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WhatsApp Call feature releases to more users -- here's how you can get it

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 11:57pm CET par Manish Singh

WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging client, is working on a voice-calling feature which it plans to release to the public soon. WhatsApp has been rolling out the functionality to select users as part of a beta test program, something the company had confirmed last month. BetaNews is now able to report and confirm that WhatsApp is once again rolling out the voice calling feature to many users, and the invite can be disseminated if a user with the feature working on their Android device makes a phone call from within the app to other Android users. We tried to make it work on an iPhone, but couldn't; and we're yet to try it on a Windows Phone handset.

Last year, WhatsApp announced that it was working on a voice-calling feature and would release it to users by the second half of 2014. While that obviously never happened, the company last month began to flip the switches for many users as part of a beta testing program. Last month, it had confirmed that it was beta testing the feature and would release to all as soon as it is satisfied with the initial results.

We have talked in length about why this feature matters to users. According to the latest estimations, more texts are being sent through WhatsApp than via traditional SMS. Statistically too, in emerging markets such as India, a voice calling feature over the web could significantly reduce users’ phone bills.

For a quick analogy, I compared a regular phone call’s tariff with a voice call over the web last month. “Skype, for example, uses 6 to 20 kbps or around 150KB per minute for a voice call. The amount a user would have to pay for this much data is a lot less than a voice call tariff. In India, for instance, that much data usage with standard internet data plans of say $2-4 per GB will provide users with over 6,820 minutes, something which would otherwise cost a user Rs 6,820 (more than $100) over a typical voice call.”, I had inferred.

Users are required to have either v2.11.528, or v2.11.531, or v2.22.555 (which you can download from our reliable friends at APKMirror) of WhatsApp installed on their Android smartphone or tablet. After which, they are eligible to snag the feature provided someone with the feature working on their handset makes a phone call to them. We’ve personally invited a number of users and can vouch for this invitation system’s validity. That said, we are not sure how long WhatsApp will keep the invitation system open.
Of course, Chromebooks matter

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 8:27pm CET par Joe Wilcox
Yesterday, commentary "Do Chromebooks matter anymore?" popped up in my social network feeds. Preston Gralla rightly wonders, when looking at how the laptops have fallen off Amazon's top-seller lists, IDC shipment forecasts, and what happened with netbooks. While being a Chromebook fan, I must admit to similar misgivings.

So today, I emailed Stephen Baker, NPD's vice president of industry analysis: "Are Chromebooks just the next netbook wave? Low-cost, lean configurations, and education adoption all look similar to me. Do you see any parallels to suggest Chromebook is little more than the next netbook and it's headed for the same destination: Short-term appeal that vanishes? Or is there longevity here, based on sales numbers?" His answer is reason for this post.

There is "no evidence that Chromebooks are short-term", he says. "Given the rapidity that the windows ecosystem is embracing under $300 products, given the changes that people are making in how they consume data and use their PC, given the falling demand for tablets, it is hard to see how this idea makes any sense at all. No one has ever suggested these were going to take over the world so citing unit numbers is not relevant. They continue to grow and take some share".

"Some share" are the keywords. Through U.S. commercial channels and retail, Chromebooks accounted for 14 percent of laptop sales last year, according to NPD, which released data at my request. That's up from 8 percent in 2013. Commercial channels, largely to educational institutions, accounted for about two-thirds of 2014 Chromebooks sold. Year over year, sales soared by 85 percent, and the trajectory continues to climb.

Fourteen percent from nothing when Acer and Samsung shipped the first commercially-available Chromebooks almost four years ago is no small accomplishment. Nearly all major OEMs sell laptops running Chrome OS, with new models releasing at surprisingly brisk pace. Quick examples, for 2015: Acer educational and 15.6-inch screen models and Dell educational Chromebook.

The laptop category isn't for everyone. Over at ComputerWorld today, JR Raphael offers a three-question quiz for prospective Chromebook buyers. The post is an excellent primer.

Reminder of some of the benefits:
- Easy setup
- Guest-user account
- Fast crash recovery
- Instant-on capability
- Security architecture
- High-value for low-cost
- Simplicity and usability
- Hands-free IT management
- Frequent updates delivered easily
- Seamless sync with devices running Chrome
The measure of any product's usefulness are the benefits it delivers, rather than features. For example, setup is as easy as logging into your Google Account. Want to change Chromebooks or use another? Log in—setup is complete. My Chromebook rarely crashes, but when it does rebooting takes less than 10 seconds and restores to the previous state. From sleep, the laptop wakes immediately—or nearly-so on some models—and connects to WiFi fast.

Circling back to the main point. A product's popularity on Amazon is no measure of its success or failure. I trust Stephen Baker more. Among analysts, he has surprisingly consistent track record getting these things right.
Silicon Power Armor A65M is a waterproof and military-grade USB 3.0 hard drive for Mac

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 7:01pm CET par Brian Fagioli
Using cloud-based storage is extremely convenient, and arguably safer than traditional hard drive storage. Why? If, God forbid, there is a fire or other disaster in your home or office, your files are safe and secure offsite.

With that said, there are some deficiencies with the cloud, such as a need for an internet connection, and the potential lack of control of your own files. Yes, internet is seemingly ubiquitous nowadays, but do you feel uncomfortable not having access during an outage? If so, a USB solution coupled with offsite storage for redundancy is a smart choice. Today, Silicon power announces the ultra-rugged Armor A65M. Designed for Mac, it should work with Linux and Windows too.

"Maximizing the shockproof and waterproof specifications of the Armor Series, the Armor A65M is specifically designed for Mac users with all-inclusive safety shields fighting against various threats that may occur during daily operations, and it also complies with the U.S. military-grade drop test and the IP67 standard. The Armor A65M pioneers data protection measures with its exclusive cup-shaped design for optimizing its waterproof and dustproof functions, which makes the Armor A65M the first portable hard drive that meets the IP67 standard in the industry", says Silicon Power.

The company further explains, "in addition, the Armor A65M is especially rigid with its three-layer construction including two layers of rubber and one unibody frame in the middle, altogether promising great protection to withstand drops and shocks. Incorporating complete inside-out protection, the Armor A65M is guaranteed to keep your data safe under all sorts of conditions and is ideal for Mac users on the go. Furthermore, the Armor A65Menables easy plug-and-play use for it is already formatted in HFS+ format and supports Time Machine".

Silicon Power lists the following features and benefits.
- Easy plug-and-play use for Mac, already being formatted in HFS+ and supporting Time Machine
- Compliant with the U.S. military drop-test standards MIL-STD 810G Method 516.6 Procedure IV (transit drop test), a freefall test (122cm) on 26 contact points
- Industry's-first to meet IP67 dustproof/waterproof standard
- Advanced internal hard drive suspension system
- Delicate cable-carry design
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface
- Intelligent LED indicator
- SP Widget for Mac free software download, providing back-up and security functions
So, what makes this a "Mac" hard drive? It is formatted as such out of the box, plus has white and silver design cues that are Apple-esque. It should look very attractive connected to an iMac or Macbook.

With that said, if you love the design and specs, but don't use OS X, you are in luck. Simply reformat the drive in exfat or NTFS for Windows, or ext4 (or something else) for Linux. Keep in mind, however, the manufacturer only suports it on OS X.

As a Linux and Windows user myself, this drive is quite attractive as I like the design very much and put a high value on the rugged nature. I particularly like that the USB cable attaches to the bottom of the drive.

If you are interested, it will come in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB sizes, but pricing and availability are not yet announced.

You can see the specs below.
- Dimensions：143.4 x 86.7 x 20.7 mm
- Weight：242~277g (by capacity)
- Capacity：500GB、1TB、2TB
- Material：Rubber/ Plastic
- Color：Grey
- Interface：USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 compatible
- Data transfer rates：Max. 5 Gbps (USB 3.0 Mode); Max. 480 Mbps (USB 2.0 Mode)
- Power supply：DC5V (Power supplied through USB)
- Supported operating systems：Mac OS 10.5 or later
- Operating temperature：5°~ 55°C
- Storage temperature：-40°~ 70°C
- Warranty：3 years
Reports that uTorrent silently installs Bitcoin crapware are... crap

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 5:41pm CET par Mark Wilson

Sometimes it's easy to be swayed by what's being written online. At the moment there are lots of stories creeping out about the iPad Pro and Apple Watch, none of which are founded in any fact whatsoever. Still, making stuff up, popping it in quotes and attributing it to an anonymous source is great fun, right?

It may be fun, but it's not really fair on the reader. Another story which popped up on my radar today was about uTorrent -- the popular BitTorrent client that's loved and hated in equal measure. Stories on Trusted Reviews, Engadget and the Verge suggest a Bitcoin mining tool called Epic Scale is installed without permission, and is a tricky blighter to remove. There's an easy way to find out; let's just install it.

I've used uTorrent before and I know from experience that running through the installation is something of an exercise in 'spot the crapware'. It has been a while since I used it so I'm interested to see how things have changed.

I grabbed a copy of the latest version of the software from the uTorrent website -- uTorrent version 3.4.2, build 38913. The first screen provides a warning to look out for online scams; how lovely of the developers to care. EULA. I Agree... I guess. Where do I want shortcuts installed? Next... and we're onto the installation proper. After selecting file associations and so on there's my first 'bundled extra'.

Am I interested in Ratking with its offer of '700 fill album' (sic)? Nope. Uncheck the 'Yes, I'd love to check out this download!' box. Next. What's this? Another EULA it would seem. Let's have a quick skim through. Oh… Epic Scale! That's what everyone was banging on about, isn't it? It's described as "a distributed computing platform whereby it combines the unused computer resources of its licensees in order to perform computations for itself and others". Apparently this is the bugger that's impossible to avoid. Oh. I can just click the big Decline Offer button.

Panic over.

Engadget says that there are complaints in the uTorrent forum (which seems to have been pulled offline) that users see no warning about the installation of Epic Scale. I'm not here to defend uTorrent, but from my experience it seems that there is a pretty clear warning. Sure, Bitcoin mining is not mentioned, but it is certainly made clear that there's an optional component that you can either install or avoid.

I've had a check through my system and there is no reference to anything I would not expect or want to find. It seems that, true to my requests during uTorrent installation, nothing extra was installed. I understand the need to monetize free software such as this, and there will be plenty of people who are fooled into installing Epic Scale and other crapware. Ultimately it is their own fault.

As quoted by the Verge, uTorrent says:

We have reviewed the issue closely and can confirm there is no silent install happening... Most likely these users accepted the offer during install. Like many software companies, we have partner offers in our install path and our policy is that they are strictly optional.

It seems the company is right. It seems there is no story. But it makes for good headlines, eh?
Hands on with Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 Preview

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 3:32pm CET par Nick Peers

After a five-year gap, Microsoft has unveiled the first public beta of its forthcoming Office 2016 for Mac with the release of Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 Preview. The new release is free for all Yosemite users during the remainder of the product’s pre-release phase, with the final version slated for release later this year.

Office for Mac 2016 Preview ships with five components: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. It boasts a refreshed and optimized codebase, Retina-friendly visuals and support for full-screen mode.

Previously, Office on the Mac has always been considered as an afterthought by Microsoft. However, Apple’s dumbing down of its own iWork suite coupled with changes to Microsoft’s top brass has left the company keen to exploit what it sees as a gap in the Mac market.

As a result, the first new version of Office since the beginning of the decade has been given a real shot in the arm.

Office 2016 is all about the cloud -- it’s tightly integrated into Microsoft’s OneDrive and SharePoint services, but you won’t be obliged to use either during preview testing. Of the five components, Outlook is based on the recent standalone release, while OneNote contains only one update of note: improved sharing capabilities.

Both apps already showcase the modern Office look that has already been rolled out on other platforms -- including iPad and Windows -- and this look has now been extended to the core components: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Office 2011 users will notice the ribbon has been updated along with the task pane to make features more immediate and visible. Word users gain a handy new Design tab for managing a document’s layout, and a Navigation sidebar (confusingly referred to as Document Sidebar) for working more efficiently with larger documents.

Excel’s new features bring it in line with Excel 2013 on Windows, and include a new Analysis Toolpak offering a wide number of statistical functions, as well as a PivotTable Slicer, which is designed to pick out patterns from large volumes of data.

PowerPoint debuts a new Presenter View that makes it easier than ever to present your slideshow, plus a new animation pane is supplemented with a number of new slide transition effects.

The current preview version will function for 60 days, and can be installed alongside Office for Mac 2011 -- users will need to keep updating to newer preview builds to extend this deadline.

Once Office for Mac 2016 is officially released -- "later this summer" was the vague date provided on the Office blog -- then the preview will expire within one month.

Pricing for Office for Mac 2016 has yet to be confirmed, but it will be available as a free update to all Mac users with a valid Office 365 subscription. In the meantime, Office for Mac 2016 Preview can be downloaded now (be warned, it’s a hefty 2.5GB) for Macs running OS X 10.10 (Yosemite).
Wiper Messenger now lets you send Bitcoin to your friends

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 3:20pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

Wiper is a messaging service which offers an interesting privacy and security-centric option. It lets users delete their conversations, on-demand, from the other users' smartphones as well as Wiper's servers. I took a look at what it can do in a previous article, which you can check out here.

In the meantime, Wiper has received a couple of major updates which improve the user experience and add new features to the mix. Among the highlights is the ability to send and receive Bitcoins straight from the app.

The Bitcoin functionality is baked into chats, meaning that you can send Bitcoins to your friends like you would, say, a photo. On iOS devices which feature Touch ID, the user is asked to validate the payment using their fingerprint. There's a built-in wallet that lets users manage their Bitcoins.

Users can also send Bitcoins to other folks's wallets by scanning a QR code, or by accessing a dedicated link. If the user moves to another device, the wallet can be restored with a PIN code. Wiper says that users can expect very low transaction fees when sending and receiving Bitcoins, of "fractions of a penny or even zero".

Other standout changes include voice notes, more reliable secure HD calls with faster connections, file sharing, improvements to music search, and the ability to trim videos before sharing.

Wiper Messenger is available to download from Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).
WeatherMate now portable, supports 100+ US weather maps

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 3:18pm CET par Mike Williams

Its last big release was back in 2007, but Windows weather monitor WeatherMate has jumped back to life with the release of version 4.0, and a host of major improvements.

The program can now display a vast number of detailed US radar and weather maps, organized into categories like "Current Conditions", "Forecasts", "Severe Weather", "Travel", "Health", "Aviation", "Marine", "Golf" and "Farming".

Select "Current Conditions" alone and you can choose to display temperature, heat index, wind chill, UV, snow cover and more.

If you don’t have time to browse the details yourself, no problem: WeatherMate 4.0 now automatically alerts you to severe weather warnings via pop-ups and even speech. (The latter relies on Windows’ own speech system, and can be disabled if you’re not keen on unexpected audio alerts.)

Interface improvements include the option to widen WeatherMate’s window, useful when viewing detailed maps.

The program can now display its weather in English, French, German, Spanish or Italian.

Conveniently, WeatherMate 4.0 is now also fully portable, and can detect, download and install new versions all on its own.
Best Windows apps this week

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 2:04pm CET par Martin Brinkmann
One-hundred and twenty one in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps and games released for Windows in the past seven days.

If you are interested in the development of Windows 10, you may be interested in screenshot leaks of build 10031 and build 10022 which allow you to glimpse at new or improved features.

This week has seen the release of several high quality games and apps such as a remake of the classic Boulder Dash game, the comic book reader Comic++, and Anime Hub, an anime streaming application.

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

Discounts this week

The following games and apps are discounted by at least 50 percent in the coming seven day period.
1. Bejeweled Live, the classic gem-matching game, for $2.49
2. Roman Empire, a strategy game for $1.49
3. Media Browser, media management app for $1.99
4. World Time Clock application for $0.99
5. Time Mysteries: Inheritance, a find-in-picture game for $1.99
6. MindArchitect, a mind mapping app for $5.99
App of the week

Boulder Dash 30th Anniversary Premium ($6.99, no free trial)

This new version of the classic game Boulder Dash comes from the creators of the original game back in 1984.

The Windows edition offers 160 levels that you can play through as well as an extra 80 levels available for purchase in-game.

The classic game of digging around, collecting gems and avoiding monsters is still there but you will encounter additional features and options such as different characters that you can play as or special powers that may help you in times of need.

Other apps

Unstream ($1.29, free endless trial with ads provided)

Twitch is a very popular live streaming website that focuses on games mostly.

Unstream brings the Twitch experience to Windows search, follow and watch channels and streams directly from within it.

Only the streaming video is displayed when you open a stream. It is possible to display the chat but only if you are signed in to Twitch.

The preferences allow you to change the stream quality, to follow a channel, open the channel profile or pin the channel to Start to tune in with a single click or tap there.

Jaggy Race! ($2.99, free trial available)

Jaggy Race! is a racing game on rails in which you try to finish each course as fast as you can.

Controls allow you to accelerated, jump and break while you are racing on a track.

To make matters interesting, you are not only tasked with finishing as fast as possible but also collecting sheep along the way.

The first couple of tracks introduce you to game mechanics but it gets all out crazy afterwards as you may drive upside down for a while or need to perform crazy jumps to get over the finish line.

Perfect PDF Combine ($1.99, free trial available)

The application lets you open pdf, xps and oxps files, combine them as well as text and image files, or split multi-page documents into PDF files.

The reader supports different layouts including two and four column to squeeze more content on the screen at the same time.

Matsu

The Legend of Matsushime is a strategic roleplaying game in which you don't control the movement of your characters but their actions.

Each level is divided into multiple stages in which you fight groups of enemies with your party.

Since you don't control movement directly, attacks are carried out automatically all the time.

What you can do however is activate special powers to turn the battle in your favor.

Some characters may heal others for example or attack all enemies at once.

Between battles, you level up characters, equip them, improve skills or change battle formations.

Password Keeper Pro

A free password manager for Windows that allows you to store passwords locally on the system.

The application is rather bare bones when compared to established products such as LastPass or KeePass as it comes with no import options or options to fill out login information on websites or in applications automatically.

If you are just looking for a free app to store your passwords in, this may do it though.

Comics++

A free comics and manga reader for Windows. The app supports popular formats such as cbz, cbr and cb7 as well as pdf documents and directories.

It supports landscape and portrait modes, continuous reading from one book to the next, auto-resume and saving.

Touch controls are provided but it is also possible to manage everything with mouse and keyboard instead.

AnimeHub

A video player offering access to more than 1700 anime shows and episodes including Kill La Kill, Sword Art Online, One Piece or Bleach.

Each episode plays in at least 720p and offers English subtitles or dubs.

All available episodes are listed once you open a show or start playing an episode. There you also find options to favorite a show to keep track of it or watch the anime in fullscreen.

A search and anime browser is available that you can use to find specific shows quickly.

Haunted Halloween

This is a fun physics-based puzzle game in which you need to help a skeleton get back its head.

You do that by manipulating objects on the screen. Wood can be removed for instance, while bombs explode and catapults throw what is near them away.

It may not be the right season but the game is fun to play and quite challenging once you complete the introductory levels.

Transport Empire

Transport Empire follows in the footsteps of classic economic games such as Railroad Tycoon or Transport Tycoon Deluxe without reaching the complexity levels of those games.

The game offers two core game mechanics: create and connect resource buildings such as coal and stone mines, and develop cities to process these resources.

While you are limited in regards to what you can build or connect, there is enough to explore to keep you entertained for a while.

Experienced players may dislike the hand holding in the first part of the game though as it goes on for quite some time.
Oracle: How about some adware to go with that new Java for Mac?

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 1:51pm CET par Mihaita Bamburic

One of the things I -- and I assume a lot of fellow users -- like about using a Mac is that most OS X programs do not try to trick the user into installing adware. In fact, a lot of the programs I use do not even feature a typical setup, as they can be installed simply by copying them to the Applications folder. For someone coming from Windows, it may feel impossible to grasp at first -- yes, you can actually enjoy the install process. Wow!

Of course, there are developers who do not care about the experience their users have during and after the setup, so they bundle adware with their programs. Thankfully, on Macs it's easier to spot, but it's still something to look out for at times, especially if you wish to install Oracle's latest Java release.

Oracle is resorting to the same old tactics that Windows power users are well familiar with to trick OS X users into installing Ask's browser extensions and set its search engine as default, alongside Java 8 Update 40.

Prior to the release of Java 8 Update 40, Java was made available through standard installer packages. However, with the latest release, Oracle switched to an app-based installer, which makes it easy to bundle such adware. (That said, the "old" package installer, called JavaAppletPlugin.pkg, can be extracted from the new installer, allowing users to install Java 8 Update 40 as before.)

Before running the setup, the latest Java requires OS X users to enter their system password. This makes it easy to install Ask's crap down the road, unless the user deselects the "Set Ask.com as my browser homepage" box and clicks on "Don't Install" when presented with the option to install the Ask browser extension, the latter of which appears following the Java setup. Which is what, of course, I wholeheartedly recommend.

Since Mac users are accustomed to install methods akin to what I described in the first paragraph, they make easy targets. That said, I don't believe many non-experienced users will run into Java, as it is geared towards more advanced users -- like developers (Java is used, for instance, to make Android apps). They are, hopefully, likely to pay more attention to what's going on during the setup. Still, shame on you, Oracle!

Photo Credit: Leszek Glasner/Shutterstock
Facebook's inactive account cull means fewer likes for pages

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 1:45pm CET par Mark Wilson
Like just about any online service, Facebook has a huge number of dead and dormant accounts. It could be that the owner has died, they might have lost interest, or they may be spam accounts that are no longer used. Facebook is now having a spring clean, sweeping aside inactive accounts, and this could have an interesting side effect for page owners.

Accounts that have been purposely deactivated, or memorialized after a death, are currently still factored into the 'like' count for pages. This is set to change, so many page owners should brace themselves for a sudden drop in likes over the coming weeks.

It means that the likes a page is shown as having received should become a better reflection of the number of Facebook users who are actually interested in the service, product or person associated with a particular page. Of course the cull does nothing to address the problem of spam accounts artificially inflating the numbers, but it is a step in the right direction for those keen on greater accuracy.

Explaining the reasons for the change in policy, Facebook said:

Businesses use Page audience data to understand what their followers care about. To make audience data even more meaningful for businesses, we're updating the way Page likes are counted by removing memorialized and voluntarily deactivated accounts from Pages' like counts. This change ensures that data on Facebook is consistent and up-to-date.

The benefits? Facebook suggests two:
- Business results: Removing inactive Facebook accounts from Page audience data gives businesses up-to-date insights on the people who actively follow their Page and makes it easier for businesses to find people like their followers through tools like lookalike audiences.
- Consistency: We already filter out likes and comments generated by deactivated or memorialized accounts from individual Page posts, so this update keeps data consistent.
Financial companies seek cloud strategy for secure relationship

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 12:36pm CET par Ian Barker

Cloud technology is being adopted across a wide range of industry sectors and financial companies are no exception. But a new report from the Cloud Security Alliance suggests that many of them are still looking for the right strategy.

The survey targeted executives from banking, insurance and investment firms around the world. Whilst it found that cloud computing is becoming more and more prevalent throughout the financial sector, many respondents still don't have a firm strategy.

Among the findings are that 61 percent of respondents admitted that a cloud strategy was in the formative stages within their organization, with 39 to 47 percent planning to use a mix of in-house IT, private, and public clouds, and 18 percent planning to use private clouds.

None of the respondents had plans to be hosted mostly in a public cloud. Worryingly though the results of the survey also showed that the higher the electronic channel transaction base among a firm's customers, the less tough the policy with only three percent of these types of organizations indicating having a strict cloud policy in place.

"The results of this report are insightful into understanding how the financial services industry is progressing in terms of cloud adoption and how cloud providers can best serve their interests and needs," says Jim Reavis, CEO of the CSA. "We hope that cloud providers and financial institutions can use this as guidance to help accelerate the adoption of secure cloud services in the financial industry".

Increased transparency and better auditing controls are something 80 percent of financial firms want from their cloud providers, even more than better data encryption (57 percent). On motives for moving to the cloud, respondents indicated that flexible infrastructure capacity was at the top of their list (68 percent), followed closely by the need for reduced time for provisioning (63 percent).

The most popular services and features being adopted when moving to the cloud include CRM (46 percent), application development (45 percent), and email (41 percent). Backend services (20 percent) or virtual desks (14 percent) are low priorities.

The report also looks at compliance regulation requirements when moving to the cloud. Top of the list here is data protection (75 percent), followed by corporate governance (68 percent), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) at 54 percent, and national regulations on 47 percent.

The full report How Cloud is Being Used in the Financial Sector is available to download from the CSA website.

Photo Credit: Rrraum/Shutterstock
Microsoft and Google working together on Angular 2 JavaScript framework

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 12:34pm CET par Mark Wilson

There are unlikely partnerships, and there are unlikely partnerships -- Google and Microsoft certainly make for strange bedfellows. At developer conference ng-conf in Salt Lake City, Google's Angular team revealed that it has been working with the TypeScript Team from Microsoft to produce Angular 2.

The worlds of TypeScript and AtScript have converged, resulting in the collaborative effort that is Angular 2. The new version of the JavaScript framework will be written in TypeScript and will be used to develop the next generation of web sites and web apps.

Microsoft's corporate vice president of the Developer Division, S. Somasegar, said that the two companies had been working together for several months, and they were now ready to reveal "first fruits of that collaboration". TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript, was first introduced three years ago and few would have expected that Microsoft's development tool would end up as part of a Google project.

Writing on the MSDN blog, Jonathan Turner explains that developers have a lot to look forward to:

We have worked with the Angular team to design a set of new features that will help you develop cleaner code when working with dynamic libraries like Angular 2, including a new way to annotate class declarations with metadata. Library and application developers can use these metadata annotations to cleanly separate code from information about the code, such as configuration information or conditional compilation checks.

We've also added a way to retrieve type information at runtime. When enabled, this will enable developers to do a simple type introspection. To verify code correctness with additional runtime checks. It also enables libraries like Angular to use type information to set up dependency injection based on the types themselves.

You can watch the full keynote speech from the developer conference below:
All Windows versions are vulnerable to FREAK

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 11:50am CET par Mihaita Bamburic

When the FREAK vulnerability was brought to our attention earlier this week, Windows was not originally believed to be affected by it. Apple and Google took the heat, as the cryptographers who made the discovery named OpenSSL (which is used by Android, among others) and Apple TLS/SSL clients (like Safari) as being vulnerable to FREAK attacks (short for Factoring Attack on RSA-EXPORT Keys).

However, a new security advisory released by Microsoft yesterday paints a different picture. In reality, all supported versions of Windows, including Server products, are vulnerable to FREAK attacks. Microsoft isn't discussing non-supported versions of Windows -- like Windows XP -- for obvious reasons, but it is safe to say that they are also impacted.

The oldest-supported version of Windows that is affected is Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (alongside its x64 Edition and version for Itanium-based Systems). Needless to say, Windows 8.x and Windows Server 2012 (including the R2 edition) are also on the list.

According to Microsoft the way that an attacker could leverage FREAK on Windows to wreak havoc is by downgrading the cipher suites used in SSL/TLS connections. Microsoft notes that this vulnerability "facilitates exploitation of the publicly disclosed FREAK technique", further adding that it "is an industry-wide issue that is not specific to Windows operating systems".

At the time of writing this article Chrome for OS X is the only browser for which a patch exists. Safari for iOS and OS X is expected to be patched next week. Mozilla's Firefox appears not to be vulnerable to FREAK attacks. Other affected browsers include Chrome for Android, the stock Android browser, BlackBerry OS browser, Opera for Linux and OS X. And, of course, Internet Explorer.

It should be said that Microsoft hasn't yet developed a patch. The software giant says that it is working with its partners in the Microsoft Active Protections Program to give its clients information on broader protections. If a patch is needed, Microsoft does not exclude the possibility of an out-of-cycle security update; that said, it could still be delivered on Patch Tuesday. The immediate Patch Tuesday is on March 10, while the next one is on April 14.

The FREAK vulnerability is linked to the US government's ban on exports of software featuring strong encryption in the early 1990s, where only 512-bit RSA keys were allowed for export. Of more than 14 million websites scanned for the FREAK, over 36 percent of them were found to be vulnerable.

Considering that Windows is used by the vast majority of PC users, patching this vulnerability should be a top priority for Microsoft. Luckily, Microsoft says that, to its knowledge, there had been no FREAK attacks carried out prior to releasing that security advisory.

Photo credit: Olivier Le Moal / Shutterstock
Windows 10 Build 10031 leak shows smaller Start button plus transparency

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 11:31am CET par Mark Wilson

Wzor has come up with the goods again. While many have been disappointed by the lack of new Windows 10 builds in February, appetites have been whetted by a steady stream of unofficial screenshot leaks and even complete builds. Now the Russian leaker has published screenshots from build 10031.

What's new? Microsoft appears to have listened to calls for the introduction of transparency, as the Start menu is now semi-transparent. This is not the only change to the Start menu -- the Start button is also smaller than in previous builds. Could this be the build which is made publicly available in coming days? It's entirely possible.

The screenshots come from the Enterprise version of Windows 10 Technical Preview, and as happened with the last cache of leaked screenshots there's accompanying documentation that reveals what's new. For end users, not a great deal has changed apart from the tweaks to the Start menu; this appears to be another build that's focused on behind-the-scenes tidying up and a bit of spit and polish.

It seems that there is no sign of Spartan in this build, but the leaked release notes reveal a little more about what is going on in the background.

Microsoft seems keen to push touch with Windows 10. While the company would obviously prefer that everyone was using a top of the range Surface Pro 3, it's realistic enough to know that this is not going to happen. As such, this build features a larger detection area around the edge of the touch display to cater for cheaper devices.

There are lots of bug fixes mentioned in the documentation, and changes have been made to the upgrade process for anyone starting off with a Windows 7 machine. If you were hoping for a change to icons in Windows 10, it looks like you're going to be disappointed, by the way.

One of the more notable changes in this build is to the OOBE (out of box experience). Build 10031 sees this switching to a cloud-based focus which means that Microsoft is better able to make changes to it.

We still don’t know when we'll actually get to play around with a new official build, but it shouldn’t be long now!
SyMenu now a launcher for SysInternals, NirSoft, and more

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 11:28am CET par Mike Williams

Portable start menu and program manager SyMenu has been updated to version 4.06 with new Sysinternals support.

You can now browse the full catalog of Sysinternals tools, select and download Autoruns, Process Explorer, or whatever else you need. Whatever you choose is downloaded to your USB key (or other destination), and added to the program menu.

The program provides similar access to NirSoft’s utilities, and a range of other popular free and open source tools: CCleaner, CPU-Z, Everything, XnView and more.

A new search tool filters the program list by name, category, description or publisher, making it easier to find the tools you need.

The official notes also state that the "freshest released" programs (anything updated in the last 10 days) are now highlighted with a label. We’re less sure about that -- some programs did have a "new" label, but this seemed to appear almost randomly, with no obvious connection to the release date. This is a good idea in principle, but at first glance it seems there’s more work to do.

SyMenu 4.06 is otherwise a great release, and supporting both NirSoft and Sysinternals makes it an helpful troubleshooting tool, even if you’re just using the program locally. Take a look.
HTC Re Vive promises an amazing VR experience

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 8:50am CET par David Curry

The HTC Re Vive looks to be the main contender against Oculus Rift Crescent Bay, according to early hands-on tests by press at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Using Valve’s own Steam VR platform, the HTC Re Vive does more than strap a smartphone onto a VR headset, it offers the complete package similar to the Oculus Rift.

This makes it a true VR headset and not just two eye holes and a smartphone screen, allowing the developers to truly take advantage of things like depth and positional tracking, two sensors that will become very important in the VR battle.

HTC has added new sensors capable of understanding where you are in a room, creating a projection of the room and allowing the game to understand these limitations.

It offers a new immersive experience, alongside the new remotes for the HTC Re Vive. Oculus has had to get by on third-party remotes and accessories, meaning it cannot optimize the controls to the same level Valve can with its own controller.

Four demos are shown off to press at the two events, as teasers of what the HTC Re Vive is capable of offering in terms of gaming. Valve is clearly more focused on the gaming side than offering entertainment, but experiences could be a crucial thing in VR.

Experiences are not games per-se, they do not offer an end-goal or sense or reward. Instead, they plonk the user down in a world and let them walk around, potentially unraveling different mysteries inside of the world.

There are already games like this on PC, like Gone Home and Dear Esther, both without any sense of reward or fail-state, and only there to show a story. Most developers see virtual reality as a world for these types of genres to be explored, and the HTC Re Vive offers the most intuitive and immersive platform to make these games.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Monodraw is the Visio of ASCII art

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 8:40am CET par Mike Williams

At first glance, Monodraw’s first public beta looks much like any other OS X diagramming tool. Choose from various themed palettes, drag and drop shapes around on the page, link them up, add captions, tweak colors and more.

The program is versatile, too, able to build flowcharts, layouts, even entity-relationship diagrams.

But there is one very, very important difference. Monodraw does all this in plain text, making it probably the most sophisticated ASCII art editor in all of computing history.

If you're thinking the text approach could bring some, well, disadvantages, then you might have a point. You can add shadows to objects, say, or use the bucket tool to fill them, but these effects are created with your preferred characters, rather than solid color.

But at the same time, Monodraw isn't lacking in functionality. You can customise shapes, tweak their borders, shadows or line styles, group them for easier management, set individual objects to be above or below others.

You also get alignment guides to aid positioning. Lines can be connected at custom attachment points, then automatically repositioned as you move a shape around.

What's more, as the diagram you’re creating is plain text, you'll know it can be embedded just about anywhere, and viewed on almost any device.

Okay, Monodraw still feels a little like a joke, but it’s a good one: this is probably as powerful as ASCII art editors are ever going to get. It’s also free to try for the duration of the beta, and there’s a 40 percent discount ($29.99 instead of $49.99) if you buy before the first official release.

Monodraw beta for OS X (10.9+) is available now.
Doctors at UCSD are using Kinect for Windows as part of their medical tools

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 3:05am CET par Alan Buckingham

Kinect started off for Xbox 360, but it's morphed since then to adapt to the newer Xbox One as well as Microsoft's operating system. There seems to be no end to the uses the device can be utilized for. However, the medical field is one of the most specialized industries around and adoption of new technology can be hard to find, with the rigorous requirements involved.

Now the doctors at the University of California at San Diego have managed to find a way to incorporate Kinect for Windows into their job. "The project, called Lab-in-a-Box, is the brainchild of UCSD researcher Nadir Weibel and his colleagues at the San Diego Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center", the Kinect team explains.

The device is essentially being used almost as a baby-sitter, monitoring the doctor's visit with a patient. What it's looking for is the human contact, making sure that each physician is paying attention to the patient as opposed to spending too much time at the computer screen.

"The Kinect sensor plays a key role in the process, as its depth camera accurately records the movements of the physician’s head and body. An independent eye-tracker device detects the doctor’s gaze, while a microphone picks up the doctor-patient conversation".

All of this is captured and used to analyze against the doctor's computer usage and a detailed report is formed that allows everyone to know what is really transpiring in that room. It was created to help deal with today's increasingly digital world and ensure that the relationship between doctor and patient doesn't suffer.

The setup is still being tested and is only used with permission from both doctor and patient. It's an interesting concept and perhaps part of the future, though no doubt some people will have privacy concerns -- after all we aren't all comfortable getting undressed as a camera watches on.
Unreal Engine 4 now free for all

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 1:10am CET par Mike Williams

Epic Games has announced that its development suite Unreal Engine 4 is now free for everyone.

Where’s the catch? You might have to pay a royalty per product (although you might not).

The scheme is refreshingly simple. No massive contract, no endless list of terms and conditions, the official announcement sums up how it works: "you pay a 5 percent royalty on gross revenue after the first $3,000 per product, per quarter".

Or, as Epic sums up: "we succeed only when you succeed". If you only make $2,900 per quarter, you don’t pay a penny.

And in addition, you pay nothing "for film projects, contracting and consulting projects such as architecture, simulation and visualization".

Developing great games is still going to be a monumental challenge, but if you’ve a great idea, technical expertise and a huge amount of determination then at least you’ve now one less cost to worry about.

The entirely free Unreal Engine 4 is available now.