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• 

  Yahoo is the new default search engine in Firefox -- Google gets kicked to the curb

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 11:58pm CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  Google is one of the best search engines, providing relative results with a clean design. There is a problem though -- Google also offers a web browser. Why is that a problem? Well, it is a strange thing for a competing web browser to use the Google search engine. It's like Ford using Chevy parts in its cars -- blasphemy!

  A great example of this is Mozilla Firefox. The Chrome web browser is slowly eroding Firefox usage share, so it has felt odd that Mozilla was sticking with Google's search engine for so long. Well, today everything changes, as Mozilla selects Yahoo as the new default search engine in Firefox for both desktop and mobile. Will users applaud or decry the announcement?

  "Today, I'm thrilled to announce that we've entered into a five-year partnership with Mozilla to make Yahoo the default search experience on Firefox across mobile and desktop. Mozilla is an inspirational industry leader who puts users first and focuses on building forward-leaning, compelling experiences. This is the most significant partnership for Yahoo in five years and we’re so proud that Mozilla has chosen us as their long-term partner in search", says Marissa Mayer, Yahoo CEO.

  Mayer further explains, "our teams worked closely with Mozilla to build a clean, modern, and immersive search experience that will launch first to Firefox’s U.S. users in December and then to all Yahoo users in early 2015. The interactive and integrated experience also better leverages our world-class content and personalization technologies".

  

  This is sure to upset some Firefox fans, however, I think anger is the wrong emotion. Sure, Google is currently the better search engine, but with the emergence of Google Chrome, Mozilla needs to forge new relationships and move away from the search-giant. Don't forget, you can still select Google as your search engine, it just won't be selected by default. Quite frankly, it would probably be best if no search engine was default, and the user was given a choice at first-run, but that probably won't happen anytime soon.

  If you do not like this move, there is no need to panic -- it does not go into effect until December. You have time to mentally prepare.

  Photo Credit: Jaimie Duplass / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Microsoft is giving away free goodies to celebrate a year of Xbox One!

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 10:45pm CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  Celebrate good times, come on! Microsoft recently celebrated the 13th birthday of the original Xbox, but now it is time to celebrate yet another birthday. You see, the newest console from the company, the Xbox One, will be turning a year old this Saturday.

  Normally, people give gifts to the person celebrating a birthday, but today Microsoft is going in a different direction. If you are an Xbox One owner, it is time to get very excited -- Microsoft will be giving all of you gifts! However, the fun does not stop there; the company will also randomly be giving away games to owners too.

  "Saturday, November 22, marks the official one year anniversary of Xbox One. It’s been an unbelievable year, but we never would have gotten to this point without our incredible fans. We want to thank you for being a part of an amazing 12 months by celebrating with you all weekend long", says Larry Hryb, Microsoft.

  Hryb lists the following freebies that all Xbox One owners will get starting this Friday:

  • A Year One Gamer Picture
  • New Xbox One backgrounds: A special Year One background as well as an exclusive Day One background for those who unlocked the Day One achievement
  • A Year One background image for use on Twitter, your desktop, etc.
  • A free rental of "Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" (for a limited time)
  • A free rental of "Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods" movie and a sampler pack of "Dragon Ball Z" TV episodes (for a limited time, available in the U.S. and Canada only)

  The following will be given away at random:

  • Xbox One Limited Edition Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Bundle
  • Xbox One Special Edition Sunset Overdrive Bundle
  • One month membership for Xbox One-exclusive EA Access service
  • Tiger Shark cash card for Grand Theft Auto V, worth $200,000 in-game GTA Online dollars
  • Forza gift pack with Forza RallyCross hat, Lamborghini Huracán 1/24 scale replica, and Xbox One Controller (launch team edition) signed by Tanner Foust, host of Top Gear America, Global RallyCross champion and professional stunt driver
  • Forza Horizon 2 Limited Edition Casio G-Shock Men’s Black Multi-Function Digital Sports Watch
  • Grand Theft Auto V gift pack with the Los Santos Sheriff Trucker cap, Michael, Franklin and Trevor Posters, and a Grand Theft Auto V sticker pack
  • Xbox Live Gold 12-month membership digital code
  • Killer Instinct Season 1 Combo Breaker Pack, the retail version of Killer Instinct Xbox One’s first season and includes all eight season one characters: Jago, Sabrewulf, Glacius, Thunder, Sadira, Orchid, and Spinal. Also includes Fulgore DLC character.
  • Special limited edition Nissan 370Z, featuring a custom Casio livery for Forza Horizon 2
  • Air Vehicle shortcut for Battlefield 4 for immediate access to all available unlocks for helicopters and jets available in the main Battlefield 4 game
  • Arno’s French Rapier for Assassin’s Creed Unity to improve your combat skills
  • 75 Platinum in Warframe
  • Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Costume Pack for Peggle 2
  • Epic Quest Table in Pinball FX2
  • Dance Central Spotlight (full game token)
  • Project Spark Premium – 15 days: Grants 2x gain of Spark XP, credits, and champion XP, as well as the ability to purchase new token-only content for earned in-game credits

  Unfortunately, these deals are only available to consumers who bought an Xbox One between 11/22/13 - 11/11/14. In other words, recent purchasers are out of luck and you can't run out and buy the console today to get the freebies. If you bought the console after 11/11, I can understand your potential anger. With that said, I can't fault Microsoft for this, as I'm sure they need time to compile the list of eligible owners and prepare for the giveaway. Plus, how can you get mad at a company for doing something nice?

  Photo Credit: Aigars Reinholds / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Google releases free open source game to highlight Android TV multiplayer gaming

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 9:40pm CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  Many people consider open source to be the future. It is hard to argue with this, as it allows software to be adapted to different environments. Most importantly, it allows users to view the code, and prevents malicious aspects, such as backdoors. In other words, you never know what is hiding in closed source software.

  Today, Google embraces open source in an effort to highlight multiplayer-gaming on Android TV. How? Well, the search giant releases a free open source game called "Pie Moon". It is available now in the Google Play Store.

  "Pie Noon is a simple game created to demonstrate multi-user access to a consumer application for the Nexus Player, an Android TV device. It supports up to 4 players using Bluetooth controllers and touch controls on mobile devices. Google Play Games Services is used for leaderboards and achievements, FlatBuffers for data serialization, WebP for image compression and MathFu for math acceleration", says Google.

  Alex Ames, Fun Propulsion Labs, Google explains, "you can download the game in the Play Store and the latest open source release from our GitHub page. We invite you to learn from the code to see how you can implement these libraries and utilities in your own Android games. Take advantage of our discussion list if you have any questions, and don't forget to throw a few pies while you’re at it!".

  I was able to install Pie Moon on my Nexus Player by accessing the store on the web here. While it looks nice and cutesy, it is a bit rudimentary and boring -- small children may enjoy it, though. With that said, the game is intended to be a demo of the Simple DirectMedia Layer library and not an award-winning masterpiece; its cool for what it is.

  If you download the game, please tell me how you like it in the comments.

  
• 

  Free up space in Windows 10 with the new Disk Cleanup System Compression feature

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 8:37pm CET par Wayne Williams

  

  Windows 10 Technical Preview is very much an early work in progress. Microsoft is releasing new builds on a fairly regular basis (although the next one isn’t expected until the New Year), and implementing changes based on user feedback. Personally I’m liking what I’m seeing so far.

  Although Microsoft discusses the major new features and changes in each build, there’s still some hidden functionality that you may not be aware of. Case in point is the little known System Compression option tucked away in Disk Cleanup.

  Disk Cleanup is, of course, a feature that’s been in Windows for ages. You use it to remove junk from your computer, freeing up space. It can remove downloaded program files, temporary files, temporary Windows installation files, offline web pages, and log files, as well as empty the recycle bin and remove old thumbnails. However, in the latest Windows 10 build there’s a new feature which can compress files. This was something Microsoft used to offer in XP and removed in Vista, but now it’s back.

  To try the feature, click the Start button and in the search box type "cleanmgr.exe". Right-click the option and launch it as an administrator.

  Disk Cleanup will check your system and then present you with a list of things that can be removed to free up space. Scroll down and you’ll see a "System Compression" option. Although this will tell you how much space can be gained, there’s no way of knowing exactly what it’s proposing to compress. The description says simply "Compress windows binaries and program files". Helpful.

  Since there’s no information about what it’s doing, you should approach this feature with care, but provided you’re not using Windows 10 as your primary OS, it’s worth having a play with it. I have yet to encounter any problems after running it.

  
• 

  Mozilla, EFF and others join forces to encrypt the web with free security certificates

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 7:18pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  It has been a long time coming, but the web is slowly transitioning away from HTTP to HTTPS. Google has done it with Gmail, and Yahoo did the same with its webmail service, and security advocates would like other websites to follow suit. The problem, for smaller sites at least, is the cost involved. But a new venture between Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Mozilla, Cisco, the University of Michigan and IdenTrust will eliminate the cost obstacle when it launches next summer.

  The partnership has brought about the creation of Let's Encrypt, a new certificate authority that will provide free security certificates to those who need them. It is hoped that handing out cost-free certificates will encourage more sites to adopt the HTTPS protocol. But Let's Encrypt does not just eliminate the financial hurdle.

  The process of setting up and managing certificates is notoriously tricky, and very easy to get wrong. This is something that Let's Encrypt will also take care of by using a software agent to reduce the setup time to under a minute. The tool is still in the development stages at the moment, but you can check it out, and provide feedback on how it works.

  HTTPS, EFF freely admits, is not a perfect technology, but it is a marked improved over the standard HTTP protocol which is still very widely used. The certificate authority will be managed by the Internet Security Research Group, and there will be a strong focus on openness, ease and transparency. Certificates will be available to anyone with a domain, and the automated setup means that things can be up and running very quickly. The software behind the process will be open source, and the whole venture is as much about co-operation as it is about security -- ease of use and compatibility are of the utmost importance.

  Check out the video below to get an idea of how the software agent will work:

  
• 

  NoSQL is much more than just the cherry on top of the company cake

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 7:12pm CET par David Maitland

  

  How do you define the success of a technology implementation? Should it be judged by how it helps to add short-term value in certain individual areas of business? Or should the yardstick be its ability to enable your entire organization to take a giant leap forward?

  Clearly, it’s not possible for every piece of hardware or software introduced within a business to have a revolutionary, transformative impact. However, perhaps it’s worth considering whether or not you are at least maximizing the impact of the tools you have at your disposal and using them to drive as much value as you can. It’s important to remember that the elephant in the room in every technology purchase, is the question of 'why?'

  This process can be comparable to a group of chefs discussing the best way to bake a cake, and arguing over whether or not they should use a particular brand of flour, or a certain type of egg or icing sugar. All have their own ideas and views, even if the ultimate objective of baking the cake remains the same for them all.

  Similarly, business heads also need to take a number of considerations into account.

  Are they looking for a solution that can enable to solve an individual problem, or are they hoping to address a wider, more far-reaching concern? And if so, how do they achieve this on time, and within the limitations of their budget?

  The truth, unfortunately, for far too many businesses heads, is that finding this agreement is easier said than done.

  As a result, there’s a tendency for many to compromise and view technology as a means of achieving a short-term fix, rather than adding greater long-term value to the business as a whole.

  All of which might, to return to our analogy, lead to the creation of one nice cake, but could lead to a number of 'soggy bottoms' and 'droopy sponges' further down the line.

  Let’s be clear, the right technology solution should be one that doesn’t just paper over the cracks of individual problems, but which can improve overall efficiency, not just in the next few months, but for many years to come.

  Too often, business heads turn to technology as a quick, simple panacea that can be used to attempt to treat the symptoms of inefficiency rather than getting to the actual root of the problem.

  It’s a little like asking a doctor to treat the symptoms of a medical problem instead of trying to find a cure for the illness itself. After all, you can buy all the medicine you like to make your cough subside for a few hours, but unless you get the right antibiotics, your chest infection isn’t going anywhere.

  In the same way, business users often see the fact that IT systems aren’t fast enough, or can’t scale well enough to meet demand, and look for ways to improve performance in these specific areas instead of looking at the bigger picture.

  The NoSQL industry is a great example of a technology that allows organizations to add value both in the short and longer term.

  While there’s no doubt that applications for NoSQL databases can play a role in making 'added value' processes and systems like data analytics more effective, they can also be used to completely transform the way an organization operates.

  The reason for this is simple -- there’s never been a more important time to ensure that organizations are able to handle, process and make use of large quantities of data.

  In a world where banks, retailers and even advertisers rely not just on data, but also on the speed in which it is delivered, this should come as no surprise. In today’s data-intensive world, the 'quickest' is always the most successful, while the ‘slowest’ is yesterday’s news.

  Connectivity to data is becoming a game changer across industry, and more and more businesses are turning to NoSQL database technology to help them get an edge over their competitors.

  It’s clear that the success of any technology implementation should be judged on its ability to add long-term value because, when all’s said and done, it makes little sense to implement a solution that merely provides you with the cherry on top of the cake.

  This is particularly true when you consider that the same principles can be applied to make the cake itself bigger, better and more delicious than ever before!

  Isn’t it time you considered what recipe you are using to make your business a success?

  David Maitland is the general manager EMEA at Couchbase

  Photo Credit: Sukpaiboonwat/Shutterstock

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

  
• 

  Managing mobility in the age of BYOD

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 6:32pm CET par Roger Bjork

  

  Mobile device management (MDM) solutions have been an enterprise mainstay for years, enabling IT to manage enterprise-owned smartphones and tablets in a way similar to how PCs and laptops are managed -- by taking complete control of them. But when it comes to personal mobile devices entering the IT environment via bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs, MDM solutions struggle to provide the flexibility that IT now requires.

  As the name states, MDM is focused on managing devices. It allows IT to control the entire environment of a smart device: provisioning, tracking usage and location, enforcing policies, ensuring security encryption, pushing approved enterprise apps to the device, and locking the device down or wiping it if necessary. It is a heavy-handed but very useful approach to managing corporate-owned smartphones and tablets. When it comes to personally owned devices, however, IT cannot take the same approach. Users don’t want to give IT complete control over their device. They don’t want their usage and location tracked when they aren’t at work. They don’t want to be limited in the kinds of apps they download and use. And they don’t want to give IT the power to access or wipe personal information, such as photos and text messages.

  This means that to support BYOD programs and enable employees to access network resources using their personally owned devices, organizations need to take a much more comprehensive and flexible approach to mobility. This approach is referred to as enterprise mobility management (EMM).

  With EMM, organizations secure only what needs to be protected -- corporate data -- while letting the owner of the device have full access to all the other features. This focus on protecting corporate data instead of the entire device enables EMM solutions to provide management capabilities -- provisioning, tracking usage, enforcing policies, etc. -- for almost any smart device. An EMM solution should provide IT with control over only a container-based secure enterprise workspace that is installed on the device (like any other application) and that walls off the corporate data inside it from the rest of the device. IT has no control over the physical device or any data outside the workspace, and wiping the corporate data won’t affect any personal information.

  Another important feature of EMM solutions is simplifying management of the entire mobile environment. Today, most companies are using point solutions to meet their changing mobility and BYOD needs as they come up. But every time they purchase a new point solution, they are also getting a new cost structure -- support, infrastructure, training, etc. Also, these solutions typically aren’t integrated, which just adds to the complexity. The best EMM solutions are made up of multiple tools that have been integrated to dramatically simplify management. They also focus on users instead of devices. For example, once a user profile is defined, including policies and rules for data access and usage, the user profile can be deployed -- via the secure workspace -- to smartphones, tablets and laptops, further simplifying management.

  When considering an EMM solution, look for one that:

  • Can unify mobility management by integrating all the required tools, including MDM, endpoint systems management (ESM), mobile applications management (MAM), mobile content management (MCM), secure access to corporate resources, a user self-service portal, and real-time reporting and alerts.
  • Provides a complete solution that supports both corporate-owned and BYO devices and includes the widest range of devices and OSs, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops.
  • Enables IT to create detailed user profiles and granular policies while also making it easy for end users to download and install the secure workspace to their devices.
  • Includes a complete security environment, including encryption and policy management.

  Many organizations are still leery of the complexity and security issues surrounding BYOD programs, but many are being forced into adoption by employee demand. With a comprehensive, flexible EMM solution, IT can actually simplify mobility and systems management and improve security while still satisfying the needs of their BYOD-hungry teams.

  Photo Credit: totallyPic.com/ Shutterstock

  Roger Bjork is Director of Enterprise Mobility Solutions Go-To-Market and Business Development at Dell Software, responsible for Dell’s overall Mobility/BYOD Solutions. This year, he will be celebrating his 15th year with Dell, and he has led the marketing efforts for Dell’s Mobile Solutions since their inception five years ago. Roger holds a BSCS in Computer Science from Texas A&M University and has been in the mobile industry for over three decades in various capacities, including R&D, product planning, business development, and marketing.

  
• 

  Logitech AnyAngle is a snazzy and versatile case for both the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 5:14pm CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  The iPad is a wonderful tablet that people love the world over. Sure, Apple has its detractors, and people tend to focus on the deficiencies of the iPad, but its continued popularity is no fluke; it is enjoyable and useful with a ton of great apps. Unfortunately, the tablet's power is limited by its form factor. In other words, other than Microsoft's Surface line, the average tablet cannot stand on its own or be positioned for comfortable desk typing.

  Case manufacturers have enabled some brilliant solutions for making the iPad more versatile, and Logitech has been on the forefront in that regard. In fact, Logitech has garnered quite the praise and respect from the iPad community for its cases and keyboards. Today, Logitech continues this tradition, with the attractive Logitech AnyAngle case. It is compatible with the iPad Air 2 and all models of the iPad mini.

  "The Logitech AnyAngle has an integrated hidden hinge that holds your iPad firmly in place at any angle within a 50-degree range, so you can easily adjust your screen for optimum viewing, even if you're stuck in downward dog. The stand folds entirely behind the iPad, for a clean, minimalist look, whether in stand mode or when laid flat for reading", says Logitech.

  The manufacturer further explains, "this sleek case also offers a pop of color to your iPad and comes in six unique combinations to suit any style. Our designers drew inspiration from a wide range of spaces and objects -- from airport runways to fashion runways -- to bring you exciting color combinations like traffic light red with Blue Man Group blue".

  

  The hidden hinge is rather genius, as it allows you to select any angle (see it in action in the video below), rather than just a few pre-determined ones like many other cases. Quite frankly, it is reminiscent of the kickstand on the Surface Pro 3. Luckily, you will not have to wait long to buy it; the case will be available this month for a reasonable $59.99.

  
• 

  Windows Phone gets official Duolingo, WolframAlpha apps

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 5:11pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  The app-gap is still not a thing of the past for Windows Phone Store, but, fortunately, things are getting better. There already are lots of third-party alternatives -- some of which are quite good -- to many prominent apps. And, thanks to the functionality enabled by Windows Phone 8.1, it is possible for more types of apps to launch, like Fitbit and Microsoft Remote Desktop.

  The biggest progress, however, is made when well-known developers launch their apps on the platform. This week Windows Phone scores big, as both language-learning app Duolingo and computational engine WolframAlpha make their appearance in Store.

  Duolingo is designed for those who wish to learn English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. You advance by completing lessons; failing to answer correctly results in losing hearts (points). Progress can be tracked in the app, and Duolingo claims to adjust to your learning so you improve the more you use it.

  For those who are not familiar with it, WolframAlpha works similarly to a search engine. You make an inquiry and it will apply its algorithms to the information it can interpret to give you a result. For instance, "aluminum melting temperature" yields a result of 660.32 degrees Celsius (1220.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

  It can interpret data in a wide range of areas, like history, music, geography, linguistics, dates, astronomy and so on. In the current iteration, the app does not come with Worlfram|Alpha Pro features, like personal analytics.

  Both Duolingo and WolframAlpha are only compatible with Windows Phone 8.1, based on their Store descriptions. Duolingo is offered as a free app, while WolframAlpha costs $2.99. The latter is a universal app, meaning it works across Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.1 devices (and you only have to pay once for it).

  
• 

  Acer announces TravelMate B115 laptop -- affordable and portable

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 5:09pm CET par Brian Fagioli

  Acer is one of my favorite computer manufacturers, because it knows how to build a machine with a focus on value. In other words, when money is tight, you can look to the company to meet your budget with a quality machine. I have used countless low-cost machines over the years, and Acer has yet to disappoint.

  Today, the company delivers value once again, as it announces the Acer TravelMate B115. Not only is this 11.6 inch touchscreen laptop small and portable at an inch thin and 3 pounds, but it is extremely affordable too. How affordable? Only $379!

  "Offering up to 10 hours of battery life, the TravelMate B115 provides up to a full day of computing, a significant benefit for users in education, since classrooms often have few outlets available. This model provides solid performance with an Intel Celeron N2940 processor, 500GB storage and 4GB of RAM expandable to 8GB. It's also pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows 8.1", says Acer

  The manufacturer further explains, "the TravelMate B115 attaches to external displays via HDMI and connects to networks via Intel Centrino Advanced N 7260. It's also compatible with a wide range of peripherals and digital devices via Bluetooth 4.0, a fast USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports. The high-def webcam (1280 x 780) with 720p audio/video recording and a built-in microphone provide high-quality video conferencing for continuing the learning process outside the classroom".

  

  While some will complain that the display is "only" 1366 x 768, I think that is perfectly acceptable for a smaller display, and especially at this very low price point. This machine should appeal to the enterprise, home users, and the education segment as well. Sure, it's no power-house, but at an inexpensive $379, it may be quite the affordable workhorse. It will be available later in November.

  Will you buy the Acer TravelMate B115? Tell me in the comments.

  
• 

  The nightmare challenge of developing apps for iPhone 6

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 4:12pm CET par Paul Swaddle

  

  The growth of mobile is considered to be the biggest shift in technology since the arrival of the internet. IDC’s mobile phone forecast predicts that total sales of smartphones will reach 1.2 billion units before the end of the year, a 23.1 percent increase over 2013. With the use of mobile devices now intrinsically linked to everyday life, it’s easy to see why British companies busy building apps for smartphones and tablets are forecast to generate £4bn in revenues this year.

  The launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus on September 9 created great commotion. Choose any major city, anywhere in the world and the scenes outside of Apple Stores on 9 September were the same. Hordes of consumers of all ages, social standings and demographics spent hours, and in some cases days, queuing as they waited to get their hands on the latest offering. In Australia Jack Cooksey, the first person to buy the iPhone 6, inadvertently crash tested it live on national television -- which has since gone viral. If we put the initial consumer excitement and hype to one side, the introduction of Apple’s largest ever handsets does present some very positive features. You have a larger screen, which obviously means more display space. The larger screen also means bigger virtual buttons within apps which (from a marketing perspective) enables organizations to drive more types of engagement on screen without cluttering the display. However, all of these new features and opportunities in the new handsets also inevitably complicate things for mobile app developers.

  Prior to the introduction of the new handsets, the Apple mobile app developers’ task was far easier than that of the Android mobile app developer who was already trying to develop new apps for thousands of devices with differing screen sizes, form factors and resolutions. Although the iPhone has had a slight evolution in size from the original device the iPhone 6 is considered Apple’s first 'big' phone. Where before its arrival app developers simply had one app to design with one interface and display, now it is a completely different story.

  iOS app developers vs. the iPhone(s)

  The iPhone 6 Plus is approaching the size of a small tablet. A simple "upscale" of an existing app will not be ideal for optimal user experience, it will require careful design of the app interface to deliver the best results for the consumer.

  On-screen controls now need to be big enough for easy manipulation whilst blending in with the rest of the displayed elements. Controls may also need to be moved to a location that makes more sense on the larger iPhones without compromising touch control.

  Because the App Store requires all apps to work on all screens starting with and including iPhone 4s, which has a 3.5inch screen as opposed to the 4.7 inch display on the iPhone 6 and 5.5 inch on the iPhone 6 Plus, all of this redesign must be done in a way that doesn’t compromise how the app works on smaller iPhones. This is a big task as pixel-perfect screen designs have been a trademark of iOS development up to this point, however the shorter dimensions of the iPhone 4s makes it more difficult to support when it comes to screen designs. Developers will need to maximize the advantages of the additional screen space provided by the new devices whilst also ensuring they scale well to the shorter dimensions of the 4s.

  Prior to the introduction of the iPhone 6, developers predominantly created apps to be used in portrait mode due to device usage patterns. However, the increased size of the screen on the new handset, which can no longer be easily managed with one hand, necessitates that apps also be developed for use in landscape mode, thus adding a layer of difficulty to development.

  Overall the introduction of larger mobile phones is positive for organizations looking to market their apps on these devices -- especially as today it is less about telephoning and more about reading, writing and sharing. Let’s face it, traditional mass media will soon be overshadowed by mobile. In fact, according to research company Nielsen, 89 percent of consumer media time is now spent in mobile apps. Therefore, it is evident that larger handsets will help generate more likes, shares comments or views for organizations’ marketing campaigns.

  To compound this issue, the release of iOS 8 in September was met with less than rapturous applause. Many developers were concerned that the increased fragmentation in the iOS ecosystem would result in longer development times and increased cost. Add to this its initial instability which saw a crash rate that far exceeded that of iOS 7 and its clear to see why there was initial concern.

  Clearly, getting an app interface right for both large and small iPhones is an imperative as users are incredibly fickle. If the user experience is not a positive one consumers will simply not interact with the app. Marketers must be aware that if consumers don’t like the way a favorite iPhone app works on the new models, they will simply move on to something else.

  Moving forward the industry will continue to evolve. Many forget that mobile is largely still in its infancy and there is no doubt that mobile app developers can expect further market fragmentation. One thing is for certain, a one-size fits all approach certainly won’t work anymore. The key for organizations will be to find mobile app developers with the necessary experience to design apps that are future proofed. App redesign involves a lot of work, and the new multiple requirements of large iPhones and the new operating system will just add to the mix of issues that developers must address.

  By Paul Swaddle, CEO, Pocket App

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

  
• 

  New venture aims to completely rethink enterprise security

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 3:53pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  Up to now cyber security has generally taken a defensive approach to protecting data and intellectual property.

  That’s set to change as a team of industry experts has got together to create a system that's aimed at dramatically improving the reliability and security of enterprise data and applications running in both cloud and conventional environments.

  Called Virtual Software Systems (VS²) the company is set to offer an entirely new approach to security based on the founders’ deep expertise in systems architecture, design and development.

  VS²’s technology is intended to fill the gap between current perimeter solutions (firewall, intrusion detection/prevention, anti-virus, etc.) and interior defenses such as encryption, which is currently the only method for protecting data following a perimeter breach.

  Existing security doesn’t go far enough says VS² President and CEO John Conway, "They've applied technologies and methodologies from the physical world to the virtual world -- but the headlines tell us every day that this approach is incomplete. The mechanisms used by intruders to evade detection and trick perimeter defenses are infinite, so the key is to simplify and manage the attack surface from the inside of the computer. VS² achieves this by rethinking security at the system design level, combining principles of fault tolerance with a new spatio-temporal architecture that virtually manipulates time and neutralizes attacks before they can become harmful exploits".

  The engineering team behind VS² holds more than a dozen computer design patents and is responsible for many of the foundational technologies that support today’s complex computer and network infrastructure.

  The company is intending to demonstrate its new technology in 2015, in the meantime you can keep up with developments on its website.

  Imaged Credit: soliman design / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Tech companies like Facebook and Google lead the way in delivering LGBT equality in the workplace

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 3:47pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  US technology companies are setting a benchmark for those in other sectors to reach for when it comes to LGBT equality in the workplace. These are the findings reported in the thirteenth edition of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. The HRC rates workplaces on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion and equality, and this year's report shows that there is now greater awareness and understanding of the transgender community.

  The index rates companies using a variety of factors including the presence of non-discriminatory policies, the existence of transgender-inclusion healthcare, and whether or not there are guidelines in place to encourage transgender inclusion. This year there are a record number of businesses attaining a 100 percent rating, and 14 of these fall into the hardware, software and data services areas of the tech sector.

  Joining the companies with a perfect score this year are Facebook and Yelp, and Adobe makes an impressive improvement from 90 to 100 percent. Facebook had previously managed to upset the LGBT community with its real names policy. Deena Fidas, director of the HRC Foundation's Workplace Equality Program, said:

  Long viewed as thought leaders in business innovation, it's no surprise that computer tech companies continue to be strong leaders in LGBT workplace inclusion. This year, we welcomed two new computer software and hardware companies to the CEI, continuing evidence of the sector's commitment to fairness.

  91 percent of Fortune 500 companies include reference to sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies, while just 61 percent make reference to gender identity. Both figures are up from previous years.

  President of the HRC, Chad Griffin, believes that US businesses could teach a lot to other sectors:

  Despite 66 percent of all Fortune 500 companies now including gender identity in the employment protections, we know that this does not always translate into everyday inclusion of the transgender community. While many companies are leading the way, our nation's federal non-discrimination protections are lagging behind. Critical cultural shifts need to take place to foster greater inclusion. In this case, our elected leaders should be looking to corporate America for a sterling example of how progress is achieved.

  A couple of weeks ago, Amazon published its diversity report which showed the company remains dominated by white middle-class men, although the report revealed nothing about LGBT policies. Next year's HRC report will make for interesting reading as it will, for the first time, include companies' global LGBT policies, not just those in place in US operations.

  Photo credit: Rawpixel / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Splice Machine reduces the cost and complexity of building database applications

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 3:35pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  Databases are important to enterprises of all sizes, but building applications to exploit data effectively can be time consuming and expensive.

  Now Splice Machine, maker of the only Hadoop RDBMS (relational database management system), is making its product publicly available for the first time. It will allow database architects and app developers to build real-time, scalable applications without the burden or cost of a traditional RDBMS.

  The product has been in beta for the past year and the company has been working with customers to gather feedback on what matters most to enterprises in a scale-out relational database. As a result the version 1.0 release has some key new features.

  These include analytic window functions providing advanced SQL analytic capabilities based on the SQL-2003 standard. Native backup and recovery to protect against data loss, and a cost-based optimizer to ensure efficient query performance. There's also a console that provides a view into how well queries are working.

  Splice Machine integrates with the Hadoop big data ecosystem and has a native ODBC driver offering custom-built database connections.

  "With these new features and the validation from our charter customers, we are now fully prepared to support enterprises that are growing quickly and looking to scale affordably," says Monte Zweben, co-founder and CEO of Splice Machine. "Shipping the 1.0 version of our Hadoop RDBMS is just one milestone for us in a year of many, but it's perhaps the most important one. It says 'we’re here, and we’re ready,' which is an exciting place to be".

  A standalone version of Splice Machine Hadoop RDBMS is available to download allowing users to try it out. For enterprise customers Splice Machine offers comprehensive services and support, including training courses, a Kickstart Package to speed implementation, and on-demand consultants to optimize operations.

  Image Credit: alphaspirit / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Republicans vote against USA Freedom Act that would have limited NSA surveillance

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 2:19pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  A bill that could have curtailed the surveillance activities of the NSA has been rejected by the US Senate. The USA Freedom Act was blocked as a bloc of Republican senators voted against the Obama-backed bill. After the Edward Snowden revelations, there have been many vocal calls for the powers of the NSA to be reined in. This was the bill that was supposed to deliver, but right wing opponents referred to it as a "gift to terrorists".

  The bill passed the House of Representatives in May and had the backing of many of the biggest technology companies. One of the main aims of the USA Freedom Act was to stop the collection of domestic phone records, but there were also implications for the agency's online dragnet-style data trawling. Now it seems that the fight for privacy starts afresh.

  The vote ended up being a fairly close-run thing. Just two votes prevented the bill from moving to the next stages of becoming enshrined, and Senator Patrick Leahy, the Democrat sponsor of the bill blamed "scare tactics" for its defeat. Even support from the White House was not enough to give the bill the push it needed but critics point to the fact that support only came after compromises were made to the scope of the bill.

  These compromises centered mainly around a rewording of key passages that left sections of the bill open to wide interpretation. The weakening of the bill -- which many senators who would otherwise have voted in favor of -- led some civil libertarian backers to drop their support.

  What happens next could be interesting. In June, Section 215 of the Patriot Act will expire. This is the portion of the Patriot Act that essentially permits the collection of phone records, so this will be the new battleground for privacy advocates. But next on the calendar is the 11 December expiration of the FISA Court order -- it is expected that the Obama administration will grant a further 90-day extension to the order so, for now at least, data collection continues as before.

  Ron Wyden, Democratic Senator for Oregon, said, "those who value civil liberties and the US Constitution will not rest until there is true reform that ends this unnecessary overreach". The privacy debate will continue. This battle may have been lost, but the war against surveillance -- whatever form it takes -- continues.

  Photo credit: Chris Parypa Photography / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Businesses underestimating the Wi-Fi demand caused by BYOD

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 2:11pm CET par Mark Powley

  

  Enterprises continue to struggle with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) as employees continue to demand the freedom that comes with mobility in accordance with new trends. Security has long been discussed as the primary challenge when it comes to BYOD. Yet, other reasons such as network access is fast becoming a key concern for IT departments but also the key frustration for employees.

  When it comes to connectivity, employee expectation is that it just works and as such this expectation must not be overlooked when implementing a BYOD roll-out.

  Despite its progress over the last 23 years and reliance on organizations across the globe, the current state of Wi-Fi is that it is just not up to scratch. Fact is employee tolerance for poor Wi-Fi connection is zero to none. With improved Wi-Fi access in the home and in the unlikeliest of places including tube stops, trains and even on planes, expectations for Wi-Fi at work are significantly higher.

  Fast Wi-Fi requires BYOD management

  What must be remembered is that in the workplace, the vast number of simultaneous connections running from multiple servers is causing a strain on the wireless network but at the same time, businesses are underestimating the number of applications being used. Adding to this is the fact that workers aren’t connecting just their corporate-provided computers, but a large number of personal devices too. This presents an extra challenge as many of these devices are designed for consumer use at home and so having a high battery life often overrides the need for a strong Wi-Fi transmission.

  To counter this, IT departments need to make sure that they are implementing access points (APs) and routers that have been specifically designed to enhance the Wi-Fi experience for these consumer grade devices.

  IT must also implement a process of on-boarding individuals to the network and distinguishing a real difference between different users and their different devices as well as managing and controlling applications that are being used.

  By understanding that there are a vast number of devices entering the workplace, and each device has different requirements to corporate provided laptops, organizations can ensure that their employees maintain connectivity. This is what an Enterprise Wireless network needs to deliver.

  By Mark Powley, Director, Northern Europe at Aerohive Networks

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

  
• 

  Jolla crowdfunds its first tablet, hits goal within hours

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 1:50pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Crowdfunding a mobile device is a tricky thing to get right. Just ask Ubuntu maker Canonical. To make its Edge smartphone happen, it turned to Indiegogo to get $32 million, of which it only managed to raise (a record) $12.8 million. Its failure can be linked to the sky-high goal, a mistake from which Finnish mobile device vendor Jolla appears to have learned from.

  Jolla is also turning to crowdfunding, for its first tablet called Tablet, but the goal it set, of just $380,000, is much, much, much more easier to reach. In fact, at the time of writing this article, Jolla has raised more than $490,000 (a figure that is quickly rising), with 21 days left until the crowdfunding campaign ends, on December 9.

  Jolla is, of course, using its Indiegogo campaign more as a marketing trick to garner attention for itself and Tablet, rather than a way to fund its development (although, at this rate, it might get quite a few million by December 9). Quickly after the campaign went live, the Jolla Tablet for Early Sailors ($189 for the tablet) and Jolla Tablet for First Sailors ($199 for the tablet) perks sold out.

  What's left? There's the $20 backing for shipping, $10 to support the project (you'll get your name on the Jolla The First Ones site), and $204 for Jolla Tablet for Early Sailors (just 192 out of 2000 have been claimed so far; you'll still have to add the $20 for shipping).

  What do you get? Straight off the bat, Jolla is touting its commitment to privacy, promising that it will "never sell or share your data with anyone" and that there are "no back doors or anything third parties could use for monitoring your activity".

  Here's what Tablet packs: 7.85-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536; 1.8 GHz quad-core 64-bit Intel processor; 2 GB of RAM; 4,300 mAh battery; 32 GB of storage; microSD card slot; 5 MP back-facing camera; 2 MP front-facing camera; Bluetooth 4.0; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n; Sailfish OS 2.0. It comes in at 203 x 137 x 8.3 mm and 384 grams.

  Jolla is positioning Tablet as an alternative to Apple's iPad mini with Retina display, Google's Nexus 9 and Nokia's just-announced N1, undercutting all three on price so far. However, when it goes on sale, Tablet will cost $249, says Jolla.

  For more details, check Jolla's Indiegogo campaign.

  
• 

  Comodo 8 delivers smarter sandboxing

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 1:14pm CET par Mike Williams

  Comodo Group has announced the release of Comodo Antivirus 8 and Comodo Internet Security 8.

  The new build brings smarter sandboxing with a new default "auto-sandboxing policy", keeping unknown programs isolated from your system.

  As usual with Comodo, if you’re not happy with something then it’s all very configurable. In this case you can build your own automatic sandboxing policy based on the file reputation, origin and more.

  However it’s set up, new support for hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD SVM) ensures your target processes are locked in their own virtual machines.

  Smarter logging sees Comodo 8 send events to the Windows Event logs, which could simplify any troubleshooting.

  An extended Viruscope delivers better performance, tracks more activities, and now works on all applications, whether they’re in the sandbox or not.

  Of course this all comes with the usual interface revamp, which this time involves the obligatory "Flat Tile" theme ("updated icons and colors for better look and feel") and a redesigned "Advanced Settings" window.

  Comodo Antivirus 8 and Comodo Internet Security 8 are available now for Windows XP and later.

  
• 

  Will LinkedIn make a move into the enterprise?

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 12:39pm CET par Chris Wright

  

  News surfaced this week that Facebook was considering a move into the enterprise sector with the imaginatively titled 'Facebook at Work'. Not a great deal is known about the service yet, but pretty much everyone is in agreement that it could provide interesting competition to incumbents like Microsoft and even the likes of LinkedIn.

  It has long struck me as surprising that LinkedIn hasn’t made a similar move. Back in 2011 Jeff Weiner, CEO of the company, suggested that enterprise social tools was "an area where we want to add value". Yet so far we’ve seen nothing particularly interesting.

  If the company was to launch some kind of offering for the workplace, it would likely mirror what Facebook is rumored to be doing and launch its own dedicated network. Yet it strikes me there is a better approach. Google, Facebook and LinkedIn have all tried to become de facto 'identify providers' on the web -- meaning users can login to other sites with existing credentials and pre-populate profile information. So why not apply the same approach to the enterprise?

  Let’s consider a typical SharePoint or Office 365 company Intranet. A company board have listened to Microsoft’s sale pitch, and do indeed want a social collaborative environment to engage employees. Who wouldn’t? So they purchase the relevant licenses, and get Office 365 plumbed into their current Active Directory setup. Users arrive for a fresh day at work and can instantly login to a brand new Intranet, with all kinds of whizz bang tools. They can create Office docs online, update their status from their phone, and find colleagues working on similar projects to them.

  But before any of this stuff works, or works effectively, they need to flesh out a profile. They also need to add some skills, and past projects they have worked on. Depending on the exact nature of the tool they might also need to find some groups and follow some people.

  If our fictitious company is like any other then Active Directory data will consists of a username, email address and little else. Previous Intranet projects might mean there is a bit of biography info hanging around, but there will almost certainly be no nice profile photo. Any connections to relevant or interesting colleagues will need to be made from scratch, which is in itself difficult because everyone's data is so poor.

  In short users have to spend time creating a brand new profile at work. Companies will often put in place initiatives to encourage adoption of enterprise systems. They might employ 'floor walkers' to help people to add photos, or hold training sessions to show people how to find co-workers. But haven't people already done this stuff a million times online? Why get them, often at additional expense, to do it all over again?

  Facebook thinks it can solve this problem by presumably reusing a lot of its user data in a new dedicated tool. But what if LinkedIn approached things in a slightly different way? What if it offered its data, in a secure and workplace place appropriate format, and integrated with existing tools?

  In essence LinkedIn could become the 'sign in' option on the company Intranet, or at least a some sort of background sync. When users arrive and login to the system for the first time they would see up to date profile, current biographies, and ready made connections to relevant colleagues.

  Of course not everything on a LinkedIn profile is suitable for a work profile -- "I am currently seeking new opportunities" doesn’t always play so well with the boss. But this is a relatively simple job of refining the data and sync process, and trusting the provider.

  Just think of the possibilities. Users login to the enterprise social network and find a whole host of useful work related connections that they themselves have already spent time refining. The employee directory is finally, and permanently, up to date. No longer do staff do a search on LinkedIn to find out about that day's new starters, they already have that data internally.

  LinkedIn is just one example. There is a ton of data out on the web that could have a really useful impact in the enterprise -- YouTube, StackOverflow, Quora to name but a few. The "Consumerization of IT" has always been about enterprise services taking on the principles and properties of the consumer web. Why not expand the notion to include actual data as well?

  Many companies will embrace 'Facebook at Work' when it arrives. But many many more would embrace up to date employee data, or prebuilt social network or knowledge repositories, that leverage their existing systems and investment.

  Photo Credit: Atelier_A/Shutterstock

  Chris Wright is the founder of Fifty Five and Five, a content marketing agency that helps technology and technical companies communicate better to their clients. He writes extensively about enterprise social networks, the future of the workplace, and Intranets. You can find his blog here.

  
• 

  Celebrating 60 years of software

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 12:23pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  There's an old computing joke that says the difference between software and hardware is that hardware is the bit you can kick.

  To celebrate software's 60th birthday business package selection specialist Capterra has produced an infographic charting the history of the bit you can't kick. It'll provide a trip down memory lane for anyone involved in computing.

  The software industry as we know it, selling software separately from hardware, began in 1955 with the formation of the Computer Usage Company. Two years later an IBM mainframe (IBM dates back to 1911 by the way) was used by ADP to process payroll for the first time.

  Other milestones include the foundation of SAP in 1972 and Microsoft in 1975. The first business accounting software for PCs, Peachtree, was released in 1978 followed a year later by Visicalc, the first spreadsheet.

  In 1989 the first version of Microsoft Office was released and in 1993 Mosaic, the first web browser, entered the world. The graphic brings things right up to date with the rise of big data, tablets and wearables. It also looks at the future of software and charts the history of programming languages.

  You can see the full infographic with lots more fascinating milestones below. Do let us know about your early software experiences in the comments.

  

  Photo Credit: Elena Schweitzer/Shutterstock

  
• 

  Facebook continues to show it 'gets' mobile with new Groups app

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 11:01am CET par Dilraj Singh

  

  If you use Facebook on mobile, you will be familiar with Messenger, Facebook's separate app dedicated for messaging. While some people hated having to download another app, others enjoyed it -- including myself. Mobile is a world meant for apps that do one thing well. With a relatively small screen size, optimized apps have the best experience -- not ones that cram in all the functionality they can. Facebook is continuing to follow this philosophy with its new dedicated app for Facebook Groups.

  The official Facebook app includes everything, however, the only thing it does well is allow you to browse your newsfeed. To view your Groups on the mobile app requires going into the 'more' tab and scrolling down to select a Group. With a new dedicated app, all you have to do is open the app and you have all your Groups laid out in a grid waiting for you. Also, I find using the Groups app a much more pleasant experience. There are nice animations, and easy access to notification and privacy settings, among various other small features.

  Facebook Groups are hugely popular for various users. Some people forget, Facebook got its start, and popularity, with college students. And it continues to provide functionality aimed at these users. At most universities you will see Facebook tabbed on the majority of computers, and Groups as the go-to way to coordinate organizations and projects. For example, there are groups for the University, each major, the residential halls, and to find housing, books, or rides.

  This app doesn’t seem to be aimed at newer users, but towards users that already rely on Groups to share with their organizations, friends, or families. There is nothing new to learn, it merely packages all the features users currently enjoy in a mobile friendly experience. Facebook Groups have been a great way to share your life with select individuals on the desktop, and is now a great on mobile as well.

  If you want to a dedicated app for your Groups, download it here for iOS or Android. Otherwise, the functionality will also remain available inside the official Facebook app.

  
• 

  Google Chrome 39 goes 64-bit on Mac, promises performance, stability improvements

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 11:00am CET par Nick Peers

  

  Google has unveiled Chrome 39 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux. The big news with version 39 is the long-awaited arrival of a native 64-bit build for Mac users.

  Unlike the Windows version, which offers both 32-bit and 64-bit builds, the Mac build is now 64-bit only, and existing users with supported Macs will be automatically upgraded to the new version.

  There are a number of good reasons for switching to 64-bit, all of which Google announced when it unveiled the first 64-bit Mac beta. These include faster performance thanks to a "superior" instruction set, enhanced security and -- thanks to the way Chrome no longer requires 32-bit system libraries -- quicker start times and reduced memory usage.

  The switch to 64-bit means that Chrome will no longer be updated on Macs built with the first generation of Intel chips, which first launched in January 2006 and were 32-bit.

  Apple quickly switched to 64-bit Intel chips, with a rolling series of updates that began in October 2006 and completed in August 2007, meaning the vast majority of Macs -- including all Macs built after August 2007 -- are compatible with the new release.

  Non-supported users should switch to a 32-bit compatible browser such as Firefox in order to remain secure.

  Aside from this notable change, other improvements in Chrome 39 are minimal: new apps and extension APIs have been added, along with minor performance and reliability improvements. 42 specific security fixes have also been unveiled, with Google paying out $41,500 in bounties to those who reported the holes.

  Google Chrome 39 FINAL is available now as a free download for supported builds of Windows, Mac and Linux. Also available are Google Chrome 39 Beta (64-bit) for Windows 64-bit, and Chrome for Android 39.

  
• 

  New report claims 81% of Tor users can be identified

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 9:06am CET par Barclay Ballard

  

  A new report claims that more than 81 percent of Tor users are identifiable using a method that threatens Internet anonymity.

  The study, titled "On the Effectiveness of Traffic Analysis Against Anonymity Networks Using Flow Records", claims that a technique known as traffic confirmation can be used to identify users.

  It requires the ability to monitor large amounts of data coming in and out of Tor nodes to determine the IP address of the individual being tracked. According to the report, the technique has been largely successful.

  "In experiments that involved data from public Tor relays, using both open source Netflow emulation packages and our institutional Cisco router that monitored traffic using Netflow framework, we were able to correctly identify the source of anonymous traffic in about 81.4 percent of our experiments, with about 6.4 percent false positives".

  The Tor Project has responded to the claims via a blog post in which it explains that the network has never been designed to combat a technique such as traffic confirmation.

  "The Tor design doesn’t try to protect against an attacker who can see or measure traffic going into the Tor network and also traffic coming out of the Tor network. That’s because if you can see both flows, some simple statistics let you decide whether they match up".

  Tor also sought to reassure users that whether they can be identified or not is dependent on "how much of the Internet the adversary is able to measure or control".

  The blog post goes on to praise the fact that additional research is being carried out regarding traffic confirmation attacks, but says users are still able to trust the network, adding that there is no need to "freak out".

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

  
• 

  T-Mobile is making it rain free tablets on Black Friday -- here's how to score one early

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 2:03am CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  Do you like free stuff? Of course you do -- everyone likes something for nothing. Hell, I go to Costco with no plans to buy anything; I just walk around eating all the free samples. Is it low class? Yeah, totally, but it's essentially a free buffet with a cornucopia of flavors -- Swedish meatballs, salad, granola bars and more.

  Today, T-Mobile announces that it too is going the free route, offering a tablet at no cost! It is an Android tablet -- the Alcatel ONETOUCH Pop 7. Never heard of it? Me neither, but it actually looks pretty nice. It runs Android 4.2.2, has a dual-core processor and best of all, supports 4G data. Even though it is a "Black Friday" deal, the carrier will be offering it a week early. Will you be successful in scoring one?

  "Starting this Friday, November 21 at participating T-Mobile stores across the country, existing T-Mobile customers can get the Un-carrier's most popular 7 inch Android-powered tablet, the Alcatel ONETOUCH Pop 7, for $0 with any qualifying data plan. That's right: $0 down, $0 payments; pay only the sales tax", says T-Mobile.

  The carrier further explains, "The celebration continues on Saturday, November 22 when the tablet deal is available to everyone, giving you one more reason to join the Un-carrier revolution. Customers should hurry in; a deal this hot may not even last until Black Friday".

  If you are an existing T-Mobile customer, you can take advantage of the deal this Friday. Everyone else can score one starting Saturday. It seems the deal will continue through November 28th, although stock may not last that long. Of course, the "catch" is that you must sign up for a data plan.

  With that said, the plans are rather reasonable. The least expensive is $20 a month, which includes 1GB of 4G data and then unlimited 2G data. Unfortunately, you must maintain a data plan for 2 years in order to not be charged for the tablet. If you need mobile data, it is a great deal. However, if you only use a tablet on Wi-Fi, you should avoid this. Why? The data will cost $480 over 2 years, and you can get a better tablet for that much money. If interested, you can learn more here.

  Will you take advantage of the deal? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo Credit: ilolab / Shutterstock

  
• 

  PayPal comes to Pebble so you can pay while tracking perambulatory progress

  Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 12:58am CET par Mark Wilson

  

  Wearables are starting to come of age, and they're now about much more than just tracking blood pressure and distance while running. Today Pebble continues the expansion of its range of apps with the launch of a dedicated PayPal app. It allow for payments to be made at participating retailers and shows payment notifications so there's no need to rely on a phone.

  Pebblers -- as PayPal insists on calling owners of the smartwatch -- now have the ability to make PayPal payments without having to reach into their pockets. The app can be used to pay with a payment code, or to check in to make a payment.

  The new payment option comes hot on the heels of a Domino's app that gives Pebble owners the ability to order pizza from their phone. Senior Director of Partnerships and Global Solutions at PayPal, Joel Yarbrough, ponders the evolution of the humble watch:

  Did you know the infamous calculator watch has been around since the 1970s? It’s safe to say smartwatches have come a long way since then. And we’re excited to be part of that. At PayPal, we’re working to make shopping easy and seamless so that you are one step closer to walking into a store and being able to place your order and pay without ever reaching into your pocket.

  Working together, PayPal and Pebble want you to stop reaching for your wallet, and start using your wrist to pay instead. The new Pebble app is just the latest in a line of apps for wearable devices, such as Samsung's Galaxy Gear range, and Android Wear.