Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » juillet 20, 2015

BetaNews.Com (17 non lus)

Google+ Photos dies August 1, replaced by Google Photos

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 11:34pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Wielding its axe above its head, Google today prepares to sever another limb from Google+. It's only a couple of months since Google Photos launched, and we knew back then that the writing was on the wall for the Photos component of Google+. Now we know that the axe drops on August 1.

From this date Google+ Photos will be no more. The service will shut down first for Android users, followed quickly by the web and iOS versions. If you want to continue to take advantage of cloud photo storage, editing, and sharing, you'll need to make the switch to Google Photos.

Google wants to assure users that the process will be as smooth and painless as possible. Google+ Photos may stop working, but any images that have been uploaded will simply be accessible from [photos.google.com] instead. It's a slightly different tool, but there should be no down time.

Google set the countdown timer ticking with an announcement -- predictably enough -- on Google+:

If you’re still using Google+ Photos, now is a great time to make the switch. You may have seen a prompt in Google+ Photos on Android with a link to download the new Google Photos. Don’t worry, all your photos and videos will still be saved and available after you switch to the new, stand-alone Google Photos app. With the new app you’ll still be able to backup, edit, and share your photos and videos, with unlimited storage, automatic organization, and more.

You can find out more about Google Photos on Google's support pages.

Photo credit: 26kot / Shutterstock
Microsoft releases emergency security patch for all Windows versions

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 9:12pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Microsoft has released an off-schedule patch for all currently supported versions of Windows. A serious vulnerability has been discovered in a font driver that could be exploited by a hacker to remotely execute code on a compromised machine.

The problem affects Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows RT, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012. Windows 10 is not at risk. Microsoft describes the issue as 'critical' and has pushed an emergency patch to Windows Update.

If you have Automatic Update enabled, things will take care of themselves, but otherwise you will have to manually instigate a download -- or you can download the relevant patch by hand. An advisory notice in the Security TechCenter warns that "the vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted document or visits an untrusted webpage that contains embedded OpenType fonts".

The security hole is patched by updating the way Windows Adobe Type Manager Library handles OpenType fonts. Interestingly, Microsoft does not list any mitigating factors for this vulnerability, so the importance of grabbing the update really cannot be overstated.

The vulnerability was discovered by Google Project Zero and FireEye Inc earlier in the month, and Microsoft has acted fairly quickly to address the issue.

Photo Credit: fotoscool/Shutterstock
Why organizations should embrace wearables

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 8:54pm CEST par Sean Ginevan

From its roots as a quirky, consumer-centric niche just a few years ago, wearable technology has pushed its way into the headlines.

The recent launch of the Apple Watch generated huge amounts of media hype (not to mention almost a million pre-orders before release), suggesting that a growing number of organizations could be playing host to wearable devices over the coming months and years -- if they aren’t already.

In general, wearable devices are capable of storing, transmitting and/or displaying business content. New evolutions of wearables -- such as Apple’s announcements of watch OS 2 at its WWDC event -- only expand the application capabilities of wearable devices. This means that many professionals will likely expect to start using them as part of their jobs.

Yet, as was the case with the mobile working revolution, wearable technology could present a series of challenges for IT departments -- from the expanded range of operating systems to new device management requirements.

This raises important questions around the ways that wearables will impact the workplace, and how IT can meet the challenges that come with this technological shift.

Wearables in the Office

It’s hard to overstate the implications of mobiles on the workplace. Aside from their impacts on the way we work, they’re increasingly shaping an entire generation of professionals reliant on mobile working to achieve their day-to-day tasks.

It comes as little surprise that this demographic (professionals with children under 18 and men between ages 18-34) is more likely than any other group to lead the wearable charge. One recent study found that 42 percent of this demographic is planning to own or purchase a wearable device in order to carry out tasks such as reading emails, viewing documents and keeping pace with reminders. If businesses haven’t seen workers toting an Apple Watch or Samsung Gear just yet, it’s likely they will soon.

Businesses that already have an enterprise app policy in place should take note. Commonly used business tools such as Evernote and Salesforce are set to launch a range of enterprise-specific apps for Apple Watch and other wearable devices, so it will be important for IT to develop strategies to keep pace with wearable device uptake in the workplace.

To Block or Not to Block?

When employee-owned technologies began entering the workplace, the first reaction of many IT departments was to err on the side of caution and restrict or even block their usage.

Understandable perhaps, but ultimately, this proved to be an ineffective approach as many employees managed to circumvent blocks with tools including personal data plans and even mail accounts. As wearables enter the workplace discussion further, IT’s options for restriction shrink even more so.

One potential approach may be to blacklist the app that pairs a smartwatch to a phone where possible, although not all wearable devices rely on such an app. Another option may be to disable Bluetooth functionality on the device – however, this could potentially be hazardous for workers using Bluetooth-connected wearables to manage certain health conditions.

Both tactics ultimately fall short when one considers that many wearables operate via an independent network connection and don’t require pairing in order to access the Internet.

Engage the Workforce

Rather than blocking the technology entirely, IT stands to benefit from an approach that emphasises open communication and transparency with employees. IT should look to work with HR to introduce acceptable use policies, and to communicate the security risks and data limitations in an engaging and honest manner. This will likely help to build a culture of trust around devices and reduce chances of employees employing new shadow IT tactics.

In order to remain as open and engaging as possible, it will be important for IT to actively solicit feedback around how wearables are being used in the workplace. This will help to establish a two-way dialogue, giving IT an "in" to issue advice on the productivity benefits of smartwatches, and to gather data to incorporate into company support initiatives and other training programs.

Blocking the use of wearables outright is likely to be impractical in most cases, so IT’s best bet is to position itself as a trusted technology adviser to the wider workforce.

This Is Just the Beginning

Wearable technology has arrived as BYOD’s next frontier, but it won’t be the last. For example, The Internet of Things is set to link our mobile devices with almost every device we use at home and in the workplace.

This is a growing trend in IT that presents some very real challenges for CIOs, as the number of endpoint vulnerabilities continues to increase.

Addressing the use of wearable technology today will help to create a framework from which to accommodate the use of trends like the Internet of Things further down the line.

Sean Ginevan is senior director of Strategy at MobileIron.

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

Photo Credit: Rommel Canlas/Shutterstock
GE chooses Microsoft Office 365 for its 300,000 employees

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 6:55pm CEST par Brian Fagioli
Microsoft Office is the best office suite on the planet. Nothing annoys me more than when someone suggests that LibreOffice is a comparable solution. If you are a home user, sure, you can get by with a limited word processor and spreadsheet offering. If you are a business owner, however, you are crazy to use anything other than Microsoft Office.

Today, GE -- one of the world's most respected companies -- announces that it chose Microsoft Office 365 for its 300,000+ employees. Not only is GE's decision very wise, but it is a huge win for Microsoft too.

“Microsoft and GE share many values in common -- openness, transparency, data-driven intelligence and innovation -- all of which are driving forces behind Microsoft’s own mission to help people and organizations achieve more. As one of the most innovative companies in the world, GE understands what it takes to unleash the potential of its employees. We’re delighted GE has selected Office 365 as the productivity and collaboration solution to empower its global workforce", says John Case, corporate vice president of Microsoft Office.

Microsoft explains, "GE’s IT organization, which is recognized as one of the most strategic and forward-thinking among large enterprises worldwide, selected Office 365 based on Microsoft's ability to deliver rich productivity experiences at massive scale across devices and platforms, as well as its ability to rapidly and reliably deploy to GE's large global employee population. Specifically, Office 365 will provide several key benefits to GE and its employees".

What are these benefits? Microsoft shares the following.
- A comprehensive and integrated set of productivity capabilities including email, Skype for Business calling and meetings, real-time document co-authoring, and team collaboration
- Extensibility of the Office 365 platform, which will enable GE to enhance the capabilities of critical line-of-business applications by connecting to Office 365 through open APIs
- IT controls and security capabilities that enable GE to provide employees with secured access to information and full productivity capabilities on a multitude of devices, while adhering to corporate policies, industry regulations and legal requirements
Easy collaboration and support of multiple device types are necessities in today's business world. No other solution can offer a more complete package than Office 365. Skype for Business -- formerly Lync -- is a brilliant way for remote users to share and work with office associates, while core programs such as Word, Excel and Outlook are second to none for productivity. GE should be happy with its decision.

Do you think GE was smart to deliver Office 365 to its 300,000 employees? Tell me in the comments.

Photo Credit: Andrey_Popov l/Shutterstock
Google blames other driver for latest self-driving car accident

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 6:50pm CEST par Sead Fadilpašić

Google’s self-driving car has been involved in yet another accident and the company has said it wasn’t the autonomous vehicle’s fault.

The car was rear-ended at a crossroads, and the company laid the blame on the human driver behind it.

On Thursday, Google revealed that three of its employees, who had been riding in one of its driverless Lexus cars, were taken to hospital with minor whiplash after a car rear-ended it at traffic lights in Mountain View, California earlier this month,The Telegraph reports.

Chris Urmson, who leads the company’s driverless car project, said not a single accident had been caused by Google’s cars. However, the vehicles have been involved in 14 accidents in six years and almost two million miles of testing.

"Our self-driving cars are being hit surprisingly often by other drivers who are distracted and not paying attention to the road. That’s a big motivator for us" he wrote in a blog post. "The most recent collision... is a perfect example".

The company even released a video showing how the crash appeared to the driverless car, which uses multiple sensors to scan the environment.

Urmson said the statistics were starting to show that Google’s cars were significantly safer than human drivers. In the most recent collision, the car had failed to break at traffic lights, and had hit the back of the Google vehicle at 17 miles per hour.

"Other drivers have hit us 14 times since the start of our project in 2009 (including 11 rear-enders), and not once has the self-driving car been the cause of the collision", Urmson wrote.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Samsung annouces PM863 and SM863 data center SSDs with up to 3.8TB of storage

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 6:08pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

The hard disk is not going away any time soon, but make no mistake -- it is on death row. Solid state drives, or SSDs, are becoming more reliable, getting less expensive, and gaining larger storage capacities. It is only a matter of time before mechanical spinning drives get the heave-ho.

While consumers will be the first to shun hard drives, data centers will likely be the holdouts. Why? Cost and capacity. Right now, gigabyte per dollar is far less expensive compared to SSD. More importantly, however, SSDs just don't have comparable capacities -- yet. Today, Samsung announces the PM863 and SM863 data center SSDs. The latter features a top capacity of 1.9TB, while the former maxes out at a mind-blowing 3.8TB!

"Powered by Samsung's leading-edge V-NAND technology -- which improves the performance of SSDs -- the PM863 and SM863 deliver outstanding performance and reliability while still achieving low power consumption levels. The 3-bit MLC V-NAND-based PM863 is developed for mixed pattern applications and ideal for use in content delivery networks and streaming or Web servers. Alternatively, the write-intensive SM863 based on 2-bit MLC V-NAND is an optimal choice for online transaction processing (OLTP) and serves as an ideal choice for email and database servers", says Samsung.

The company further says, "the Samsung PM863 comes in 120GB, 240GB, 480GB, 960GB and now 1.9TB and 3.8TB capacities. It also offers read speeds up to 540 MB/s, and for the 240GB drives and above provides random read speeds of up to 99,000 Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS). The Samsung SM863 provides more options for configurable overprovisioning and is available in 120 gigabyte (GB), 240GB, 480GB, 960GB and now 1.9TB capacities. It also features read speeds up to 520 megabytes per second (MB/s) and write speeds up to 485 MB/s".

Keep in mind, these drives are not meant for consumers. The higher capacities -- 1.9TB and 3.8TB -- are likely way out of your price range. The 3.8TB PM863, for example, carries a suggested price of $2,199. The 1.9TB SM863? $1,259. Whoa.

If you want to learn more, you can check out Samsung's enterprise SSD offerings here.
What are the perks that employees want the most?

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 5:21pm CEST par Sam Pudwell

It’s a question that CEOs and managers around the world are asking: "How can I keep my employees loyal?".

In the modern working world, staff loyalty is almost a thing of the past. Whereas employees used to stay at the same company for most, if not all, of their career, jumping from one job to another in quick succession has become the norm.

To investigate the impact of staff perks on employee loyalty, Towergate Insurance has created an infographic which contains some interesting statistics.

For example, 40 percent of employees think that compensation is the benefit that would increase engagement and loyalty the most, followed by better benefits (36 percent), career advancement opportunities (34 percent) and training or education (31 percent).

Fifty-one percent of respondents identify flexible schedules as something that would make them want to stay at their job and 39 percent of working adults have actually left a job or considered leaving because it wasn’t flexible enough.

In terms of perks, 20 percent of UK employees want a pension, 19 percent want an increase in basic salary and 11 percent want financial benefits during long-term injury or illness.

The study also identifies some of the more unusual perks on offer at various companies around the world, such as Microsoft’s on-site shopping center exclusively for staff, Google’s free haircuts and Airbnb’s themed Formal Fridays.

The full infographic can be found below.

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

Photo Credit: Goodluz/Shutterstock
Microsoft's culturally-aware Cortana spreads around the globe ahead of Windows 10 launch

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 4:39pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Microsoft really is going all-out with its Windows 10 campaigning in the week and a half before launch. The latest carrot to dangle tantalizingly in front of would-be upgraders is the news that Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, is spreading into new markets. When Windows 10 launches on July 29, Cortana will be available in the US, UK, China, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

Today, Microsoft says that the tool will be made available to Windows Insiders in Japan, Australia, Canada (English), and India in the coming months. Cortana will continue to spread around the world launching in Brazil, Mexico, and Canada (French) by the end of the year. If you were wondering, there's a very good reason that Cortana is not available everywhere from day one.

Microsoft is taking care to ensure that the tool is properly tailored to work in different regions. Feedback suggests that Windows users in different countries are looking for different things from their digital assistant. In the UK, Cortana is slightly self-deprecating, while in China she has been made to sound as though she is smiling as she talks.

The announcement about the expansion was made, of course, by Gabe Aul on Twitter:

Cortana coming to new markets - starting with #WindowsInsiders. [t.co]

— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) July 20, 2015

In a blog post, Microsoft reveals the work that is undertaken to ensure that Cortana is perfect for each country:

It is truly a fascinating process to see Cortana evolve for each market. We approach each market rollout with extensive focus groups that answer, “What’s important in a personal assistant in this market?” Based on these research results, we then assemble a local team of creative writers, editors, programmers and voice talent to build a relevant, tailored experience. Voice talent is carefully considered for each market.

Check out Microsoft's video in which the Cortana team talk about how the assistant has been tailored for different countries:
New security service helps protect the Internet of Things

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 3:52pm CEST par Ian Barker

The Internet of Things is growing fast, according to Gartner around 4.9 billion devices will be in use this year, up 30 percent on 2014, and there could be 25 billion IoT devices by 2020.

But with all of these devices being rushed to market security can be left behind. According to managed security specialist Trustwave's 2015 Security Pressures Report, 77 percent of respondents said they had been pressured to unveil IT projects that were not security ready.

To combat this issue, Trustwave is announcing a new set of managed security services -- Trustwave Managed IoT Security. These services are designed to help manufacturers and developers of Internet of Things technologies identify and fix security vulnerabilities within their products before they hit the market, as well as helping business end users using IoT technologies prevent IoT-related cyber-attacks.

"As everyday objects connect to the network, IT teams struggle to manage assets and attack vectors previously outside their purview," says Steve Kelley, Senior Vice President of Product and Corporate Marketing at Trustwave. "Manufacturers of those products also struggle with getting them out to market on time while ensuring security. Trustwave’s Managed IoT Security helps both parties overcome those challenges by identifying and remediating security weaknesses within the products and ecosystem surrounding them in addition to round the clock monitoring to detect and deflect a breach".

Trustwave Managed IoT Security works on two levels. Developers and providers of IoT products and services can use it to find weaknesses in embedded devices, back-end services and the connections in between. Trustwave's elite team of ‘SpiderLabs’ ethical hackers attempt to compromise devices by exploiting vulnerabilities in the hardware, software and the manufacturers’ servers that provide the link between IoT devices and applications.

In addition it monitors the security of the IoT ecosystem. This helps protect organisations from the security challenge brought about by a raft of new and unusual, devices. Businesses can access Trustwave's Managed IoT Security services through the company’s cloud-based portal, Trustwave TrustKeeper.

Managed IoT Security will launch on Wednesday (22 July) and more information will be available on the Trustwave website.

Image Credit: PlusONE / Shutterstock
Why I will not buy a Microsoft Lumia flagship anytime soon

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 3:02pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

Microsoft is rumored to be working on two Windows 10 Mobile flagships, that would serve as replacements for the aging, Nokia-made, Lumia 930 and Lumia 1520. On paper, both look great, with specs that match those of high-end Android smartphones. And Windows 10 Mobile is not too shabby either, featuring lots of improvements over its predecessor. As someone who is frequently shopping in this segment, I should consider at least one of them as my next smartphone. However, going down this road again feels like a huge mistake.

After taking everything into account, the cons clearly outweigh the pros. It does not help that I currently use an iPhone 6 Plus, which constantly reminds me why I am not longer rocking a Windows Phone flagship as my daily driver. There is a whole host of reasons why I do not plan to buy a Lumia flagship in the foreseeable future, and here are the most important.

1. Resale Value

Resale value is entirely irrelevant during the time one uses a device. It will not make the experience any better or worse. But it will make you think long and hard when time comes to shop for a replacement. And since I am not Bill Gates nor Satya Nadella, the prospect of owning a Windows 10 Mobile device, knowing that I will lose lots of money in the end, is not really all that appealing.

After buying two Windows Phone flagships, trying to sell them at decent prices and failing completely, I have realized that very few people are interested in high-end Windows Phones in the second-hand market. The low market share that Windows Phone commands plays into their resale value, and so do plummeting retail prices and gray market imports.

High-end Windows 10 Mobile offerings could fare better in this regard, but I am not willing to bet on it with my own money. It will take a while to change the public's perception.

2. Unclear Long-Term Strategy

Microsoft's track record concerns me. Since the software giant took control of Nokia's Devices & Services business, in April of last year, it has not released a single Windows Phone flagship with its own branding. I have to put that into perspective, because, the way I see it, Microsoft could make the same mistake again.

Microsoft could release two, very attractive, Windows 10 Mobile flagships, then spend a lot of time on the operating system's successor, and introduce nothing completely new until it is ready for prime time. There is no clear strategy for Windows 10 Mobile and the future of the Lumia brand.

At least with other vendors you know where you stand: for instance, Apple replaces its iPhones in September, and Samsung releases a new version of Galaxy S and Galaxy Note devices every year. Knowing what to expect is extremely important, and, right now, we have no idea when Microsoft will release Windows 10 Mobile, let alone if it will stick to a predictable release schedule.

3. Android and iOS Matter More

No matter how much Microsoft would like you to believe that it treats Windows Phone, and Windows 10 Mobile, as a priority, you only have to look at some of its recent app purchases to realize that this is not the case. With the exception of Wunderlist, which has been available to Windows users since September of last year, neither Outlook (formerly known as Accompli) nor Sunrise can be currently had on Windows Phone or Windows 8.x. Should I even mention the Office suite, which debuted in its current form on iOS?

This will change come Windows 10 Mobile, as at least Outlook will be integrated in the upcoming operating system, but what will happen when Microsoft decides to buy another new, very popular app? How long will you have to wait? Why should you wait? It is a question I struggle to answer without sounding like an apologist. "Soon" is not good enough. "Now" is, and Microsoft cannot meet that.

If you want the best of what Microsoft has to offer, and you want it now, the best place to find its offerings is Apple's App Store, followed by Google's Play. Microsoft's own Store is like a ghost town, and it looks like it will remain so for the time being.

4. Yeah, Yeah, the Apps

There are two sides to the app problem that Windows Phone has, and Windows 10 Mobile will have. The first concerns the number of quality apps that are available in Store. This is clearly much, much lower than in App Store or Play. There is no question about it. Does it matter? To me it does, because I am the sort of person who likes to keep their options open. Windows 10 Mobile will not give me that.

The second concerns the quality of apps that are available in Store. If you have not used Android or iOS, suffice to say that virtually every app is of a higher quality on App Store or Play. Updates are released at a faster pace, there are more features available, and, generally speaking, they look nicer too.

Apps do not matter to everyone who is using a Windows smartphone, but for those that like living in 2015 the prospect of buying a high-end, really expensive flagship that is clearly inferior in this regard when compared to top-of-the-line Android smartphones and iPhones is highly unappealing.

5. Where Are the Benefits?

A bit of context: late last year, I made the switch to an iPhone 6 Plus from a Windows Phone flagship (a Lumia 920, to be exact, running Windows Phone 8.1). I have no regrets. So, I have to ask, what has changed in the Windows ecosystem to make me want to go back? Or, better put, what do I have to gain by making the switch to a Windows 10 Mobile flagship?

My iPhone 6 Plus does everything well, better than I expected in fact. I am really happy with its performance, camera, battery life, build quality, support from my carrier, and, not to mention, the app store. I expect its replacement to be even better.

Granted, I have no crystal ball in front of me to shows me whether Microsoft can one up Apple, but, looking at the high-end market as a whole, it is more than likely that, hardware-wise, the main players will have closely-matched offerings. There is no clear-cut leader now, and there will not be one in the coming months.

The differences will lie with the software, and this is one area where, no matter how different Windows 10 Mobile is to iOS 8 and the upcoming iOS 9, Microsoft will struggle to convince me that its devices are worth the asking price. Yes, the operating system looks like nothing that is on the market today, but are those features alone worth it?

I have used Windows 10 Mobile, and, to be perfectly honest, there is little that truly excites me about it. To me, having the more mature ecosystem and developer support is critical in this segment. Windows 10 Mobile has the potential to level things out, but until that happens, I do not see another flagship running the tiled operating system in my pocket anytime soon.

Photo Credit: alphaspirit/Shutterstock
Pattern-lock Android apps with ES App Locker

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 2:35pm CEST par Mike Williams

Android devices have plenty of security options -- passwords, PINs, pattern locks -- but they’re mostly about blocking access to the entire system. Get past the lock screen, and if a friend picks up your phone they can do whatever they like.

ES App Locker -- from the developers of the popular ES File Explorer -- adds another layer, enabling you to block access to individual apps by drawing a pattern on the screen.

Once the system is set up then you can easily lock or unlock anything, including system apps, by drawing your custom patterns. And so you could hand your phone to someone if they needed to check a map, say, and be sure they can’t also be going through your texts.

Okay, maybe "sure" is going a little too far, because the technology offers only very basic protection. Anyone with your phone will still be able to view notifications from locked apps, maybe revealing confidential details, and if you’re not around they could just close ES App Locker and access anything.

Still, this isn’t as much about keeping the determined hacker out, as just making sure friends and family can’t accidentally access a particular app, and ES App Locker does that well enough.

There’s still room for improvement, of course, but this is only version 1.0, and developer ES App Group’s great track record of responding to users makes us think ES App Locker is going to be one to watch. Check it out.
Frustration mounts as Microsoft fails to fix Skype's spoof message problem

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 12:58pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Over on the Skype community pages there are lots of disgruntled Skype users. For a number of weeks now, many users have been plagued with spoof messages from people on their contact list, telling them to visit a Russian website. Others complain that their contacts say their own account has sent out a similar message. Despite the problem having been reported nearly a month ago, Microsoft has still to address the issue.

For now, all the company has to say is "change your password", insisting that a team is working on the issue. The spoofed message includes a shortened URL, so those clicking it have no idea where it leads until it is too late. Rather than offering a full solution, all Microsoft has to suggest is to change Skype passwords -- it seems the company is too busy focusing on Windows 10 at the moment.

Right now, it's not entirely clear what the problem is. Microsoft remains fairly tight-lipped about things but some Skype users have noticed that their account history shows a number of failed login attempts. Perhaps more worryingly are reports that some users say that their account has been sending out spoof messages to their contacts when they are not even logged into their account.

A pinned response from Microsoft reads:

Our engineers are still looking into this.

Meanwhile we'd recommend everyone to change their account passwords for all your Skype related accounts, i.e. also update your Microsoft account password if you linked that to your Skype account. Here's how: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA95/how-do-i-change-my-password.

So far, this is the only real advice that Microsoft has given, and it has left a lot of Skype users feeling frustrated. People who use Skype for business are especially concerned not only because of the security implications, but also because it reflects badly on them if their accounts are used to send out these messages to customers and clients.
Here is Marshall's first smartphone

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 12:40pm CEST par Sead Fadilpašić

For those unaware of what Marshall is – it’s one of the world’s best guitar amplifier maker. That is a fact at least for the author of this article who has, in his lifetime, tried at least 30 different amplifiers.

The lovable guitar amp maker has surprised the entire world when it unveiled its first Android smartphone and, you guessed it right, this one is all about music.

Named London, Marshall’s smartphone is said to be designed specifically for music lovers. Some of the unique features of this strange phone include twin stereo jacks, allowing two people to plug in and listen to music, dual speakers which should provide us with quality audio if we have no headphones around, as well as the scroll wheel which gives you quick access to volume control with tactile precision.

It also has a dedicated music button, called the M-Button. "Thanks to this ingenious bit of engineering, you can control your music on top of whatever else you happen to have on your screen", Marshall says.

Marshall claims to provide the best in class audio quality with the Wolfson WM8281 Audio Hub processor embedded inside the London. The company will also give you customized headphones from its own stock.

Even if you’re not a huge music fan, this phone will work just fine. Its hardware is similar to most popular mid-range phones.

It features Android Lollipop, has a 4.7 inch display with a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels, a Snapdragon 410 processor, a 2GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage and a 2,500 mAh battery.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
TV and porn dominate piracy statistics

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 11:07am CEST par Ian Barker

With the launch of Apple Music and a number of high-profile artists withdrawing their music from streaming services, piracy has been in the headlines of late.

But a new infographic from application security company Arxan reveals that piracy of music is only a small part of the overall problem.

Between 2012 and 2014 the average number of pirated assets 1.6 million per year, that’s expected to increase to 1.96 million this year. However, only 12 percent of pirated material is music. Television on 24 percent and adult material on 23 percent make up the bulk of pirated assets, movies account for 14 percent and even ebooks and magazines (also on 14 percent) account for more than music.

In monetary terms, out of $109 billion worth of pirated assets in 2014 the vast majority ($73 billion) was accounted for by movies, $18 billion by TV and $12 billion by music. Adult content, despite its high percentage of total content, was worth only $6 billion dollars -- sex, it seems, is cheap.

More detail including the distribution model for pirated material and the amount of bandwidth it takes up is in the infographic below.

Image Credit: Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley / Shutterstock
Logitech Collaboration Program makes it easier for remote colleagues to work together

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 11:01am CEST par Mark Wilson

Today Logitech launches the Logitech Collaboration Program (LCP) with the aim of simplifying collaboration for its customers. With partners including BroadSoft, Lifesize Communications, Vidyo, and Zoom, LCP helps to bring about what Logitech calls the 'anywhere workplace'.

The program features a combination of hardware and software solutions to facilitate remote collaborative work. It allows for the creation of virtual meeting rooms, mobile communication, and videoconferencing as part of a complete collaborative ecosystem.

Products such as the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect are supported by the program, providing a more immersive collaborative experience thanks to remote pan, tilt, and zoom. General manager of Logitech’s collaboration group, Jason Moss, explains that LCP "will focus on an exceptional user experience by enhancing business communications with end-to-end solutions that simply work".

Writing about the program in a blog post, Logitech says:

The goal of seamlessly integrating our offerings is to provide customers with solutions that are easy to deploy and a breeze to use. By working closely together, we aim to deliver advanced product functionality and end-to-end solutions rather than individual products. This way, customers of Logitech and LCP members can enjoy a comprehensive experience.

From huddle rooms to conference rooms to anywhere rooms, we’re working together to make tools that keep people focused and productive anytime, anywhere with plug-and-play solutions that work even better than they look.

More details are available on the Logitech Collaboration Program website.
Microsoft goes on the charm offensive with Windows 10 ad campaign

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 8:18am CEST par Mark Wilson

The countdown to launch really has begun. Microsoft is now pushing Windows 10 with earnest, launching an ad campaign that heralds the arrival of a 'new generation' of Windows. For many, the launch of the latest version of the operating system is something of a rebirth for Microsoft, and this is an idea that is played upon in a child-heavy advert.

This is the launch of Microsoft's global ad campaign which kicks off in the US now, and spreads around the world on July 29. The first installment is heavy on cuteness and works with the idea that Windows 10 is simple enough for a child to use, and will grow up with this generation.

This first ad is only a minute long, and Windows 10 doesn't even make an appearance until the fourth quarter. But when it shows up, we are treated to quick demonstrations of Cortana in action, leaving notes on websites in Microsoft Edge, and... well, that's it actually. There'll be plenty more to come, no doubt.

Writing about the video in a blog post, the Windows team says:

To bring the campaign to life, we see young children from around the world in their natural settings in Morocco, Thailand, Iceland, England and the U.S. Supporting our mission of empowering every person and organization to achieve more, the ads show how technology should be more natural, human and intuitive, and adapt to people’s needs. The key notion – Windows 10 delivers a more human way to do. Enjoy!

Enough waffling... watch the ad and see what you think.
Samsung announces Galaxy Tab S2 Android tablet with 8 and 9.7 inch screen options

Publié: juillet 20, 2015, 4:48am CEST par Brian Fagioli
The tablet market has felt a bit stale lately. Apple's iPads are in need of a refresh, while the Android options have been yawn-worthy too. Other than the Nexus 9, there really hasn't been anything to fire up the Android community.

Today, Samsung hopes to change this with the all new Galaxy Tab S2 tablets. Consumers can choose between a 9.7 inch screen or an 8 inch variant. In other words, Samsung is offering options with its tablets -- much like Apple with the Air and mini -- which is rather smart. After all, one size does not fit all when it comes to tablets.

"At just 5.6mm thin and only 389g (9.7 -inch) and 265g (8.0 -inch) weight, the Galaxy Tab S2 is perfectly designed for reading and consuming content due to its stunning Super AMOLED Display. By recreating the same viewing experience of browsing through traditional print media, the Galaxy Tab S2 also makes it comfortable to read digital content, including e-books, magazines, webpages and newsfeeds. This reading-optimized ratio allows the user to enjoy a seamless reading experience without unnecessary scrolling.", explains Samsung.

The popular manufacturer further explains, "for enhanced manageability, the Galaxy Tab S2 is built with a touch-enabled Fingerprint Scanner for hassle-free authentication. A built-in advanced security sensor now offers easy access to the personal device with a simple press against the home key. For the most streamlined device management options, the Galaxy Tab S2 features Smart Manager which displays the device’s settings automatically, including battery power levels, storage and RAM availability for users to efficiently manage their devices. It is also pre-installed with anti-malware for an extra layer of protection."

Kudos to Samsung for delivering its improved fingerprint sensor technology to these tablets. Like the Galaxy S6 smartphone, users no longer have to slide their fingers, but instead just press it against the sensor. This makes securing and accessing the device a breeze; pins and passwords are archaic by comparison. Quite frankly, all tablets and smartphones should have some form of biometrics in 2015.

Samsung shares the following specs.

Galaxy Tab S2 9.7
- Network :LTE : 700/ 800/ 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900/ 2100/ 2600
  3G : 850/ 900/ 1900/ 2100
  2G : 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900
- AP :Quad 1.9GHz + Quad 1.3GHz, Octacore application processor
- Display :9.7 inch 2048x1536(QXGA) Super AMOLED
- OS :Android 5.0 (Lollipop)
- Camera :8MP AF(rear), 2.1MP(front)
- Video :H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, VP8
  Recording: QHD(2560x1440)@30fps
  Playback: UHD(3840x2160)@30fps
- Audio :MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC
- Google Mobile Service :Chrome, Gmail, Google Search, Maps, YouTube, Hangouts, Play Store, Play Movies; TV, Play Music, Drive, Photos
- Connectivity :Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO (2.4GHz/5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth4.1 BLE
- GPS :GPS, GLONASS
- Sensor :Accelerometer, Finger Scanner, Gyroscope, Compass, Hall Sensor, RGB Sensor
- Memory :3GB(RAM) + 32/64GB internal memory
  microSD up to 128GB
- Dimension / Weight :169 x 237.3 x 5.6mm, 389g(Wifi)/392g(LTE)
- Battery :5,870mAh
Galaxy Tab S2 8.0
- Network :LTE : 700/ 800/ 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900/ 2100/ 2600
  3G : 850/ 900/ 1900/ 2100
  2G : 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900
- AP :Quad 1.9GHz + Quad 1.3GHz, Octacore application processor
- Display :8.0 inch 2048x1536(QXGA) Super AMOLED
- OS :Android 5.0 (Lollipop)
- Camera :8MP AF(rear), 2.1MP(front)
- Video :H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, VP8
  Recording: QHD (2560x1440) @30 fps
  Playback: UHD (3840x2160) @ 30fps
- Audio :MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC
- Google Mobile Service :Chrome, Gmail, Google Search, Maps, YouTube, Hangouts, Play Store, Play Movies; TV, Play Music, Drive, Photos
- Connectivity :Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO (2.4GHz/5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.1 BLE
- GPS :GPS, GLONASS
- Sensor :Accelerometer, Finger Scanner, Gyroscope, Compass, Hall Sensor, RGB Sensor
- Memory :3GB (RAM) + 32/64GB internal memory
  microSD up to 128GB
- Dimension / Weight :134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6mm, 265g(Wifi)/ 272g(LTE)
- Battery :4,000mAh
While the specs look amazing, I am a bit dismayed to see Android 5.0 and not 5.1. With that said, Samsung is very good about updates, and a move to 5.1 is almost a sure thing.

Some fans of Samsung smartphones may have been upset by a lack of expandable storage on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, but that is not an issue here. Yes, the Galaxy S2 tablets have micro SD slots, meaning you can add up to 128GB of additional storage. Heck, the recently released 200GB card may even work as well despite not being listed.

Microsoft fans in particular will be interested in the Tab S2. Why? Samsung explains, "the tablet comes fully equipped and preloaded with Microsoft Office Solutions for ultimate productivity on the road, such as creating and editing documents, while conveniently storing up to 100GB of files on the cloud via OneDrive for two years for free".

If you are interested in buying one of these tablets, you will not have to wait long. They will be available globally in black and white colors next month. While pricing is not yet official, they should be in line with current premium tablet prices.

Will you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2? If yes, which size and color? Tell me in the comments.