Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » novembre 26, 2014

BetaNews.Com (17 non lus)

Need to clean your Surface Pro 3? Here's how Microsoft suggests you do it

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 10:36pm CET par Brian Fagioli

Laptops and tablets can be quite the germ-factories. Not only do people touch the screens and keyboards with things like gross Cheez-Doodle-covered fingers, but many bring computers into the bathroom too, though most won't admit it. Germs are a real concern for me, and I like to be in a clean environment.

Unfortunately, it can be a mystery to know the best way to clean a tablet or laptop. Do you bring it in the shower with you? Spray it with Febreze? Put it on the hood of your car and drive through a car wash? Actually, those are all horrible ideas -- please don't do any of them! Today, Microsoft is enlightening Surface Pro 3 users with the best way to clean and sanitize the tablet/laptop hybrid for use in a hospital or clinical environment. Sure, it may be overkill for the average home user, but when it comes to germs, I would rather be safe than sorry.

"Healthcare customers can sanitize Microsoft Surface Pro 3 devices using one of our recommended solutions -- PDI Sani-Cloth Plus, CaviWipes, Covidien Alcohol Prep Pads, any similar wipes with IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) solution under 70 percent, Total Solutions Full Spectrum Disinfectant Wipes, or Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes -- without risk of damaging the device", says Microsoft.

The company further explains, "the alcohol-based solutions can also be used to clean the entire Surface Type Cover 3 without damage. Total Solutions Wipes may leave cotton fibers on the bottom side of the Type Cover 3, but these can be removed by hand. Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes may discolor the bottom surface of the Type Cover 3 with prolonged use, and therefore are not recommended to sanitize the Type Cover 3. Users should not douse the items with solution, but rather use pre-moistened wipes or apply IPA to application cloth and use the cloth on the unit".

While not everyone has access to these medical-grade cleaning supplies, wipes with less than 70 percent Isopropyl Alcohol solution are definitely achievable. Of course, you shouldn't soak or douse the computer in any solution, but I would hope that is common sense, right?

My Surface pro 3 is not the tablet I bring in the bathroom (that is usually an iPad Air), but I still want to make sure that it is free of germs and I will definitely try the suggestions. The Surface Pro 3 is an awesome computer and it deserves to be clean and cared for.

Will you clean your Surface Pro 3 with these clinical-grade solutions? Tell me in the comments.

Photo Credit: Max Topchii / Shutterstock
Amazon deal -- grab a Fire HD 6 and get a bonus

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 8:38pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Amazon recently released new devices, including Fire tablets and Kindle readers. But with the holiday shopping season now upon us, it's time for deals. The retailer is responding with multiple ones, some already being available on the site.

This one is a bit different, though. The online store wishes for you to purchase its new Fire HD 6 tablet, and to entice you, the pot is sweetened.

If you grab the tablet now (though it's called a Black Friday deal) then you can also get six months free of Kindle Unlimited, which is generally priced at $9.99 per month.

The 6-inch device has 8 GB of storage and also has front and rear cameras. It runs Amazon's highly customized version of Android, which seems like a completely different operating system, but not in a bad way.

You can grab this deal from the retailer for $129. Other deals on Amazon products are coming this Black Friday, and some are already available -- the holiday shopping season seems to start earlier each year. We'll have a full list of the the products coming soon.
EFF joins dozens of groups to create global coalition to fight for net neutrality

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 7:04pm CET par Mark Wilson

The net neutrality debate has been rumbling on for some time now. Barack Obama even waded into things recently by giving his backing to campaigns that suggest all web traffic should be treated equally. But the US president is far from being the only big name speaking out against the two-tier internet that some providers would like to see created.

Now the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) -- a group involved in many online campaigns and whose tagline is "defending your rights in the digital world" -- is joining forces with other equality advocates, including Greenpeace, to create a global coalition fighting for net neutrality. The latest campaign is a concerted effort to ensure that the internet is not transformed into something that delivers a poorer service to certain customers.

Thus far, the various campaigns for net neutrality have been uncoordinated and designed with slightly differing aims in mind. The idea behind setting up a coalition was to put up a unified front, and the EFF makes it clear that this is an issue affecting not only those in the US, but also people in Europe and other parts of the world.

One of the first tasks of the coalition was to decide on a definition of net neutrality. This chosen definition is:

Net neutrality requires that the Internet be maintained as an open platform, on which network providers treat all content, applications and services equally, without discrimination.

Josh Levy, Advocacy Director at Access, said: "This dynamic coalition shows the importance of net neutrality to every internet user around the world. The open internet remains a crucial driver of education, expression, innovation, health, and creativity; every internet user everywhere deserves equal access to this revolutionary medium. Advocates and decision makers around the world are watching the contentious net neutrality debates in the US and the EU. The decisions made in those regions will set global precedents for how to ensure and protect a neutral, non-discriminatory internet".

The coalition recognizes that ISPs may need to structure traffic in such a way that, for example, voice calls can be placed without interruption, but suggests that this is where traffic shaping should end. "These measures must not be used as a pretext to police communications on their networks, to bestow unfair commercial advantages on their own or particular third-party content, or to create a walled garden where only certain applications, services or protocols are welcome".

Photo credit: albund / Shutterstock
Study says Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are cannibalizing iPad use

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 7:02pm CET par Brian Fagioli

Despite what many people say, size does matter; well... at least when it comes to screen-size and productivity. Sure, a large screen limits portability, but it also makes it easier to do work and multi-task.

Tablets became wildly popular, in part, because they had larger screens than smartphones. With that said, the Phablet craze has created smartphones with such large screens, that it can limit the allure of tablets like the iPad. Some analysts and pundits predicted that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus would cannibalize iPad sales and use. Well, a new study by the company behind the popular Pocket app, shows that the latter may be true.

"To understand how the 6 Plus affects consumption, we first looked at users who owned both an iPhone 5/5S and iPad and looked at how they spent their time reading on both devices. For these users, 55 percent of content was consumed on an iPhone versus 45 percent on an iPad. A fairly even split", says Pocket.

The company further explains, "users who upgraded to an iPhone 6 now view content on their phones 72 percent of the time, up from 55 percent when on a smaller screen. Those who went big and bought an iPhone 6 Plus consume content on their phones 80 percent of the time -- the same ratio of phone to tablet reading as seen on Android".

True, this is only one study, so more research will need to be done over time. However, the company's methodology seems sound and offers a fair glimpse into the future of tablet use. What's particularly interesting is that despite owning an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, tablets are still holding strong when lying in bed -- a place where portability is not needed.

Have you upgraded to the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus? Are you using your iPad less? Tell me in the comments.

Photo Credit: NREY / Shutterstock
You better watch out -- online retailers' security practices under the spotlight

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 5:20pm CET par Ian Barker

This time of year sees a spike in online shopping activity, but that also means added worries about how well our information is being looked after when we buy online.

Password management company LastPass has put together an infographic 'naughty and nice' list looking at how online retailers store information when we shop.

On the naughty step are some big names including Amazon and Walmart. Problems include weak password requirements, collecting too much information before you make a purchase and the storing of credit card details -- convenient for future buys but a risk if someone gains access to your account.

On the nice side of the list are eBay and the Apple Store, along with one of last year's bad guys Target. The graphic also offers some tips for staying safe as you shop including looking out for HTTPS connections, using a different password for each account and lying in your answers to security questions to reduce the chances of your account being hacked.

You can see the full infographic below and if you have any extra tips for surviving the online shopping experience do let us know in the comments.

Photo Credit: RTImages / Shutterstock
PowerSkin selling $50 iPhone and Android battery packs for just one cent on Cyber Monday

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 4:34pm CET par Wayne Williams

There are plenty of bargains to be had before, during, and after Black Friday, and if you’re shopping for a battery back to charge your iPhone or Android device, hold off a few days and you’ll be able to pick up a steal of a deal on Cyber Monday.

PowerSkin, a leader in portable power solutions, sells PoP'n battery packs that cost $49.99, but on Monday the retailer will be offering them for just one penny (plus $7.99 shipping and handling).

The offer is available to consumers in the continental United States and runs from 12:00am -- 11:59pm (ET) on December 1.

Orders can be placed at [power-skin.com] and you just need to enter the code "penny" at checkout to earn your whopping discount. As you might expect, there is a limit of one unit per email address (not shipping address, interestingly), and the offer covers all PoP'n packs with the exception of the PoP'n 2.

The PoP'n chargers feature a 10mm case and lightweight design, weighing only 3.03 ounces with a 2000 mAh battery. They are available in a variety of colors including white, black, red and pink.
Is your company making the most of web-based tech?

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 3:57pm CET par Owen Andrew

Technologies available to businesses are changing daily. In the competitive business arena, it has become imperative to constantly evolve along with the technology. No matter which aspect of your business you consider, there is a relevant technology to make it more efficient.

When it comes to web-based technologies, there are a gamut of options that companies can benefit from to build their market reputation, outreach, drive more sales and enhance revenue. In this article, we will talk about a few of the most significant web based technologies that have changed the dynamics of how businesses operate and market themselves in today’s world.

Finance Your Business Through the Internet

It might seem surprising to many who are not in the know, but businesses can use the internet to finance their business. The JOBS Act, passed in 2012, makes this a particularly viable option.

The development and evolution of crowdfunding has helped as well. These kinds of consumer-based business financing strategies have helped small- and medium-sized businesses to sell equities directly to investors, irrespective of their contribution to the business itself.

This new funding paradigm has helped the new and innovative businesses to attract finances from new, previously untapped sources. Innovators with game-changing ideas are taking advantage, and will benefit as crowdfunding becomes a mainstream business finance solution.

Social Media

Social media platforms have helped numerous businesses throughout the world to grow, expand and reach new markets like never before. They have essentially changed the way businesses are run and marketed.

Using social media makes it much easier to bond with the customers and interact with them on an ongoing basis to take feedback and suggestions, as well as address their queries. This in turn leads to an increase in traffic, an enhanced online presence, more visibility amongst customers and most importantly, increased revenue.

Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. -- as well as an increasing number of new or up-and-coming networks -- have millions of members when put together, and the exposure a business can get out of social networking sites is bigger and better than any other medium can facilitate.

Web-Based Technologies to Streamline Your Business

There are various business platforms available for small to large enterprises that make day to day business much more organized and systematic. Without these technologies, it becomes difficult to organize and manage the businesses internal and external affairs, whether these are used for client management, sales, marketing, finance, lead generation, client follow-up, customer relationship, customer support, employee tracking, human resource development, project management and so on.

Web-based technologies, whether customized for your business or integrated as-is, can help in ensure that you are able to do things methodically and every single change, transaction and movement within the business is monitored, supervised and can be tracked, when needed.

The benefit of integrated web technologies extends to your consumer as well. For example, e-commerce businesses can utilize point-of-sale software to not only track sales metrics, but expedite the check-out process for customers.

Consulting with IT experts can help executives learn more about the technologies that can be integrated with your business as per your business size, scale and requirements.

Benefit from Cloud Technology

As businesses grow, storing large volumes of data becomes a challenge. Cloud technology provides easy and cheap storage as well as remote access from all over the world. This is not only cost-effective, but also reliable and secure. Businesses can be sure that their data is safe and is easily accessible, even on the move.

As technology continues to evolve to lend newer efficiencies and make businesses more effective, an adaptive approach can help yield optimum benefits.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Partial refunds for PS Vita customers after Sony’s ‘misleading’ ads

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 3:02pm CET par Mark Wilson

Sony has been hit with an order to issue partial refunds to customers who bought PlayStation Vita consoles. The Federal Trade Commission found that the company had produced false advertising for the handheld console which suggested that the PS Vita had certain features when in fact it did not. Anyone who bought the console before June 1 2012 is entitled to either $25 cash or credit, or a $50 voucher.

Adverts for the three year old console suggested that players could start a game on a PS3 and pick up from where they left off on a PS Vita console. This feature was only supported by a small number of games. Ads also suggested that 3G subscribers could engage in live online games when in fact this was not possible.

Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said: "As we enter the year's biggest shopping period, companies need to be reminded that if they make product promises to consumers -- as Sony did with the 'game changing' features of its PS Vita -- they must deliver on those pledges. The FTC will not hesitate to act on behalf of consumers when companies or advertisers make false product claims".

The FTC also found that the PR agency involved with the PS Vita campaign -- Deutsch LA -- had started a marketing drive for the console on Twitter without making it clear that the firm was working with Sony. The full complaint against Sony was quite damning in its suggestion that customers had been misled. A blog post makes it clear that the FTC felt that consumers had been deceived, but it also points out that no framework for issuing refunds has yet been determined.

Photo credit: Barone Firenze / Shutterstock
Partial refunds for PS Vita customers after Sony's 'misleading' ads

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 3:02pm CET par Mark Wilson

Sony has been hit with an order to issue partial refunds to customers who bought PlayStation Vita consoles. The Federal Trade Commission found that the company had produced false advertising for the handheld console which suggested that the PS Vita had certain features when in fact it did not. Anyone who bought the console before June 1 2012 is entitled to either $25 cash or credit, or a $50 voucher.

Adverts for the three year old console suggested that players could start a game on a PS3 and pick up from where they left off on a PS Vita console. This feature was only supported by a small number of games. Ads also suggested that 3G subscribers could engage in live online games when in fact this was not possible.

Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said: "As we enter the year's biggest shopping period, companies need to be reminded that if they make product promises to consumers -- as Sony did with the 'game changing' features of its PS Vita -- they must deliver on those pledges. The FTC will not hesitate to act on behalf of consumers when companies or advertisers make false product claims".

The FTC also found that the PR agency involved with the PS Vita campaign -- Deutsch LA -- had started a marketing drive for the console on Twitter without making it clear that the firm was working with Sony. The full complaint against Sony was quite damning in its suggestion that customers had been misled. A blog post makes it clear that the FTC felt that consumers had been deceived, but it also points out that no framework for issuing refunds has yet been determined.

Photo credit: Barone Firenze / Shutterstock
Get free real-time backup and versioning with AutoVer

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 2:26pm CET par Mike Williams

AutoVer is a small, simple, and surprisingly capable free backup tool. Not only can the program monitor folders, detecting new and modified files, and backing them up in real time -- it can maintain a library of their previous versions, too.

The program opens with a very straightforward interface. No menus, no complex dialogs or status displays, just a four-column table and a small toolbar.

Clicking the first toolbar button adds a "Watcher", the mechanism AutoVer uses to detect and act on file changes. This could be complex, but again it really isn’t: at a minimum, you could just enter a name, a folder to monitor, and a destination folder. The program immediately picks up on new and modified files, copying them as they appear.

That could well have a performance hit, but AutoVer offers plenty of ways to help, with options to back up particular file types only (*.docx), ignore others (*.tmp), exclude particular folders or files, maybe files above a defined size.

Versioning systems can hog a vast amount of disk space, very quickly, but again the program gives you some control.

By default it saves all file changes, for instance, but you can tweak this to save only one version in a defined interval.

There’s also a simple archiving scheme, where versions older than a given number of days can be deleted or zipped up.

Double-clicking any watcher displays an Explorer-like window where you can browse to whatever file and version you need. There’s no Search tool, unfortunately, but it’s easy enough to use, and once you’ve located a file, it can be opened directly or restored in a couple of clicks.

Just in case this isn’t enough, AutoVer even has an option to run a custom program on every file change. It’s a very smart move which opens all kinds of extra possibilities.

You could have the program watch for updates to a log, for example, the arrival of a download, maybe a new crash dump. And then you might run a program or command to send the file somewhere, raise an email alert, reboot your PC, whatever fits the circumstances.

AutoVer is an excellent free versioning system, then, but its change detection system has many other potential applications. Go take a look.
Motorola unveils Cyber Monday deals -- big discounts on 2014 Moto X and accessories

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 1:34pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

Cyber Monday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year for online buyers. You can get what you want, at great discounts, without ever leaving the sofa. What's not to like about that? And if a new smartphone is what you are after on December 1, then you should take a look at what Motorola has in store for you with its Cyber Monday deals.

The star of the show, as you might imagine, is the second-generation Moto X, which Motorola will offer at a significant discount, both on and off-contract. The company has also announced significant discounts on accessories. Here are the details.

The second-generation Moto X, which was only introduced in September, will be available for as little as $0.01 on a two-year contract with US mobile operator Verizon. That's for the 16 GB model. The 32 GB version will run for $50.01. In either case, you will have to add $25 to get a leather or wood back. (If you want more storage and a leather or wood back, it will cost $75 more on top of the base price of $0.01.)

If you would rather not get the second-generation Moto X on a two-year contract with Verizon, you will have to shell out $359.99 to get the smartphone off-contract. There is a $140 discount off the usual price, which is $499.99. Again, if you want more storage or a leather or wood back, it will add $50 or $25, respectively, to the cost. For a combination of 32 GB of storage and a leather or wood back, you can expect to pay $75 more, or $434.99 total.

I also mentioned that Motorola has some large discounts on accessories. If you get a second-generation Moto X, any accessories that you will buy with it will be offered at a 30 percent discount. Motorola mentions that this does not apply to Chromecast.

To take advantage of Motorola's Cyber Monday deals, you have to sign up on this page on December 1, starting 11 am CT (12 pm ET, 9 am PT). You will receive a confirmation email, followed by the promo code. You have until December 15 at 11:59 CT (12:59 ET, 9:59 PT) to use it, to take advantage of Motorola's Cyber Monday deals.
France wages war against US tech companies

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 1:07pm CET par Alex Hamilton

France is a country that has been a continual stone in the shoe of American companies expanding into Europe. The country has been vocal opponent of the dominance of US Internet services and this week it has escalated its attacks.

Netflix, which began its foray into Europe in Scandinavia, has been labeled by the French consumer association as "malicious" due to a number of "illegal clauses" it includes in its user agreement. Among these were changing terms without alerting customers and writing all clauses in English only.

Taxi app Uber has also had a controversial introduction to France, though the attacks on the company and its users have been quite literal. Angry taxi drivers accosted a student entering an Uber cab in Lille by throwing a bottle at her head.

Google has been the main target of France’s ire for some time. The French have been a leading signatory in legislation aimed at curbing the tech giant’s influence in Europe. Now France has started to fine Google €1,000 for every defamatory link the company doesn’t remove from its subsidiaries.

Google’s "right to be forgotten" allows users in Europe to request that articles with "outdated and inflammatory" information be removed from search results. The fines handed out by the French government for failing to do so do mean, however, that Google France is stuck being responsible for the actions of all its parent and sister entities.

France’s war of sabotage and misdirection against foreign tech companies appears to show no sign of abating. Signs that the French may be fostering their own IT industry are also thin on the ground

If US companies can be held at bay, though, maybe something akin to the Minitel may rise again from the heart of Paris’ tech sector.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
CCleaner 5 arrives -- gains redesigned user interface, improved Chrome support

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 11:16am CET par Nick Peers

Just weeks after unveiling a public beta, Piriform has released CCleaner 5.0 FINAL for Windows PCs. Also available as a portable build, version 5 shows off a new interface design.

The new release also widens support for Google Chrome, promises improved performance, detection and stability, and unveils optimized 64-bit builds for Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

CCleaner 5′s user interface is a facelift rather than a complete revamp, and will be instantly familiar to existing users. Like the slew of UI updates unveiled by other Windows products, the new design is inspired by the minimalist styling of the Windows Modern UI.

Version 5 offers more than just a fancy new look, however. Chrome users will be pleased to learn that a new tool allowing them to manage plugins has been implemented, while the program also claims to have improved its Chrome start-up item detection.

CCleaner 5 also ships with an improved architecture that Piriform promises will deliver improved performance. Other enhancements see the program deliver an optimized 64-bit build for users of Windows 8 or later.

Stability improvements see the exception handling and reporting architecture both updated, while the system restore detection routine has also been improved. Pro users gain improvements to the automatic updates tool.

Piriform has also revealed plans for a new Disk Analyzer tool, which is close to being finalized, and which provides users with a tool for seeing which files and folders are taking up most space on their drives.

CCleaner 5.0 and CCleaner 5.0 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is also available, and you can get it for just $17.46 through the Downloadcrew Software Store, which represents an amazing -- and exclusive -- discount of 30 percent off the MSRP.
Cloud-based tracking creates an internet of lost things

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 10:52am CET par Ian Barker

Electronic tags to help stop you losing stuff are nothing new. But usually they rely on Bluetooth or similar to sound an alarm when an object goes out of range.

A new solution from Canadian company Linquet mixes the cloud and the sharing economy to track tagged devices in a kind of internet of lost things.

"We've all been there. We always lose or misplace our phones, keys, wallets, laptops, pretty much everything," says Pooya Kazerouni, Linquet's president. "Now, we have a product that is much more than a great anti-loss solution. Not only does Linquet prevent your valuables from getting lost in the first place, but it also allows for smart sharing and connecting of important items with guests, acquaintances and customers".

More than one person can connect to a Linquet tagged item making it easy to share things like bikes or keys. You can loan gadgets to colleagues, or even track your pets, and see where they are via an iOS or Android app. The cloud element allows you to have Smart Profiles so you can, for example, customize times and locations when alarms don’t sound.

You can build up a network of trusted friends who can help you locate missing items at locations you visit regularly. If something strays further afield the whole Linquet network can be brought into play. You can be anonymously notified of an object’s location if it comes within 100 feet of another Linquet user.

The device tags also have a Magic Button that can be used to find your phone, take a picture with its camera or alert your friends in an emergency.

The introductory pricing model (until January 5) is $1.99 a month for a single device and user, $6.99 for four devices, two users and three smart profiles, and $14.99 for ten devices, five users and seven profiles.

The company is also set to release an API which will allow developers to build apps or integrate Linquet with their own products.

You can find out more and sign up on the Linquet website.
Sony's wearable gamble: go big or go home

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 9:29am CET par Ed Oswald

Sony will enter the wearable market with a high-tech watch made of electronic paper, reports indicate. The watch will likely debut early next year as one of the company’s first products from a division aimed at refocusing the company on innovation.

The watch is said to emphasize style over technology, and features a display that wraps around the entire wrist. This means both the face and wristband would be able to function as a display and change the user interface based on how the watch is used.

First reported by Bloomberg late Tuesday, Sony’s gamble seems aimed at bringing back the company to its former glory. Besides the popular PlayStation brand, the company has fallen behind its competitors in terms of innovation and has lacked a major new product for several years.

Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai created a new division at Sony earlier this year to address this, and its mission was simple: to create innovative products based on cutting-edge technologies. The most promising of these would then be sped to production and release, using the public at large as its test bed.

It’s a potentially risky move: Sony has been forced to cut both spending and shrink its workforce as a result of decreasing revenues. Hirai realizes this, but sees a refocus on innovation as the only way back for Sony. Moreover, he wants employees to think outside the Sony box when it comes to new product pitches.

Part of his plan includes an effort called the Sony Seed Acceleration Program, or SAP, which essentially works like a internal venture fund. Employees pitch ideas to the group, and receive funding for them much like small companies do now in front of Silicon Valley venture capitalists. From there, Sony provides guidance in planning, prototyping, and if the idea succeeds, production.

A product will either be folded into a existing Sony division, or potentially spun off into a separate company.

According to Bloomberg, Sony received 187 applications during the first call in June, of which 80 were allowed to proceed with funding. It’s not immediately clear whether or not the watch was one of these 80 initial projects that went forward, or a project that Sony already had in the works.

Hirai’s gamble does seem to be paying off, though. One employee told Bloomberg that the SAP was creating a buzz, especially among younger employees. At the same time, he said some were hesitant to come forward and present ideas out of fear they might fail.

There might be the biggest challenge for this apparently "new" Sony: making employees realize that the risk of failure is part of Hirai’s new startup-like philosophy.

Photo Credit: igor kisselev/Shutterstock
App Store downloads hit a new high

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 9:00am CET par Jamie Hinks

App Store downloads reached an all-time high during October following the release of the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus as well as the implementation of iOS 8.

Fiksu’s App Store Competitive Index recorded 7.8 million downloads of the top 200 free iOS apps in October 2014, which was a huge increase of 42 percent on the previous month and 39 percent on October 2013.

"The release of the iPhone 6 and availability of iOS 8 undoubtedly led to this high volume of activity as users updated their new devices with their favorite apps", wrote Jeremy Sacco in a blog post.

The mobile app marketing firm pointed out how important it is for app marketers to find a way to be "vital" to users, especially before new device launches and in the lead up to holiday periods.

"In October, we observed typical app behavior in the Cost per Loyal User [CPLU] Index, declining to $2.16 from September’s $2.25. This likely reflects users who were choosing to re-download their most-used apps during phone upgrades," added Sacco, stating that it shows why retargeting is so important.

Even though the CPLU above went down, the cost to acquire loyal users rose 33 percent when set against the numbers from October 2013. iOS apps, although they are out-downloaded by their Android counterparts, still garner far more revenue per app when compared, with 80 percent higher revenues despite Google’s apps holding a 60 percent lead in volume.

Apple released the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in September and the latter device represented the first time the company ventured into phablet territory through its 5.5in display. The sales figures speak volumes for the success the two phones have already enjoyed with over 10 million iPhone 6 units sold over the opening weekend and stock shortages since.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
HTC offering RE Camera for 50 percent off on Black Friday -- a super-low 99 bucks!

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 4:03am CET par Brian Fagioli

In the USA, the holidays are almost here for many people. This Thursday, Thanksgiving, officially kicks off the festivities of both spending time with family and shopping. We eat turkey and spend time with our loved-ones until late Thursday night, but then the following day -- known as Black Friday -- kicks off a month-long shopping extravaganza. Up until December 25th, Christmas Day, retailers will be trying to bait shoppers with rock-bottom prices and interest-free payment plans.

Unfortunately, not all advertised sales are as good as they seem. In other words, what looks like a great deal, may be average at best. HTC is getting into the Black Friday game, and it is offering a truly great deal; 50 percent off the all-new RE Camera. It is normally $199, but you can score it for a super-low $99!

"Sleep in on Black Friday – this is the best Black Friday deal you'll find, and it runs through Cyber Monday! Get a RE Camera for only $99 -- that's 50 percent off! Order a RE online at http://www.htc.com/us/go/htc-hot-deals/, or purchase it through Verizon, AT&T, and Best Buy's websites. Offer also available in-store at Verizon, AT&T and Best Buy. While supplies last", says HTC.

If you aren't familiar with this device, please know that it is a standalone camera that can be linked to your Android and iOS devices. You may be wondering why you need such a thing when your smartphone can already record videos and take pictures; that is a very good question. What makes the RE camera special is that it is water-resistant, so you can take it places where you wouldn't dare bring your expensive smartphone. Not to mention, it is small enough -- and inexpensive enough -- to give to a clumsy or careless child. Handing a kid a smartphone almost guarantees a shattered screen.

The RE is chock-full of amazing features. One of my favorite features is that it automatically turns on just by picking it up -- it detects your grip. I really love that there is no screen to look at; you simply point the RE at the action and live your life without staring into a viewfinder. Plus, while it is not designed for rugged activities like a GoPro, it can be strapped to things like a hat or bicycle to capture action. It even features time-lapse photography -- HTC has crammed a lot into this little guy!

For $99 it is a no-brainer, and one of the best Black Friday deals I've seen. Best of all, the promotion will last through Cyber Monday or while supplies last. With that said, I doubt stock lasts that long, so I suggest trying to get one on Friday if you can.

Will you buy the RE? Tell me in the comments.