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BetaNews.Com (5 non lus)

Xiaomi testing Windows 10 for phones -- could Microsoft use the company for flagship?

Publié: mars 18, 2015, 5:34am CET par Manish Singh

Microsoft confirms today that Windows 10 -- its forthcoming operating system for desktop, mobile, Xbox, and IoT platforms -- will be releasing this Summer in 190 countries and 111 languages. On a blog post, the Windows Phone-maker also announces that it has entered into a partnership with Xiaomi, China's top smartphone vendor to test Windows 10 for phones, suggesting that the two companies are working to make a flagship-level smartphone.

Microsoft notes that the company is testing Windows 10 with select Xiaomi Mi 4 power users. The Mi 4 is XIaomi's current flagship smartphone, which runs Android. "Through a new program with Xiaomi, one of the top smartphone distributors in the world, a select group of Xiaomi Mi 4 power users will be invited to help test Windows 10 and contribute to its future release later this year", the company notes on a blog post. "These power users will have the opportunity to download the Windows 10 Technical Preview – installing it and providing their feedback to Microsoft".

Xiaomi isn't a household name in US, but the technology company is insanely popular in China, India and several other developing nations. It has earned a name for itself for selling high-end handsets at aggressively cheap price points. For instance, the Mi 4 flagship handset packs in a similar set of specs as the Galaxy S5 and costs about $300 sans contract. Its aggressive pricing has helped it become the third-largest smartphone vendor, after Samsung and Apple.

Last month, Xiaomi announced its plan to debut in the United States and Europe markets later this year. The company, however, noted that it won't be selling its smartphone and will rather kick things off with power banks, and other phone accessories.

The part about the Windows 10 Xiaomi news that people might be missing is that you'll be able to install Win10 on an Android phone.

— Robert McLaws (@robertmclaws) March 18, 2015

Microsoft should be thrilled to welcome Xiaomi as a hardware partner for its mobile operating system. Last year, the Redmond-based company added more than two dozens of hardware partners for its Windows Phone platform. We've reached out to both the companies to learn more about their collaboration, and will update the post when we hear back.
Microsoft reveals a worldwide Windows 10 summer release

Publié: mars 18, 2015, 4:55am CET par Brian Fagioli

They say that when buying property, location is everything. This is very true, because a beautiful home in a terrible location is hardly a smart investment. In other words, the true value is the community and neighborhood, not the number of bedrooms.

The same can sort of be said regarding product releases too; instead of location, however, timing is everything. This is especially true in the technology world, as there are key months that make more sense for new computers or operating systems to be released. Ideally, you want to release prior to two key moments -- back to school and holiday shopping. With that said, Microsoft casually announces today that Windows 10 will be released this summer.

"Today at the renewed Windows Hardware Engineering Community (WinHEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, I had the honor of speaking about Windows 10 and the innovation and opportunity it offers our valued partners. China is a global epicenter for innovation and we’re excited to be working with the area's leading hardware and software companies to develop ground-breaking devices and consumer experiences that will help shape the future of Windows 10", says Terry Myerson Executive Vice President of Operating Systems, Microsoft.

Myerson further explains "we continue to make great development progress and shared today that Windows 10 will be available this summer in 190 countries and 111 languages. Windows has always been global with more than 1.5 billion users around the world and here in China hundreds of millions of PCs operate Windows today. That's why it was particularly fun to show our latest global innovation, Windows Hello, on stage for the first time, and to feature a number of Windows 10 customizations for the China market, such as Cortana in Mandarin".

While "this summer" is not an exact date, it is certainly great news for PC manufacturers that want to target the back-to-school shoppers. Even if Windows 10 ends up being a late-summer release, consumers will likely wait to get a computer with the newest version of the operating system.

Also cool is that it won't be a staggered roll-out, but instead a worldwide affair to 190 countries, in 111 languages. A global roll-out makes it a bigger event; something the media will likely embrace. Ultimately, if Microsoft can deliver a Summer release, everybody wins -- developers, consumers, manufacturers, retailers and Microsoft itself.

Do you think Microsoft will be successful in meeting a self-imposed Summer deadline with Windows 10? Tell me in the comments.

Image Credit: Rawpixel / Shutterstock
Rdio uses SXSW to announce new sharing features

Publié: mars 18, 2015, 3:31am CET par Alan Buckingham

In the crowded space that is today's streaming music market, Rdio is one of the names that pops out. Combine that with the current Austin, Texas festival known as SXSW and you have a match -- technology and music meet each year the party. This year is no different, as announcements are coming out from various services in attendance.

Rdio is one of those companies revealing information at the big show. The latest update brings new features to the streaming service, all centered around community -- as in sharing with your circle of friends.

"Sharing is a unique part of the Rdio listening experience, and with three new features we’re introducing, you’ll find even more ways to share the sounds you love with your friends", Rdio announces.

So what exactly does that mean? Well, Rdio is releasing several new features. There's A reply button will allow you to answer friends who have shared music with you. iOS enhancements allow for easier finding of friends -- "Tap the new share icon on any album, playlist or station page — or press and hold on any song -- then use the search filter to find a friend to share your music moment with. Finally, there is automatic sharing of tweets with the artists with each song you decide to make known to your followers".

This last feature is for both iOS and the web and will come soon to Android. If you're a customer you can begin looking for the updates right away.
Electronic payments coming to Facebook Messenger

Publié: mars 18, 2015, 1:36am CET par Mark Wilson

Facebook is introducing support for sending and receiving money through Messenger. Starting in the US in the next few months, users of the social network will be able to make electronic payments free of charge. While this is not a service that will rival the likes of Apple Pay or PayPal, it provides a way to quickly send money to a friend.

This is not a payment system that has been completely built from the ground up. It's based on the same backbone that's used to process payments for gamers and advertisers. Security is understandably of paramount importance, and Facebook stresses that as well as encryption and PIN protection for all, iOS users will also be able to take advantage of Touch ID.

In order to send or receive money, you'll need to associate a Visa or MasterCard debit cards with your Facebook account. As Facebook describes the new feature as "a more convenient and secure way to send or receive money between friends" it's clear that there are currently no plans to expand this into a wider payment system.

In addition to the standard security features, Facebook explains that there is a team of anti-fraud specialists keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Once the roll out is under way, the payment service will be made available to iOS and Android users, as well as people accessing Facebook on the desktop.

Facebook has not revealed plans to launch Messenger payments in other parts of the world, but if it proves successful in the US, it's not hard to imagine it rolling out further.

Photo credit: DollarWoman / Shutterstock
Twitter empowers victims to report abuse to the police -- put bullies behind bars

Publié: mars 18, 2015, 12:18am CET par Brian Fagioli

The Internet can be a marvelous place. Not only is it chock full of information, but it tears down boundaries, enabling people to communicate with each other from all parts of the world. Unfortunately, the sometimes anonymous nature of the web can bring out the worst in people. On social media, many people are bullied, harassed and even worse -- threatened with violence, including rape or murder. Heck, some people have even committed suicide as a result of the abuse. Often times, the attacker's actions goes so far as to break the law.

Today, Twitter is taking a stand against online bullies that commit crimes through threats and intimidation. Instead of just reporting the abuse to Twitter, users now have a tool to help report the crimes to law enforcement. By simply clicking a button, users can start the process of putting some online bullies behind bars.

"Clicking the 'Email report' button will send you an email that packages the threatening Tweet and URL along with the responsible Twitter username and URL and a timestamp as well as your account information and the timestamp of your report. Our guidelines for law enforcement explain what additional information we have and how authorities can request it", says Twitter.

The blue bird logo company further explains, "while we take threats of violence seriously and will suspend responsible accounts when appropriate, we strongly recommend contacting your local law enforcement if you’re concerned about your physical safety. We hope that providing you with a summary of your report will make that process easier for you".

So what does this mean? If someone threatens you and you think they have broken the law, you would generate a report and bring it to your local police station. With that said, you should use common sense when determining what warrants a report to law enforcement. If someone disagrees with you or calls you a mean name, this is not likely breaking the law. If someone makes fun of you for being fat, ugly or having a certain sexual orientation, this too is not likely against the law, even though it is disgusting. In other words, not all bullying is against the law.

If, however, someone threatens you with violence, including rape or murder, you need to generate the report immediately and contact your local police. Could it be someone trolling or joking around? Sure, but it is better to be safe than sorry; let the law officers determine the legitimacy of the threat. If they have broken the law, they deserve to be punished, including jail in some cases.

Be sure to tell friends and family about the abuse, as not only can they be witnesses, but they can support you through the trying time. This is especially true to people under the age of 18 -- tell your parent, guardian or school teacher about the bullying right away. It is nothing to be embarrassed about. Printing out the abuse report from your email and showing it to someone may make the conversation easier.

It is time to stop online bullying and threats. I applaud Twitter for being focused on the safety of its users.

Image Credit: SpeedKingz / Shutterstock