transfers of Bitcoins would have to be changed if it were to be used in Russia, for instance.

  The policy change does not mean that Apple is going to be accepting Bitcoin as a method of payment for app purchases, but it does open the door for Bitcoin shopping apps, wallets and the like. Apple had previously pulled a number of Bitcoin wallet apps from the App Store, and other apps that allow for the transfer of Bitcoins were also squashed or forced to change. We could see a number of apps emerging that bring PayPal-like options to Apple using Bitcoin fans. On the other hand, it could be that Apple has plans to unveil its own virtual currency at some point in the future. There's also the possibility of a virtual currency from the technology entrepreneur that many love to hate, Kim Dotcom.

  Photo Credit: Kostsov/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Bing turns five, promises the best is 'on the imminent horizon'

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 11:43am CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Five years ago today, Microsoft launched the Bing search engine. I remember it well. In particular I remember shaking my head at that name, but also admiring the photography that appeared on the home page.

  To celebrate five years of Bing, Microsoft has put together a blog post that chronicles the changes that have occurred over the years, and hints at what’s to come. It’s also assembled a gallery of the best home pages.

  "Over the past five years, we’ve seen tectonic shifts in how people experience the Web," the Bing team says. "From the rise of social data and the myriad connections that exposed, to the explosion of mobile experiences that fundamentally redefined how people interact with devices. The Web of today wouldn’t recognize itself in 2009. Think of the sheer volume of data that has been created in the past five years. The amount of information shared in single day in 2014 equals everything shared digitally prior to 1997".

  Bing breaks the five years down as follows:

  • 2009: The Semantic Web
  • 2010: A Social Explosion
  • 2011: Tablets and Mobility
  • 2012: Intelligence
  • 2013: The Digital World

  And as to what’s next? Well, Microsoft has this to say:

  The idea of launching a browser, going to a website, and typing in a search box?  That’s so 2009. The best is not yet to come but on the imminent horizon. As the world of devices constantly changes and new form factors come into play there will be a need to better use information, either by seeking it out or having it pushed to you, and take action. Bing has shifted its focus to be in position to be the search for this new, changing world.

  You should expect relevant information to come to you when and where you need it. You should expect experiences to adapt to you and your context, instead of the other way around. You should expect proactive experiences that anticipate what you need. You should expect information to be actionable for what you need at home or work. Only Bing and Microsoft can provide all of this, and we couldn’t be more excited for the next five years and beyond.

  Bing has certainly improved over the years, and adapted to become more than just a straight search engine, which is just as well as it was never going to  provide any meaningful challenge to Google in terms of market share.

  Do you use Bing, and if so why?

  
• 

  HTC One (E8): The flagship without metal

  Publié: juin 3, 2014, 11:36am CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  HTC has been praised numerous times for making its two most-recent flagships, the One and One (M8), out of metal. That is because this material gives such smartphones a premium look and feel that is actually worthy of the asking price. And, in the Android world, it sets the company's flagships apart from the myriad plastic-clad competitors. Metal is undeniably good. Except when it is not.

  The use of metal adds to the cost of HTC's smartphones, which makes them less attainable for many, if not most, consumers. So, to give them a chance to experience the One (M8), albeit on a budget, HTC has taken out the metal and replaced it with plastic. Meet the new One (E8).

  The One (E8) is not a copycat clone of the mighty One (M8), but it looks similar-enough to the latter. On the back, the dual camera setup from the One (M8) is gone, but, in order to preserve its layout, it is now replaced by a back-facing camera with an LED flash on the top. The One (E8) also does away with any interruptions on the plastic back -- which are used for wireless signal on HTC's metal-clad flagships -- but the front-facing speaker grille layout is preserved.

  "The HTC One (M8) sets a new smartphone standard and now we're taking it in another exciting direction", says HTC CEO Peter Chou. "Combining style and substance, the HTC One (E8) represents the incredible experience people expect from an HTC One device with a look and feel that's unlike anything else out there today. If you're looking for the best flagship smartphone experience, but want to stand out from the crowd, this is the phone for you".

  In the official blog post, HTC does not provide a complete specifications sheet. Instead, the company limits such information to the size of the display (5-inches), internal storage capacity (16 GB) resolution of the back-facing and front-facing cameras (13 MP and 5 MP, respectively -- the former is higher than the One (M8) counterpart), the size of the internal battery (2,600 mAh), the availability of a microSD card slot and a dual-SIM version, the color palette (Electric Crimson, Maldives Blue, Misty Gray and Polar White), and other features like BoomSound and Motion Launch.

  HTC says the One (E8) will be available starting in early-June, in "select regions only". Optional Dot View cases will also be offered. There is no pricing information yet, but expect the One (E8) to be significantly cheaper -- obviously -- than the One (M8).

  
• 

  ASUS unveils a slew of Android tablets

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 2:00pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  You may not be aware of it, but technology fair Computex kicks off tomorrow, in Taiwan. And, as we have come to expect from companies attending such events, many products are already announced come opening day. Local player ASUS is among the early birds, as today it takes the wraps off a slew of Android slates, among other products like monitors and routers.

  Perhaps the biggest news is that ASUS has made the jump to 64-bit processors across the new models, using the Intel Atom Z3745 in the MeMO Pad and Transformer Pad lineups, and the Atom Z3560 in the Fonepad series. Android 4.4 KitKat is the operating system of choice which runs on these slates.

  ASUS does not mention specifically whether the employed version of Android has also made the move to 64-bit, only saying that "All models feature the intuitive ASUS ZenUI, a 64-bit Intel Atom quad-core CPU and Android 4.4 KitKat operating system". The version Google distributes is 32-bit, which leads me to believe ASUS may have stuck to it.

  The new MeMO Pad lineup comes in two trims, with either a 7-inch (ME176C) or an 8-inch (ME181C and ME581CL) display. No matter which one you choose, the display is of IPS technology. The resolution is 1280 by 800 in the lesser ME176C and ME181C models while the ME581CL touts 1920 by 1200. Both the ME176C and ME181C get a 5 MP back-facing camera and a 2 MP front-facing shooter.

  Available colors include black, blue, red, yellow and white for the 7-inch model, while the ME181C gets the black, gold, purple or white treatment. The ME581CL comes, in blue, pink or white, with Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 4G LTE cellular connectivity, NFC, a thickness of 7.45 mm and weight of 299 grams.

  The Fonepad series features slim bezels, at least according to ASUS, a resolution of 1280 by 800 no matter the trim -- it is offered in both 7-inch and 8-inch versions -- as well as a 5 MP camera on the back and a 2 MP camera on the front. There is dual-SIM support and 3G cellular connectivity on board. Available colors include black, gold, red and white.

  The premium Transformer Pad (shown in the main photo) also employs IPS displays -- the TF103C has a 1280 by 800 resolution while the TF303CL features more pixels at 1920 by 1200. The beefier model gets 4G LTE cellular connectivity, HDMI output and Miracast support. GPS with Glonass support as well as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n are shared in the series. Both come in at 257.4 x 178.4 x 9.9 mm. There is also a new keyboard dock with ergonomic chiclet keys, dedicated function keys and, when attached, a total thickness of 19.8 mm. The lesser model will be offered in black and white while the other will be available in blue or gold.

  
• 

  New partnership brings easy-to-use encryption to Microsoft email users

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 1:09pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  The best way to keep data from emails and attachments from falling into the wrong hands is to use some form of encryption. But it needs to be easy to use if it's going to be effective.

  Systems integrator and network consultancy BrightPlanIT has announced a partnership with DataMotion that will see it reselling cloud-based solutions for secure email, file transfer, customer contact and forms processing.

  For Microsoft customers DataMotion's cloud-hosted services protect email and file attachments from accidental exposure and data theft, and are also offered as an on-premise or hybrid solution.

  For some organizations email encryption is a legal requirement to enable them to comply with privacy legislation -- in the healthcare sector for example. DataMotion's solutions feature compliance-grade encryption without the need to install special apps or exchange encryption keys. They enable users to send secure messages and attachments with a single mouse-click, so there's no temptation to look for insecure alternatives and leave the organization open to data loss and fines from regulators.

  The partnership with BrightPlanIT focuses on integrating encryption solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server and Office 365.

  "We’ve had a relationship with BrightPlanIT for a while, and not only do we have great respect for each other's work, we realized that by capitalizing on our strengths and focusing our combined efforts we could offer Microsoft customers something truly unique," says Bob Bales, CEO of DataMotion. "With this partnership, new and existing customers can spend more time handling their business instead of being tied-up in the purchasing process and IT issues".

  Skip Gould, CEO of BrightPlanIT says, "This is about getting the job done right, the first time. Concern over data loss is at an all-time high and many new, inexperienced vendors have emerged because they see the market potential. DataMotion has been doing this for a long time and their services protect companies worldwide. We’re versed in both DataMotion and Microsoft solutions, can have a customer up-and-running fast, and our experience enables us to support IT in a way that would otherwise consume a great deal of time and effort".

  You can find more about DataMotion's SecureMail system on the company's website.

  Image Credit: Pixel-3D / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Samsung's new Galaxy W is more like a tablet than phablet

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 12:51pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Samsung is pushing the size boundaries of phablets with a new device it unveiled today, called Galaxy W. The handset rivals small tablets, like the Google Nexus 7, in the display department, yet has the necessary hardware to work as a phone. Is it still a phablet though?

  Thanks to devices like the Galaxy W, phablets and small tablets are two categories that clearly overlap when it comes to display size, and since there is no clear distinction between the two, other than, perhaps, the ability to make phone calls, it is difficult to define what the Galaxy W exactly is. But, before you go about answering that question, look at the marketing image Samsung provides for the Galaxy W. Next to one's ear it looks almost as big as that person's head. It seems to look far more natural in the hand, as a tablet.

  Because of its size, the Galaxy W, to me, is more of a tablet than phablet. It measures 191.8 x 99.6 x 8.8 mm and weighs 245 grams. Granted, it is not as heavy as the Nexus 7 (which comes in at 54 grams heavier, in the 4G LTE trim), but it gets close to its footprint -- 200 x 114 x 8.65 mm, which is close enough considering the latter's thick bezels. Samsung clearly made an effort to minimize the Galaxy W's bulk by employing slim bezels on the side, so the device can actually be held with one hand.

  The specs of the Galaxy W include: 7-inch display with a resolution of 720 by 1280; 1.2 GHz quad-core processor; 1.5 GB of RAM; 3,200 mAh battery; 8 MP back-facing camera; 2 MP front-facing camera; 16 GB of internal storage; microSD card slot; 4G LTE Advanced cellular connectivity; Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Available colors include black, red and white.

  The Galaxy W looks to be a South Korea-only affair at the moment, as it was only unveiled in Samsung's home country at the time of writing this article. I would not be surprised to see it reach other markets in the foreseeable future, as phablets are increasingly popular products nowadays, especially among those who cannot afford to buy or or do not want to carry both a phone and a tablet.

  
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  HP wants you to forget Chrome OS and embrace the Android laptop SlateBook

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 12:43pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  At the cheap end of the laptop market, there isn’t really all that much choice at the moment. Chromebook has the bargain basement side of things covered, but this is not an OS that works for everyone. Android is, by quite some way, the most popular operating system on phones and tablets, so it makes sense that it should also prove popular on a laptop, right? This is what HP is hoping, at least, as it launches its new SlateBook, a 14 inch, touchscreen laptop that runs Android.

  Launching July 20, the SlateBook has a price tag of $399 and includes a full-sized keyboard in addition to a 1080p touchscreen. As this is a device running Android, it should perhaps come as no surprise that battery life is fairly high. The quoted nine hours is fairly impressive and this is being touted as an entertainment device. To back up this claim, in addition to the longevity of the battery, four speakers from the Apple-acquired BeatsAudio provide what is described as "the best-sounding, richest audio on a notebook".

  The SlateBook is 16mm thick and weighs 3.7lb and benefits from an impressive array of ports for an Android device. In addition to a microSD card reader and HDMI out, there's also a single USB3.0 port and two USB2.0 ports. 16, 32, and 64GB models are available. Powered by a 1.8GHz NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile and running Jelly Bean, HP hopes that user will take to working Android using a keyboard and trackpad as well as a touchscreen.

  Despite the price, HP has not scrimped on the touchscreen -- this is a full HD 10-point capacitive screen, rather than a cheaper five-point model. And it's the touchscreen that could really make this laptop a success. Running Android, being able to interact via touch is something that many users will expect -- and it make perfect sense as this is how the OS was designed to be used -- and it could be something that has held back the sales of cheaper Chromebooks running Chrome OS sans touch.

  
• 

  Ensuring mobile apps are safe for the enterprise

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 12:16pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  We reported last week on how misconfigured apps are likely to account for many security breaches. This is a particular problem for companies that allow BYOD as it may put corporate data at risk.

  Cloud-based mobile security specialist Mojave Networks has a solution in the form of a new application reputation feature to provide enterprises with detailed insight into the applications that are being run on employee mobile devices.

  "The 'bring your own device' (BYOD) trend is transitioning to 'bring your own applications' (BYOA) as users download more and more apps to share data, increase productivity and stay connected," says Garrett Larsson, CEO and co-founder of Mojave Networks. "If any application running on a mobile device connected to the network is insecure, it can put highly sensitive corporate data at risk. Our new application reputation feature can help enterprises improve their mobile security posture by eliminating the risk of insecure applications".

  Mojave's new feature includes integration with device management and network security; tracking of applications by platform, user and device; categorization of apps based on level of risk, and customizable analytics.

  According to data collected by Mojave Threat Labs, a typical mobile device has about 200 apps, including pre-installed and user downloaded applications. Each one has an average of nine permissions that users must agree to before use, and five of those permissions are considered moderate to high risk as they allow the app to gain access to documents, logins, passwords and other sensitive data, which potentially pose a major security risk to an organization's private data.

  "On the surface, an application may seem safe, but there are always hidden risks," says Ryan Smith, Mojave's Lead Threat Engineer. "Approximately 50 percent of applications fall into our category of medium risk, meaning that they have the ability to access large amounts of sensitive data, and while they may not be obviously malicious, they still have a potential risk of data loss or compromise. With the detailed data we collect about each application in the Mojave Threat Labs, we are able to properly identify and reduce the risk of malicious attacks and data theft".

  The application reputation feature is available from today as part of Mojave's professional and enterprise services. Mojave Networks currently supports Android and iOS and there's a free trial period available via the company's website.

  Image Credit: logolord / Shutterstock

   

  
• 

  How to watch Apple's WWDC 2014 keynote speech live online (and what to expect)

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 11:40am CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference kicks off today, with the big keynote speech scheduled for 10am PST/6pm BST.

  Among the highlights we can expect to see OS X 10.10, which might, possibly, be called 'Yosemite' (the OS X banner showing at the Moscone Center in San Francisco has the famous California national park in the background), and iOS 8, plus new versions of existing hardware, and maybe a few surprises.

  OS X 10.10 is likely to be a significant update with a rumored new iOS 7-style redesign and some great new features, including, if we're lucky, an iOS compatible version of AirDrop. iOS 8 on the other hand, is expected to be a more minor refresh, with UI tweaks and improved Apple Maps. It is rumored that Apple is working on split-screen multitasking for iOS, but whether that will make it into this release remains to be seen. A new Healthbook app should make an appearance, however.

  Apple doesn’t usually reveal major new hardware at WWDC -- typically it’s just updated versions of existing products. A new build of Apple TV is certainly possible, and a new Mac mini is quite likely. We can expect to see and hear something about the new Beats acquisition, and possibly see Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre up on stage.

  It’s rumored that Apple is working on a 'smart home' platform that will allow you to control the lights and home appliances with your iPhone. WWDC is certainly the place to announce something like that.

  Will we see the fabled iWatch? Hmm.

  We’ll know for certain what Apple will be announcing once the big keynote speech begins and you can watch it live online.

  As always, Apple likes to preach to the faithful, so there are the usual restrictions in place. Live streaming the keynote requires Safari 4 or later on OS X v10.6 or later; Safari on iOS 4.2 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 5.0.2 or later. Assuming you have what's required, you can watch the keynote live here.

  There’s also an official WWDC app available. This lets you stream videos from current and previous WWDC sessions, start watching on one iOS device, and pick up where you left off on another, browse times, locations, and descriptions for sessions, labs, and special events, and keep up with the latest news, get important notifications, and see daily photos.

  
• 

  Pirate Bay founder arrested as Demonoid returns from the dead

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 11:11am CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  The Pirate Bay saga is one that has been running for a number of years now, and the latest chapter sees one of the founders arrested in Sweden. Peter Sunde had been on the run for two years after failing  to make an appearance having been sentenced to two years in prison. He had been handed an eight month term for aiding and abetting breach of copyright laws, although those associated with the site have long-maintained that they should not be held responsible for the sharing copyrighted material as no data was stored on the site.

  Sunde had been sought by Interpol and his arrest coincided with the eight-year anniversary of the police raid of Pirate Bay servers. He had been living in hiding in Berlin, but having family in Sweden meant that he often returned to the country. Torrent news website TorrentFreak reports that the arrest was a joint operation between Swedish and Polish law enforcement agencies.

  Despite a series of high profile legal battles with the site, and blocks being put in place in many countries, the Pirate Bay continues to survive. Bouncing from one server to another as and when required, and endless proxy services providing access to people who find that their ISPs have put obstacles in the way.

  In related news, that stalwart of the torrent world, Demonoid, is back online. Many users who already have accounts registered with the site received emails over the weekend letting them know the good news. The site -- which reappeared at its original home of demonoid.ph -- is also currently accepting new registrations. Just how long the site manages to stay online this time around remains to be seen.

  Image Credit: Palto/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Microsoft details four future Internet Explorer features

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 10:32am CEST par Jamie Hinks

  

  Microsoft is promising at least four brand new features inside the next release of Internet Explorer and fans of the browser could be treated to even more than that when the final product reaches the market.

  The Redmond-based firm confirmed that it would definitely include Web Audio, Media Capture, ES6 Promises and HTTP/2 in the new version plus there is likely to be other features revealed closer to the release date.

  "These features form a part of our commitment to delivering interoperable implementations for the latest features on the modern Web. The current list of features 'in development' is not an exhaustive representation of what we will deliver in the next version, but an indication of what we currently have highest confidence in delivering," read the company’s blog.

  Web Audio is a JavaScript API that helps to process and synthesize audio in web apps and Media Capture gives access to a device owner’s local audio and video input/output devices. HTTP/2, meanwhile, is a faster protocol for delivering content on the web that is based on Google’s SPDY open networking initiative and it is currently being standardized by the IETF. Lastly, ES6 Promises is designed to let developers create asynchronous code that is cleaner.

  At the same time as sharing the new features that will become a part of the new Internet Explorer, Microsoft also explained its priorities for the platform going forwards that include its belief that "the web should just work for everyone -- users, developers and businesses".

  In this respect the top priorities are to get users current by encouraging them to download the latest IE version; security; and interoperability and compatibility to make sure that sites written a decade ago and those in the latest HTML5 code work at the same high level.

  Microsoft completed the hat trick with news that status.modern.ie, the site that shows developers web technologies and standards that are and will be supported in future versions of IE, has come out of beta. It means a variety of improvements come as part of the package including making data open sourced, improving search & filter, adding deep linking, and providing better mobile support & performance.

  The company promised to share more in the coming months on how it plans to make all its proclamations a reality in the next version of its browser.

  Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.

  
• 

  Samsung announces its first Tizen smartphone

  Publié: juin 2, 2014, 10:31am CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Samsung may be associated with Android thanks to the success of its Galaxy smartphones and tablets, but the South Korean maker is also invested heavily in Tizen. The latter powers its new smartwatches and, via a software upgrade, older models as well. And, today, we can add a new device to the powered-by-Tizen list, the Samsung Z.

  The Samsung Z is Samsung's first Tizen-based smartphone, which, on the outside, looks much like the company's premium Galaxy handsets. It features a physical home button, placed between two capacitive keys (home and menu), and a faux-leather back with stitching patterns, like on the popular Galaxy Note 3. It even borrows the now-obligatory gold color trim.

  "Samsung is committed to enhancing the mobile experience of consumers with innovation that is both personal and unique to their needs", says Samsung's DJ Lee. "The Samsung Z integrates the power and adaptability of the Tizen platform, enabling users to browse the web faster and utilize applications more effectively".

  Hardware-wise, the Samsung Z packs a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 720 by 1280, backed by a 2.3 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM and a a 2,600 mAh battery. It offers an 8 MP back-facing camera and a 2.1 MP shooter on the front. In the storage department, it has 16 GB of internal memory and a microSD card slot (can take cards up to 64 GB in size).

  Connectivity features include 4G LTE cellular network support (Category 4 -- 150 Mbps download, and 50 Mbps upload), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE (Low Energy), USB 2.0, NFC, IR and GPS. It also comes with the usual slew of sensors, including a fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor.

  The Samsung Z comes in at 138.2 x 69.8 x 8.5 mm and 136 grams and is powered by Tizen 2.2.1. Samsung says the platform "delivers a fast, optimal performance with improved memory management", fast startup times, "immediate" multitasking abilities, smooth scrolling and other such features. It even gets the Ultra Power Saving Mode, which the Galaxy S5 touts. In terms of customization, users can tap into Dynamic Box and Color Theme.

  Apps will be available through Tizen Store, and developers will be able to take advantage of a "special promotional program" for a year. Expect the usual Samsung enhancements to be baked in -- the company says Quick Shot, Best Photo and Dual Camera will be part of the camera user experience.

  The smartphone will debut in Russia, in Q3 of 2014, with other markets to follow. On top of Gold, prospective buyers should know the Samsung Z will also be available in Black.

  
• 

  Linux Mint 17 'Qiana' is here -- get it now!

  Publié: juin 1, 2014, 10:32pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Ah Linux, we meet again. I am on a perpetual journey to find the perfect Linux distro. Sadly, I am finding it not to be elusive, but downright non-existent. You see, operating systems based on the open-source kernel are very fragmented in experience. It is hard for the stars to align and have everything you want be represented. Maybe you like the available environments for a distro, but hate the package manager. Or maybe you love the community support, but find the release schedule too slow.

  While not perfect, Linux Mint is what I have found to be the best choice for many, including myself. It is based on Ubuntu, so it has the awesome APT package manager, while also supporting Cinnamon, Mate and other environments. The tweaks and polish that the Mint team delivers makes it a robust and familiar experience. Well, fire up your torrent and ISO writing software and grab your nearest blank DVD or flash drive -- Linux Mint 17 is finally here!

  Both the Cinnamon and Mate versions are available immediately, with KDE and XFCE versions likely to follow in the future. The big news about this release however, is that it is LTS, or "Long Term Support". This means that the Mint team will support it until 2019. This is great news for people that favor stability over bleeding edge. A small business owner for instance, may benefit from this.

  While the release should likely be rock solid, there are a few known bugs. The Cinnamon and Mate versions may have issues with both Skype and DVD playback in VLC, but the team has some suggested workarounds.

  More serious though is that in some computer configurations, Mint will not boot or will freeze when a Nvidia graphics card is present. There is a workaround for this too, but it requires manual input to the boot arguments -- too much work for the average user. Sadly, the Mint team does not disclose which cards are affected, so users will have no way to know if they will be facing a headache.

  Strangely however, the Mate version is shipping without Bluetooth support and the user must install a package to enable it. This could be particularly frustrating for someone looking to utilize Bluetooth input devices such as a keyboard and mouse.

  Bugs aside, there are many good things too, such as improvements to the update manager, driver manager and the login screen. Most importantly however, the wheel has not be reinvented. Fans of Cinnamon and Mate will be right at home. Hell, someone transitioning from an operating system like Windows XP should be comfortable as well.

  If you are interested in trying Linux Mint 17, you can download it here. Tell me how you like it in the comments.

  Photo credit: Volosina/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Cambridge Audio Minx M5 -- small speakers with a big sound [Review]

  Publié: juin 1, 2014, 8:34pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Listening to music on a computer can be a very rewarding experience nowadays. However, we aren't far removed from the days where laptops and desktops shipped with horrible speakers. This shouldn't be surprising though; while mp3 and streaming audio is commonplace now, listening to music was not always expected on a computer. Tinny-sounding, rattling speakers were OK for midi files, but now we expect much more.

  While Bluetooth speakers are very convenient, their sound quality usually does not match a hard-wired set. My favorites for many years are the Logitech Z-2300 -- a 2.1 setup, which are THX certified and pack a 120 watt subwoofer. I still own these speakers, but they are extremely bass-heavy, even with the bass knob turned down to the lowest setting. They can be overly disruptive to the other people in my home, as the walls shake. For a party, they are great, but for everyday use I need something more tame. Today, I am looking at the Cambridge Audio Minx M5 in hopes that I have found that.

  The Minx M5 is a 2.1 speaker setup. This means that there are two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. I prefer 2.1 for listening to music as it separates the bass. Not to mention, I usually listen to music rather than watch movies. I am not into the 5.1 or 7.1 gimmicky nonsense, or faux-surround.

  What makes the M5 very intriguing is that it has an integrated USB DAC. This means that it can bypass your onboard stereo, and connect directly over USB. This prevents interference from the motherboard and other components. Don't worry though, if you already have a high-end sound card or USB DAC, you can connect the M5 by 3.5mm too.

  Drive units:	Satellites: 1 x 50mm (2'') driver per satellite Subwoofer: 1 x 135mm (5.25'') woofer
  Connectivity:	USB port 3.5mm aux input 3.5mm headphone output
  Power output:	Satellites: 2 x 15W Subwoofer: 30W
  Input voltage:	110–120V or 220-240V versions (depending on market)
  Standby power consumption:	<0.5W
  Frequency response:	45Hz – 20kHz
  Dimensions (W x H x D)	Satellites: 72.5 x 72.5 x 73.8mm (2.9 x 2.9 x 2.91 inches) Subwoofer: 200 x 200 x 204.5mm (7.9 x 7.9 x 8.1 inches)
  Weight	Satellites: 435g (0.96lbs) each Subwoofer: 4.4kg (9.7lbs)

  Whether using 3.5mm or USB, the speakers are controlled by a breakout box that features a clickable scroll wheel. There is beauty and convenience in the simplicity of this control unit. You see, to turn the volume up or down, you turn the wheel. To turn the speakers on or off, you click the wheel. That's it. Not only is it easy and mindless, it is attractive as well.

  Yes, looks matter for many of us. Luckily, the M5 succeeds in this regard. The two satellite speakers are extremely compact cubes. These speakers can fit nicely next to any monitor and should look good too. They can sit on their own, but in the box are small stands that elevate them slightly and tilt them upwards to the user. It's up to you whether or not to use the stands, but I recommend it as the audio is better positioned at you.

  These little speakers are powered by a very tiny subwoofer that sits under your desk. It is smaller than you would expect, which is ideal as it can be tucked away and be unobtrusive. The rear of the subwoofer features a knob to turn up or turn down the level of bass.

  

  While the speakers are well designed and beautiful, the real question remains -- how do they sound? I am happy to say that they are fabulous. The satellite speakers produce crisp and clean highs, with excellent stereo separation and clarity. The subwoofer can put out a lot of bass if you want, but more importantly, they can do less of it too. In other words, the bass knob empowers me to choose a wall-shaking amount or non-existent level -- finally, a company gets it right. These are the speakers I have been searching for.

  While the speakers are small, do not let that fool you. They can get very loud and the good thing is, don't distort at higher levels. They are entirely capable of filing a large room. Quite frankly, the Minx 5 paired with a laptop could easily handle a party.

  I tested the USB connection on Linux, OS X and Windows and it worked wonderfully. No drivers are needed, it is picked up natively as a USB soundcard. The control unit does not overtake the system's native volume controls either. You can use both simultaneously. In other words, if you'd rather use your keyboard shortcuts to turn volume up and down, go for it.

  It's important to mention that headphone users can benefit from this too. The front of the control unit features a 3.5mm headphone output for easy connection. Other than convenience, this may improve the sound experience when the unit is connected by USB. It is exactly like connecting headphones to a USB DAC.

  Sadly, there is one negative that must be mentioned. When clicking the scroll wheel to turn them off, there is a slight audible pop or click. Certainly not a deal-breaker -- it is more of an annoyance if anything.

  Overall though, that annoyance aside, the Cambridge Audio Minx M5 sounds and looks amazing. It complements both my desk and life wonderfully. Whether listening to folk music, hip-hop, dubstep or any genre, I was satisfied. Even when watching movies, the subwoofer delivered some room-shaking deep sound that added to the immersion.

  While some people will be hesitant to spend $229 on computer speakers, please remember that you get what you pay for. The fact that this is speakers and a USB DAC makes it a perfectly reasonable price. While many computer accessories you buy can become obsolete, speakers will not -- you can move them to future computers that you build or buy. If you average the cost over the many years you may own them, it is insignificant.

  The Cambridge Audio Minx M5 speakers are highly recommended.

  
• 

  Amazon bundles Fire TV and Kindle Fire HDX 7 for an unbelievable price

  Publié: juin 1, 2014, 8:26pm CEST par Alan Buckingham

  

  Still shopping for the perfect Father's Day bargain? Amazon may have the answer to that, as the online retailer has taken two of its most popular products and combined them into one bargain-basement price that will satisfy any connoisseur of sales.

  The Kindle Fire HDX 7, a tablet I previously called my favorite product of 2013, has been bundled together with the new Fire TV. If you aren't familiar (or live under a rock) the Fire TV is a set-top box designed to take on Apple and Roku in an increasingly crowded market. Today, Amazon marries the two together with one discounted price.

  The Fire TV retails for $99, while the tablet comes in at $229 -- a combined $328 when purchased separately. But, if you visit the website now, you'll find the combo deal for a very low $249, about $80 off the fee for buying each on its own. Additionally, Prime customers will get the traditional free two-day shipping that is expected.

  This is listed as a "limited time offer" and no details on when it will expire are given. In other words, if you want it, then it's better to act sooner rather than later.

  
• 

  Normal service is resumed as Windows 7's growth once again comfortably outpaces Windows 8.x

  Publié: juin 1, 2014, 10:21am CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Windows XP users might be able to (sort of) cheat the aging operating system’s end of life, but ultimately the only real way to stay safe is, as Microsoft says, by upgrading to a newer, more modern version of Windows. NetMarketShare’s monthly snapshot of the desktop OS share trend shows users are continuing to slowly migrate away from XP. The OS’s share dropped 1.02 percent from 26.29 percent in April to 25.27 percent in May.

  So the question is, where are XP users moving to? I think you probably know the answer to that by now.

  Windows 8 continued to lose market share, going from 6.36 percent in April to 6.29 percent in May for a drop of 0.07 percent. Windows 8.1 grew share, going from 5.88 percent to 6.35 percent, for an increase of 0.47 percent. You don’t need a calculator to work out that in total Windows 8.x share grew by 0.4 percent. The previous month it grew by 0.9 percent, which was its biggest market share gain since December 2013.

  It might be hard to get hold of Windows 7 these days, but that hasn’t stopped the OS packing on growth. It went from 49.27 percent in April to 50.06 percent in May -- finally breaking through the 50 percent barrier -- for an increase of 0.79 percent, nearly double that of Windows 8.x.

  It seems no matter what Microsoft does with Windows 8.x, it can’t persuade users to switch to it. You would think that rolling out the superior Windows 8.1 would have improved the tiled operating system’s fortunes but it didn’t. Windows 8.1 Update, a mandatory update designed to make the OS more appealing to keyboard and mouse users, has had virtually no impact on share, and killing off an old operating system with over a quarter of the market and trying to move people on to "new Windows" hasn’t had the desired effect either.