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  Spotify gets holiday happy, announces gifts for purchase

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 9:27pm CET par Alan Buckingham

  

  Music is important to many people, both current and the variety that brings back memories of youth or life events. While sometimes happy and occasionally tragic, it still raises emotions. Spotify has become one of the top destinations for this, and now it's getting ready for the holiday season.

  If you wish to give the gift of music, then cards are available to you for purchase. The cards come in several increments, including $10, $30 and $60, netting the lucky recipient one, three or six months of streaming Spotify Premium music service.

  The company is also touting its Family Plan, which allows five family members access for $29.99 per month -- not a bad deal, though that one isn't new.

  Spotify also is hawking its Connect feature, along with a list of compatible speakers you can purchase to stream your tunes from a phone or tablet. These include models from Samsung and others.

  The service also points out that "Spotify is now available in 58 markets globally with more than 50 million active users, and over 12.5 million paying subscribers".

  The service has been around since 2008 when it launched in Sweden. It has since expanded to many other markets around the world. You can head to the site or grab the gift cards from various retailers such as Target, Staples or Walmart.

  Photo Credit: ra2studio /Shutterstock

  
• 

  Android Wear users can now download watch faces from Google Play

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 8:06pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  Google Play is home to apps for every occasion, books to suit every mood, and movies and music for everyone. Today Google announces that Android Wear users can also download a makeover for their wrist wear from the digital store. Watch faces can now be downloaded from Google Play direct to your chosen wearable.

  From the serious to the silly, the cheap-and-cheerful to the utterly stylish, you can transform the look of your smartwatch with just a few clicks. And now that the Watch Face API is available to developers, you can expect to see more and more faces popping up over the coming weeks and months.

  There are already a number of faces to choose from, including some themed to tie in with movies and TV shows. Google has also released an update to the Android Wear app to make it easy to browse through the selection that's on offer from the comfort of your phone.

  David Singleton, Android Wear's Director of Engineering, points out that the update is rolling out gradually so if you don’t see it just yet, be patient.

  Want to know more about watch faces? Check out the video below to sate your desires and learn about the Watch Face API:

  
• 

  Bing-powered Insights for Office brings context-sensitive search to Word Online

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 7:49pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  Microsoft's current vision is mobile first, cloud first (if two things can be simultaneously first), and this is perfectly demonstrated by what is being done with Office. Office has been pushed to not only mobile devices, but also the cloud and now Word Online gains the power of Bing in the form of Insights for Office.

  The new feature makes it possible to perform searches from within Word Online so you can conduct research with fewer clicks. It could be as simple as looking up a definition, or you might be inspired to look up images related to the document you are working on.

  But Insights for Office is about more than just basic searching, it's also intelligent. Over on the Bing Blog, Bing Product Management Ryan Gavin uses the example of writing about President Lincoln. If in the course of writing a document about Abe you need to make reference to his birth date, but can't remember exactly when it was, firing up a search engine and performing a manual search is fairly inefficient.

  With Insights for Office you can highlight the phrase "Lincoln was born in..." that you have already typed in your document, right-click, select the Insights option and a relevant search will be conducted for you. Information and content is pulled in from Snapshot, Wikipedia, Bing Image Search and other resources, and the order in which results appear depends on the context and content.

  Microsoft also announced that Office Online is gaining improved PDF support -- including built-in OCR -- better pagination, and an enhanced Tell Me feature.

  
• 

  Intel IoT Platform aims to drive adoption of secure Internet of Things

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 6:49pm CET par Mark Wilson

  

  The Internet of Things will see an acceleration in adoption if Intel's plans work out. The chipmaker has just unveiled its own Internet of Things platform called, inevitably, Intel IoT Platform. The aim is to create a unified system that makes it easy for manufacturers to securely connect their devices to others.

  The platform is essentially a set of protocols that helps to ensure compatibility between devices. Intel has already forged a number of partnerships with a view to accelerating uptake of and interest in the Internet of Things in general, and Intel IoT specifically.

  Dell, Accenture and Wipro are just three of the names already on board, helping to create an ecosystem that is "designed to provide a repeatable foundation for devices to deliver trusted data to the cloud". The idea to create a platform that helps to get products to market faster by simplifying the task of working with different devices and data.

  The focus on security is particularly important. As the Internet of Things continues to grow, the amount and type of data involved will increase. In a blog post Intel says:

  The new offerings and relationships will make it easier for solution providers to move IoT from pockets of pilots to mainstream deployments with a repeatable foundation of building blocks that can be customized for limitless solutions. Data will be unlocked faster to extract meaningful information and value for consumers and businesses.

  Intel wants to push "pre-integrated solutions" that can be easily scaled up, and the hope is that by providing more ready-made solutions, more manufacturers will be encouraged to get involved. In a video, Intel's Chris Young talks about the importance of security in the company vision for the IoT:

  Photo credit: asharkyu / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Apple Watch to kickstart wearables in 2015

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 6:25pm CET par Darren Allan

  

  Another report has emerged pointing to 2015 as being a massive year for wearables, with the gadgets expected to explode in popularity.

  In particular the smartwatch is expected to finally take off, with the Apple Watch helping to drive that category forward when it’s released next spring. Thus far, fitness bands have easily topped the wearables category, but smartwatches are expected to accelerate rapidly now they’re shedding the geeky image with the likes of smart-looking Android Wear devices, as well as Apple’s effort.

  The report from Forrester, entitled "Five Urgent Truths About The Future Of Wearables That Every Leader Should Know", was highlighted by Reuters.

  The research predicts 10 million sales for the Apple Watch next year (a more conservative number than UBS which forecasts 24 million), and the overall number of folks using wearables should triple by the close of 2015.

  The report’s consumer polls -- which took in the opinions of 13,000 Europeans and 4,500 Americans -- found that the latter were more likely to adopt a wearable, with 45 percent saying they would, considerably more than the 32 percent of Europeans. Smartwatches and wrist-worn health/fitness bands are the most likely gadgets consumers can see themselves wearing.

  However, wearables are set to be even more important in the business world next year, with business decision makers also polled, and 68 percent saying that developing a wearables strategy was now a priority for their company.

  In the report introduction, Forrester noted: "In the future, wearables will offer marketers a wide array of tools for creating deeper engagement with customers -- through employee-worn wearables in customer service, wearables that customers buy for themselves, or even wearables that you give to your customers to interact with you".

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

  
• 

  Are you lactating or depressed? A doctor is only a video chat away

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 6:25pm CET par Brian Fagioli

  

  Health care can be very expensive. Sadly, some people must choose between going to the doctor and food, or between getting medicine and heating their homes. It is a tragedy really, that in a country like the USA, health care is not universally available to all. Even if you can afford health insurance, getting off from work to go the doctor can be an issue, not to mention, increasingly large co-pays.

  Luckily, the Internet makes more of the world available to people, including health care. Yes, you can interact with medical professionals over video chat. Today, a company called Doctor On Demand announces that it is now offering video chat to lactating mothers and those in need of psychological help.

  "Limited access to mental health care is a critical issue in the United States. To help address this problem, Doctor On Demand announced that it is now offering Behavioral Health Services nationally, through Video Visits with doctorate-level psychologists. Starting today, people experiencing anxiety, stress, depression and relationship issues will have access to mental health care from the comfort of their own homes at an affordable price, via smartphone, tablet or computer", says Doctor On Demand.

  The company also announces a "partnership with UpSpring to provide breastfeeding moms one-on-one Video Visits with certified lactation consultants to address breastfeeding issues, questions or concerns. UpSpring lactation consultants are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), and are trained to provide support and manage common breastfeeding concerns or issues affecting mom or baby. Breastfeeding issues and questions can arise at any time of the day or night. Through Doctor On Demand, breastfeeding mothers will now be able to see a lactation consultant at their convenience, without leaving home".

  Before a woman bares her breasts on video chat, she should of course vet the health care provider and be sure that her computer is secure. Quite frankly, it is a good idea to research any company or doctor before choosing them for care.

  So what will this cost? The company explains, "the cost of a Video Visit with a doctorate-level psychologist is $50 for a 25-minute session and $95 for a 50-minute session. The cost of a Video Visit with a Doctor On Demand/UpSpring Lactation consultant is $40 for a 25-minute session and $70 for a 50-minute session. Doctor On Demand will also continue to provide Video Visits with Board Certified physicians for nearly every non-emergency medical issues like cold and flu, urinary tract infections, sports injuries and more for $40 per Video Visit".

  Would you trust getting your health care over web cam? Tell me in the comments.

  [mms.businesswire.com]

  Photo Credit: SvetlanaFedoseyeva / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Executive ego and the Sony Pictures network hack

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 5:23pm CET par Robert X. Cringely

  

  Readers have been asking me to write about the recent network hack at Sony Pictures Entertainment. If you run a company like Sony Pictures it has to be tough to see your company secrets stolen all at once -- salaries, scripts, and Social Security numbers all revealed along with a pre-release HD copy of Annie, not to mention an entire database of unhappy Sony employees who want to work anywhere Adam Sandler doesn’t. But frankly my dear I don’t give a damn about any of that so let’s cut to the heart of this problem which really comes down to executive privilege.

  Sony was hacked because some president or vice-president or division head or maybe an honest-to-God movie star didn’t want something stupid like network security to interfere with their Facebook/YouTube/porn/whatever workplace obsession. Security at Sony Pictures wasn’t breached, it was abandoned, and this recent hack is the perfectly logical result.

  "I used to run IT for Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment", confirmed a guy named Lionel Felix in a recent blog comment, "and (I) know that there were a number of simple vectors for this kind of attack there. They ran IT there like a big small office with lots of very high-maintenance execs who refused to follow any security protocols. I’m surprised it took this long for this to happen".

  High-maintenance execs are everywhere these days. At the same time average workers regularly go for years without a raise, we seem to live in the Age of High Maintenance Execs.

  I wrote a column not on ago advising that entire corporate networks should be disconnected from the Internet for security reasons. If you want to post on Facebook or email your mother, do it on your smartphone using cellular, not corporate, data minutes. Yet somehow on network after network, these simple measures aren’t taken.

  Let me get excruciatingly specific: in the case of nearly all the recent high profile corporate data breaches in the USA, the primary ISP involved was AT&T. This is not an indictment of AT&T at all, just the opposite. As far as I can tell AT&T did nothing wrong. But in every case I’ve looked at, AT&T customers effectively sabotaged their own security.

  AT&T is the only ISP I know of that segregates its Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) private networks from Internet access.  The client has to very specifically bridge the two to get to the Internet and they do it all the time. For AT&T this is an immutable law -- no private MPLS service has connectivity to the Internet.  If you want Internet you order a second pipe. Yet Home Depot, JP Morgan, and Target all use the AT&T MPLS service so they specifically allowed their private networks to be bridged to the public network.

  The bad guys were kept out until that happened.

  This behavior goes against every classic IT rule of thumb except one. IT rule #1 is Hell no we can’t do that. There’s a long tradition of saying No in IT, yet here it didn’t happen. Rule #2 is we’ll need a lot more money and bandwidth to do that. Given AT&T’s position on the matter it should have been easy to score the required second pipe for Internet traffic, yet somehow it didn’t happen. Only Rule #3 -- Thank you sir, may I have another -- seems to have held, and therein lies the basic problem that IT can no longer stand up to executive management’s need for Twitter.

  From where I sit it looks like the 500 million US financial records lost to hackers over the past 12 months come down mainly to executive ego. All these companies opened a door to the Internet so employees could do banking, listen to Internet radio, check their Gmail, and all allowed their businesses to be robbed in the process.

  So get a 4G phone and leave the corporate network alone.  If you must offer Internet, BYOD over a guest network connected locally via DSL.

  You can build an IP-to-IP network with low-cost Internet.  The difference is that you remove the default route to the Internet and remove NAT’ing for Internet access. Simply allow static routes that connect only to other office routes. Even if bad guys attack the network public IP address the router cannot reply because the route is not in the route table. Without NAT no user in the RFC 1918 IP subnets can access anything anyway. All traffic is routed over the encrypted VPN tunnels.  Internet is at the hub points -- it is there that you decide if you want to open your network to the world.  I vote no.

  Yet these companies didn’t take the relatively simple steps needed to secure their data. Your company probably hasn’t, either.

  Now folks at Google and Yahoo and other outfits that actually require the Internet to do business might see this somewhat differently. For that matter, I like paying my electric bill online and I’m sure the power company doesn’t mind getting money that way.  So it’s not entirely simple. But what we’ve done is assume VPNs or https can handle everything when that’s just not true.

  We need better rules about how to segregate traffic and design safer networks. And even faced with executive tantrums, IT has to be (re)empowered to just say no.

   

  
• 

  Nokia brings HERE to Google Play, will launch iOS version early next year

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 5:02pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  For Nokia to get any real traction with HERE outside of Windows Phone and its former brands, the Finnish company must make its app available to as many potential new users as possible. And that means offering it on the biggest mobile app stores around today -- Apple App Store and Google Play.

  Today, Nokia is taking a step in the right direction by making HERE for Android available on Google Play. The app's availability on the largest Android app store comes more than three months after the initial launch, for Galaxy smartphones. HERE still sports the beta label, but continues to offer the same lovely features we have come to expect from it.

  The good news is that HERE is available for free on Google Play. The bad news -- however, this may not affect most users -- is that not all devices seem to be supported right now. For instance, Nokia does not want the app to be installed on my 2013 Google Nexus 7, rocking Android 5.0.1 Lollipop. It is, however, available with other devices still listed in my account (like Google Galaxy Nexus and LG G3).

  The latest improvements to HERE for Android include extended coverage of voice-guided navigation into 18 new markets (a total of 118 countries are supported), performance and stability improvements and some bug fixes. For more information on what HERE for Android has to offer can do, you can check out our coverage of the app, which includes its development on Android.

  Nokia says that it has received interest from "a lot of people" in an iOS version of HERE, and, as such, it will also make the app available on App Store, but only in early 2015. At least that's the plan now. "We really appreciate this interest and demand", says Nokia. "Our iOS app development team is working hard on this and we plan to officially launch HERE for iOS in early 2015".

  As some of you may know, Nokia has had HERE Maps available on App Store, receiving too little attention from iOS users. Nokia is hopeful that maybe the second time's the charm. One thing's certain -- iOS users would certainly appreciate having Nokia's offline maps on their devices.

  Hit the following link to download HERE from Google Play.

  
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  LiveSite helps small businesses improve customer interaction on the web

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 5:00pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  According to a BIA Kelsey report for the Manta small business community, 61 percent of small businesses get the majority of their revenue from repeat clients.

  This means that timely interaction and following up with customers is important. Yet many smaller businesses still manage these tasks manually and may be losing sales as a result.

  To help businesses use their websites more effectively to retain clients, customer engagement specialist vCita has launched a new version of its LiveSite software giving small businesses greater control and providing a simplified, seamless user experience, increasing customer engagement while improving business efficiencies.

  With LiveSite added to their websites, businesses can create an interactive menu of calls-to-action that improve online client engagement. It transforms any website into an interactive app that also works on mobile devices and enables clients to schedule appointments, pay online, upload files and complete forms.

  "For small service businesses, the ability to streamline payments, scheduling and client communications is key to creating customer retention and loyalty," says Itzik Levy, founder and chief executive officer of vCita. "The new LiveSite will help over 100,000 businesses working with vCita to deliver an exceptional service to their clients, increase customer satisfaction and make their website look more professional than ever".

  Enhanced features in the latest version include an online payment form that can be added to a website or embedded in an email, a MyTime scheduling feature that lets customers set appointments in line with staff availability, and new email templates with greater flexibility and branding options.

  The basic system is free and additional modules are available starting at $9.95 per month. For more details and to try out the free version visit the cVita website.

  Image Credit: Sebastian Duda / Shutterstock

  
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  Blackphone launching a privacy-focused app store next year

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 4:34pm CET par Barclay Ballard

  

  Blackphone, the handset that claims to be able to protect users against surveillance and other security threats, is set to launch its own app store.

  The service will be available from January 2015 and will offer privacy-focused apps and software that have been selected to provide the highest level of security available.

  All of the apps are compatible with Blackphone’s PrivatOS operating system, which is a modified version of Google’s Android KitKat platform. PrivatOS also comes with a number of pre-installed apps such as the Silent Circle package, which provides encrypted communication, anonymous web browsing and cloud storage solutions by SpiderOak.

  Blackphone users are also able to wipe their device or recover any data remotely.

  The latest update to the operating system, PrivatOS 1.1, which is also set to launch early next year, aims to be even more secure than its predecessor. Users who download the update will be able to create separate spaces or compartments to hold different apps or files, as part of a new feature called "Spaces".

  "With most smartphones, separating work and play means compromising either privacy or convenience: either work apps and data live in the same place as personal games and social media apps, or users carry two devices to guarantee privacy and separation," the company wrote online.

  "Spaces can separate work life from personal life, a 'parents only' space from a kid-friendly one, or any other separation users can dream up -- no compromises needed".

  Despite Blackphone’s security claims, some industry experts have questioned how much protection the handset can offer users. While the device’s lack of pre-installed apps from Google means users are not sharing data unwittingly with the search engine giant, government surveillance programs like the recent PRISM scandal are unlikely to be thwarted by the phone’s security features.

  Despite this, the launch of a dedicated app store should at least give Blackphone owners a wider choice of software for the handset.

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

  
• 

  The top threats to your business data in 2015

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 3:55pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  With OpenSSL problems, ransomware, retail security breaches and the rise of the internet of things, 2014 has been a difficult year for businesses from the security point of view.

  Each year brings its own set of challenges of course and Mike Foreman SMB general manager at security company AVG has been looking ahead to the threats companies need to watch for in 2015.

  Cyber criminals are increasingly aiming their attacks at smaller businesses and a new class of malware aimed at stealing logins and customer data is the Advanced Persistent Threat (APT). "They are purposely designed to gain a foothold in the business and remain there undetected for a prolonged period of time," says Foreman. "To counter this businesses require an equally sophisticated approach to defense that includes protection from risks in mobile communications and Cloud services as well as traditional networks".

  Ransomware is expected to remain a major threat too. Foreman advises businesses to use reputable antivirus software, avoid risky downloads, and to educate their staff about the dangers.

  Password breaches will continue to be a problem as internet of things devices become more common. Foreman cites the example of the Russian website streaming images from insecure IP cameras left open by the use of default passwords.

  The other area to watch is mobile threats as the use of cloud systems and mobile working increases. Even devices previously thought to be secure could be at risk says Foreman, "Not so long ago it was probably quite natural for your Apple-loving colleagues to congratulate themselves for using the relatively threat-free Macintosh platform. But the tide is turning. The prevalence of iPad and iPhone mobile devices in the office has turned the Apple operating system into a prime target".

  You can read more about Foreman's predictions and how small businesses can protect themselves on AVG's blog.

  Image Credit: Lightspring / Shutterstock

  
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  View, save and restore a drive's MBR/ boot sector with HDHacker

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 2:47pm CET par Mike Williams

  

  Before a PC can access a drive, it must first read various disk structures: the boot sector, master boot record (MBR), partition table, and so on. Normally you don’t have to care about any of that, but if these structures are corrupted, and the drive becomes unreadable, then you might want to know more.

  HDHacker is a tiny tool which can read, display, save and restore a drive’s master boot record, boot sector, or just a defined number of continuous sectors. This is potentially very dangerous -- choosing the wrong drive or sectors could trash your system -- but it can sometimes be helpful.

  The program is extremely portable, a single 112KB which runs on anything from Windows NT up. We suspect you’ll struggle to find a system that old, but at least you know it doesn’t depend on .NET, Java or anything else.

  Launch HDHacker and you must first select your preferred drive -- logical, physical, fixed or removable -- from a list.

  The next step is to choose a starting sector (#1 for the boot) and the number of sectors to read (1-16).

  Click "Read sector…" and HDHacker reads and displays your chosen sectors. Most of this will be meaningless binary garbage, but there may also be useful information. if the boot sector starts with ".RNTFS" then you’ll know this is an NTFS drive, for example, while FAT disks should have FAT16 or FAT32 somewhere on the first line.

  There are also options to save your sectors to a file, reload them later, and write them to disk. This enables you to back up these structures and restore them later, although of course if your system drive has been corrupted then you probably won’t be able to boot Windows to run HDHacker. You’ll also need to be extremely careful, as a mistake here could make a drive unreadable.

  HDHacker isn’t going to be anyone’s ideal choice of backup or disaster recovery tool, and something like Free Hex Editor Neo has far more raw disk viewing power. Still, the program’s compact size, ease of use, and ability to run almost anywhere are notable plus points. If you regularly troubleshoot other people’s PCs, and don’t have anything similar, then it’s worth keeping a copy around.

  
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  T-Mobile’s Un-carrier effort unnerving wireless competitors

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 2:19pm CET par Ed Oswald

  

  As T-Mobile announces yet another offering aimed at the nation’s top wireless carriers, one thing is clear: AT&T and Verizon feel the pain.

  Both companies reported this week that they are finding it more difficult to retain customers as competition heats up in the US wireless market. Verizon says increasing competition is causing churn to trend "higher both sequentially and year over year", and expects these pressures to cut into profits and margins in the fourth quarter.

  AT&T made similar statements to the Wall Street Journal, indicating it too was seeing price pressures that would affect its bottom line. But the hurt may only be beginning, as T-Mobile aims to gain a larger foothold in the US market.

  T-Mobile introduced yet another salvo in its ongoing fight against industry norms, debuting a new family plan on Tuesday that costs $100 per month and offers unlimited LTE data, voice, and text for two lines. Additional lines (up to 8) cost $40 additional per month.

  The latest offering is nearly 30 percent cheaper than T-Mobile’s previous two-line plans. It is also far below Verizon and AT&T, neither of which offer unlimited data. Verizon’s family plan for two lines and 20GB of data sets you back $180, and a similar plan from AT&T with 30GB of data for two lines is $160 per month.

  "People are saying loud and clear that they hate the confusion and complexity of the carriers’ shared data plans, and they should", T-Mobile CEO John Legere says. "These plans are purpose-built to do one thing, take money from your pocket and put it into theirs".

  Both current and new subscribers are able to take advantage of the new plans immediately. It should be mentioned that this plan is not a permanent fixture: T-Mobile intends to eventually discontinue the offer, but allow subscribers to keep the plan for life if they switch.

  In an interview with Re/code, Legere repeated his official comments and added that he is not surprised by Verizon’s announcement regarding its finances. He says T-Mobile is on target to hit its own numbers this quarter, and that "the last thing" investors will hear is an earnings warning of any kind.

  The earnings sheet will tell the story, however. All three companies are slated to report their quarterly earnings late next month.

  Photo Credit: Stuart Miles /Shutterstock

  
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  AIDA64 5 adds wireless monitoring support, certificates information panel

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 2:18pm CET par Nick Peers

  

  Budapest software firm FinalWire Ltd has released a major new version of its Windows diagnostic and benchmarking tool with the release of AIDA64 Extreme Edition 5.0.

  Version 5.0’s major new feature is support for remote monitoring of computer sensors using third-party smartphone and tablet apps.

  The new feature works in conjunction with AIDA’s existing LCD module, which allows users to monitor their computer temperature, fan speed and other key sensors remotely using specialist hardware.

  Smartphone and tablet users gain a choice of two platforms: Logitech Arx Control works on both Android and iOS, while the new web-based RemoteSensor allows users to monitor via any mobile browser.

  The update is joined by support for Aquaero and Aquaduct sensor devices, along with support for Gravitech, LCD Smartie Hardware and Leo Bodnar LCD devices.

  AIDA 5.0 also introduces a Certificates section to its System Information page, which provides detailed information on installed system certificates.

  The new build also promises to work on Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 9888, and adds initial support for Intel’s Braswell chip, which succeeds the processor giant’s Bay Trail line.

  Alongside this, improved support for Intel’s forthcoming Skylake CPU range (the successor to Haswell) is implemented. The update also comes with the promise of better support for Crucial’s range of SSD hard drives.

  AIDA64 Extreme Edition 5.00 is available as a function-limited 30-day trial, with prices starting from $39.95 for a non-commercial license.

  
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  Fitbit adds Cortana support to its Windows Phone 8.1 app

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 1:26pm CET par Wayne Williams

  

  When Fitbit launched its free, native app for Windows Phone 8.1 four months ago, it was a huge win for Microsoft which has in the past struggled to entice big names to its platform. The Fitbit app includes pretty much everything an owner of one of the firm’s activity trackers could want, including real-time and historical stats, automatic wireless syncing, activity and food logging, and the ability to pin the Fitbit Live Tile to your Start screen.

  But where some companies simply port Android or iOS versions of their apps to Windows Phone and then forget about them, Fitbit shows just how committed it is to Microsoft's mobile platform by updating its app to introduce Cortana integration for easy voice-activated food & activity logging, as well as various other features.

  Fitbit touts the following new additions:

  • Cortana: Available today in beta, users can quickly log any of the 350,000 foods in the Fitbit database using natural language like "Fitbit, I ate lasagna for dinner" or "Fitbit, I had a coffee with breakfast". Users can also create silent alarms for Fitbit trackers.
  • Fitbit Challenges: With Fitbit Challenges, users can directly compete with up to 10 friends and family to help meet and beat goals in new competitions, including Daily Showdown, Workweek Hustle and Weekend Warrior.
  • MobileTrack: Windows Phone users can track steps directly from their smartphone -- no Fitbit required.
  • Background Sync and Push Notifications: Now available for Challenges, messages, progress updates and more.

  "We’re committed to the Windows Phone community and are excited to bring these innovative features to the Fitbit experience on this platform", says James Park, CEO and Co-founder of Fitbit. "As we do across all mobile platforms, we’re continuing to design features that empower people with information and motivate them to set and reach goals with fun and engaging experiences on our mobile apps. However, with the custom Cortana integration, we worked closely with Microsoft to design around its unique and innovative intelligent personal assistant technology to create an awesome experience for Fitbit users syncing to the Windows Phone platform -- making it even easier for them to track and take control of their health and fitness results".

  Fitbit doesn’t intend to stop there either. Future additions, made in conjunction with Microsoft, include:

  • Additional Cortana Functionality: Upcoming Cortana features will include activity logging and the ability to enable exercise mode, all through voice commands.
  • Support for New Fitbit Products: Windows Phone users will have immediate syncing with Fitbit Charge and support for Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge, as well as heart rate tracking, will be live once those products are available.
  • Windows App: Windows 8.1 desktop, laptop and tablet users will experience a new Fitbit app for Windows 8.1, completely remade with a new design and better functionality. Features will include manual logging of activities, food, sleep, weight and water, as well as Challenges. This will be available soon.
  • MobileRun: Windows Phone 8.1 will be able to access MobileRun, which uses GPS to track, log and compare workouts and offers real-time updates while running, as well as voice cues delivering stats and providing extra encouragement. That will be available soon also.
  • New Language Support: The Fitbit app will soon offer support for French, German, Italian and Spanish languages.

  "The Windows platform offers a rich ecosystem of apps for health and fitness enthusiasts", says Todd Brix, general manager, Windows Apps and Store, Microsoft Corp. "Like us, Fitbit also aims to provide an unparalleled user experience, and we’re excited Fitbit is bringing even more functionality to the hugely popular Fitbit app for Windows Phone, including unique features like Cortana integration".

  The new Windows Phone app features are compatible with all Fitbit products, including Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge activity trackers, as well as Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip.

  You can download the app from the Windows Phone Store.

  
• 

  Bitrix24 rolls out new business communication and collaboration tools

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 1:24pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  One of the biggest trends in enterprise systems this year has been the rise of social collaboration tools within the workplace.

  Business intranet tools specialist Bitrix24 has been a major player in this field and is releasing a new and enhanced suite of unified communication and collaboration solutions targeted to businesses of all sizes.

  Among 35 new features and upgrades included in this release are an enhanced mobile app for both Android and iOS users, an improved Activity Stream that offers fast rendering speeds yet and is provided in real time and a new CRM social collaboration platform that features a new product catalog, support for the new Bitrix24.Drive and faster processing capabilities.

  "We always want to ensure that Bitrix24 is on the cutting edge of the unified communications and collaboration industry, and we believe this advanced suite of tools exemplify our pledge to product superiority," says Dmitry Valyanov, CEO of Bitrix24. "Unlike other recently released products, Bitrix24 also offers an in-depth set of sales tools and CRM functionality. Providing the additional value-add of client management and CRM are key cornerstones for Bitrix24 and crucial elements of our comprehensive solution".

  Key features include free two factor authorization to protect users from spyware, and powerful new Bitrix24.Drive and document options which lets users work with documents stored inside Bitrix24 using an office suite that's already installed on their computer. There’s also a new instant messenger feature with the ability to edit and delete messages and share files.

  Businesses pay a competitive $199 a month for unlimited users and unlimited online storage. Bitrix24 is now available in Russian, English, German and Spanish. For more information and to sign up for a free trial you can visit the Bitrix24 website.

  Image Credit: Diego Cervo / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Apple releases iOS 8.1.2 -- it's as minor as small updates come

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 12:58pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

  

  Even though iOS 8.0 has received four updates since launching in mid-September, which have introduced new features, but also squashed quite a few (nasty) bugs, the latest incarnation of the popular mobile operating system still has its fair share of issues. To change that, Apple just introduced iOS 8.1.2.

  Maybe fifth time's the charm, right? Well, that depends on what sort of issues you have been having, even while on iOS 8.1.1, because, according to the information provided by Apple, this update only fixes a single noteworthy problem.

  Apple apparently released iOS 8.1.2 mainly just to fix an issue with iTunes-purchased ringtones disappearing from users' mobile devices. If you are one of the unlucky users dealing with this, the company says that you should visit itunes.com/restore-tones from your iOS device.

  Apple also says that there are other bug fixes in tow, but the company does not mention exactly what issues those resolve. Also, a look at the security fixes included in iOS 8.1.2 reveals that Apple has not packed anything new since iOS 8.1.1.

  That could be good news for jailbreakers, as iOS modding tools rely on Apple not patching security issues to keep working after an update is applied. I cannot confirm whether such a tool still works on iOS 8.1.2, but maybe someone reading this story can share the result.

  As always, iOS 8.1.2 is available to download via iTunes or OTA (over-the-air) on supporting devices. Any device supported by iOS 8 is compatible with the latest iteration.

  
• 

  Android business users get a virtual desktop in the cloud

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 12:18pm CET par Ian Barker

  

  One of the key reasons why businesses migrate their systems to the cloud is to make them easier to access from anywhere.

  But that can create complications where office systems are Windows based and mobile devices are running a different OS. Cloud services provider dinCloud has an answer in the form of webHVD, its HTML5-based virtual desktop.

  The company has now released an Android version of the app which supports Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, YouTube, Netflix and more, and is ideal for businesses with 50 or more Windows desktops. It's compatible with a wide selection of Android devices including Google's Nexus 7 and the Samsung Galaxy range.

  Companies can use webHVD as a replacement for remote access VPNs and other technologies that allow access from home or remote locations. No backend or virtualized infrastructure setup is required, allowing customers to provision, access, or upgrade a turnkey desktop within minutes.

  "As tablet growth approached almost 10 percent in the 3rd quarter, it has created an exciting opportunity for companies to utilize a hosted virtual desktop offering like webHVD," says Mike Chase, CTO at dinCloud. "Users want to connect to legacy applications from any device, and now that Android has an extension for Chrome, we provide an application for this without traditional and costly VDI set up when using a Windows virtual desktop in the cloud".

  The webHVD Android app offers a number of features including anytime accessibility, security that requires the user to enter their password and PIN code, similar to the Google Chrome app and an easy-to-use virtual mouse and keyboard for data input. There's also a Send Key facility allowing the use of commands like Ctrl+Alt+Del and the ability to zoom in and out.

  Existing webHVD customers can download the free Android app now from the Google Play store.

  
• 

  Update Scanner alerts you when web pages change (Firefox)

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 11:49am CET par Mike Williams

  

  If you’d like to know when your favorite websites are updated then you could monitor their RSS or ATOM feeds, maybe a Twitter account or Facebook page. But if they don’t have any of these -- or checking them all seems like too much effort -- then you’ll probably just keep revisiting the site, again, and again, and again.

  Update Scanner is a Firefox addon which saves time by automatically detecting and notifying you about changes to your chosen web pages.

  Installing the extension adds an icon to your address bar. When you’re at a web page you’d like to monitor, right-click the icon, select "Scan Page For Updates", and you’re done. Update Scanner will now regularly check for changes, and display a pop-up alert to notify you of changes.

  Clicking the notification link displays the web page. Any changes are highlighted, making them easier to spot, and you can also toggle between the old and new page.

  You need more control? Left-click the Update Scanner icon and a sidebar appears listing all the pages you’re monitoring. If you don’t want to wait for the automatic check, you can click the Scan button here to be notified of updates immediately.

  Each page has a Properties dialog which defines how often it will be checked, and the level of change you’re looking for (you can opt to ignore changes to numbers, or updates less than 10/ 50/ 100/ 500/ 1000 characters).

  You can even set up a page to open any updates in a new tab. If a change is detected, an "alert" sound is played, the modified page is opened in a new tab, and all you have to do is click it.

  Update Scanner had some strange issues in our tests, including failing to fully display a changed page.

  Most of the time it ran perfectly, though, and if there are problems then you could just not use it with those pages. Give the add-on a try: it could save you a lot time.

  
• 

  Ad blockers under threat from Google, Microsoft and others

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 11:37am CET par Fadil Pašić

  

  Several internet giants and media publishers, (Google, Microsoft and Le Figaro newspaper included), are threatening legal actions against the developers of software that blocks ads from reaching consumers.

  This is, obviously, a problem for websites that rely on advertising as the web becomes more and more popular.

  Japan Today writes that a quarter of the $545 billion spent on global advertising this year went on digital ads, however, with digital ads being present everywhere, the popularity of ad blocking software has grown substantially.

  In the beginning, apps like these were unknown to the general public, and were used only by a handful of tech-savvy individuals.

  Now, it’s a different story.

  Adblock Plus, the most popular ad blocking browser add-on, has nearly five million active users in France, two million in the United Kingdom and 1.5 million in Spain.

  According to a September report from Adobe software developer, Adblock boasts 144 million active users worldwide, up 69 percent in a year.

  The publishers, whose revenue depends mostly on digital ads, find these results alarming, and are considering legal actions.

  "This is no small matter; it affects all publishers. Our members have lost an estimated 20 to 40 percent of their advertising revenue", said Laure de Lataillade, CEO of GESTE, an association of web publishers in gaming, media, music and other domains.

  Sean Blanchfield, CEO of PageFair, compared the campaign against ad blockers to Napster’s demise: "They should instead learn from the Napster story that the users will ultimately get what they want", said Blanchfield.

  The problem has encouraged Google to launch an alternative to web advertising, called Google Contributor. It charges users between $1 and $3 a month to be spared ads, with the fee going to the affected websites. The idea is currently being tested on sites like Mashable, The Onion and Science Daily.

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

  
• 

  Dropbox 3 brings interface revamp, long path support

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 8:56am CET par Mike Williams

  

  Cloud storage provider Dropbox has released a new stable build for desktop in the shape of Dropbox 3.0.3 for Windows, Linux and Mac.

  The interface has been rewritten, bringing high DPI support on Windows, a revamped setup wizard for Linux, improved performance, and reportedly fixing "a large number of issues/ glitches" reported over the years.

  Dropbox 3.0.3 still looks and feels mostly as it always has, but visual changes include updated splash screens, new Windows system tray icons, new Finder icon overlays, and a Yosemite dark mode-compatible set of black and white Mac menu bar icons.

  There’s now support for Windows paths longer than 260 characters. That’s good news when you’re uploading files, but as the official forum post on this release points out, those paths won’t be accessible to Windows Explorer and many other applications.

  The program also now supports "file identifiers". These have been around in experimental builds since the summer, enabling Dropbox "to detect when files have been moved and renamed", and in the future will "improve features such as Previous versions".

  The developers note that, right now, this change should be invisible. But they also recommend that you "let us know if applications working with files in your Dropbox start interacting differently", so keep that in mind if you have any odd issues with the new release.

  Dropbox 3.0.3 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and Linux.

  
• 

  Apple vs Samsung: Still no end in sight for the patent war

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 8:48am CET par Fadil Pašić

  

  It seems as though the Apple vs Samsung patent wars will never end. Samsung has asked the US court to toss the $930 million lawsuit that Apple won, claiming that it didn’t plagiarize the iPhone and that the compensation was too high.

  Samsung’s lawyer Kathleen Sullivan, argued that the lower court made an error and that the phones have separate distinct features, such as Samsung’s phones not having a 'home' button.

  Apple was awarded Samsung’s total profits on those phones, which was described as "absurd", arguing that it was akin to awarding entire profits on a car because of an infringing cup holder.

  Apple’s lawyer William Lee says the $930 million decision was the right one.

  "This is not the cup holder", he said. "After two years, their market share was plummeting. In three months, they came up with something that was identical to the iPhone".

  In April of 2012, a jury awarded Apple $1 billion in damages after Samsung was found guilty of infringing upon many of Apple’s patents. The compensation was lowered to $930 million after Samsung’s appeal.

  Of this total, $399 million was for the copying of three patent designs for the shape, corners, translucent screen and colorful icon, $382 million was for the trademarked look and another $149 million for infringing on three other patents.

  Apple and Samsung have been going back and forth with different lawsuits and fighting over various patents for a long time now and it is unlikely that this latest round will end any time soon.

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

  
• 

  What tech changed your life in 2014?

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 6:55am CET par Joe Wilcox

  

  As the year comes to a close, I'd like to ask you something: What was the best tech purchase you made (or received as a gift)? What about it is so good?

  December is a time of reflection and preparation for a new year and when blogs and news sites fill space with stories looking back on the past 12 months and making predictions for the year ahead. I avoid writing the latter type but have opined about some companies' successes and failures, typically Apple, Google, or Microsoft. But if you'll oblige me, I would like my 2014 reflection(s) to be about you -- to make you the star.

  So I ask you to share here in comments or by emailing me -- joe at betanews dot com -- what tech changed your life this year. Perhaps you got a new smartwatch that transforms how you manage time or relationships. Maybe you signed up for a monthly subscription music service, or even ebooks (e.g., Kindle Unlimited). Apple and Amazon now let families share digital content purchased on different accounts -- maybe that is transforming for you. The life-changer could be a Kickstarter project, WiFi camera, or ride-sharing service like Lyft or Uber.  You tell me.

  To rattle the brain for ideas, I'll tell you some tech that changed my life during 2014.

  Some of My Life-Changers

  Cox Cable, Fire TV, and Roku. In July, my family cut the cord for good this time. We ripped out AT&T U-verse, put in 50Mbps Cox Internet, and started streaming over several devices, including Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku. The last two are used nearly every time we watch television. While Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix are the main channels, Vevo, Vimeo, and YouTube are among the many others getting regular play -- the majority from Roku's fine selection.

  Cord-cutting is truly transformative, particularly as we discover more content produced outside of Hollywood that satisfies so much. The real riches of the Internet can only be mined when cable's distractions are removed. Mixing metaphors, another analogy is the starry sky -- what you experience looking up in darkness during a power outage that removes light pollution. The wonders of the universe parade before your eyes.

  At the end of October, Cox doubled our bandwidth for free, promising 100Mbps but typically delivering 120Mbps wirelessly. Now if I only had a 4K TV to take advantage of Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube streams.

  Beats Music and Grado Labs RS1e headphones. All-you-can-consume subscription services are nothing new, but there's nothing like Beats, which opened for business in January. I have tried them all, and no service serves up better curation. Stated differently: The playlists bite. Sure the subscription music concept is biter. But there are teeth in them chops. Beats sounds good, looks good, and tastes great.

  But Beats beat wouldn't be the same if not for my cans -- Grado Labs RS1e, which released in June. The open-ear headphones deliver pure musical joy, even from compressed local or streamed files. Seriously. You hear instruments silent on other cans, and the soundstage is so fabulous you feel like you're in the studio or at the live performance. I discover and listen to more music than ever.

  Sure, subscription is something I could have done with other music services sooner (and I tried). But the combination, coupled with my cable uncoupling, is life-changing. I listen to other content more often, too, like podcasts, which I had largely ignored previously. Yeah, even these are somehow satisfying on the Grados.

  Now Share Your Life-Changers

  Those are my teasers, and by new means the only tech life-changers for me in 2014.

  As I survey the year, there is a rich landscape of goodies either brand new to market or reaching mainstream maturity that could matter much to you. For example, Twitter opened for service in 2006 but didn't really find its market for another three years. Chromebook launched in 2011 but only hit its stride this year. The life-changing thing doesn't need be new this year.

  Or it could be. For example, Ello is an new social network out in March  and grabbing attention already. Same applies to Google Inbox, which debuted in October. Both services are invite-only during their early phase.

  So fess up. What tech changed your life this year? I will compile some of the best responses into a broader story for end of the month. Take your time. Think about it and woo us with your fabulous digital lifestyle story.

  Photo Credit: xavier gallego morell/Shutterstock

  
• 

  kchmviewer: a better way to browse CHM files

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 4:52am CET par Mike Williams

  

  It may be very old, but Microsoft's Compiled HTML Help (CHM) is still a common format for software documentation, as well as the occasional e-book.

  Windows has a standard HTML Help viewer which should be able to display most files, but it’s a little fragile (just search the web for "regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx"). It may not work well if you need to display files in various character sets. And even if there are no problems, it's still a very basic viewer.

  Kchmviewer offers an appealing open source alternative. The core of the program looks like the CHM viewer you know -- content tree and search on the left, viewing pane on the right -- but it has many more features, is better at handling non-English files, and opens EPUB documents, too.

  The tabbed interface is a major highlight. Click the "+" icon to open a new tab and you can browse another part of the file, entirely separately, then switch between these pages as required.

  If you regularly need to access particular pages then a bookmarking system allows you to save and recall them later.

  The viewer has some small but welcome improvements. If the current page isn’t a comfortable size, then there's a zoom tool to shrink or expand it accordingly. And if, through some navigational quirk, you can’t see your current page in the Content tree, just click the Locate button and it’ll be displayed and highlighted for you.

  There are a few bonus tools. You can display the HTML source of the current page, which didn't interest us very much. But there’s also an option to extract the entire contents of a CHM file – including any images – which may well be more useful.

  The program can even open EPUB files. It refused to display one of ours -- we've no idea why -- but successfully rendered everything else.

  Put it all together and kchmviewer is an excellent program, effortlessly outperforming Microsoft’s standard viewer, and if you spend any significant time browsing CHM files then you should probably download a copy immediately.

  
• 

  Google lists the top YouTube videos of 2014 -- did your favorites make the cut?

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 3:08am CET par Brian Fagioli

  Even though we are in a golden age of television, with shows like Breaking Bad, Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, more and more people are turning to YouTube for their video watching. It is hard to blame them, as the online videos are usually concise, entertaining and more importantly, the stars are oftentimes more accessible. In other words, while getting a tweet from a Hollywood celebrity like Jim Carrey is rare, getting one from iJustine or Chris Pirillo is not so far-fetched. Not everyone gets tweets from Jay Z like I do.

  Today, YouTube is sharing its "YouTubeRewind 2014" -- a mashup video that celebrates the best of 2014 (seen above). In addition, the search giant is listing the overall top videos, plus filtered categories for music and advertisements. Did your favorite videos make the cut?

  "In celebration of the people, memes and moments that made up an epic year, more than 100 YouTube creators gathered together for our annual Rewind video: a giant, global mashup looking back at the best of 2014 on YouTube. With creators from Japan, Germany, Israel, Mexico, France and beyond, it's the biggest and most international Rewind video yet", says Kevin Allocca, Head of Culture and Trends, Google.

  Allocca further explains, "check out our YouTube Rewind channel for more top videos of the year from around the world, and our YouTube Brand channel to see a mashup of the top branded videos of the year and a list of the top ads on YouTube for the year. You can also visit google.com/2014 next week for Google's annual look at the people, places and events that captured the world's attention".

  

  Top 10 trending videos for 2014

  1. Mutant Giant Spider Dog (SA Wardega) by SA Wardega
  2. Nike Football: Winner Stays. ft. Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Rooney, Ibrahimović, Iniesta & more by Nike Football
  3. FIRST KISS by Tatia PIlieva
  4. The Voice IT | Serie 2 | Blind 2 | Suor Cristina Scuccia - #TEAMJ-AX by TheVoiceOf Italy
  5. iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test by Unbox Therapy
  6. Bars & Melody - Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act | Britain's Got Talent 2014 by Britain's Got Talent
  7. Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII Commercial -- "Puppy Love" by Budweiser
  8. Devil Baby Attack by DevilsDueNYC
  9. Goku vs Superman. Epic Rap Battles of History Season 3. by ERB
  10. 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman by Street HarassmentVideo

  Top 10 music videos for 2014

  1. Katy Perry - Dark Horse (Official) ft. Juicy J
  2. Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (Español) ft. Descemer Bueno, Gente De Zona 
  3. Shakira - Can't Remember to Forget You ft. Rihanna
  4. Shakira - La La La (Brazil 2014) ft. Carlinhos Brown
  5. Jason Derulo - "Wiggle" feat. Snoop Dogg (Official HD Music Video)
  6. Iggy Azalea - Fancy (Explicit) ft. Charli XCX
  7. Sia - Chandelier (Official Video)
  8. Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
  9. Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass
  10. Nicki Minaj - Anaconda

  10 most watched advertisements for 2014

  1. Nike Football: Winner Stays. ft. Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Rooney, Ibrahimović, Iniesta & more
  2. Nike Football: The Last Game ft. Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Rooney, Zlatan, Iniesta & more
  3. Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII Commercial -- "Puppy Love"
  4. Always #LikeAGirl
  5. Devil Baby Attack
  6. Duracell: Trust Your Power - NFL's Derrick Coleman, Seattle Seahawks
  7. Galaxy Note 4 -- Then And Now
  8. P&G Thank You, Mom | Pick Them Back Up | Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
  9. Global Be(er) Responsible Day | “Friends Are Waiting” | Budweiser
  10. Heineken | Routine Interruptions | The Payphone with Fred Armisen

  Which video is your favorite? Tell me in the comments.

  Photo Credit: 360b / Shutterstock

  
• 

  Forget male and female, Google+ now supports infinite gender identities

  Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 1:04am CET par Mark Wilson

  

  What's your gender? For some people it's a simple question -- nothing more than checking one of two boxes. But it can get more complicated than simply indicating that you're male or female. Many people feel that gender is not important and would prefer to keep this information to themselves. This is now a wish that Google respects on Google+.

  In fact Google is going far beyond this. Starting today Google+ includes support for an infinite number of gender identifies. So whether you would rather not disclose where you fit onto the gender spectrum, or want to proclaim it outside of the confines of the usual binary options, now you can.

  As Google points out in a Google+ post, it has long been possible to select Male, Female or Other as your identity. This trio of options has now been expanded to a quartet, adding a new Decline to state, and Custom settings.

  Rachael Bennett from Google said: "Now, the gender field on your profile will contain four entries, Male, Female, Decline to state, and Custom.  When Custom is selected, a freeform text field and a pronoun field will appear. You can still limit who can see your gender, just like you can now. We’ll be rolling this feature out for all users over the next few days".

  In the wake of the LGBT backlash against Facebook's "real name" policy, attitudes to sexuality and gender identity have been under closer scrutiny than normal. Google recently fared well in a study by the Human Rights Campaign into LGBT equality in the workplace, and this latest move is likely to be well-received.

  Photo credit: graphicsdunia4you / Shutterstock