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• 

  Facebook rolls out mobile Like button to iOS and Android app developers

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 10:41pm CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  As any Facebook user knows, 'liking' content online has become almost second nature. Facebook has Likes, Google+ has +1s, and various other variations exist. But it is Facebook's Like button that reigns supreme -- regardless of the privacy concerns it may raise. Today Facebook is expanding its Like feature so that mobile app developers can take advantage of it. Not just content with giving web users the chance to indicate their approval of a particular Facebook post or online article, it is now possible to 'like' any piece of content within a supported app on iOS and Android.

  It's a feature that is likely to be picked up very quickly by game developers, so you can expect to see notifications in the near future letting you know that your Facebook friends like level 118 of Candy Crush Saga. The feature was previewed earlier this year, but is now being made available to any developer who wants to use it. Facebook says:

  People using a mobile app can directly Like the app's Facebook Page, or any Open Graph object within the app, and share on Facebook. The mobile Like Button works seamlessly with the Facebook account the person is logged into on their device, allowing people to Like any piece of content, while in your native app.

  The news comes after Facebook apologized -- sort of -- to LGBT groups for its heavy-handed enforcement of a real name policy, and this is yet another move by the social network that will be met by disdain and rejoicing in just about equal measure. If the suggestion that players may 'like' individual' levels of games seems a little far-fetched, it is precisely what Facebook suggests as a possible use. Developers may, Facebook proposes, want to display a Like button when a certain stage of a game is reached -- essentially giving gamers a means of bragging about their progress.

  It's unlikely that we'll see a sudden raft of Like buttons popping up in apps overnight. Facebook points out that developers "will have to submit your implementation for review via the Status and Review tab in the Dev Tool before the Like Button is live in your mobile app".

  Photo credit: Happy Art / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Windows 10: Needed, but business model challenges remain

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 7:40pm CEST par Sameer Singh

  

  This week, Microsoft unveiled a long-awaited update to its operating system -- officially dubbed, Windows 10. Microsoft says that Windows 10 is an attempt to create a single operating system that works across phones, tablets and PCs, without the compromises that were visible in Windows 8. This is certainly a much needed update that should help them retain their core customer base, but it also doesn't do much to cover up their biggest weaknesses.

  First, let's point out the obvious. Microsoft's decision to skip a version number is curious. While Microsoft claims it was because Windows 10 was a "leap" forward, it is clearly an attempt to clear away the hostility faced by Windows 8, especially among enterprise users -- Microsoft's most important customers.

  While Windows 8 attempted to fuse two entirely different operating systems (and interaction models) together, Windows 10 seems to select the interaction model most suited to the available hardware. As a result, desktop users (and more importantly, enterprise customers) are no longer forced to deal with a touchscreen interface. It is these customers that Windows 10 is targeted at. This is certainly good news, but it only targets users at the very top of the computing pyramid. Of course, this top tier is defensible as long as the tablet's upmarket mobility remains limited. But lower tiers of computing remain a major challenge for Microsoft.

  At lower tiers of the computing pyramid (mainly characterized by consumption, not productivity), Microsoft still faces two major business model challenges. The first is that Microsoft's primary monetization model, software licensing, is no longer feasible. Android has become the de-facto standard for mainstream tablets/smartphones and is available for free. In response, Microsoft made Windows free for devices with screen sizes of nine inches or below. This may seem like an arbitrary cut-off, but it highlights a clear delineation between Microsoft's core and non-core markets (as they see them today). Microsoft has been unsuccessful at monetizing consumer services, so the goal of this move may be more subtle.

  My guess is that Microsoft is attempting to subsidize Windows at lower tiers in the hope that it helps defend Windows at higher tiers. The thought is that a Windows phone or tablet user may be more inclined to remain within the Windows ecosystem. This brings us to the second challenge -- Windows doesn't really have a cohesive ecosystem. The app ecosystem Windows phones/tablets is sparse and that limits its appeal to a niche, price-sensitive segment and one that is unlikely to be valuable to Microsoft at higher computing tiers. The ecosystem for a Windows PC consists of very few applications or services that are valuable on a smaller Windows-specific device. As a result, the value of staying "within the Windows ecosystem" across computing tiers is very limited. As of today, these challenges don't pose an existential threat to Microsoft but that may not always be the case. To their credit, Microsoft seems to recognize this. Satya Nadella's emphasis on cross-platform productivity suggests as much.

  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.

  
• 

  Roku learns a new trick -- Introduces Screen Mirroring Beta for Android and Windows

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 6:36pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  Wirelessly streaming content from a tablet or laptop to a TV is a really cool thing. I regularly use a Chromecast to watch and listen to media, but there is one problem -- it is limited in that it cannot function on its own. A device like the new Microsoft Wireless Display adapter may be a little more useful than a Chromecast, but ultimately, it cannot function on its own either.

  It is for this reason that I prefer devices like Amazon's Fire TV and the Roku; they can operate without the need of a source device. Both media boxes are great, but today the latter is gaining new functionality. Roku announces that you can mirror the screen of both Windows and Android devices with Screen Mirroring Beta.

  "Today, I'm happy to share that we're rolling out a beta release of a new screen mirroring feature for a select number of Windows 8.1 and Android devices. Available to customers around the world, screen mirroring is a quick, easy way to mirror videos, apps, web sites, and more from your mobile device to a TV via your Roku 3 or Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI Version)", says Lloyd Klarke, Director of Product Management, Roku.

  Klarke further explains, "screen mirroring is one of the simplest ways to share any type of content with those around you, and you won't need additional apps or software. All you'll need is a compatible device with mirroring capabilities. Once you turn on mirroring for your phone, tablet or laptop, you can pair with your compatible Roku player and whatever you see on your mobile device is exactly what will be displayed on your TV".

  

  Unfortunately, this is limited to the Roku 3 Model 4200 and the Roku Streaming Stick HDMI Version Model 3500. I am currently the owner of a Roku 2 XS and as much as I want to try the mirroring, I do not think it will compel me to upgrade. Quite frankly, I am sure many other previous-generation owners will feel the same way. This is not a knock on the company, quite the contrary; Roku boxes are well supported and age well.

  Conspicuously absent is both OS X and iOS -- it seems Roku has not invited Apple to this new mirroring party. Given the popularity of devices like the iPhone and iPad, I am sure they will be added eventually, but hey, you never know.

  The feature begins rolling out today. Have you tried it yet? Tell me about it in the comments.

  
• 

  Pavlok wristband motivates wearers with an electric shock

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 5:15pm CEST par Sam Pudwell

  

  Have you ever needed a helping hand to break a bad habit? Maybe you want to stop hitting that ever-tempting snooze button on the alarm, or have finally convinced yourself that now would be the right time to give up fast food.

  Or, you might have set yourself the target of going to the gym every day and just need a little bit of extra motivation every now and then.

  Well, the solution to all these problems has now arrived in the shape of a wearable wristband that can be programmed to give the user a quick zap of electricity whenever he or she does something they shouldn't be doing.

  The band, called Pavlok, is now up on crowdfunding site Indiegogo and has already raised 125 percent of its $50,000 target with nearly a whole month to go.

  According to its website, "Pavlok offers a simple, wearable device that helps consumers form better habits. Using psychologically proven and user-tested algorithms, the Pavlok wristband enforces users' commitments to fitness, productivity and more -- even if that means 'sparking' their commitment by delivering a mild (but jolting) electric shock".

  The strength of the electric jolt can be set to anything from 17 to 340 volts and, according to creator Maneesh Sethi, work is being done to open up the platform to developers so that accompanying apps can be made by anyone.

  The habit-forming/habit-breaking devices are available for $125 via Indiegogo, with shipments expected to begin in April 2015.

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

  
• 

  Increase in unpatched browsers and operating systems leads to security concerns

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 4:03pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) in the US and security company Secunia has marked this by issuing its latest Country Report assessing the state of security among PC users.

  Key findings include that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, with a market share of 73 percent, had 218 vulnerabilities with 11 percent of installed programs being unpatched and vulnerable. The percentage of users running unpatched operating systems has increased to 12.6 percent, from 11.1 percent in the previous quarter.

  The number of people running unpatched, end of life, programs is also up from 4.9 to 5.7 percent. The most exposed programs over the last quarter were: Oracle Java 7 with 145 vulnerabilities and 42 percent of installations unpatched, Apple QuickTime 7 with 11 vulnerabilities and 33 percent unpatched, and Adobe Reader 10 with 21 vulnerabilities and 23 percent of installed programs unpatched.

  Interestingly though it seems that the power to stay safe is often in users' hands. Secunia's Vulnerability Review 2014 finds that 86 percent of vulnerabilities in the top 50 software applications on private PCs had patches available on the day when they were disclosed in 2013.

  "It only takes one vulnerability for a hacker to exploit a user’s system. Just one. We are concerned to see such a high share of users with unpatched and End-of-Life browsers and operating systems," says Kasper Lindgaard, Director of Research at Secunia. "We hope that as part of National Cyber Security Awareness month, users will take a moment to make sure their systems are up to date with the most recent program versions and patches".

  As part of NCSAM Secunia is encouraging users to download its free Personal Software Inspector to check that their installed versions are up to date and protected against vulnerabilities.

  You can access the full US Country Report for Q3 2014  on the Secunia website.

  Image Credit: alexskopje / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Microsoft's new Portable Power external charger packs 6,000 mAh battery

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 3:26pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  While traveling, my smartphone's always running out of juice sooner than it normally does. This leads to some frustrating moments, like being unable to make calls, open a map or send texts, not to mention having to watch the percentage indicator. Not knowing where someone is, for instance, is never great news in such situations. I know I could use an external battery charger, but I tend to avoid them, and for good reasons.

  They generally tend to be bulky, ugly, and almost fragile. Getting the impression that what can only be regarded as a tool is flimsy is not confidence-inspiring -- if it breaks, it's going to be a problem. Microsoft's new Portable Power appears to be different, however. And why wouldn't it be, when it has some Nokia DNA in it?

  Portable Power, which bears Microsoft's branding, is basically an evolution of previous Nokia external battery charger designs, and, as such, can be considered a well put-together device that can withstand the test of time. It looks fairly robust from what I'm seeing.

  The design is pocket-friendly, which is a major benefit in my book. Its specifications say it measures 99.5 x 43.9 x 25.4 mm and weighs 145 grams. The cable length is 25 cm, which is long enough to charge a smartphone in the same pocket. Since the cable is USB to microUSB (USB-A), it can easily be swapped for a longer one -- given that you probably have one lying around somewhere.

  The battery capacity is as important as the build quality and size. Luckily, we are looking at a 6,000 mAh battery in Portable Power, which equates to 22.8 Wh (the voltage is 3.8 V) -- that's more than enough to recharge a Nokia Lumia 930 two times, or nearly charge a Lumia 1520 twice. In fact, you might even charge a smaller tablet and a smartphone (maybe not up to 100 percent, but still enough to last until you come across a wall socket). Oh, have I mentioned it's got two USB ports?

  To top up the battery on Portable Power, 250 minutes of charging are required; in 180 minutes it'll reach an 80 percent charge. That means you might want to do it overnight, to have as little downtime as possible. There's a battery level indicator to tell you how much is left. Microsoft says that it will hold a 60 percent charge after the first six months of use.

  What's also nice is that Portable Power is rated to work at temperatures between -15 degrees and 55 degrees Celsius (between 5 degrees and 131 degrees Fahrenheit), which is reassuring if want to use it in cold and warm climates alike.

  But enough of that already. Let's talk cost. Here is where (most) people will have a problem -- it costs $49 in US or €39 in Europe! It's pricey, yes -- for a similar price you can get something with a battery larger than 10,000 mAh. Still, it is up to you to decide whether it fits your needs. Me? I kinda like it, if you couldn't tell by now. Oh, and it can be had in bright green, bright orange and white!

  
• 

  NoSpyProxy wants to put your data and identity out of reach of the NSA

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 3:21pm CEST par Ian Barker

  

  Since the Edward Snowden revelations that governments as well as hackers were likely to be snooping on your internet activity it's been widely assumed that there's no such thing as safe online access.

  VPN specialist CyberGhost has other ideas and has been seeking funding via Indiegogo for what it calls a NoSpyProxy. The company's VPN already uses AES256 military-grade encryption to protect passwords, bank accounts and other details as well as obscuring locations and IP addresses. It now aims to make things even more secure by placing the data center hardware under the control of an additional layer of security. This will put CyberGhost in control of the whole process from login through encryption protocol, key management and finally also the server itself.

  CyberGhost's NoSpyProxy will be setup and taken care of by its own Certified Security Specialists and will serve to protect people all around the world from mass surveillance, hackers, data and identity theft. It refers to this not as a data center but as a "no-data" center, a new generation of working technical unit that is built to protect people's privacy and security online.

  It aims to make this the blueprint for more NoSpy nodes that can be easily rolled out in other countries and regions.

  This is obviously a popular idea as the company has managed to reach its $70,000 funding target in just 14 days. "We are so excited that our #NoSpyProxy campaign has reached its initial goal and we managed to draw attention on this important subject of online privacy. We're sure that more victories of privacy will follow, but every citizen has to take responsibility for his own online privacy and personal data by using trustful encryption services," says Robert Knapp, the CEO of CyberGhost VPN.

  If you're interested in finding out more and maybe contributing to the funding you can visit the project's Indegogo page.

  Photo Credit: auremar/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Gigaset QV830: A super-affordable 8-inch Android tablet [Review]

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 2:43pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  There are lots of excellent Android tablets around, including the Nexus 7, and the Kindle Fire HDX, but if you can’t afford a top of the range tablet, or are looking for a second device, or one to give as gift, then a budget model may be preferable.

  Gigaset (previously Gigaset Siemens), which usually makes home phones, has entered the tablet market with the QV830, an ultra-affordable 8-inch Android tablet with some stylish touches -- it has an anodized aluminum rear casing, for example, rather than being all-plastic as you might expect.

  The top and bottom of the device (when viewed in portrait mode) are shiny metal, and the sides are plastic. It looks good. As with other cheaper tablets the controls and ports are at the top end. From left to right they are volume, microUSB 2.0, headphone jack, micro SDHC and on/off.

  The Gigaset QV830 is 141 x 200 x 8mm and weighs 351g (the similarly sized iPad mini, by comparison, weighs 331g). You can hold it one-handed, but it’s more comfortable in two.

  This is a budget tablet -- it’s currently on sale for just £69.99 -- so you shouldn’t expect too much from the specs, but they’re very reasonable.

  It’s powered by a 1.2 GHz Quad Core, Mediatek MT8125, Cortex A7 processor, with 1 GB RAM and 8 GB of storage. The micro SDHC lets you expand storage to up to 32GB. It has a 5 MP auto focus rear camera (with no flash), and a 1.2 MP 720p front shooter. The 3260 mAh battery should deliver up to 8 hours of normal life -- not amazing, but passable -- and promises a standby time of 240 hours. It runs stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

  The 8-inch screen is reasonable, although it only offers a resolution of 1024 x 768 (half that of the iPad mini), and a pixel density of just 160ppi so it appears quite grainy. The color and contrast are nicely balanced however. The screen is very shiny -- it’s like looking into a mirror -- which makes using it in bright light difficult.

  Initial impressions weren’t, in truth, all that favorable. When I turned it on I was greeted with a message telling me a Google app had crashed, and during set up the Google Account Manager also crashed, forcing me to restart from the beginning. I then had to update the touch panel firmware before I could start using the device. The volume was cranked up to the maximum by default and actually made me jump the first time it sounded an alert to let me know a new mail had arrived.

  In use though, the tablet was fine. The cameras take decent photos, nothing amazing, and with rather too much noise, but for a quick snap or video chat they are passable. The rear camera has auto-focus rather than fixed focus, so you can take close up shots, and you get HDR and panoramic modes too.

  Performance wise the tablet delivered about what I was expecting. Games played well enough, although this is not the tablet you want to use to show off the latest 3D blockbusters, and movies are perfectly watchable.

  I found the screen wasn’t all that responsive at times, which was a bit annoying, but making more deliberate swipes and taps solved the problem.

  

  So the Gigaset QV830 isn’t perfect -- it’s not an iPad mini or Kindle Fire HDX rival -- but that doesn’t matter. Gigaset isn’t trying to compete with those. The QV830 is a £70 tablet -- £70! -- and to pull it up for not offering the same quality or performance as far more expensive alternatives would be unfair. For a budget device, it’s great. It’s much, much better than most other low end tablets, and as a starter device, or a second tablet for your kids, it’s hard to beat. The fact it offers an 8-inch screen for that price is a definite plus, and I've found myself using it more than my Nexus 7 recently.

  The tablet is currently on sale on the Curry’s website, priced at £69.99, although the offer is only set to run until the 16 October (after which time the price will go up to £99.99) so if you want to snap up an absolute bargain, act fast.

  
• 

  How to create a bootable Windows 10 Technical Preview USB drive

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 12:53pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Microsoft has released Windows 10 Technical Preview, giving early adopters like you and me the opportunity to experience some of the lovely new features that the operating system will bring to the table when it officially launches next year. The highlight is, of course, the new Start menu, but the other changes add up to give us what could very well be the sleek and modern Windows we have all been waiting for: touch-friendly, yet still great with a keyboard and mouse.

  This all sounds very intriguing indeed, especially if you have been holding off on upgrades so far. If you want to take the plunge and test Windows 10 Technical Preview directly on your PC, without taking the virtualization route, then you already know that your best install option is a bootable USB drive. Luckily, you came to the right place -- here is everything you need to do.

  First Off, the Requirements

  In order to create a bootable Windows 10 Technical Preview USB drive you will need to prepare the following, before we can go any further:

  • Windows 10 Technical Preview ISO, which you can download from here;
  • Windows 10 Technical Preview product key: NKJFK-GPHP7-G8C3J-P6JXR-HQRJR (taken from the page linked above);
  • Archiving tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR (either one is fine for the job);
  • USB drive -- the minimum size is 4 GB for the 32-bit version and 8 GB for the 64-bit version. Also, the faster the USB drive is the less time everything takes;
  • Windows PC.

  Creating the Bootable USB Drive

  After you have ticked every item on that list, you will have to install the archiving tool of your choosing (if you do not have one installed already) and then extract the contents of the Windows 10 Technical Preview ISO to a folder on your Windows PC. This option is revealed by right-clicking on the said file. Keep in mind that the partition you will use needs to have enough free space to accommodate the extra content. Also, a backup of the files on the USB drive is recommended.

  Afterwards, you will need to attach the USB drive, and follow the next steps to make a bootable Windows 10 Technical Preview USB media:

  1. Open a Command Prompt window. To do this, trigger Run (Windows key + R will do the trick, or you can find it in the Start menu), type "cmd" and then hit the OK button.
  2. Use the "diskpart" command to open the disk partitioning software. Validate the UAC prompt, if asked, to carry on.
  3. Use the "listdisk" command to reveal the list of attached physical storage media. This will show all the HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and so on.
  4. Identify the disk number of the USB drive you are using for this process (look at the size column for easy identification; based on my experience, it is usually listed last).
  5. Use the "select disk X" command to select it, where "X" is the disk number of your USB drive.
  6. Use the "clean" command to erase the contents of the USB drive.
  7. Use the "create partition primary" command to create a primary partition on the USB drive.
  8. Use the "select partition 1" command to select the previously created partition.
  9. Use the "active" command to make said partition appear active, or validated.
  10. Use the "format fs=ntfs quick" command to format the said partition as NTFS, using the Quick routine.
  11. Use the "assign" command to assign a drive letter to the USB drive. Afterwards, it will show up as a drive under My Computer.
  12. Copy the extracted contents of the Windows 10 Technical Preview ISO to the USB drive

  If you prefer a visual step-by-step guide, check out the slideshow below.

  

  How to Start the Install?

  Now that you have the bootable Windows 10 Technical Preview USB drive ready to go, you are probably wondering what is the next step. Well, to kick off the install you have to boot from that USB drive.

  Booting from a USB drive can be enabled by altering the boot order under BIOS settings to have USB at the top, quickly triggering the boot menu after turning on the PC and manually selecting the USB drive, or, if you're lucky, the PC is already set up to boot from a USB drive. Afterwards, with the device attached, you can install Windows 10 as you normally would any other Windows release.

  Update: You can also use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool for this process, as my colleague Brian Fagioli has pointed out on Twitter. It may be designed for Windows 7, but it apparently gets the job done for Windows 10 as well.

  Photo Credit: Mario Lopes/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Thinking of buying a secondhand iPhone? Check if it’s been stolen first

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 12:06pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Apple devices hold their value well, which is good news if you’re thinking of selling an old one. The downside of this is it makes iPhones an attractive target for thieves.

  If you’re looking to buy an iPhone, but can’t afford a brand new one -- on contract or off -- then shopping for a used model makes a lot of sense. But how can you know for sure that the device you’ve got your eye on is being offered by the legitimate owner, and not a thief offloading his ill-gotten gains? A new Apple tool can tell you.

  The new tool lets you check the activation lock status of the device in question. Just enter the iPhone IMEI or serial number (which are to be found in Settings > General > About) and the page will tell you if that phone has been remotely locked by its real owner.

  If the phone is unlocked, you’ll be able to set it up and use it without issue.

  There is one glaring problem with this approach of course -- it relies on the seller giving you the IMEI or serial number and there’s no way of knowing (if you’re buying online), whether the details they provide relate to the actual phone in question.

  Still, it adds one more barrier for thieves to overcome, which is clearly a good thing.

  
• 

  Thinking of buying a secondhand iPhone? Check if it's been stolen first

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 12:06pm CEST par Wayne Williams

  

  Apple devices hold their value well, which is good news if you’re thinking of selling an old one. The downside of this is it makes iPhones an attractive target for thieves.

  If you’re looking to buy an iPhone, but can’t afford a brand new one -- on contract or off -- then shopping for a used model makes a lot of sense. But how can you know for sure that the device you’ve got your eye on is being offered by the legitimate owner, and not a thief offloading his ill-gotten gains? A new Apple tool can tell you.

  The new tool lets you check the activation lock status of the device in question. Just enter the iPhone IMEI or serial number (which are to be found in Settings > General > About) and the page will tell you if that phone has been remotely locked by its real owner.

  If the phone is unlocked, you’ll be able to set it up and use it without issue.

  There is one glaring problem with this approach of course -- it relies on the seller giving you the IMEI or serial number and there’s no way of knowing (if you’re buying online), whether the details they provide relate to the actual phone in question.

  Still, it adds one more barrier for thieves to overcome, which is clearly a good thing.

  
• 

  WebSite X5 Evolution 11 debuts major new features, interface tweaks

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 11:18am CEST par Nick Peers

  

  Incomedia has released major new versions of its wizard-driven web-building tool with the launch of WebSite X5 Free 11.0 and WebSite X5 Evolution 11.0.

  Version 11.0 comes with a redesigned user interface and restructured five-step design process as well as enhanced template tools and page creation process alongside other improvements.

  The graphic interface has been updated for a "modern and functional" look, according to Incomedia. New button bar layouts give users more flexibility in using available space and allowing the minimum window size to be reduced.

  The five-step wizard used to build, populate and export a website has also been revamped, with style definition controls being moved up to the order to step one of the process while a new Statistics, SEO and Code window has been added to step four, where custom code management and optimization tools can be found.

  Improvements to template management mean templates are now saved as an integral part of the project file, making it easy to migrate projects to other computers. Custom style tools have also been moved to the graphic template properties where they’re more visible.

  The 1,500-strong template library (restricted to 50 templates in the Free version) has also been renewed, allowing it to be updated automatically from the internet when new templates become available.

  Page-creation enhancements see the addition of optional objects for inserting into content rather than having to define them using custom HTML code. The ability to define, save and import/export defined cell styles has also been added.

  Version 11 also adds support for Web Fonts and integrates a new text editor that helps ensure changes to content style can be applied consistently across the entire web project.

  Also added is access to more than 200,000 free pictures when inserting images, new styles for buttons and other graphical objects, more options when creating photo galleries and improvements to the built-in graphics editor.

  Users also gain the ability to schedule posts from blogs or RSS feeds, while other improvements make the HTML Editor easier to use and provide SEO optimization for sites.

  WebSite X5 Free 11.0 and WebSite X5 Evolution 11.0 are freeware and function-limited demo downloads respectively. Both require PCs running Windows XP or later. Not all improvements above apply to the Free edition. WebSite X5 Evolution 11.0 can be purchased for €69.99.

  
• 

  Hand over your child and get free Wi-Fi

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 11:02am CEST par Sam Pudwell

  

  A handful of London residents unwittingly agreed to give up their first-born child when signing in to a public Wi-Fi hot spot as part of an experiment carried out by the Cyber Security Research Institute.

  A "Herod clause" was included in the T's and C's, which promised free Wi-Fi if "the recipient agreed to assign their first born child to us for the duration of eternity".

  Luckily for the six people who failed to read the small print, security firm F-Secure, who sponsored the experiment, assured everyone that the clause wouldn't be enforced.

  In a rather tongue in cheek statement, the Finnish company said, "We have yet to enforce our rights under the terms and conditions but, as this is an experiment, we will be returning the children to their parents. Our legal adviser Mark Deem points out that, while terms and conditions are legally binding, it is contrary to public policy to sell children in return for free services, so the clause would not be enforceable in a court of law".

  This experiment does of course carry a serious message regarding the dangers of using public Wi-Fi, as outlined by Troels Oerting, assistant director at Europol, "We have found that the security on many Wi-Fi hotspots is rather low. So because they are not set up in the proper way, the criminals don't even need to set up their own service. They can simply look into the service that is providing the Wi-Fi to get what they want".

  The research demonstrates that, along with obviously not reading the terms and conditions, many members of the public simply aren't aware of the security issues that accompany public Wi-Fi. So, although the chances of having to hand over your children are relatively low, you might be giving away your personal information without even realizing.

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

  
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  Netflix signs deal with Adam Sandler -- streaming service to get 4 exclusive films

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 8:45am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  As someone who grew up in the '80s and '90s, I have seen pretty much every Adam Sandler movie. Besides loving his work on Saturday Night Live, I even remember him briefly being on the Cosby Show; one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. Sure, his movies can be stupid, and sometimes flat-out bad, but even his terrible films are funny. Critics universally panned his film Jack and Jill, but it is one of my favorites; Sandler dressed as a woman with fart-humor? I don't care who you are, that is funny right there.

  As much as I love his films, I am not a fan of going to the movie theater to see them. I take seeing films seriously; even silly ones, and his films attract an immature crowd that interrupt the experience and ultimately ruin it. Movies are very expensive and I am not a fan of wasting money. Luckily, Netflix announces that it has signed a deal with Adam Sandler that will make it easy to avoid the theater; the streaming service will get 4 exclusive films. Yes, Netflix is partnering with one of Hollywood's biggest actors and cutting the movie theaters out of the equation; this may be an act of war.

  "Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, will be the exclusive home of four feature films starring and produced by comic icon Adam Sandler, whose movies have delighted hundreds of millions of fans all over the world. Sandler is a unique and prolific comic voice, whose films have grossed more than $3 billion globally at the box office and made him one of the world’s top movie stars. He is among the few actors in the world whose films consistently rank among the most viewed by Netflix members in the U.S. and across its global territories from Brazil to the U.K.", says Netflix.

  Adam Sandler, in his usual wacky way, explains "when these fine people came to me with an offer to make four movies for them, I immediately said yes for one reason and one reason only…. Netflix rhymes with Wet Chicks. “Let the streaming begin!!!!”"

  This does not mean that Adam Sandler will never be appearing in movie theaters again; quite the contrary. His existing film commitments that are in production will still be shown at the cinema. The big questions is, what kind of budget will Netflix give to Sandler. While all four of the films have the potential to be great, they could end up being duds. Hell, if they are bad enough, we may even see the term "straight to video", which typically indicates poor quality, being replaced with "straight to Netflix". Fingers crossed for Jack and Jill 2!

  [https:]

   

  Photo credit: Helga Esteb /Shutterstock

  
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  ARM announces mbed -- an Internet of Things (IoT) platform

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 5:09am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  There are a lot of technology buzzwords and phrases being thrown around lately, such as "Cloud" and "Wearables", but the one I see gaining the most traction is "Internet of Things". The concept is pretty simple -- things being connected to the Internet, but what exactly is defined as a "thing". Well, pretty much anything that isn't a traditional computer can qualify. Think outside the box for a moment and imagine things like your bed, a toaster or a vacuum cleaner being connected to the Internet. Maybe an internet-connected bed can upload logs of your sleep patterns, a toaster can tell you that breakfast is ready, or your vacuum might warn you to to clean the filter.

  Unfortunately, as cool as this is, it presents a big problem -- who will decide the standards, and how can we be sure that it is all safe? After all, you do not want a vulnerability in an Internet-connected refrigerator compromising your entire network. Have no fear however, ARM has stepped up with its solution -- the mbed platform which focuses on open standards.

  "The ARM mbed IoT Device Platform has been built around open standards and will bring Internet protocols, security and standards-based manageability into one integrated solution optimized for energy and cost-constrained devices. It is supported by the established and expanding mbed hardware and software ecosystem that will provide common building blocks for IoT devices and services. This new platform will accelerate the growth of the IoT by enabling innovators to focus on value-add features and differentiation", says ARM.

  The company further explains, "the mbed partner ecosystem has been expanded to enable participation by a wide range of silicon, module, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), system integrator, cloud and operator partners. Launch partners for the mbed IoT Device Platform include Atmel, CSR, Ericsson, Farnell, Freescale, IBM, KDDI, Marvell, MegaChips, MultiTech, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP, Renesas, SeeControl, Semtech, Silicon Labs, Stream Technologies, ST, Telenor Connexion, Telefonica, Thundersoft, u-blox, wot.io and Zebra".

  The company explains the three facets of the mbed platform:

  • mbed OS: a free operating system for ARM Cortex-M processor based devices that consolidates the fundamental building blocks of the IoT in one integrated set of software components. It contains security, communication and device management features to enable the development of production-grade, energy-efficient IoT devices. It is available to mbed partners in Q4 2014 for early development, with the first production devices due in 2015.
  • mbed Device Server: a licensable software product that provides the required server-side technologies to connect and manage devices in a secure way. It also provides a bridge between the protocols designed for use on IoT devices and the APIs that are used by web developers. This simplifies the integration of IoT devices that provide “little data” into cloud frameworks that deploy 'big data' analytics on the aggregated information. Built around open standards, the product scales to handle the connections and management of millions of devices
  • mbed.org: the focus point for a community of more than 70,000 developers around mbed. The website provides a comprehensive database of hardware development kits, a repository for reusable software components, reference applications, documentation and web-based development tools.

  ARM is saying all the right things and has partnered with some significant players. However, if the Internet of Things will be as popular as many believe, there will be a lot of competition. Even if this platform makes sense, the question should be, who put ARM in charge anyway? I'm sure many other companies have their own ideas on how the Internet of Things should be handled. Quite frankly, we will probably see many competing platforms and live in incompatibility hell for years until one platform "wins".

  Who do you think should be responsible for governing the Internet of Things? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo credit: Scott Bedford/Shutterstock

  
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  Facebook apologizes to LGBT community, 'backs down' on real name policy

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 4:21am CEST par Mark Wilson

  

  Facebook has issued an apology to "drag queens, drag kings", and the LGBT community for forcing users of the social network to reveal their real names or face having their pages suspended. The social network also bowed to pressure, saying that users will not necessarily have to use their real names in rgw future. Chris Cox, Facebook's Chief Product Officer, made a statement in an online post that admits the negative response to the policy "took us off guard". Why the sudden interest in real names? It seems that one person may have been to blame.

  Facebook caused something of a storm of controversy recently when it forced many users to reveal their real names. Large groups of people were affected by this, but it was a number of drag artists who were most vocal in their complaints -- numerous petitions and campaigns, including #MyNameIs, started up. While it was drag queens who hit the headlines, Facebook's sudden enforcement of its long-standing real names policy also affected performers such as musicians -- fans and friends were confused when seemingly new people appeared in their friend list. Despite the backlash Facebook faced, the social network stuck to its gun, remaining adamant that the policy was here to stay, and dismissing complaints out of hand.

  Cox explains that "an individual" took it upon themselves to report hundreds of Facebook accounts as being fake. Failing to notice the volume of complaints that one person was generating, Facebook dutifully went through its usual protocol of requesting proof of identify from the reported account holders. The statement clarifies that this has been Facebook's policy for the past decade, but in this instance it resulted in alienating huge swathes of users. Cox also goes on to explain that there has never been a 'real name' policy:

  Our policy has never been to require everyone on Facebook to use their legal name. The spirit of our policy is that everyone on Facebook uses the authentic name they use in real life.

  Sister Roma, one of the account holders affected by the initial clamp-down, is name-checked in the statement. Facebook recognizes that Sister Roma is Sister Roma -- that is how she is known is day to day life, even if that's not her 'real' name.

  This policy will remain in place. Cox injects a little spin by saying that the name policy is "part of what made Facebook special in the first place, by differentiating the service from the rest of the internet where pseudonymity, anonymity, or often random names were the social norm" as well as suggesting that it helps to reduce instances of anonymous bullying. There's a promise that improvements will be made to user verification whilst avoiding "opening up Facebook to bad actors".

  It remains to be seen how this apology will be taken by those affected, and whether it is seen by the general Facebook populous as going far enough.

   

  
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  Logitech announces the Type+ Protective case with integrated keyboard for iPad Air

  Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 1:10am CEST par Brian Fagioli

  

  When it comes to smartphones, I am generally an Android guy; however, the iPad Air is my favorite casual tablet. While the Surface Pro 3 is my choice for best all-around tablet, there are some places I don't want to bring it, such as the bathroom. Yes, the iPad Air usually is with me when I am sitting on the toilet; sorry if that is TMI (too much information). With that said, the iPad Air can be a great all-purpose tablet too when coupled with a keyboard case; even outside of using the potty.

  There are many companies that manufacture iPad keyboard cases, but in my experience, Logitech produces the most reliable and consistent offerings. In other words, the company makes great iPad accessories that consumers can depend on; I've yet to see a lemon. Today, Logitech announces the Type+ Protective case with integrated keyboard for iPad Air and it looks pretty sweet.

  "The new Logitech Type+ takes the design of our most popular thin, light and two-sided protection that helps guard your iPad from the accidental bumps, scratches and spills. And now it features an improved Bluetooth keyboard. We've designed the new keyboard to replicate the typing experience and layout you would have on your laptop -- so now you can smoothly transition from one device to another without losing speed or accuracy. We've done this by optimizing the distance between the keys, and adding a dedicated row of iOS shortcuts that put navigation of your iPad at your fingertips without needing to reach out and touch your iPad's screen", says Logitech.

  

  The manufacturer further explains, "the Logitech Type+ keyboard also has an automatic On/Off feature; when the iPad is positioned upright, the Logitech Type+ automatically turns on, and when it's closed, it automatically turns off. In addition, the auto-wake and auto-sleep feature turns your iPad off when you close the case and wakes it when you open the case so your iPad is ready anytime you need it".

  Having the keyboard automatically turn on and off depending on the position of the tablet is huge. I have experienced other keyboard cases that do not offer this, and while it isn't a deal breaker, accidentally hitting keys can be annoying. Not to mention, this auto on/off feature should also conserve battery, as the user can't forget to turn it off when not angled for use. I really like the shape of the keys too, being square and not circular; this is a smart design choice by Logitech.

  If you own an iPad Air and need a keyboard case, this is likely the one you want. It is available in orange and black, for a reasonable $99.99. For a single "Benjamin", you can turn your Apple tablet into a mini laptop, while also protecting the screen and body from damage. If you want to pre-order, you can do so here.