Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » juillet 27, 2015

BetaNews.Com (15 non lus)

Download leaked Windows 10 quick guide here

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 11:40pm CEST par Mark Wilson

There has been so much information available about Windows 10, it would be easy to think that you know everything there is to know... and the operating system hasn’t even launched yet! Over the past few months, in addition to the official releases, there have been a number of build leaks to whet our appetites.

With just two days to go until launch, the latest leak is a quick-start guide that tells you everything you need to know about Windows 10. There might not be much that Windows Insiders don’t already know, but for everyone else, the guide serves as a great introduction to the most recent version of Windows.

The 14-page guide is available to read in Word Online, but you can also download the document as a PDF. Windows 10 is described as "the best Windows ever", and right at the start Microsoft makes reference to the "free, automatically-enabled updates" that have proved problematic in some instances.

We're also introduced to Cortana, Microsoft Edge, gaming and Xbox features, the built-in modern apps, Windows Hello, and the various security features -- pretty much everything highlighted in Microsoft's video ads for Windows 10 have their own sections in the guide. It's far from being a comprehensive guide to everything Windows 10 has to offer, but for newcomers it serves as a brilliant way to become familiar with the operating system.

Grab your copy of the guide here.
Microsoft's latest reason to upgrade to Windows 10 is Continuum

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 11:37pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Windows 10 is now so close you can smell it. With so many having been more than a little disappointed with Windows 8, Microsoft has to do a lot to convince those that stuck with Windows 7 to make the jump to Windows 10. The latest video Microsoft has released to give the operating system a final push before launch focuses on Continuum.

We've already seen how there are old favorites such as apps, security, and gaming in Windows 10, but people also need new features. Having learned about the likes of Windows Hello, now we are shown how Windows 10's mode-switching Continuum feature could help us.

This is a feature that will appeal to people using hybrid systems such as the Surface Pro -- laptops that can be used in multiple modes. Continuum makes it easy to work with Windows 10 however you happen to be using your computer. No need to manually switch between tablet and laptop mode, Continuum can take care of it for you and ensure that you have the most appropriate UI and tools available.

Microsoft says:

Touch when you want to, type when you need to. Continuum on Windows 10 optimizes your experience for your activity, device and display, so you can do your thing in tablet or desktop mode anytime you want.

Check out the video below and see if the presence of Continuum is enough to make you upgrade to Windows 10 after July 29.
Google's new Android One handset -- Lava Pixel V1 -- disappoints with its absurd pricing

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 7:23pm CEST par Manish Singh

If you thought Google has been slacking lately with its Android One initiative, the company has a new smartphone that it hopes will have its fans perking up their ears. The company today launches Lava Pixel V1, a new Android One smartphone it made in collaboration with the Indian smartphone manufacturer. The pricing of the phone; however, disappoints.

Make no mistake, the Lava Pixel V1 is the most powerful Android One handset to-date. It sports a 5.5-inch HD (1,280x720 pixels) IPS display (up from FWVGA display in the first generation of Android One handsets). Underneath the handset sits a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek (MT6582) chipset coupled with 2GB of DDR3 RAM, and 32GB internal storage which can be expanded by another 32GB using a microSD card.

Other features of the handset include a 13-megapixel primary camera with BSI sensor and f/2.0 lens, blue glass filter and LED flash, and an 8-megapixel of f/2.4 lens and LED flash on the front. That's a significant improvement over the first fleet of Android One smartphones like Spice Dream Uno, Micromax Canvas A1 and others that sport 5-megapixel and 2-megapixel combination. The dual-SIM capable Pixel V1 supports 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity options.

On the software side, the phone runs the latest Android version, v5.1.1 Lollipop. The company says that it will push out the latest version of Android to the phone for 2 years. I got a chance to play with the phone last week, and while it looks a lot better than its predecessors, the build quality of the phone isn't impressive. The back of the phone seems to be made of an apologetic plastic material.

But that's not the biggest qualm I have with the phone. What surprises me is the price of the Lava Pixel V1. The phone is priced at Rs 11,350 ($175), which is completely off the scale, in my humble opinion. India hosts one of the most competitive smartphone markets in the world. The arrival of Chinese players over the last two years have completely changed the dynamics of the market.

Today, you can get a much more capable and also probably durable smartphone than the Lava Pixel V1 for half its price. One can buy similarly specced Xiaomi's Redmi 2 -- priced at Rs 5,999 ($94) -- and Lenovo A6000 Plus -- priced at Rs 7,499 ($115) that, on a bonus, come with 4G LTE connectivity too.

Moving forward, smartphones like the Lenovo K3 Note and the Xolo Black offer FHD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) and much more powerful processor at Rs 9,999 ($155). The Lava Pixel V1 holds the potential to significantly benefit the ecosystem, but the absurd pricing has crippled its odds at making any dent in the market. The first generation Android One handsets garnered a lot of interest in the country because they were aggressively competing with top rival smartphones. It will be interesting to see how much traction the new Android One handset gets.
Google explains the future of Google+ and improves YouTube comments

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 6:37pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Since the beginning, Google+ has been seen as a mess. It has been dismissed as the social network for people who don’t actually like to be very social, and Google is only too aware that it needs to step up its game. You may well have wondered if the company knew what it was doing… today Google shares details of what it has planned.

Several months ago, Google announced that it was going to split up Google+ into a number of separate projects -- Hangouts, Photos, and Streams. We've already seen the arrival of Google Photos to replace Google+ Photos (you keeping up?) and now, as well as admitting that it made mistakes, Google gives a taste of what’s to come in the months ahead.

The company says that "while we got certain things right, we made a few choices that, in hindsight, we've needed to rethink". But what does this mean? What is promised is a 'more focused' Google+, and this means chopping Google+ out of other Google services. In future you will be able to use a standard Google account rather than a Google+ profile as your online identity. Current Google+ features will also migrate into other products.

Google says:

For example, many elements of Google+ Photos have been moved into the new Google Photos app, and we're well underway putting location sharing into Hangouts and other apps, where it really belongs. We think changes like these will lead to a more focused, more useful, more engaging Google+.

What does this mean? An important difference is the fact that, unlike Google+ profiles, Google Account profiles are private and unsearchable. But it doesn’t end there.

Starting today, there are also important changes to commenting on YouTube -- something which has already proved controversial. There is one key change that is likely to divide opinion:

The comments you make on YouTube will now appear only on YouTube, not also on Google+. And vice-versa. This starts rolling out today.

Further down the line the requirement to have a Google+ profile to create a channel, post a comment, or upload a video will be dropped. Ultimately, you'll be able to delete your Google+ profile completely... but:

If you want to remove your Google+ profile, you’ll be able to do this in the coming months, but do not do it now or you’ll delete your YouTube channel

You have been warned!
Lenovo announces new bloatware for Windows 10

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 6:14pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

When a consumer buys a new Windows 10 laptop, they will probably want the full experience. Microsoft has properly outfitted the operating system with all the settings the average user should need. Some manufacturers, however, like to customize the experience with their own branding and apps.

For many of us, this is nothing more than bloatware -- unneeded extras that are a chore to uninstall on day one. Today, Lenovo announce that is has updated some of its bloatware for its upcoming Windows 10 PCs -- version 3.0 of its Companion and Settings software.

"Lenovo Settings 3.0 is a 'smart' device control hub aggregating all of the most common hardware device functions into one place, making it easy for users to adapt and modify the way their computer or tablet behaves. Among its newest features, Settings offers a unique 'Smart Settings' area which leverages built-in device sensors to predict, adapt and modify device settings to suit user behavior -- automatically. Settings also showcases a robust 'Power' section, which offers customization unique to Lenovo, such as a 'Battery Stretch Mode' and 'Charge Mode', which lets users super-charge their battery replenishment", says Lenovo.

The manufacturer also says, "Lenovo Companion 3.0 provides a sleek new interface and a robust optimization tool. Its new optimize feature keeps PCs running at peak performance: it can be used at any time to run a full-scale checkup and report back with specific actions that can free up space and speed up a user's device. Companion will then complete the actions all within the user's control".

While I am sure Lenovo will dispute my classification of bloatware, these apps are definitely not necessities, and even if negligible, will eat CPU and RAM.

True, some consumers may appreciate a bit of the functionality, but the software should be offered as an optional download for them -- not pre-loaded. As history shows, pre-loaded software can lead to a security nightmare.

Do you think manufacturers should pre-load such apps on consumer machines? Tell me in the comments.

Photo Credit: Kristina Stasiuliene/Shutterstock
Microsoft should quit making hardware

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 5:10pm CEST par Sead Fadilpašić

Microsoft is good at making software and it should stick to it, analysts say, adding that exiting the hardware business could see the company’s share soar.

According to a recently published report by Reuters, Microsoft’s hardware division, comprising of mostly Xbox and Surface tablets, is showing great sales. However, they contribute less than a 10th of the company’s revenue and they’re barely profitable.

"Unless Microsoft can get to hardware break-even within two years or demonstrate sufficient offsetting value elsewhere in the portfolio, we think the company should exit the hardware business", RBC Capital Markets analysts said in a client note.

Exiting hardware could add up to $4 per share to Microsoft’s market value, they said.

Under the new CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has shifted its attention to cloud business and corporate software, but it said it would pump ensuing savings into its hardware division, as well.

Analysts agree that investing in cloud and Windows 10 makes strategic sense, but some say the rationale behind pouring more money into hardware is less clear.

"Hardware remains a more commoditized piece across tech", said FBR Capital Markets analyst Daniel Ives, who thinks all of Microsoft’s resources should be going into software. "Hardware is not what got Microsoft here -- software did".

Even so, Nadella said he remained committed to making phones to attract Windows users.

"We believe redeploying funds into [...] hardware is a mistake given that business’s lack of margin and strategic importance to Microsoft", Jefferies & Co analyst John DiFucci told Reuters.

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

Photo Credit: Franck Boston/Shutterstock
Apple Watch to be available from Best Buy next month

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 3:11pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

Apple has not revealed an official sales figure for Apple Watch, but, according to a Canalys report, it leads the smartwatch pack, with sales estimated to be around 4.2 million units. And we are talking about sales exclusively through Apple's own online and brick and mortar stores, which is a different strategy to iPhones and iPads.

Staring next month, however, Apple Watch will no longer be confined to Apple's own locations, as the smartwatch will also be available for purchase at US retailer Best Buy. Will this boost sales?

Best Buy will become the first retailer in the US to carry Apple Watch, on August 7, and this is likely to attract more consumers to its brick and mortar stores. The smartwatch will be available at more than 100 locations, as well as online, with retail availability to grow to 200 locations in time for the holidays.

Best Buy says that 16 Apple Watch models will be available through its stores, including the entry-level Sport and the mid-range Watch models. The retail will also sell nearly 50 accessories for the device, including bands, display shields, chargers and more. Apple Watch will be offered in both 38 mm and 42 mm sizes.

Best Buy makes no mention of Apple Watch Edition, which is the most expensive version of the smartwatch, starting at $10,000 for the 38 mm model and $12,000 for the 42 mm counterpart. The Edition line is likely to remain exclusive to Apple stores.

There is also no word on pricing for Apple Watch. However, it is likely that it will match Apple's pricing, which has the "entry-level" Apple Watch, in Sport trim and 38 mm size, at $349, with the 42 mm version going for $399. The Watch edition kicks off at $549 and $599, respectively.

Photo Credit: Wayne Williams
10 reasons to upgrade to Windows 10

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 3:00pm CEST par Wayne Williams

Microsoft has been listing the top reasons why you should upgrade to Windows 10, with familiarity cited as one of the main selling points, Cortana’s inclusion is another.

Maybe it’s just me (but I expect it isn’t), but I don’t think those are really the best reasons why anyone should switch to the new OS. So I figured I would come up with a list of reasons that genuinely do make the case for upgrading to Windows 10.

It’s Free!

Well it’s free provided you have a valid Windows 7 or 8.x license and you upgrade in the first year. If you have an old OS, like XP or -- heaven forbid -- Windows Vista, then you’ll need to buy a license. Giving the OS away as an incentive to upgrade is a really smart move on Microsoft’s behalf and this, more than anything, will be the reason why the OS succeeds where Windows 8 failed (plus, it doesn’t suck).

You Can Try It Risk Free

Provided you’ve upgraded for free, you can try out the OS and if you decide you don’t like it, you can roll back to your old Windows version very easily. All you need to do is go to Settings, click the Update & Security and click Recovery in the left hand pane. Select the option to go back to your previous operating system. You only have 30 days to roll back, but that should be more than enough time to decide if you like Windows 10 or not.

The Start Menu

True, it’s probably not the Start menu that most Windows 7 users were hoping for, and Modern UI/Metro haters won’t be massive fans of it either, but it is a Start menu, and it works well. It is, for me, a great mix of Windows 7 and 8, and despite any misgivings you have, you’ll quickly get used to it. It's re-sizable and the live tiles are, I think, a great addition. Plus, if you really, really hate tiles, you can remove them and be left with a basic Start menu. So, win-win.

Integration with OneDrive

Microsoft’s cloud storage service is fully integrated with Windows 10. This means data is synchronized across devices, and you can choose what to include -- all files and folders, or just selected content.

Multiple Desktops

I have a three monitor set up for my desktop PC, which gives me the luxury of really spreading out (especially as two of the screens are 28 inch). When I switch to using a laptop, I find the transition jarring. It’s like working with just one eye open. Virtual desktops in Windows 10 help alleviate this and boost power user productivity. It’s the sort of feature that should have been included in Windows 7, but while it might be late to the party, at least it’s finally here.

Snapping

You can now have four windows snapped together on one screen, which is handy for those of us with big displays. Simply drag a window to the right or left hand edge and it will snap there. I'm a big fan of anything that can help productivity, and I've found this a useful inclusion.

The Action Center

A single notification area is long overdue, and in Windows 10 Microsoft corrects this oversight by providing a single place for all your notifications from Windows and installed apps. It also provides quick access to your choice of various settings.

Phone Companion

Windows 10 includes an app that will let you get your phone set up to work with your PC and any Microsoft services you use -- like Office, OneDrive, Cortana and Skype. You’ll be able to view photos taken with your Android or iOS device directly on your PC, listen to songs stored anywhere via OneDrive, access OneNote content, work in Office, and so on. All you have to do is install the relevant apps on the device(s) of your choosing.

Edge

Edge is a much, much better browser than Internet Explorer, and it’s impressively fast too. While a lot of people will prefer to stick with what they know best, Microsoft's new browser could be a quality alternative to the rather bloated and occasionally problematic Chrome and Firefox. Obviously, it's early days for the browser, and important elements are missing -- including add-on support -- but it could be really good.

A 21st Century Command Prompt

You’re probably so used to the look and functionality of the old command prompt, that the idea of a new and improved one doesn’t excite you much. But it should. You can now properly resize the command prompt window and use keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste content. It's long overdue, but a welcome inclusion.

Those are my top ten reasons for upgrading (there are plenty of others I could have included). What are your reasons for upgrading to Windows 10?

Photo Credit: Mr.Exen/Shutterstock
Vulnerability in Stagefright could expose 95 percent of Android devices to risk

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 2:59pm CEST par Ian Barker

Although you may not have heard of it, Stagefright is at the heart of the Android operating system. It's a media library that processes several popular media formats. Since media processing is often time-sensitive, the library is implemented using native code (C++) that is more prone to memory corruption than memory-safe languages like Java.

Researchers at mobile security company Zimperium have uncovered an issue in the Stagefright code that they believe to be one of the worst Android vulnerabilities to date.

Zimperium zLabs VP of Platform Research and Exploitation, Joshua J Drake, carried out the research which will be presented at Black Hat USA on August 5. The study found multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities in Stagefright that can be exploited using various methods, the worst of which requires no user-interaction. These issues could critically expose 95 percent of Android devices, an estimated 950 million units worldwide.

"Attackers only need your mobile number, using which they can remotely execute code via a specially crafted media file delivered via MMS." says Drake. "A fully weaponized successful attack could even delete the message before you see it. You will only see the notification. These vulnerabilities are extremely dangerous because they do not require that the victim take any action to be exploited. Unlike spear-phishing, where the victim needs to open a PDF file or a link sent by the attacker, this vulnerability can be triggered while you sleep. Before you wake up, the attacker will remove any signs of the device being compromised and you will continue your day as usual -- with a trojaned phone".

Android versions after and including version 2.2 Froyo are vulnerable. Devices running Android versions prior to Jelly Bean (roughly 11 percent of the total) are at the worst risk due to inadequate exploit fixes.

Zimperium reported its discovery to Google and also submitted patches. Google has acted promptly and applied these patches to internal code branches within 48 hours, but that's only the start of what will be a very lengthy process of update deployment.

Fixes for these issues require an OTA firmware update for all affected devices. Such updates for Android devices have historically taken a long time to reach users. Devices more than 18 months old are unlikely to receive an update at all.

Drake says, "We hope that members of the Android ecosystem will recognize the severity of these issues and take immediate action. In addition to fixing these individual issues, we hope they will also fix any business processes that prevent or slow the uptake of such fixes".

Two groups are already protected against the reported issues. Users of SilentCircle's Blackphone have been protected as of the release of PrivatOS version 1.1.7. Mozilla's Firefox, which is also affected, has included fixes for these issues since version 38.

Zimperium advises users and enterprises to contact their device manufacturer and/or carrier to find out whether or not their device has been updated with the necessary patches.

Image Credit: Vepar5 / Shutterstock
5 features to expect from Samsung's Galaxy Note 5

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 2:57pm CEST par Nabil Ansari

If you’ve been following the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 leaks for a while, you might already be able to get a clear idea of what you should expect. We still think that there might be some changes to the exact details of the upcoming flagship, but reports suggest that the next Note device might be released as soon as next month.

So, to set our expectations and also be able to get some surprises from the smartphone giant, here are the five things that you (and we too) should expect from Samsung’s new Note device.

1. USB-C

This is the year of the USB-C connectors and we are expecting that the Galaxy Note 5 will have it. It should allow the device to charge quickly, but the more important feature of that connector, is to provide faster data transfers.

This means that if they do include a USB-C connector, you won’t have to wait hours for your phone to receive gigabytes of media and other data. Plus, the connector is reversible, which should make things easier for you when you’re drunk or just trying to plug in the charger when it’s dark.

2. Ultra Powerful Processor

Rumors suggest that Samsung is going to reveal a new Exynos 7422 processor that will include a GPU, RAM and a Shannon (Samsung brand) LTE modem all into a single chip (SoC). If this is true, then you should expect to see a huge bump in battery life and performance, which will definitely be beyond what you saw in the Galaxy S6.

3. VR Support

Galaxy Note 4 was the first one to enter the Gear VR zone, and then Galaxy S6 followed the Note 4 with a new Gear VR unit this year.

We are pretty sure that Samsung has a new Gear VR headset for the Galaxy Note 5 and there are chances that the new Gear VR will be shipping along with the Note 5.

4. A New S Pen

Rumors suggest that the new S Pen will be able to auto-eject itself. This might be possible either through a voice command or the software. We’ll have to see.

Besides that, you should expect better handwriting accuracy and a couple of new functions.

5. The Best Display

The Galaxy Note line has always enabled the South Korean company to show off its latest technology in almost every part of the smartphone. Quad HD was one of the best displays used on a smartphone and we eventually saw that on the Galaxy S6 this year.

It is suggested too that there will be an introduction to an Ultra HD display or a new Quad HD display. Either way, we are pretty sure that people won’t be disappointed with it.

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

Photo credit: Anton Watman / Shutterstock.com
How to stop Windows 10 installing automatic updates

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 1:41pm CEST par Mark Wilson

One of the more controversial features of Windows 10 is the automatic, mandatory installation of updates. With launch day now just hours away a problem with NVidia drivers has highlighted just why automatic updates have proved so controversial.

Microsoft has previously said that home users will have no choice but to let Windows 10 take care of updates for them. For those concerned about this, the company has a special tool that can be used to block specific updates to Windows and drivers.

Unearthed by ZDNet's Ed Bott, KB3073930 is the tool that many people feel should have been built into Windows 10 as standard. It's not really a tool that Microsoft intended to be used by the majority of people to take control of Windows Updates, it is actually a troubleshooting tool designed for use with the preview builds that have been made available to Windows Insiders. It's not clear whether the tool will continue to work when Windows 10 officially launches in a couple of days' time, but it's certainly an option for now.

The update blocker tool -- called the "Show or hide updates" troubleshooter package -- can be downloaded from Microsoft's support pages where the company describes its purpose:

In Windows 10 Insider Preview, your device is always kept up to date with the latest features and fixes. Updates are installed automatically, with no need to select which updates are needed or not needed. In rare cases, a specific driver or update might temporarily cause issues with your device, and in this case you will need a way to prevent the problematic driver or update from reinstalling automatically the next time Windows Updates are installed.

Using the tool is very simple -- you can use check boxes to indicate which updates and drivers you would like Windows 10 to ignore.

Give the update blocker a try for yourself and see what you think.
One year on, Internet.org gives a billion people internet access

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 12:18pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Mark Zuckerberg's Internet.org has come in for quite a lot of criticism since it launched. Designed to help get the entire world online, it has been argued that the program is in opposition to the idea of net neutrality and many of its backers have pulled out or complained about things since it kicked off.

But in many regards none of this matters -- it is the numbers that are important. Twelve months after the launch of Internet.org, more than a billion people have been connected to the internet free of charge. Moving into year two, the next part of the operation involves scaling things up.

Connecting the unconnected remains at the heart of going forward. The aim is now to get more partners involved and have more operators on board -- this was the reason for launching the Internet.org Platform earlier in the year. Internet.org has already spread into 17 countries, but there are many, many more to tick off the list.

Writing on Facebook, the Internet.org team says:

Internet.org brings new users onto mobile networks on average over 50 percent faster after launching free basic services, and more than half of the people who come online through Internet.org are paying for data and accessing the internet within the first 30 days. These points show that Internet.org is not only a successful tool in helping bring people online, but it is successful in showing people the value of the internet and helping to accelerate its adoption.

But however many people the program gets online, no matter how altruistic the intention may be, it's hard to imagine that Internet.org won't continue to find itself coming under fire from various quarters.

Photo credit: dolphfyn / Shutterstock
Preventing IoT cars from being hacked

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 12:16pm CEST par Ian Barker

We reported last week that a number of Fiat Chrysler vehicles were being recalled due to the potential for them to be hacked.

Experts at IoT security specialist INSIDE Secure have been looking at the risks and how vehicles can be made more secure in future.

Previously access to a car's systems was only via a diagnostic port either under the hood or on the dash. But in any modern car there is a series of increasingly powerful computers on several networks. The problem is that there are now connections between information systems (SatNav, Radio head unit, etc) and control systems (ECU, Transmission) and safety systems (ABS brakes, 4WD, tyre pressure sensors, lights) which are increasingly interwoven with each other. Add in Cellular, Wi-Fi, BlueTooth NFC and other inputs and you have a car that can potentially be hacked from anywhere.

The car has pretty much become a data center on wheels but lacks the perimeter defenses that protect traditional data centers. This means that security is often down to individual components, sometimes relying on basic hardware authentication. However, rarely has anyone thought about the interaction of thousands of lines of software code in these components.

INSIDE Secure suggests that the way to address this is via a more holistic approach. Manufacturers need to ensure that the executables for each individual component are secure. They can do this by adding cryptography to ensure that communications and authentication between software inside a device and between devices are authenticated and that the software is only allowed to run in the manner designed by the coder.

Manufacturers should also add in remote security monitoring to alert if there is a software or network breach. This means they don’t have to rely on spotting known attacks. INSIDE Secure's VP of Business Development, Douglas Kinloch concludes, "In other words, the car network has to be treated in the way that the mobile payment folks are treating mobile phones, a potentially hostile environment, and act accordingly".

More information on INSIDE Secure’s solutions to secure chips and other system elements is available on the company's website.

Image Credit: cybrain / Shutterstock
Apple Watch and Android compatibility: Should it happen?

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 10:43am CEST par Barclay Ballard

The Apple Watch has only been available a few months, but it has already captured a sizable portion of the wearable market. Selling 4.2 million units throughout the second quarter of 2015, it has stolen an early march on its rivals, particularly the many wearables that use Android Wear as their primary operating system.

The question remains, however: how much longer can Apple continue to dominate the market with its self-imposed restrictions? The Apple Watch is only compatible with the iPhone 5 and later models running at least iOS 8.2, cutting off a huge proportion of consumers who use Android handsets. If Apple wants its new smartwatch to have genuine mass appeal, it will struggle under these terms.

Apple will always be limited in some way by its walled-garden. Even with its hugely impressive sales figures, in terms of overall market share, Apple made up just 18.3 percent of smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2015, while Android dominated with 78 percent. Growing iPhone sales in China will help bridge the gap somewhat, but even then they face fierce competition from budget Android handsets.

From a technical standpoint, however, making the Apple Watch compatible with Android phones is a tall order. Both the Apple Watch and recent iOS releases have been developed concurrently with compatibility in mind. The Apple Watch could conceivably be modified to work with Android handsets, but the functionality would be severely reduced. Pebble smartwatches are able to work with both operating systems, but because they only integrate with apps rather than on a deeper level with the OS, the performance is limited.

Perhaps more likely than getting into bed with Android, future versions of the Apple Watch will be able to work without being paired with any phone at all. Manufacturers are already developing smartwatches with 4G connectivity, enabling them to possess more standalone features. If Apple harnesses this technology for its future wearables, it can target the Android market, without compromising on its own values.

Apple possesses a premium quality, even if this is sometimes held together by little more than impressive marketing. By opening up the Apple Watch to Android smartphones, Apple would no longer be in complete control of its own products’ functionality, being restricted by the capabilities of the smartphone that it is synced with. Recent history indicates that it would be extremely reticent to agree to this restriction, which suggests that Android Wear devices and the Apple Watch will continue to serve different audiences.

Ultimately, while this may be frustrating for a small number of consumers who would prefer to keep their Android smartphone, but pair it with the Apple Watch, keeping the two ecosystems separate offers its benefits too. It ensures that iOS and Android remain distinct, giving consumers a greater range of devices to choose from. The sheer number of Android smartwatches out there means that although you can’t use an 18-carat gold Apple Watch with your Samsung Galaxy S6, there are plenty of premium Android Wear devices out there to soften the blow.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Net Communities Ltd Publication. All rights reserved.
Improve your reading experience with the new Kindle Paperwhite [Review]

Publié: juillet 27, 2015, 2:25am CEST par Alan Buckingham

I'm late to the game, switching from a standard Kindle to a Paperwhite. Honestly, there's nothing not to like about the low-end Kindle -- it's priced right and provides a fine reading experience. But just about everything can be improved upon with a bit effort and ingenuity.

That's exactly what Amazon has done. I can't speak for the first generation Paperwhite, I never used it. But the switch from standard to second generation is a world of difference. It's noticeable right away.

It's a Kindle, which means solid and trustworthy with a reliable system. But what is different? Well, the truth is, not much, but that doesn't lessen its value.

After using last year's standard Kindle, I found how it works and the new Paperwhite does nothing to change that. The homescreen will be familiar and a tap in the blank area at the top of the page will still produce the menu, with Home, Settings and more.

You can also sync your previous device over to it. It's a fairly simple process, but not overly intuitive. You can also buy books from it. You obviously need a linked Amazon account, but you don't buy a Kindle without having that. You can also do a factory reset, also not overly intuitive -- click Menu, then Settings and then Menu again and you'll find the option. That's handy if you're unloading the old model, which I apparently did when my daughter took it away.

So, what's the big thing? That would be the screen. It's much brighter than last year's standard Kindle and the 300 PPI resolution makes reading even simpler than ever before. There's no denying the screen is brighter and clearer, it's naked eye-obvious.

You'll find the interface familiar, though the screen better. It's comforting in a way, as there is no learning curve. That's a plus for any new device, including some which throw that curve ball at you. Amazon kept it simple and to the point, and the point is reading your book. That's why you got it, and the screen is why you may wish to upgrade. The price isn't bad either -- at $119 it won't damage your wallet too badly.